Repro Defender 2-way Joysticks?

[jerryjanis]

Is there any way to get one of these?  I made a defender control panel a few years ago, and I watched Ebay for months and months before I found a 2way joystick that I could win for a reasonable price.  Is anyone making new reproductions of these joysticks?

[Lilwolf]

someone is.. but they don't include the stick itself.

do you need one?  or just upgrading an old one to a new one.

I have one for sale... I haven't spent the time to put it on b/s/t forum yet.  But if your interested let me know.  Its used but should play well... (and I think it needs a e-clip)

[NoOne=NBA=]

They are $59 complete at www.arcadeshop.com.
I think I remember seeing them somewhere for $45 complete at one point though.

[jerryjanis]

someone is.. but they don't include the stick itself.

Yeah, I was going to buy one from those guys until I realized that it was a joystick restoration kit and not the whole joystick.

do you need one?  or just upgrading an old one to a new one.

Actually, neither.  The story is this:  While I was all hepped up on making arcade control panels, my boss at my old job said that if I ever saw a Defender control that I should let him know 'cause he wants it.  So I made him one, but I still haven't given it to him yet.  My boss at my new job mentioned that the one arcade game that he was really into was Defender (what's with these old guys?).  So I'm not planning to build him a joystick yet, but I'm sort of wondering what I would do if he ended up wanting one.

I have one for sale... I haven't spent the time to put it on b/s/t forum yet.  But if your interested let me know.  Its used but should play well... (and I think it needs a e-clip)

Very interesting.  I don't need one now, but I will keep it in mind if it comes up.

Partly, I'm just curious.  Somebody aught to be making.  I would think there would be a market for them.  (Maybe not).

They are $59 complete at www.arcadeshop.com.
I think I remember seeing them somewhere for $45 complete at one point though.

That's a lot of cash, but that's great if they have them!  I couldn't seem to find them on the site, though.  Do you see it there now?

Thanks guys.

jerryjanis

By the way, I hated that game for a while, but now I'm starting to get into a rhythm and it's really cool.  It's really hard, but then after playing it awhile, there seems to be a mental transformation that gives the game a very smooth flow.

[paigeoliver]

I have a pair of compatible ones available with Black balltops. They are not original Defender sticks, but they do fit the slots on the Defender panels. I compared them side by side with a Stargate stick it is pretty much the same deal, except the ball sits a teeny bit higher.

 $30 each shipped if anyone is interested. They are in good shape.

[Flinkly]

i think it's the williams joystick rebuild kit and it's 35 bucks now.

[paigeoliver]

i think it's the williams joystick rebuild kit and it's 35 bucks now. 

i tried searching first for all the items that cost 59 bucks, but only found a spinner part...

I think that was actually the Rebuild kit matched with a new stick part, still useless if you don't have an original unit.

[telengard]

someone is.. but they don't include the stick itself.

Yeah, I was going to buy one from those guys until I realized that it was a joystick restoration kit and not the whole joystick.

do you need one?  or just upgrading an old one to a new one.

Actually, neither.  The story is this:  While I was all hepped up on making arcade control panels, my boss at my old job said that if I ever saw a Defender control that I should let him know 'cause he wants it.  So I made him one, but I still haven't given it to him yet.  My boss at my new job mentioned that the one arcade game that he was really into was Defender (what's with these old guys?).  So I'm not planning to build him a joystick yet, but I'm sort of wondering what I would do if he ended up wanting one.

I have one for sale... I haven't spent the time to put it on b/s/t forum yet.  But if your interested let me know.  Its used but should play well... (and I think it needs a e-clip)

Very interesting.  I don't need one now, but I will keep it in mind if it comes up.

Partly, I'm just curious.  Somebody aught to be making.  I would think there would be a market for them.  (Maybe not).

They are $59 complete at www.arcadeshop.com.
I think I remember seeing them somewhere for $45 complete at one point though.

That's a lot of cash, but that's great if they have them!  I couldn't seem to find them on the site, though.  Do you see it there now?

Thanks guys.

jerryjanis

By the way, I hated that game for a while, but now I'm starting to get into a rhythm and it's really cool.  It's really hard, but then after playing it awhile, there seems to be a mental transformation that gives the game a very smooth flow.

