Joysticks/buttons questions

[hnugz]

First of all, hello everyone.

I just bought my first arcade cabinet (Knights of the Round) and I am working on customizing it for Mame.  I was looking at the joysticks and buttons from happs and I can't really tell the difference between them.

First of all, the joysticks.  The way I see it, it comes down to the Super and Universal sticks.  I want to be able to switch from 8 to 4 way and these two apparently provide that capability.  It looks like you switch on the universal one just by turning the knob.  What about the super?  What/where is the actuator that you flip?  I can't tell from the picture.  Is there any other difference between the two I should be aware of?  I'm worried that I will constantly accidentally switch between 8 and 4 way with the Universal one, is this a problem?

For the buttons it looks like I can pick between Competition and Ultimate.  I can't really notice much of a difference between these.  Is there anything I should be aware of for mounting or anything?

Thanks for the help.  I will post a link soon in the new cabinet section!

[Jabba]

Welcome.

There is a search feature located along the toolbar up above. You will find 100's of posts on this topic that will answer your question on Joysticks, Joystick Review, Actuators, Button Types, etc...

I would write something up, but you'll find exactly what you're looking for using the search feature.

I had a quick look at HAPPS

http://www.happcontrols.com/joysticks/super_joy.htm

I think it is only switcheable from below.

Good Luck

[ArcadEd]

Ultimarc and GroovyGameGear both have top switchable joysticks as well.  In case you wanted to go that route.

[mahuti]

You might also want to buy the Saint's book; Project Arcade. That will give you some offline information.

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/board,19.0.html

Oh, and with the Universal... you won't contsantly flip. You have to rotate the top part... you'd go from a square to a diamond shape. It doesn't arbitrarily change.

[neuromancer]

For the buttons you don't want to use vertical microswitches. I used some of those (cause they're cheaper) but they stick. Nothing is worse than sticky buttons. ;-)

Bob

[mahuti]

Somewhere here on the site there is a good explanation of why vertical switches are SUPPOSED to be better, but aren't.

Just pick a button that's concave with horizontal microswitches, that's long enough to go through your panel, and has Cherry brand microswitches.