Newbie - joystick question

[mlcampbe]

Ok, I've been reading but have a qustion on joysticks.

I want a joystick that I can switch from 4 to 8-way from the top such as the t-silkplus but  from what I read this joystick is not of the highest quality.

Are there any other 4/8-way top switchable joysticks to choose from? If so what is recommended?

[NoOne=NBA=]

I don't know where you read that.
I've got two, and the quality on them is great.

Your only other option, at this point, is the Omni Sticks from groovygamegear.com.

[brained]

check out http://www.groovygamegear.com

they have that kind of joystick

[Tiger-Heli]

I want a joystick that I can switch from 4 to 8-way from the top such as the t-silkplus but  from what I read this joystick is not of the highest quality.

I have not heard this either.  I've heard that the joystick is fairly stiff and the microswitches are loud.

Personally, I prefer the Omni-Stick Prodigy (www.groovygamegear.com), if for no other reason than I can look at the stick and tell if it is in 4-way or 8-way, and can instruct others how to set it up.

[NoOne=NBA=]

Personally, I prefer the Omni-Stick Prodigy (www.groovygamegear.com), if for no other reason than I can look at the stick and tell if it is in 4-way or 8-way, and can instruct others how to set it up.

And I prefer the sleeker look of the T-stik.
The big lever on the Omni-Stick, coupled with the tapered handle and top-mount only, isn't as aesthetically appealing to me.

I usually do the setup for the people I am playing with anyway, so that aspect of it isn't really a factor for me.

[seanp]

I have not heard this either.  I've heard that the joystick is fairly stiff and the microswitches are loud.

I have to say that the T-Stiks seem VERY well built.  I went with the suggestion I read somewhere here to replace the switches with Cherry micros, and this gives me a little more throw and makes the stick a little less stiff and loud.  It's all a feel thing, but this adjustment made them feel perfect to me.

-Sean

[mlcampbe]

Thanks everyone for your replies - very helpful indeed. Obviously I was mistaken about the t-slik plus being not very sturdy.

Sounds like I'll continue my plan to go with t-silk plus' and see if I would prefer different switches.

Thanks again

[Stingray]

You can flush mount an Omnistick, it just takes a bit more metalworking or woodworking skill. Great stick by the way.

-S

[NoOne=NBA=]

You can flush mount it, but it's still a top mount.
You can't adjust the stick height to hide the flange at the bottom of it, and you can't hide the lever for switching.
Those are the two things I find less than appealing visually.

[Stingray]

Here's a picture of mine flush mounted on a metal panel (forgive the lack of artwork and ugly buttons, this setup was only temporary for testing). I cut a hole out the same size and shape as the mounting plate that comes with the prodigy & welded the mounting plate to the panel, then smothed it over with body filler. I suppose you could cut off the part of the lever that extends through the panel and mount it in another mounting plate that lacks the slot for the lever, but that kind of defeats the purpose of having it top switchable. I guess if you don't like the looks of the flange at the bottom you could buy one of RandyT's new ball top handles as a replacement. I realise this is overkill since it would be much simpler to just use the T-stick, but it can be done.



-S