Ultimarc 360 vs GPWiz49 Head to Head

[MiKman]

Anyone down for doing some kind of head to head review of these two bad boys? 

[DaveMMR]

I second that request. 

[RetroJames]

Ian McCarthy did a roundup of the GPWiz49 (along with the Happ Controls 49-way Joystick, ,Mark Oates' 49-way Rotary Adapter, and Druin's Rotary Board Interface) back in June 2005.

- http://retroblast.com/reviews/49-way.html

We also just got word that Andy's new 360 is headed to Kevin who's coming out from under GameRoom Magazine long enough to put it through its paces!

We know alot of folks are looking for a review on that one and we'll put it up as soon as the the review is ready.

- http://retroblast.com/index.php?scid=1985

[brophog]

They don't seem like comparable products to me. Not really.

[DaveMMR]

They don't seem like comparable products to me. Not really.

For lack of a better description, they both can act like different types of joystick (8-way, 4-way, diagonal, 2-way, etc.) through software switching, thus eliminating the need for multiple, dedicated joysticks.  That's where they are comparable and, IMO, their biggest draw.

[brophog]

But one is planned as an analog that just so happens to be multi-purpose while another is planned as a 49-way that just so happens to be multi-purpose. There are lots of things in this hobby that do more than one thing that we don't compare for that reason.

You're not going to get anything comparable in these joysticks. Apples and oranges are both fruit that go in your mouth too, and that's about where the comparisons stop.

[NoOne=NBA=]

But one is planned as an analog that just so happens to be multi-purpose while another is planned as a 49-way that just so happens to be multi-purpose.

Which makes them about as alike as any other two joysticks on the market.

If we followed your logic above, we couldn't do comparisons between any of the switchable 4/8-ways and a dedicated 4-way because the 4/8-way was designed to also do 8-way.

[DaveMMR]

You're not going to get anything comparable in these joysticks. Apples and oranges are both fruit that go in your mouth too, and that's about where the comparisons stop.

Okay Mikman - there's your head-to-head review.   Shop wisely. 
 

But one is planned as an analog that just so happens to be multi-purpose while another is planned as a 49-way that just so happens to be multi-purpose.

I think it's funny how you tell me that these two joysticks are not comparable by proceeding to tell me their most comparable feature.  If I want an analog joystick, I'll buy the Ultimarc 360, but I'd like to know what's better with the more plentiful digital games. 

Apples and Oranges?  I can compare them.  Oranges are slightly rounder but apples make better pies.   See - you can compare anything.   

[MiKman]

But one is planned as an analog that just so happens to be multi-purpose while another is planned as a 49-way that just so happens to be multi-purpose. There are lots of things in this hobby that do more than one thing that we don't compare for that reason.

You're not going to get anything comparable in these joysticks. Apples and oranges are both fruit that go in your mouth too, and that's about where the comparisons stop.

  Yup it's like apples and oranges, forget I said it seems kind of silly now that you mention it...

[shardian]

Nevermind comparative details like feel, throw, durability, accuracy, and ease of setup. Those things mean nothing when shopping for joysticks since, you know, apples and oranges and all that stuff. I'll take an apple over an orange any day...so which one is the apple?

[squirrellydw]

I would like to see how it compares to a P360 in throw.  The Ultimarc 360 seems like it has a lot of throw, I would like to see a picture of both.  If they are similar I will have some P360 for sale, never used.

[brophog]

But one is planned as an analog that just so happens to be multi-purpose while another is planned as a 49-way that just so happens to be multi-purpose.

Which makes them about as alike as any other two joysticks on the market.

If we followed your logic above, we couldn't do comparisons between any of the switchable 4/8-ways and a dedicated 4-way because the 4/8-way was designed to also do 8-way.

But almost all of them happen to be similiar in design. Are you really trying to use that analogy? Restricted sticks vs an analog or 49-way posing as 8-way. Totally different. Your analogy doesn't fit what so ever.

If you try to compare these two sticks head to head you're going to be disappointed.

