Joysticks?

[Evilpenguin]

What is generally considered the best all around joystick?  I am going to be replacing my old ones and want to go with something new.

Jason

[divemaster127]

For the money & what you get the happ competition sticks are the best around
thanks
divemater

[Howard_Casto]

Or the supers.. or virtually any joystick happs offers save the perfect 360 (optical switches for a digital joystick is just dumb). 

There's no such thing as "best" joystick just a joystick that YOU like best. 

[Major Rock Hardy]

(optical switches for a digital joystick is just dumb)

Sure, but some might say dealing w/ clicky-clicks from microswitches is dumb... at least for classic games that used leafswitches.  Personally, I chose the 49-way, which uses optical 'switches' - and with the gpwiz49 board can emulate several different joysticks/orientations.  Optical is very reliable.

There's no such thing as "best" joystick just a joystick that YOU like best. 

I do agree with this.

[farmecologist]

Just use the search feature.  There are LOTS of good joystick comparison threads available!

[Evilpenguin]

I have searched, but thought I would open it up to everyone for their opinions. 

Jason

[divemaster127]

there are lots of opinions but earlier i was just talking about bang for the buck, any of the happ joysticks are fine, stay away from the chinese sticks, you get what you pay for
thanks
divemaster

[deadkenndys1105]

Im looking at a mag-stik for my cabnet.  I like it because you can change it from a 4 way joystick to and 8 ways.http://www.ultimarc.com/controls.html <---link to all of ultimarc's joysticks

[loadman]

Im looking at a mag-stik for my cabnet.  I like it because you can change it from a 4 way joystick to and 8 ways

 

I have these in my cab. I have left them in 8 way mode because I am too scared of breaking them using the 'pull and and twist method'. There is a lever at the bottom of the joystick which does the same thing that does not appeat to strain it but I have to unbolt my cab to get at that. Good Joystick anyway

[deadkenndys1105]

Im looking at a mag-stik for my cabnet.  I like it because you can change it from a 4 way joystick to and 8 ways

 

I have these in my cab. I have left them in 8 way mode because I am too scared of breaking them using the 'pull and and twist method'. There is a lever at the bottom of the joystick which does the same thing that does not appeat to strain it but I have to unbolt my cab to get at that. Good Joystick anyway

Yea the switching is kinda scaring me.

[nostrebor]

The switching works perfectly. Very well thought out and robust design.

[markrvp]

PULL THE HANDLE UP AND TWIST IT. 

IT WILL NOT BREAK!!!

[RichyRich]

My 2 cents worth.It's all a matter of taste like others have said but the 360's are superb IMHO.Very smooth and accurate.Well worth the extra cash.For a 4 way I like the old school wico a bit mushy but fine for 4 way games.

Mags and T's are built like tanks so much so I gave them up,scared of RSI of the wrist..

[wrench]

I've got the older ultimarc T-stick plus switchable joysticks.I switch them all the time and have not had any issues with the reliability and I am happy with the quality,not sure how it compares with the new magnetic version.But Andy at ultimarc is extreamly good for support and even though he's uk based shipping was very fast and reasonable.

[loadman]

PULL THE HANDLE UP AND TWIST IT. 

IT WILL NOT BREAK!!!

No need to shout. A good point would get our attention  :-).

FYI One of the Joysticks I bought is now at a point where you can barley switch it anyway using the twist method as the glue holding the top on is slipping. (and yes I could possibly fix it by somehow getting the top off and re-gluing it)  :-)...

[97thruhiker]

Happs Comp's have been great (very nice feel).  The whole click aspect is a non-issue with me as I don't even notice it.  I use a balltop J Stick for my 4-way and have been happy with it.

[Kremmit]

Or the supers.. or virtually any joystick happs offers save the perfect 360 (optical switches for a digital joystick is just dumb). 

I'm not sure the switch type matters on a digital joystick, from a functionality standpoint.  All that really matters is feel.  Optical switches are, admittedly, a lot more expensive, but Happ does have them on sale until 03-31-06, which helps even that gap up a little bit.

Evilpenguin: 

Unfortunately, Howard is right:

There's no such thing as "best" joystick just a joystick that YOU like best.

Nobody can tell you which one to get, because it's such a personal choice.  Until you've actually tried out a bunch of different sticks, you don't even know yourself what you like and don't like.  The best you can probably do is to go have a look here:

http://www.retroblast.com/hardware.html

[markrvp]

PULL THE HANDLE UP AND TWIST IT. 

IT WILL NOT BREAK!!!

No need to shout. A good point would get our attention  :-).

I hope you didn't fall over backwards when the big letters popped up...

[deadkenndys1105]

PULL THE HANDLE UP AND TWIST IT. 

IT WILL NOT BREAK!!!

No need to shout. A good point would get our attention  :-).

I almost did but I feel better now knowing that they wont break.
I hope you didn't fall over backwards when the big letters popped up...

[NoOne=NBA=]

FYI One of the Joysticks I bought is now at a point where you can barley switch it anyway using the twist method as the glue holding the top on is slipping. (and yes I could possibly fix it by somehow getting the top off and re-gluing it)  :-)...

Are you sure the handle part is slipping, and not the locknut on the bottom?

The stock handles are molded directly over the shaft.
There is no way you are going to get them off because the shaft has wide spots under the handle.
It took me about an hour to cut/pry one off of the shaft awhile back, and I can't imagine that one came loose at all.

The balltops are a screw-and-glue affair.
They shouldn't slip, without being able to screw completely off.

The locknut/spring on the bottom provide the tension necessary to turn the switch.
You need the locknut adjusted to the point that it just barely allows the prongs on the switch key to rotate below the plastic piece they connect into to switch modes.

If the locknut is too tight, the switch key won't come out of the plastic piece when you release the handle.
If it's too loose, you won't get enough bite on the switch key to rotate the switch itself--which may feel like the handle is slipping from the top side.

[Gh0sty]

i can suggest you the SUZO 500, its the only Stick who can be
setup as 2/4/8 way Stick. Its designed for Metal Panels, but it
can be done to a wood Panel too. I use a wood Panel & Suzo
and i love it, especialy because limiting it to 2 way, for games
like Galaga, the feel is different.

[wrench]

FYI One of the Joysticks I bought is now at a point where you can barley switch it anyway using the twist method as the glue holding the top on is slipping. (and yes I could possibly fix it by somehow getting the top off and re-gluing it)  :-)...

Take it easy there loadman,sounds like you're pulling your joystick a little too hard.

[loadman]

Take it easy there loadman,sounds like you're pulling your joystick a little too hard.

That's what a man has to do to get some 4 way action  :-)

Are you sure the handle part is slipping, and not the locknut on the bottom?

Hey good point. I will investigate that. Thanks

I hope nobody thought I was 'slamming' the Stick. I just wanted to make the point that switching using the 'pull and twist' method appears to put more strain on it than switching it from the bottom.

[nostrebor]

I just wanted to make the point that switching using the 'pull and twist' method appears to put more strain on it than switching it from the bottom.

This in itself is true.... but remember that it is also a LOT more difficult and time consuming to switch it from the bottom. I am confident enough in the switching mech that I just installed one in a cabinet built for a group of middle and high schoolers. I'll let you guys know how long it takes them to tear it up