What 4-way does everyone use?

[jim_daniels]

I've been looking for a decent dedicated 4-way stick for my cab and can't decide what to get.  I like the ultimarc j-stick the best so far, since it has the retro-cool ball-top and is long enought to fit without routing. Shipping kinda bites though, wish i'd have ordered it with my i-pac....

So which 4-ways does everyone else use? Just supers with the actuator flipped?  Anyone got anything they'd sell me?  I'd really like a ball top....

[J_K_M_A_N]

I use the Ms Pac-Man/Galaga 20 year stick from happs and I still say it is the ONLY way to go. In my first 2 stand alone cp's I used 4-way comps (I think) and they are NO match for the Ms Pac Man stick. The only problem (for some) is it can only be mounted in a metal cp so you have to either route the wood or make a plate for it. I had a friend of mine make a plate for me. I love it. Good luck.

J_K_M_A_N

[Brax]

I use the Ms Pac-Man/Galaga 20 year stick as well. A dedicated 4 way is great to have

[eightbit]

So which 4-ways does everyone else use? Just supers with the actuator flipped?  Anyone got anything they'd sell me?  I'd really like a ball top....

The only convertible 4 way that has decent action in 4 way that I have found is the t-stick sold by ultimarc. The others like the competition and the super when in 4 way mode won't register the diagonals but they still move diagonally.

[wee beastie]

I use the j-stick.  Note:  If you go the j-stick route, it can fit in a 3/4 mdf without routing, but it isn't very tall.  It's about the same height as a real Ms Pac stick mounted in the metal (ie: the ball is low).

IMO the j-stick is great.  The only drawback is that it is very loose action.  In other words, you don't need to push very hard to get it to move in a direction.  So, function is flawless, but feel is still different than an authentic leaf sw 4 way joystick

[creatine28]

I'm using a old style (Leaf) 4 way pacman stick.  Works great! Also gives great feel to the older games, plus no clickety click!

I tried the supers in 4 way, but they didn't respond perfectly for games like donkey kong, although they did work ok.

[mikej]

Resurrecting an old topic here...

Is anyone using the ms pac-man/galaga stick in a wood cp with a lexan overlay?

According to Happs the joystick height is 2.01".  If I put a lexan overlay on top, that still leaves just over 1.75" of joystick.  That seems like enough, but I am wondering if anyone else has done this.

One last question...when installing a lexan overlay, do I take the ball off of the joystick or do I have to drill the hole large enough to fit over the ball?

Thanks,
Mike

[Brax]

Resurrecting an old topic here...

Is anyone using the ms pac-man/galaga stick in a wood cp with a lexan overlay?

According to Happs the joystick height is 2.01".  If I put a lexan overlay on top, that still leaves just over 1.75" of joystick.  That seems like enough, but I am wondering if anyone else has done this.

One last question...when installing a lexan overlay, do I take the ball off of the joystick or do I have to drill the hole large enough to fit over the ball?

Thanks,
Mike

Most people use a custom made mounting plate to mount the stick. I routed out a fancy hole for my joystick and mounted it from the top much like a trackball. Either way is acceptable.

A 1 1/4" hole is fine just like the rest of your joysticks. You remove the shaft from the joystick when you mount it just like the others.

[Nervous]

I like the Happ Super Joysticks.  They can be either 4 or 8 way.

I've used the pac-man/galaga sticks, but they always feel too short.

[dhansen]

I use wico leaf joys...I love 'em (although hard to find these days)

Doug

[jdjuggler]

Hey Brax,
I was wondering if we could see any pictures of your mounting of the 4-way stick.   I'd like to be able to mount mine as high as possible.
Thanks.

[AndyWarne]

Note you can easily increase the spring pressure on the J-Stik if you wish, just unscrew the 4 screws holding the front-plate on, pull out the shaft, take off the circlip and stretch the spring. Re-assemble.

Andy

[lightspeed]

I've got Happ's repro Ms. Pac Man stick, which uses microswitches.

 I'm happy with it, but its hard to beat the old leaf-switch style sticks.

[jdjuggler]

I'm interested in mounting the Ms. Pacman/Galaga 4-way on my CP, but I'm concerned about it being too low.  Will a custom mounting plate bring it up higher?
Does anyone have pics of how this would be mounted without the stock mounting plate?
Thanks.
JD