Astro city type joystick into a x-arcade unit?

[ic]

Great message board you guys have here.
Please forgive my newbie questions.....

I recently bought an x-arcade unit to save me the hassle of building something myself.
I am really happy with the unit, but the joystick isnt my favourite style for the games I play.

Does anyone know if I can put a joystick into x-arcade that is used on sega astro city cabinets?

If I can use those style joysticks and the mounting is the same, does anyone have a part number/supplier that ships the joysticks in/to the UK?

Thanks to anyone that can help, any info is appreciated.

[BobA]

Here is a link to a parts dealer in Japan who seems to carry the parts for the Sega panels.   No info on the mounting requirements but I assume that they are meant for a metal panel.  These maybe hard to adapt for a x-arcade unit as nothing would line up or be the right depth without alot of changes.


http://www.riverservice.co.jp/index_e.html

BobA

[Grasshopper]

Another UK builder....

I've had a look at the picture of the joysticks on the site provided by BobA. You're in luck, both joysticks are available from UK distributors.

Joystick 29: This looks similar to the J-Stik sold by www.ultimarc.com.

Joystick 30: This joystick is available from www.suzo.co.uk. I actually own one, however mine came fitted with a different mounting plate to the one shown in the picture. It will be difficult to fit this joystick to a wooden panel without routing.

What you should maybe consider is replacing the X-Arcade joysticks (which are basically Happ Super clones) with T-Stiks.

[ic]

BobA and grasshopper.

Thanks for the suggestions guys.
Very helpful links.  

Those J-sticks look like the ones I am after.
Damn, I was looking ages for those!

I am hoping one of those suppliers have one of those types fitted with the mountings I need.


I am not a fan of the happ's supers, but for fighting games they are nice though.
But for shooters I find the travel after the click is far too long, and the central position is a bit stiff for me. (Especially when fast repeated taps are needed)

Do the T-sticks feel the same as happ's supers?
It looks very similar, but without trying I dunno if it will be too stiff when leaving the central position.

Thanks again.

[Kilgore]

I recently bought an x-arcade unit to save me the hassle of building something myself.
I am really happy with the unit, but the joystick isnt my favourite style for the games I play.

Does anyone know if I can put a joystick into x-arcade that is used on sega astro city cabinets?

Dude, we don't want your kind around here.  This is Build Your Own Arcade Controls, we don't buy anything premade.  If you need a control panel you should build it from scratch, if you need a different joystick well then you better get out the router and dremel and make your own.  I would be working on a cabinet now but my wood chipper is broken so I can't make any plywood.  If it doesn't get fixed soon I will just gnaw the tree into the correct shape.

I suggest you go over to ACFEALAYEAC website  (Arcade Controls For Everyone As Long As You Enjoy Arcade Controls) and talk to them.

(No I don't have anything useful to say, but I just thought I would beat the grumpy people to the punch.  Welcome IC  )

[wboy]

Hmmm.... my astro city cabinet definately uses sanwa parts, as shown here.

http://www.coinopexpress.com/products/parts/joysticks_&_buttons/Sanwa_Joystick_818.html

Not sure if the J-Stik is exactly the same model, as the color offerings are different...?

Thanks for posting the site Bob A.  I've been looking for to order in some spare parts for my cabinet, but could never find a site that would sell the parts in small quantities...

[eightbit]

Do the T-sticks feel the same as happ's supers?
It looks very similar, but without trying I dunno if it will be too stiff when leaving the central position.

The t-sticks are very stiff and have a very short throw. I wouldn't recomend mounting them in a desktop control panel as you need some weight to hold them down when you use them.

I love my t-stick in 4 way mode, it has the best 4 way action of any of the 4/8 way switchables that I've tried. I also like the short throw and positive clicking you get when you use it.

[ic]

Just thought I would mention the j-stick joystick turned up quickly from ultimarc and went into the x-arcade without any major problems.

Thanks again for the links grasshopper and BobA.

>Wonderboy.
The J-stick ultimarc sent me is made by sanwa too (It might need wearing in a bit as it seems a tad bit tighter than the joysticks I remember playing on an astro city cab. I havnt tried one for ages as my local arcade ditched all their sega cabs.)

It also seems a bit different to the picture you linked too though.
Maybe there is two mounting types for metal and 3/4 wood?


Anyhoo for anyone thats interested, I had to do a bit of routing lengthwise inside the x-arcade, as the inside had a smaller recess lengthwise that the happs clone sat in.
The mounting holes just about lined up after routing, so it wasnt too bad.

The buttons have to go now, not impressed with them at all.
Then all thats left is to make a new top CP panel with better button placement.  
Damn you guys posting those awesome hand built CP's pictures!!

Still, I suppose it is the easy route into starting bulding a CP for  lazy guys like myself.
It aint that bad imo and the changeable adaptors are a nice idea.

Hey Kilgore, I might just become a fully fleged BYOAC member someday! (Well owning/semi building a kinda bastard child joystick or something.....does that count for anything?)


>Eightbit.
Thanks for the input on the t-sticks.
Do those loosen up over time by any chance, and are they available with a ball-top?

Thanks again.

[NIVO]

ic, by you putting in a different joystick that automatically qualifies you as a BYOAC member. #1 tool here is a hammer! Alot of folks would agree that if it isnt broken, go break it so you have an excuse to mod it! LOL, welcome!

[eightbit]

>Eightbit.
Thanks for the input on the t-sticks.
Do those loosen up over time by any chance, and are they available with a ball-top?

Mine hasn't loosened up but I like it that tight. They aren't offered with a ball top that I am aware of and you can't swap the shaft with any sticks that I know of.