Best Bartop joystick/s?

[Lilwolf]

I'm really thinking of building a bartop... (my wife doesn't agree...yet... but since I have all the parts, a perfect monitor, and the wood...  And she works Saterday morning... it could be almost done before she realizes it)

Anyway... the question.

What is the best bartop joystick / joysticks? 
I would like 8way / 4way switchable,
I will have two joysticks and I would like them to be the same... second doesn't have to be switchable.
I need a small clearance below the joystick
I can't spend an arm and a leg.
I think I would like a ball top..

I'm thinking a joysticvk, Streetfighter 6 buttons and a joystick.

Is the short throw that bad with the jsticks plus?  How about the underside?

I also would consider a 49way with a gp49 since I need to buy and encoder anyway.  But I don't know about the clearance.   I'm not sure if it would work well with robotron with a super sitting next to it though. 

Thanks for any comments.

[Minwah]

Is the short throw that bad with the jsticks plus?  How about the underside?

Do you mean T-Stik Plus?  If so, I do not think this would be a good choice for a bartop, as the sticks are really heavy.  With the stock microswitches I think you would literally move the cabinet around the bar.  And yes the throw is really short, but some people love it.

Personally I would go with a J-Stik...4/8 way switchable (albeit not from above the CP), it's balltop, not too deep & fairly light action.

[Lilwolf]

I did mean T-Stik plus...  thanks

I'll look at the J-Stick and see if I can come up with a way to change it from the top.  I don't want to be able to open the control panel to change anything though... I'm really hoping for a closed and finished project (which a hot swap control panel cab of mine is never ever finished.

Anyone with a 49way + GP49 want to input on if you think it would be good in a barcab?  Especially if its next to a happs super?

[Minwah]

I'll look at the J-Stick and see if I can come up with a way to change it from the top.  I don't want to be able to open the control panel to change anything though... I'm really hoping for a closed and finished project (which a hot swap control panel cab of mine is never ever finished.

If you figure it out...please post!  I can switch mine fairly easily through the front door of my cab, but I can see why this is a problem for guests etc.

Someone here had the idea to use a motor+gear to rotate the restrictor plate (which is toothed), but I don't think anyone actually did it.  I've no idea how to do this but perhaps a stepper motor would do it.

Anyone with a 49way + GP49 want to input on if you think it would be good in a barcab?  Especially if its next to a happs super?

I haven't used my GPWIZ49 yet but I have previously used my 49-way with the SJC board.  I think it would be good enough to play Robotron along with a Super.  They do feel very different, but I think you could get used to it.

[Timoe]

Do a search in the project announcements for a bartop by Kentoad.  He used the 49 ways and its a great looking bartop too.

[Cameronj]

I'm working on a bartop with a T-Stick. I will let you know how it goes. My bartop is going to weigh a lot! I don't think that it will not be a problem. The cabinet will be about 45 lb. Include pc parts, control panel and monitor it should be about 60-75 lb.

I'll let you know how is goes nevertheless. If I don't like the T-Stick, I might go for a Ms. Pacman reunion or a J-Stick. I really wanted to be able to switch 4 way 8 way on the surface though.

[Tahnok]

I'm working on a bartop that will have the translucent balltop joystick that ponyboy used to carry. I've never actually seen one in real life, so I don't know how it feels, but it will certainly look cool.