So how is the 49 Way Rotary Performance?

[Timoe]

Someone needs to write up a review of all this recent 49 way stuff.

(I know, I know 'do it yerself!, guy')  And I would only, I wont be buildin' my cab for over a month .....at least.

I'm curious, Hows the rotary adapter feel?  Does it feel the same as the regular rotary stick?  Is it clicky? Easy to use?

How about the 49way GPwiz and software?  Easy to switch between 49/8/4/diagonal?

Any problems with game/emu compatibility?

[Lilwolf]

I haven't heard a bad thing about them.  And you usually will.

The rotary adapters are really really new... just being shipped out for a week or so.  But they seem to be well received so far.  And they are using some parts from happs rotaries so they will probably feel very similar to them. 

But currently I believe they are considered the best option out there.  Unfortunately because I wanted to try and trade my Sinister 49 way with someone for a used happs 49 way (I suck at sinister and really wanted it for n64 analog games).  And I have a feeling I'm not going to find someone willing to trade..

[KenToad]

I'm really considering writing a review for the 49 way joysticks, GP Wiz 49 interface and rotary interface with Druin's board.  I'm actually a journalist in real life, despite my day job as a substitute teacher in this small college town.  I just have to find the time to finish my bartop while subbing for little to no pay and freelancing for even less.  I probably make about $2 an hour freelancing right now.  I do it for the clips .  Maybe I'll query Kevin Steele about doing an article on this 49 way business for Retroblast.

So, yeah, I think it's a little too early for anything but first impressions, but, I will say that, for anyone who hasn't used a 49-way joystick before, be ready for some dramatic differences between it and microswitch joystics.  The throw is incredibly long, for one thing.  I drilled 1 and 1/4 inch holes for the joys on my CP and then still had to file out the top edge of my 3/4 inch MDF so that the joystick shafts wouldn't clunk against the MDF.  A prettier alternative would be to recess the joystick bases against the MDF, but, if you're like me and don't have a router or the money (read: excuse for expense) to buy one, then that may be more hassle than its worth. 

Another first impression is that Floyd's interface is still a hack, although a very good hack.  What I mean is that once its installed you can tell that it wasn't meant to be there originally if you look closely at the plastic sliders through which the shaft passes.  The plastic sliders actually make contact with the set screw from Floyd's kit that keeps the interface from rotating with the shaft.  I mean the long set screw that replaces one of the original screws that hold the PCB etc. together with the base.  So, that slider, which is the vertical axis on the joystick, will bend and twist slightly at the extreme vertical throw of the joystick.  This doesn't seem to affect gameplay in my limited testing, but I've noticed just a little extra pressure now that I know it's there. 

I'll go ahead and post this and give a couple of other first impressions regarding gameplay as I've experienced it so far in Mame in the next post.

Cheers,
KenToad

[fl0yd]

So, yeah, I think it's a little too early for anything but first impressions, but, I will say that, for anyone who hasn't used a 49-way joystick before, be ready for some dramatic differences between it and microswitch joystics.

[KenToad]

Floyd,

Glad you're here and thanks again for posting that reply.  I haven't had time to test all the games yet and so far have only tried:

Ikari 1 + 3
Victory Road
Time Soldiers
Midnight Resistance

The rotary interface is clicky, but really very nice.  It feels more stiff and slighly clunkier than I remember these games in the arcade, but really I love just being able to rotate again.  That being said, Ikari and Victory Road have been the most finicky for me in the sense that once in a while one twist will make the warrior rotate 90 degrees rather than 45. 

My analog settings for Ikari and Victory Road are:

Digital Speed: 12
Centering: 10 (default?)
Analog Sensitivity: 6%

I didn't have that problem at all in Time Soldiers (using totally different numbers for the analog settings) and just a tiny bit in Midnight Resistance.  Also, it doesn't happen in Ikari 3.  All of these are my impressions with just a very small amount of time testing and only with one of my joysticks.  I hope to do some two player testing tonight, so that a buddy of mine who doesn't have any preconceived ideas, say from reading posts on this forum, can give me his first impressions.  He's a Heavy Barrel nut, so we'll probably spend the most time with that game. 

Floyd, would you mind posting some numbers from your analog settings especially for Ikari and Victory Road?  Also, are the games finicky for you?  Anyone else who has these please feel free to chime in, as well.

As for the GP Wiz 49 functionality.  I have even less experience and can only say with certainty, also with an impression from a friend who doesn't visit these boards, that Q*Bert is much better than it ever has been for me.  The GP Wiz 49 seems to have no trouble switching modes from the simple Gui included with the software.  I will have more impressions about hot-button switching and software switching once I have a few more buttons wired on my bartop.  I plan to use the button method and then switch over to software switching methods. 

BTW, Sinistar is great with the progressive 49 way mode, although I only played that in the arcade a couple of times maybe 15 years ago.  It's just a very different game when you're not playing it with an 8 way joystick.  I haven't tried any N64 games, but now I want to try them.  Thanks Lilwolf for the idea.

Cheers,
KenToad

[Timoe]

ooh what about SlikStik Stainless Steel replacement handles?

Will they work with a 49 way?

[Flinkly]

nope, but they are supposively making some, but like the lighted handles, may never come to be.

[screaming]

ooh what about SlikStik Stainless Steel replacement handles?

Will they work with a 49 way?

  Doesn't GGG have a replacement SS balltop?

-sab

[Kremmit]

ooh what about SlikStik Stainless Steel replacement handles?

Will they work with a 49 way?

  Doesn't GGG have a replacement SS balltop?

-sab

Not for a 49-way, yet. 

Lot of product announcements without products around here lately..