MagStick Plus and mini-pak

[caldersm]

I have been using Mame forever, but am just getting into building my own cabinet.  I have several layouts, but most of them have 3 joysticks.....two 8-way and one 4-way.  I was wanting to use the mini-pak, so here are my questions.

1.  Using the Mag Stick Plus would mean I only need two sticks....because I can change them on the fly.  BUT....I can not find hardly any information on the web about them....no major reviews, not a lot in the discussion forums.  Why not...??  Too new...??  What is your take on them....I am not a arcade enthusiast right now...I just want something that is easy for the kids and neighbors to use.  What is the reliability of the magnets...?  Any info you could share would help.

2.  I read in the forums(old thread) about a newer revision to the mini-pac that gives more I/O(36pt) and better compatibility with some trackballs.  Is this available...?? And what is the cost...??  How does this work for windows based games...??  How about other emulators like Project 64 or SNES type....?

Any Help would be appreciated...and thanks for your time.....

[RetroJames]

Watch RetroBlast.com this week.  I am wrapping up my review now and will post in the next two days!

[caldersm]

You are reviewing the MagStik Plus...?  Not the mini-pak...right.....

And thanks for the reply.....

[leapinlew]

Watch RetroBlast.com this week.  I am wrapping up my review now and will post in the next two days!

Ahh... well, by 2 days I'll have my new CP built and I'll know what I think about them too.

I look forward to your review.

[RetroJames]

Finally! I have posted my results, be sure to let me know what you think or if you have any questions

http://www.retroblast.com/newsitem.php?cid=537

[brophog]

I don't like it. It's very detailed and I thank you for your effort.

However, you could have saved a lot of time by saying: See T-stick plus. Most of your review concerns issues that are the exact same as the t-stick: mounting, installing, switching. None of that stuff has changed.

What has changed is the magnetic system, which you don't touch on enough. Andy has stated that the reason he went to this was that too many people complained about the weight of the t-stick, even after he went with the lighter action microswitches.

So, instead of basically writing a new review for the t-stick design, I would have liked to see you tackle the differences in game play of a t-stick versus a mag-stick, particularly since retroblast did a review already on the t-stick.

The main issue I think most are wondering is what is the possible drawbacks between a magnetic system vs a spring system in terms of playing. There's always a balance between effort required to engage and corresponding stick action. Does the magnetic system return to center fast enough, especially in games that require fast movements like shmups? These are the types of games that work well with the J-stik (sanwa), which happens to be the closest thing in terms of throw weight to the mag-stik.

[RetroJames]

Quick FYI: I now have a T-stik on the way for additional comparison. (more in a bit)

[RetroJames]

You are reviewing the MagStik Plus...?  Not the mini-pak...right.....

And thanks for the reply.....

Sorry, I missed this post.  Yes to both.  The mag-stik review was just released and I am working on a mimi-pac review now. We will also be reviewing the updated Tokn KB 16 soon.  Hope this helps.

[brophog]

Quick FYI: I now have a T-stik on the way for additional comparison. (more in a bit)

Cool. I hope that post didn't sound harsh. You did ask for opinions, and I tried to give just that.

[RetroJames]

Nah, not at all. If the reviews don't address the questions at hand, why bother?  ;o)

http://www.retroblast.com/newsitem.php?cid=561

[PetitMorte]

http://www.retroblast.com/newsitem.php?cid=561

Doh!  "Blocked by Websense"

Awwwwwww.......   

[RetroJames]

http://www.retroblast.com/newsitem.php?cid=561

Doh!  "Blocked by Websense"

Awwwwwww.......   

Just a note that an update will follow soon:

Mag-Stik Plus Review Requests

I have recieved a few requests to add some content to the Mag-Stik Plus joystick review in the form of some comparisons with the Ultimarc T-Stik Plus. I have arranged a T-Stik for this purpose and it is on its way as I type this update. If you have any other requests regarding information not yet contained in that review, please let us know. The T-Stik is no longer available from Ultimarc, but I think this will be a good exercise for those more familiar with that stick and it will give me a chance to compare notes with Kevin's review of the T-Stik from June of 2004. Thanks again for all the feedback!

[AMDman13]

Probably a dumb newbie question, but can the plain mag stick use the ball tops or just the mag stick plus? I need a dedicated 4-way, so I am not concerned on switching it. I will also be using the longer ball top stick as my CP is 3/4 MDF.. Would the J-Stick be a better choice for dedicated 4-way?
Please help! I was planning on placing my order tonight.

Thanks

[cholin]

2.  I read in the forums(old thread) about a newer revision to the mini-pac that gives more I/O(36pt) and better compatibility with some trackballs.

OOOOH!  WHERE   Gotta search but wow I never heard of that before...