Choice of controls.

[jub3i]

I'm still in the planning phase of my cabinet.  I've been looking at different controls to buy and I have some questions.

1. As far as buttons go I'm pretty sure I'm going to go with the Happ horizontal pushbuttons.

2. For joysticks I've noticed a lot of people going with the Happ super($14.50).  I can't decide between that one and the Ultimarc T-Stik plus ($24).  The regular T-Stik is 16 but I think if I was going Ultimarc I'd rather get the plus.  Quality and feel are probably my top priorities on the joystick.  Feel is a matter of opinion, but is one better quality than the other?  I was under the impression Happ made good stuff.  As far as feel goes can anyone speak from experience?  I've heard that the T-stik is "clicky"?  The Happ uses microswitches also so are they both clicky?   I'd be okay with clicky as long as it was smooth.  If I'm playing Street Fighter and spinning it around I wouldn't want it being rigid or getting stuck in a "corner".

3.  Trackball.  The USB Happ 3" is $153 plus $11 for the mounting plate. The Ultimarc 2 1/4" is $28 + $44 for Opti-pac + $14 for mounting plate.  Thats $164 compared to $86.  The Ultimarc is almost half.  The ball size doesn't change much since the Happ 2 1/4" is $147.  Is the Happ worth almost double the price?  Is it easier to not have to setup the Opti-pac?  I'm not sure where to go on this one, hopefully you guys can shed some light.

4.  I'm planning on going 4 players so I was going to get the ipac4.

Thanks for any advice guys, and let me know if I'm forgetting things, like if the Happ buttons won't work on the ipac or something else that I wouldn't have thought of.

[Witchboard]

If you're pricing, I would suggest checking out http://www.therealbobroberts.com.  He carries Happ equipment at a good discount.  If you're a fighting game fanatic, then the P360's are on sale at Happ right now.  No corners, so smooth circles + no clicking.  With my personal experience, the T-Stick Pluses are VERY tight.  I don't think they would be the best thing for fighters.  All microswitch devices will be "clicky".  That's just the way it goes.  If you don't want clicky then you'll have to go with optical or leave switch buttons.

I'm in the trackball situation myself, so I can't really comment on that yet.  Can't make up my mind what I want, although it will be a 3" ball.  Good luck and do your homework before you buy.  You'll be glad you did.

[jub3i]

Thanks for the link.
I'm not sure if I'll find a good mix.  With friends over I think I'll mainly be playing fighting games but otherwise I'd be playing other ones.  Also even in a fighting game I've played on a gamepad and had it difficult to get the right spot.  Like if I'm going for the left bottom corner to try and duck and block I'll only get left or bottom and not left bottom.  Is the super going to be like that?  If so then it looks like I want the best of both worlds and might not be able to get it.  I'm okay with the clicky sound, I just want the movement to be smooth.

[FractalWalk]

I don't play fighters, but I would think that you want to feel the corners. If that's the case then the supers would be bad. They have a round actuator and a round restrictor. Good for rolling the stick in games like Robotron but not good for finding a corner.

[Tiger-Heli]

1. As far as buttons go I'm pretty sure I'm going to go with the Happ horizontal pushbuttons.

Good choice

I'd be okay with clicky as long as it was smooth.  If I'm playing Street Fighter and spinning it around I wouldn't want it being rigid or getting stuck in a "corner".

I don't play fighters, but from what I can gather - circular motions (Capcom???) are better on the Supers.  Discrete diagonals (corners) (MK ) are better with Competitions.  T-Sticks will have less travel than either one.  You will probably either want a set of OSCAR's restrictors or a true 4-way stick (Omni-Stik or Euro-Stik) for 4-way classics if you play these.

3.  Trackball.   Thats $164 compared to $86.  Is the Happ worth almost double the price?

Not to me.

I'm not sure where to go on this one, hopefully you guys can shed some light.

Sure - 2-1/4" - Ultimarc or www.wicothesource.com - $28, www.oscarcontrols.com USB mouse pre-hack - $12.50, total $40.5

3" - www.wicothesource.com - $50.00, www.oscarcontrols.com USB mouse pre-hack - $12.50, total $62.5

The opti-pac is nice if you want a spinner and a trackball on the panel, as they can both be hooked up and will auto-switch.  In this case, it's a better option than two OSCAR hacks, b/c these may switch positions on re-boot, although this can be avoided by using hacks from different manufacturer's, using one hack with a DPDT switch to select between trackballs and spinners, etc.

