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Arcade stick for PC gaming
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Kremmit:

--- Quote from: markrvp on December 26, 2005, 08:03:06 pm ---
Now, if you do in fact use a joystick, then one to consider is an original Wico 8-way leafswitch joystick.  This is the same joystick that was in Robotron and probably Street Fighter II.

--- End quote ---

I prefer a Wico leaf myself, but I don't think it's what the OP is looking for at all.  It has a very long throw.  It was also definately not in Street Fighter II, unless you played on a machine that already had them and then was converted to SFII.  Real SFII machines in North America had Happ sticks in them.  Happ sticks tend to have a pretty long throw as well, and are/were less common in Europe, which is why I suspect that the machines he encountered over there were of the Suzo variety.  Suzo are/were very common in Europe, and have the short throw he described.


--- Quote from: f00ge on December 26, 2005, 08:58:39 pm ---Can you reccommend any internet shops based in the EU?
--- End quote ---

Ultimarc is in the UK.


--- Quote from: f00ge on December 26, 2005, 08:58:39 pm ---Will building in any of those sticks go well mith my X-Arcade?
--- End quote ---

Any of them will work with you X-Arcade, electrically speaking.  Just wire up the microswitches from the new stick to the same wires the old ones were hooked to.  Practically speaking, I think they all have a different footprint to the ones in your X-Arcade, so you'd have to drill some new holes at least.


--- Quote from: f00ge on December 26, 2005, 08:58:39 pm ---Or am I better off building from scratch? Will the existing microswitches (those things that go click inside of the X-Arcade when the base of the stick hits them) be any different to others I might buy to use in either the X-Arcade or my own custom made box? Maybe there are some microswitches that are softer/require less strength to be activated than those that are present in the standard X-Arcade?
--- End quote ---

a) we know what microswitches are.   ;)
b)  Cherry brand microswitches are generally considered to be superior to the ones that ship on X-Arcade sticks.  Softer and quieter.
c)  If you choose to build from scratch, you can address the height and button spacing issues you mentioned.  You can definately make it emulate a keyboard, just like the X-Arcade.  In fact, you can use the guts of your X-Arcade to do it.  Or, if you prefer to keep the X-Arcade intact (maybe sell it?), the I-Pac sold on the Ultimarc page, or the KeyWiz sold on the GroovyGameGear page are the most popular products to do the job. 


--- Quote from: f00ge on December 26, 2005, 08:58:39 pm ---I'm not very technical, yet not retarded either. Would you think I'm capable of making my own arcade setup?

--- End quote ---

Lots and lots of non-retarded people (and a few I'm not so sure about  ;) ) have managed to do it.  If you haven't yet, I strongly reccomend you spend some serious time reading the main site that goes with these message forums- http://arcadecontrols.com/arcade.htm.  There's some outdated info there, but it'll educate you in what you need to know to do the job.

Have fun!
f00ge:

--- Quote from: Kremmit on December 26, 2005, 11:05:22 pm ---
I prefer a Wico leaf myself, but I don't think it's what the OP is looking for at all.  It has a very long throw.
--- End quote ---

Yep, I definately am looking for the shortest throw possible.


--- Quote from: Kremmit on December 26, 2005, 11:05:22 pm ---
Suzo are/were very common in Europe, and have the short throw he described.

--- End quote ---

Sound about right.
The "Mag-Stick Plus" is this a Suzo stick?


--- Quote from: Kremmit on December 26, 2005, 11:05:22 pm ---
a) we know what microswitches are.   ;)

--- End quote ---

hehe. I wasn't hinting that you didn't know what they were. I was just making sure I was talking about the same thing, as I wasn't sure they were called that. :)


--- Quote from: Kremmit on December 26, 2005, 11:05:22 pm ---b)  Cherry brand microswitches are generally considered to be superior to the ones that ship on X-Arcade sticks.  Softer and quieter.

--- End quote ---

Sound like what I'm looking for. Where can I get them? Ultimarc?


--- Quote from: Kremmit on December 26, 2005, 11:05:22 pm ---
c)  If you choose to build from scratch, you can address the height and button spacing issues you mentioned.  You can definately make it emulate a keyboard, just like the X-Arcade.  In fact, you can use the guts of your X-Arcade to do it.  Or, if you prefer to keep the X-Arcade intact (maybe sell it?), the I-Pac sold on the Ultimarc page, or the KeyWiz sold on the GroovyGameGear page are the most popular products to do the job. 

--- End quote ---

So in fact, you can emulate any key with any button - as long as you wire it to the given key? That's sweet. I think the X-Arcade board will do fine, though. I only need about 8 keys total.


--- Quote from: Kremmit on December 26, 2005, 11:05:22 pm ---
Lots and lots of non-retarded people (and a few I'm not so sure about  ;) ) have managed to do it.  If you haven't yet, I strongly reccomend you spend some serious time reading the main site that goes with these message forums- http://arcadecontrols.com/arcade.htm.  There's some outdated info there, but it'll educate you in what you need to know to do the job.

--- End quote ---

Nice one.
Right now, I'm thinking of building it directly into my table. (to minimize height as much as possible.

I've looked at this Mag-Stick Plus: http://www.ultimarc.com/controls.html
Anyone know this one?
Again, I'm looking for shortest throw possible and minimum force required to move it.
Kremmit:
The Mag-Stik is not a Suzo product.  It's relatively new on the market, I haven't heard how stiff it is yet. 

You might want to look at:
http://www.retroblast.com/reviews/joysticks/Joystick%20Roundup.pdf

Of the sticks listed, the GroovyGameGear OmniStik has the shorteset throw to actuate, an the shortest maximum throw as well.  I think maximum throw is important for you, as you want the stick to stop as soon as it's actuated, so you can let it snap back and then do it again. 

On the other hand, the softest stick listed is the Ultimarc J-Stik, which also has a pretty short throw to actuate.  But, the maximum throw is pretty big.  You could restrict your maximum throw by mounting the stick through a small hole, so that the handle hits the edges of the hole after 6 degrees of travel.

The best compromise might be the T-Stik with the "light action microswitch kit".  Unfortunately, Ultimarc no longer sells the T-Stik, having replaced it with the new Mag Stik.  User "Ponyboy" sells T-Stik joysticks in the Buy/Sell/Trade section of this message board.  I think the light action kit was basically just a set of Cherry microswitches, but I could be wrong- correction/confirmation, anyone?

You could also try replacing the Omni-Stik's switches, if you get one and find it to be too stiff.
Level42:
The Omistick ARE Suzo sticks !

If you decide for the Suzo, I have 1 or two spares here which are overcomplete, and I'm from Holland so "around the corner" for you. I can also get anything from Suzo like buttons, Cherry switches etc. etc. Not trying to make a living out of it, just helping fellow BYOACers.

I really think the Suzo's would be your weapon of choice. However, if you really want the absolute minimum of resistance, try to look up the inductive Suzo joysticks. I have two here (for my personal use ;) ), and they are perfect if you don't want clicky pressure point, and don't want leafs either.

However, production has been cancelled and last time I checked with Suzo they only still had 1 in stock...however they are sometimes offered at Ebay for very good prices....

Read this for all info, for me this is the most perfect stick ever:

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=42066.0
f00ge:
All right, looks like I will have to buy a couple of sticks and those Cherry microswitches.
Just to see which are best for me.

@ Level42, I'll pm you. Let's talk business :)
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