Baolian Joysticks, are they any good?? (Chinese Joysticks)

[Joshb]

I was on ebay and I ran across several lots of these Baolian Joysticks. They are made in China and they look like copies of the Sanwa Joysticks. I was thinking about picking one up because they are so cheap, but I don't know if they are any good. If I did get one it would be used for fighting games like Tekken and Third Strike. So my question is are these joysticks any good, and are they worth it?

http://www.bao-lian.com/english/products/product.asp?sort=06%D2%A1%B8%CB&name=rocker&title=Rocker

 

[hsr]

I have two of the #10611000.  Very compact and very sturdy feeling.  Feel stronger than the Ulitimates I have in my machine right now.  Microswitches are a bit clickly (loud), but I expect that to be reduced once they're mounted and enclosed in the control panel.

The guy I got mine from is in BC Canada.  Fast shipper with good communication.  He sells a package deal with buttons.  My only regret is that I didn't buy more, but wanted to feel one first.

Did you find someone selling just the sticks?  I don't need anymore buttons.

[Joshb]

Yeah, There was a guy selling just the sticks, but it looks like they are all gone. I can't find the auction anymore.

I've give the guy you mentioned a try, I also ran across his auction. I'll ask him if he sells the sticks by themselves. And if he can also get those competition buttons that are on that website.

[JoyMonkey]

I've been trying to find a place to buy some more of these also. I contacted Bao-Lian directly and a carton of 60 joysticks would set me back $380 with shipping (about $6.34 per stick).

I've been thinking of buying a load of them and adding a 4/8 way switch that I've been working on. It turns out that I'd need to get parts laser cut for the switches though, so it was working out way too expensive to make (I'd like to make a nice balltop 4/8way switchable stick to sell for around $15). I have a couple of prototypes and they work really nicely. If I figure out another switching method I'll look into it again.

Maybe if there's enough interest in the Bao-Lian sticks, we could do a group-buy. But a minimum order of 60 might be a bit much.

[RayB]

WHOA! Check out the chrome one!! now THAT's cool!

[hsr]

Maybe if there's enough interest in the Bao-Lian sticks, we could do a group-buy. But a minimum order of 60 might be a bit much.

Well, I need 5.  That leaves 55 more...

[Joshb]

I could probably use 5 sticks, to make some arcade joysticks.

55-5= 50, so 50 more to go.

Now to see how much an order of the sanwa "like" will be.

[spiffyshoes]

I have one of the 4/8 way switchable ones.

[hsr]

I talked to guy I bought my Baolian joysticks from.

[lseelba]

I'm bumping this OLD thread because the information seems up to date still.

The guy in Canada has Baolian joysticks that are a knockoff of Sanwa JLWs.  The nice thing is that they have a round restrictor plate whereas Sanwa only manufactures square for the JLW.

Anyone know of another source for these sticks because the Canada guy will sell the stick individually for $6, but with $10 shipping.

[eccs19]

I'm not sure if these are the sticks you guy's are talking about, but I got these about 1.5 years ago before I even knew about this board.  I think they are  4 / 8 way, and I have changed one over to 4-way, but don't notice any difference.  Apart from that, they actually seem like a nice stick.  Noisy out of the box, but once in the CP, I don't notice any noise.

[lseelba]

Yeah those are very similar.  The one I'm speaking of is identical in operation, but has a balltop and has a circular restrictor plate (8-way only since turning it would still make it a circle).

I'm guessing yours is this model: http://www.bao-lian.com/e_product-pic.asp?p_id=10618000

And I'm interested in this model with what Baolian calls a "Round lower holder":
http://www.bao-lian.com/e_product-pic.asp?p_id=10611000

Finally.  Turns out the guy in Canada has a website.  The best part is you get a bulk discount for 10+ sticks 

http://arcademvs.com/ARCADE_ACESSERIOR.htm

[spiffyshoes]

Iseelba, It turns out Sanwa does make a circle restrictor plate for their JLW sticks.  Well at least I think it is a round restrictor.  It is listed in their catalog as part # GT-0 and from the picture it looks like a round restrictor.  You should try and get one to see if they really are round restrictors.  I'd bet if they are then they would be cheaper than getting those baolian sticks and they would probably work better too.

[eccs19]

Yeah those are very similar.

[eccs19]

Yeah those are very similar.

[lseelba]

Iseelba, It turns out Sanwa does make a circle restrictor plate for their JLW sticks.  Well at least I think it is a round restrictor.  It is listed in their catalog as part # GT-0 and from the picture it looks like a round restrictor.  You should try and get one to see if they really are round restrictors.  I'd bet if they are then they would be cheaper than getting those baolian sticks and they would probably work better too.

Thanks spiffy.  Awesome information as usual.  I just looked at the Sanwa catalogue and you are right.  I've never seen that before, so maybe its a new item (?)  It is still not listed on their website.

Oh.  Those new balltops are hot hot hot too.  The ones labeled LB-35-MP and -MG.

I just need to figure out how much Sanwa sell those for and try to find out how to get some.  The Canada guy emailed me back and 10 sticks would cost $80 with shipping.  $8 is alright for those sticks, but I'd hate to pay $8 for just the part I want.  I'm 99% sure the Baolian circular restrictor would work.