4.  I'm planning on going 4 players so I was going to get the ipac4.

Makes sense.

Thanks for any advice guys, and let me know if I'm forgetting things, like if the Happ buttons won't work on the ipac or something else that I wouldn't have thought of.

Only thing I saw was maybe a spinner or mouse buttons for the trackball, but you can do that with my recommendations.

[NoOne=NBA=]

Hop on this link TODAY.
Happ's Translucent Trackball

I don't know the guy, but I have never seen a better deal on a NEW 3" translucent.
He's got two left.
His shipping is a fraction of what you'll get at Happ's as well.

With this, a mounting plate, and an Oscar USB mouse hack, you're set.

From what I've heard the Ultimarc trackballs are using plastic, or nylon, parts inside, whereas the Happs use metal (replaceable) parts.
That shouldn't be a big issue on a home machine, but I've also heard that the Happs ones roll farther, and smoother, than anything else out there.

[Apollo]

That is a SWEET deal!

[quarterstringer]

The blue trackballs are all gone but he has three Red Translucent Trackballs for the same price.

[Tiger-Heli]

From what I've heard the Ultimarc trackballs are using plastic, or nylon, parts inside, whereas the Happs use metal (replaceable) parts.
That shouldn't be a big issue on a home machine, but I've also heard that the Happs ones roll farther, and smoother, than anything else out there.

Andy recently posted in another thread that the Ultimarcs use metal rollers with a sleeve over them.  I wouldn't worry about quality, although I think Urebel said he preferred the feel of the Happs (slightly).

[ErikRuud]

I went with an Imperial/Betson Red Translucent 3" Trackball that came with a ps/2 mouse interface already built in for $80.00 plus shipping.  No additional interface required, just plug it in and go.

I have been very happy with it.  the rollers and bearings are all metal and very strong.

[simplygriff]

I just bought that guy on ebay's last red trackball.

I tried to find the usb mouse hack on oscarcontrols.com but can't find the product.  Can someone help me out?
-G

[Minwah]

I just bought that guy on ebay's last red trackball.

I tried to find the usb mouse hack on oscarcontrols.com but can't find the product.  Can someone help me out?
-G

Click on the 'Price and ordering info' link from the main page, continue to the Standard shopping cart, scroll down and you should see 'USB mouse interface'

[simplygriff]

Thanks again Minwah!

Oh and to not totally hijack this guys thread...

I have 2 Happ Competition medium spring sticks.  They are clicky but they are great on Street Fighter and Mortal Kombat.  Pretty easy to find the corners but not so easy it gets caught.  This stick is great on Virtua Fighter 4 Evo (PS2) too which involves a lot of hitting corners for moves.  Hope that helps in your decision making.

[jub3i]

Tiger-heli: Thanks for the awesome advice.  I was planning on having two buttons for the mouse and I was undecided on a spinner.  I'm going to have to see what games use a spinner first.  It's good to know that if I want to use one I can just use it with the Opti-pac.

NoOne=NBA=: That's a pretty sweet deal!  Too bad the guys sold out.  I'll just have to check out eBay more often I guess.

ErikRuud: Where did you get the Imperial/Betson from?  If online do you have a link?

simplygriff: I was leaning towards the Competition and after reading your post, I think I've decided on it.  Thanks!

[Tiger-Heli]

I'm going to have to see what games use a spinner first.

There's a thread about that on the main board right now.

ErikRuud: Where did you get the Imperial/Betson from?  If online do you have a link?

www.betson.com or maybe www.imperialusa.com

[NoOne=NBA=]

That guy above has new auctions, for both red and blue, at $72.99 now.
This guy has had a bunch up for $69.00 for awhile now though, and also has the green ones.

[jub3i]

I also found this guy.  He sells the USB ones so you don't have to buy the Opti-pac.  It's about the same price too so you are saving on the price of an interface board.

[pointdablame]

I also found this guy.  He sells the USB ones so you don't have to buy the Opti-pac.  It's about the same price too so you are saving on the price of an interface board.

I've bought things from him in the past and he is very helpful.  He also ships fast and has nice stuff from my experience.  I didn't buy a trackball from him though.

[xoopx]

i got a euro stick from ultimarc its a nice joystick - very good price
i think all microswitched parts are going to click. arcades are loud, but your home usually isnt. its all good, because i use headphones