Joystick decision. Competition?

[lordsub]

Im about to place my purchase for my controls for my cab.  I hear a lot of people talking about the super stick or the ultimate, but i dont hear much about the competition, why is this?  it seems like a very nice stick.  I plan on playing various types of games: fighters, side scrollers, 4 player games(Xmen), and etc...  Any suggestions?

[m3talslug]

If fighters are important to you, stay away from the ultimates.

My first choice would naturally be the P360s but the Supers are a good 2nd best.

[Xiaou2]

 I think most talk about the super... is because it has a rounded feel to it.   While it seems nice to be able to rotate circles without feeling the edges...  its really not the best stick IMOP.

  The super uses the microswitches that have the metal leafs on them.  The metal leafs are delicate, and prone to damage.  (much like why they stopped making regular leaf joys)

  The worst part is that diagnols are not always easy to perform.  The leafs can get bent over time... and makes this problem even worse.  

  The feel of the stick is also a little tough as well... thus if you have weak wrist... it can get tireing.


   On the other hand...  the competitions are really nice.  Very responsive,  and very accurate.  Easy to move the stick arround for long periods of time without fatigue.   Built fairly solidly...

  The only downside to them is if you are a heavy handed player.  The plastic spacers will wear and need to berotated, then eventaully replaced.   This probably wont happen for like 5 years of a light handed player... or like 1 for a heavy player.   In the arcades... they got heavy abuse constantly... and lasted about 3 - 6 months.   I think this is one reason that happs made the super.  (the spacers are really cheap btw - unlike microswitches)

  So it boils down to player preference...   If you use all your weight... and sometimes shift the machine arround - go with the super.    However... if you play calm and light,  with accturate precision... then I recomend the competitions.

 

 

[lordsub]

hmmm..Thanks for the info.  Im still not sure what to get.  Guess im just going to have to make a decision and go for it.

Out of the Super and Competition, which is a longer and easier to mount?  or are they the same?  

Thanks

[Xiaou2]

 I believe they are the same lengths.

 They are both designed to mount under a thick wood control panel well.    (Though to note... you dont want the stick too high anyways... as that will slow your response time)

  I think the ultimates are a tad higher than the rest... as the handle is shaped slightly different.  Its been a long time since Ive played with them.   They feel like the competitions... but,  the handle isnt quite as attractive.


  Good Luck,

  Sincerely,
  Steve
 

  www.xiaou2.homestead.com

[DeathMonk]

If fighters are important to you, stay away from the ultimates.

My first choice would naturally be the P360s but the Supers are a good 2nd best.

D0H!  I purchased ultimate joysticks and I love fighting games...  what is your reasoning behind that statement?

[eightbit]

I bought the ultimates but am not happy with them. They don't have the right feel. When they were brand new they seemed to occasionaly miss. This is not a good feeling in any game as a missed move usually means a lost life and a blown chance at a high score.

[DeathMonk]

  thats no good..   I guess i'll give em a try first tho..

[m3talslug]

Here are the reasons why I didn't like the ultimates

1)There is WAY too big a range for the diagonals
   -  I always end up accidentally ducking or jumping forward/backward(no I'm not that uncoordinated)
   - problems doing charge supers(Charge, Foward, Back, Forward <KICK/PUNCH>) because of the large diagonal range

2)hard to do 360 and 720 motions because of the square

3)Found the throw to be a bit wide
   - doing moves requires a bit more movement compared to Supers or P360

Then again, everything is personal preference.

D0H!  I purchased ultimate joysticks and I love fighting games...  what is your reasoning behind that statement?

[Xiaou2]

 
 Heh... I found that the square helped me to know that I hit the diagnols.  

  I have to wonder... how do you hold you stick?

  I saw someone try and play once.... and they occasionally let the stick go.  This of course meant having to waste time getting a good grip on it again... and thus loss of control.... as well as problems with the stick rocking back and forth.

  Also, do you hold the stick near the top?  Or is your wrist touching the control panel?  

  I find that I use my 2 fingers and thumb to hold it - like a pencil.  Gliding the wrist across the control panel bottom.

  If your too high up in the air... means youll have to move the stick farther... and also, leaves the wrist to bend in unusaul angels that may cause control issues... as you want no additional possible movments besides the arm motion.

 Again... these are also personal preference... but... its also a bit scientific.

  I do agree the travel on them is a bit wide... but when you play a 4way game... I find its easier to find diagnols more accurately.  Maze hunter on the sms was a prime example... as you had 3 squares to run on... one left, then an immediate 2 that were diagnol..with a jump over a hole right after it.   Was impossible with a dpad.  Then I got an epix controller that had microswitches in the stick... and I could do the crazy diagnol+jump fairly well.

 

[m3talslug]

I rest my wrists on the panel as well... my arms get tired after long hours of playing.

I kinda use taht "wine glass" grip on the joystick

[Silverwind]

hehe

I use a similar grip.. but it is the champagne glass grip

[lordsub]

Well, i went with the competitions.  A buddy of mine had one for  joystick he made for dreamcast.  it felt nice to me, so i went with them.  but i also got 1 super for my center joystick...not sure if i want an 8 or a 4 way there, so i figured i cant go wrong with the super.  Thanks again everyone