Thought I'd say "Hello"

[etrigan]

Greetings all!
 Long time lurker,First time poster.Excellent forum and a nice bunch of helpful folks here!
Who I am,and what I've got:
In 1980 I was thirteen,I was fortunate enough to grow up in the arcade in front of the classics (my main interest-not really into fighting games/newer stuff)
I am pretty good with building/woodwork/controls etc.
but not good w/the computer stuff. roms-dowloads/frontends etc.
pretty much useless in that dept. I'm old 

I have Saint's book,a working full size upright Rally x (much burn in on monitor-bought it for the cabinet)
an X arcade two player,a 19" samsung flatscreen,that I keep in the vertical position most of the time-tower my son built(don't know about the "guts"but it's pretty decent,as he can play unreal,hl etc w/no speed issues and such)
A mame 32 disc given to me,that I can just pop in/the disc that came w/Saints book-installed by someone else.(this version has none of the Rally x's working-but the first disc does) can't figure that out! and where the hell is Satan's hollow?
And my pride and joy-my CFTBL pin.

Anyhow-lots o' questions to follow I'm certain-but for now:
work on the cabinet is a way off,as we hope to buy a home shortly.
So,I make do w/the desktop controls for now.
I've removed the screws on the bottom of the X arcade and used velcro so it's easier to get to the insides.

I know this is a matter of opinion/what works best for you kinda thing-but I'd like to hear suggestions from the pros!
I'll be replacing my buttons w/the happ horizontal switches-but I want a joystick with a ball handle-not bat etc.
very little throw if possible-most important though is the ability to switch from 4 to 8 way as easy as poss.(from the top if I can)
the 4 way restrictors also interest me but not needed for the moment-if it complicates things.

please let me know your thoughts and suggestions-they will be most appreciated!
If there are any mame pros on Long Island who want to help with
downloads and settings/options and such...
the Molson Ice are on me 

Thanx in advance for your help.

CHEERS!

jefff   

[pointdablame]

If you want a 4/8 way switchable joystick with a short throw, just go buy a T-Stick Plus from Ultimarc.

The only "problems" people ever have with it is the fact that it has a short throw.  If that's what you want.... go buy one now.  Do not pass go, do not collect $200   It should be exactly what you want, and is switchable from above the panel with a simple lift and twist action.  You'll just have to order a ball top seperately, but they are available.

You can get them at http://www.ultimarc.com

[etrigan]

Thanx a lot for the assist!
 After some reading,it appears that these two items are just what I was looking for:

T-Stik Plus and

T-Stik Plus Ball-Top--(This is an optional extra replacement ball-top and shaft for the T-Stik and T-Stik Plus. Available in two lengths:
65mm (2 1/2 in) for top-mounting or 72mm (2 7/8 in) for under-panel mounting.)

I assume these would fit my xarcade-without modification to the panel?
I would prefer the shorter length shaft.
Any forseeable problem w/that?-I don't get the "top mounting/under panel mounting"thing
Aren't they all mounted from under the panel

Thanx again

CHEERS! jefff

[Q*Bert_OP]

You'll have to drill new holes because the mounting is different if you're putting them in an X-Arcade.

[Arcadiac]

Also be aware that the control case (X-arcade in your case) needs to be pretty deep.  I was going to mount a t-stik plus in a Red Octane pre-built case and the case was about 1/2" to an inch too shallow, the bottom of the case wouldn't clear the stick's base.  Check clearance before you order the T-sticks.
ARCADIAC!