Omni-stick Basic opinions?

[sWampy]

I was wanting opinions on omni-stick basic.  I can't seem to find any reviews of these sticks.   I'm looking for 4/8 way switchable joystick that can mount in the same foot print of my existing happs super sticks.   I'm really wondering how easy it was to switch these between 4 and 8 way mode.

[NoBonus]

They look like they could only be installed on an metal CP... unless it would be okay to bury the rubber gromet under wood.

[RandyT]

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I'll save the opinions for someone else, but without a mounting plate, these do present a small challenge in a wood panel.

Typically, one would need to create a recess on the underside to accommodate the dome at the base of the stick. 

Alternatively, you could use spacers and long hardware, but this could unacceptably lower the height of the stick.

Would there be interest in a small mounting plate for these?  If it was just a lasered sheet metal part, with no pem studs, I could probably sell them pre-mounted to the stick for an extra $6 each.


And they are not too hard to switch at all, as long as you have access to the underside. 

RandyT

[sWampy]

And they are not too hard to switch at all, as long as you have access to the underside. 

What does not to hard to switch at all mean?  Do you have to take the joy stick apart, turn a knob, flip a restrictor plate? 

I'm still torn between 49 way, omni-stick, e-stick, j-stick, t-stick, etc.

[RandyT]

And they are not too hard to switch at all, as long as you have access to the underside. 

What does not to hard to switch at all mean?  Do you have to take the joy stick apart, turn a knob, flip a restrictor plate? 

You reach under the panel, twist the bottom and you are done.  Not too hard

RandyT

[sWampy]

And they are not too hard to switch at all, as long as you have access to the underside. 

What does not to hard to switch at all mean?  Do you have to take the joy stick apart, turn a knob, flip a restrictor plate? 

You reach under the panel, twist the bottom and you are done.  Not too hard

RandyT

You should add that to your website, and maybe even put a picture.  To me, happs controllers where you have to pry off the pin, filp the actuator, and put it back on aren't to hard.   Twisting the bottom is super easy. ;-)

[Stingray]

To me, happs controllers where you have to pry off the pin, filp the actuator, and put it back on aren't to hard.   Twisting the bottom is super easy. ;-)

Consider trying a Prodigy. You switch those by moving a lever on top of the panel. Couldn't get much easier.

-S

[sWampy]

To me, happs controllers where you have to pry off the pin, filp the actuator, and put it back on aren't to hard.   Twisting the bottom is super easy. ;-)

Consider trying a Prodigy. You switch those by moving a lever on top of the panel. Couldn't get much easier.

-S

Well I don't like the ugly black plate/don't want to have to recess a controller and put new laminate on my cp.  Drilling out a pocket under the cp doesn't sound so bad.  I ordered 2, we will see how I like them. 

[Stingray]

Well I don't like the ugly black plate...

I don't like it either. I built mine into my metal CP, but it sounds like that's not an option in your case.

-S

[Grasshopper]

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I'll save the opinions for someone else, but without a mounting plate, these do present a small challenge in a wood panel.

Typically, one would need to create a recess on the underside to accommodate the dome at the base of the stick. 

Alternatively, you could use spacers and long hardware, but this could unacceptably lower the height of the stick.

Would there be interest in a small mounting plate for these?  If it was just a lasered sheet metal part, with no pem studs, I could probably sell them pre-mounted to the stick for an extra $6 each.


And they are not too hard to switch at all, as long as you have access to the underside. 

RandyT

Randy, if you're going to produce mounting plates then why not drill some extra holes in them and make them universal i.e. usable with all currently available joysticks?

Top mountable plates would be good. But it would be even better if you manufactured plates that could be fitted to the underside of a panel.

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,7194.0.html

Just a thought.

[RandyT]

Randy, if you're going to produce mounting plates then why not drill some extra holes in them and make them universal i.e. usable with all currently available joysticks?

Top mountable plates would be good. But it would be even better if you manufactured plates that could be fitted to the underside of a panel.

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,7194.0.html

Just a thought.

I had thought about that one in the past.  Oddly, I knew which you were referring to before I clicked the link

Most, if not all of the most popular sticks are pretty much compatible with one set of holes.  I just tried a 49 way on an OMNI plate and it was perfect, but the X-Arcade stick needed a little coaxing.

The under panel mounts seem like they would be difficult to install.  If they went to the surface, the holes would need to be near perfect, and if not, the underside depth would also be critical in dimension.  The top plate has the benefit of being able to cover the ugliest of holes (see KevSteele's review of the Prodigy for an example )

I'll give this some thought, but while reading that thread, I had a very interesting idea relating to all of this that may just be pretty darned cool....  If I can do something with it for a decent price, I'll develop it into something.

RandyT

[sWampy]

I got 2 of these today, and so far I really like them, I just drilled my existing hole out larger so the ball top would slide through, ran my router around the inside of the hole on the bottom to take out an extra 1/4 inch all around, about 1/4 inch deep and screwed them into the existing happs hole pattern.    I tried acouple of 4 way and 8 way games, and really love how they feel.  Seem to be really good joysticks for the price.