Betson Parts - Reliable?

[oldsage]

I just browsed through Betsons Parts catalogue (http://www.betson.com/images/betson_parts_catalog_2004.pdf), and in the joysticks section, noticed something odd...
The "Superior Joystick" looks exactly the same as a Happs "Super", yet it costs exactly $5 less... The diagram is the same diagram, and all-around, they seem to be the same joystick...
Anything i should know about here???
Also, their trackballs seem too good to be true, any issues there???
Even their pushbuttons look exactly like happs, just cheaper...

Is there any reason i shouldn't drop happs completely, and only order from betsons???

I know this is an odd post, but i guess what i'm saying is, this seems to good to be true, and i don't want to risk it...

BTW, i know this isn't the first post about this, but the other posts didn't seem to answer my question...
So, really, if betsons product are the same quality as happs, why the hell is happ still in our bookmarks???

[SirPeale]

1) It's Sunday.  Fewer people browse today than any other day. 

2) You've given roughly three hours for a reply.  Those people who are actually qualified to answer may not have seen this yet.  PATIENCE.

[Goz]

I can't speak for their joys, but I have used their trackballs numerous times.

The only drawback I've seen using the Betson / Imperial trackball is that it takes a little more effort to make it from one end of the screen to the other. This is due to the encoder wheels that are used in the Betson. The stock wheeels are made of plastic. You can get better encoder wheels from Groovy Game Gear for about $10 that bring it more on par with the Happs. Most people wont notice the lag. If I am not mistaken the trackballs in the Golden Tee machines are the Betson / Imperials.

Hope this helps,

-Goz

[oldsage]

1) It's Sunday.

[stevejt]

My stepfather used to be in the arcade/vending bussiness.  They bought all theri parts from Betson since there is an office near them.  They never had any problems with any of their parts.  Most of their games were in queens, brooklyn, ect.  So you know they got abused.

Steve

[Ken Layton]

Betson-Imperial has excellent products, service, and prices! I have been ordering from them for years. Since I'm on the west coast I order from the Buena Park, California office. The salesman I use is Kevin Cardea and he goes the extra mile for you. Contact him at 1-800-828-2049 extension 720.

You should keep in mind that Betson-Imperial (a.k.a. Imperial International) primarily sells to amusement/vending operators so you will likely need to make at least a $50 minumum order.

[Beeeph]

I bought a betson trackball and the thing is SMOOOOTH!

[paigeoliver]

And the reason you will see some Betson products that look EXACTLY like Happ products with different names is because both of them are reselling iL brand joysticks.

[oldsage]

And the reason you will see some Betson products that look EXACTLY like Happ products with different names is because both of them are reselling iL brand joysticks.

iL?? What's that? Do they sell to individuals, too?
And if betson are so great, why does anybody still shop from happ?

[paigeoliver]

iL. Industrious Lorenzos.

Based in Spain, iirc. They make a huge percentage of the controls sold by Happ and the other guys as well.

[oldsage]

iL. Industrious Lorenzos.

Based in Spain, iirc. They make a huge percentage of the controls sold by Happ and the other guys as well.

Do they sell to individuals, too? Or just big companies??

[SirPeale]

Just big companies.

And as to why people order from Happ when Betson is available, consider this: why do people shop @ K-Mart when you've got Wal-Mart?

[paigeoliver]

I believe they are a factory. You can't just make small orders. Now I am sure they will deal if you want 10,000 of something.

[oldsage]

Now I am sure they will deal if you want 10,000 of something.

OUCH!... I think i'll stick to betson then...

[Beeeph]

And if betson are so great, why does anybody still shop from happ?

Because some people aren't diligent enough to do their research.  And boy...do they end up paying for it!

[JThw8]

And the cool thing about the betson trackball is being able to remove the upper half of the enclosure so you can mount it without having to use that big black uggggly square trackball mounting kit.    Damn that thing is ugly!

Does this just work for metal CPs or can you do this for wood too?  sounds like a big selling point to me if I can mount it in my wood CP this way.  ( I cant stand those kits either )

[Beeeph]

no, in fact it only works for wood CPs since you have to router out the edge of the trackball hole.

[tk_42_1]

I bought most of my parts including my PS/2 3" trackball and all my joysticks from Betson.  I was very happy with their service and everything works fine.

The only thing I had to buy from Happs was a mounting plate for the trackball since Betson did not stock one at the time I bought all my stuff for some reason.

Here is the link to my CP on this board http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,28699.0.html.

Sorry about the crappy pix, I am working on a website with some better ones.

[Beeeph]

The only thing I had to buy from Happs was a mounting plate for the trackball since Betson did not stock one at the time I bought all my stuff for some reason.

If you ever feel like removing that mounting place to improve the looks, refer to the link I posted above and try that method, it works great.