J-Sticks vs. Oscar Restrictor plates

[MadJeff]

Yes, looking for more feedback.  

Has anyone here used Optimarc J-Sticks? How do they rate compared to Happ Supers or Comps? The Oscar Restrictors look like the best solution if I decide to go with rotary sticks, but I was wondering how the Jsticks stood up against the Happ products.

How long does it take to swap the oscar restrictors, I wouldn't think more then 30 seconds or so.

[reighty]

I have used the T-Sticks and I am very happy with the feel of them, but never got to try the J-Sticks.

[wee beastie]

I've got a j-stick, and I only use it for 4way games.  I mounted mine in 3/4 MDF, so it's about the same height as a Ms Pac joystick without any alteration of the underside of your control panel or need for a mounting plate.  

I have to say that the j-stick is great on 4 way games.  It allows you to slide from one cardinal direction to the other without doing a wave motion-ie joystick must follow a parabola to move from up to right.   (the way it looks like you have to do with the restrictor plate).  Although, keep in mind that I have not tried the restrictor plate, I'm just commenting on the way it looks.

The stick also works well in 8 way mode, although I generally don't use it for 8 way games b/c I don't like the fact that the ball top sits so low to the wood control panel.  Most 8 way games I play need to be played with a high joystick I can get all my fingers on  

hope this helps, and if it doesn't make sense, it's because I've been working on my cab for waaaaayyyyy to long today

wee beastie

[gtjoe]

Here is a response I posted previously.  Don't get me wrong, the plates work as advertised - 4 way play is better, but it wasn't the solution I was looking for.  Depending on your intentions the plates may work for you.  I think there are plenty of people happy with the restrictors. I will probably go with the t-stick or j-stik...

"As for the oscar restrictor plates, they work, but I just don't like the feel of using them.  

The travel in the four directions is severely restricted (it only moves maybe 25-50% of what the joystick can do without the plates).  It didn't feel like I was moving an authentic arcade stick anymore.  It felt like I was just applying pressure to a stick that was stuck in a hole a little bigger than the stick.  I can see why it was designed this way.  If the joystick were allowed to travel any more than it does, there would be a chance that the diagonals would register.

Personally I preferred toughing it out with the 8 way joystick over using the restrictor plate for pacman and donkey kong."