Who you calling old guys!!??     

Defender is one of my all time favorites along with Robotron.  They are timeless games in my opinion.  Your boss is smart to want the original joystick too.  I had tried a happs ms 2 way, it was awful and I couldn't get the reverse button close enough.  Bought an original and it plays just the way I remember (although I remember the joysticks being a lot more sloppy).

Glad to see it's growing on you.       

~telengard

[nostrebor]

I just repaired a very worn Moon Patrol 2-way, using a method I've not seen before. I am working the bugs out and play testing it currently. It is a very robust repair, and I suspect that it will give years of solid play on a home use machine.

 The good news is that I spent a grand total of $2 fixing it. Bad news - it requires a drill press, and a tack weld to fix. I'm considering how to get this repair a bit more user friendly, but the stick takes a lot of abuse, so I'm not sure if I can get this to hand held tools and no welder.

I'll let the forum know what I did as soon as I'm satisfied with the fix. (and as soon as I get around to taking it back apart for pics )

[NoOne=NBA=]

Oops, it's www.arcade-equipment.com that has them for $59.
I think it was arcadeshop.com that used to have them for $45.

[KenToad]

Actually, neither.  The story is this:  While I was all hepped up on making arcade control panels, my boss at my old job said that if I ever saw a Defender control that I should let him know 'cause he wants it.  So I made him one, but I still haven't given it to him yet.  My boss at my new job mentioned that the one arcade game that he was really into was Defender (what's with these old guys?). 

By the way, I hated that game for a while, but now I'm starting to get into a rhythm and it's really cool.  It's really hard, but then after playing it awhile, there seems to be a mental transformation that gives the game a very smooth flow.

Yeah, mental transformation definitely, and a must have game with the proper controls.  I have large enough hands that I can easily hit the 7th "Neo Geo" button on my CP as the reverse button on my panel.  I'm currently building a Multi-Williams inspired bartop just so that I can have the hyperspace button in the proper place.  Yeah, an amazing game, I often forget that hyperspace is even an option as I fly into a swarm of the little red buggers.  Also, I can relate to having friends/acquaintances who claim not to remember any video games (exceptions Pac-Man, Donkey Kong) except Defender.  Everyone seems to have a soft spot for that game.  In my experience, even people who find gaming uncool will gladly admit to loving Defender, maybe because it has such a steep learning curve or maybe for the funky sound effects.  Who knows

Cheers,
KenToad

[jerryjanis]

Oops, it's www.arcade-equipment.com that has them for $59.
I think it was arcadeshop.com that used to have them for $45.

Awesome.  Thanks for digging that up!

[cw]

I have seen the stargate sticks pivot in one spot for up and down unlike the defender stick that would slide.... or  am I way off base....

[NoOne=NBA=]

They are SUPPOSED to pivot.
When they wear out, the round hole elongates slightly, which lets them slide a bit.

Defender, Stargate, Moon Patrol, Joust, and Joust 2 all used the same stick.
There may be a couple other games that I've forgotten that use that stick as well.

[paigeoliver]

Here is a picture of the two I have. One put together, one taken apart. These fit the Stargate/Defender slot, and are the same basic design. The holes in the base are NOT monched out like most used units.

[cw]

found a guy with reproduction defender sticks ....and does slide not like the stargate stick that pivots.......


http://www.arcadegames.com/parts/williams-joystick.jpg

[Troz]

What about this?

http://www.mantisamusements.com/joystick1.htm

Looks like all you'd need to do is add the leaf switches.

[cw]

very nice....

[jerryjanis]

What about this?

http://www.mantisamusements.com/joystick1.htm

Looks like all you'd need to do is add the leaf switches.

That's the place I almost purchased the joystick from originally.  However, when I emailed with them, they made it very clear that you need to use it to fix up an existing joystick, that it's not a good option for buying a new complete joystick.

[nostrebor]

found a guy with reproduction defender sticks ....and does slide not like the stargate stick that pivots.......


http://www.arcadegames.com/parts/williams-joystick.jpg

The stick pictured pivots. It does not slide. It is exactly the same as the stick in my Moon Patrol.