[brophog]

I would like to see how it compares to a P360 in throw.  The Ultimarc 360 seems like it has a lot of throw, I would like to see a picture of both.  If they are similar I will have some P360 for sale, never used.

That's what you REALLY want. You want to know how each of these work compared to actual 8-ways, not to each other. I highly doubt most people are buying these sticks as anything more than do-it-all types. 49-ways and analogs are going to feel very different from one another. What you really want to know is how each feels to the actual 8-way that you want to compare it to. Because when you install them, you're not going to care how a 49-way feels compared to an analog (unless you're using one to play the relatively few games intended for the other), you're going to care how they play your favorite games, of which, almost all are either 8 or 4 way.

[edge]

I would love to see a direct comparison between the 2... particularly when used as all-purpose sticks.

As opposed to building an all purpose control panel with many types of sticks, I am seeking an all purpose stick that plays close enough.  I know it won't be as good as a dedicated 4-way with diamond restrictor (for instance), but thats the sacrifice I will make in order to get a simplified CP.

[MiKman]

I would like to see how it compares to a P360 in throw.  The Ultimarc 360 seems like it has a lot of throw, I would like to see a picture of both.  If they are similar I will have some P360 for sale, never used.

That's what you REALLY want. You want to know how each of these work compared to actual 8-ways, not to each other. I highly doubt most people are buying these sticks as anything more than do-it-all types. 49-ways and analogs are going to feel very different from one another. What you really want to know is how each feels to the actual 8-way that you want to compare it to. Because when you install them, you're not going to care how a 49-way feels compared to an analog (unless you're using one to play the relatively few games intended for the other), you're going to care how they play your favorite games, of which, almost all are either 8 or 4 way.

Geez if you thought comparing a 49 way to the 360 is like apples and oranges, then comparing the 49 way OR the 360 to an 8-way is like what?  Prunes to banana's maybe?

I just want to know how each of these solutions matches up to what it's designed for:

- As an all around solution, a veritable 'do it all' type of setup.
- Which has the best software solution to program the unit.
- Which has the easiest quickest method to change from Pac-man to sinistar without leaving the front end or fiddling underneath my panel?
- Which is the easiest to install?
- Which one works better in a wood control panel?
- Which one has the most options? which more configurable?
- Which is the best bang for the buck?
- And YES which one 'feels' better when playing pac-man in each of it's 'software' (or whatever you call it) restricted 4 way mode. (or sinistar 49 way mode, or fighter 8 way mode, or whatever else there is).

I really don't see where you are copming from and why we cannot do a head to head with these two "all in one" solutions.

[Izrun]

I really would like to know which 8-way the 360 feels most like, for comparison purposes.  I never liked the "feel" of the 49 way, but would love if this one felt like a conventional joystick.

[Kremmit]

I would like to see how it compares to a P360 in throw.  The Ultimarc 360 seems like it has a lot of throw, I would like to see a picture of both.  If they are similar I will have some P360 for sale, never used.

Man, I wish Andy hadn't used 360 in the name.  I wonder how many times people are going to get confused when somebody just says "360" instead of "P360" or "U360".

I really would like to know which 8-way the 360 feels most like, for comparison purposes.  I never liked the "feel" of the 49 way, but would love if this one felt like a conventional joystick.

As I was saying... 

[brophog]

Geez if you thought comparing a 49 way to the 360 is like apples and oranges, then comparing the 49 way OR the 360 to an 8-way is like what?  Prunes to banana's maybe?

Why do you think I say it's a poor comparison. You'd rather compare a stick acting as an 8 way with another stick acting as an 8 way......neither of which happen to be an 8 way.

The software stuff........comparable. The joystick stuff, not so much. Find your favorite 8 way/4 way/etcetera and compare each stick to that instead. It's what you'll naturally do when you pop a quarter in the first time to play and ultimately, it's what will make you like or dislike a stick. Installation, software, ease of adjustment.........all nice things to have, but if the stick doesn't act like your expectations you or your friends will eventually want to replace it. It doesn't matter how convenient that stick is, if it doesn't meet you and your companions expectation you'll either stop playing the machine or get a new stick that is maybe less convenient.

Nobody is going to play this stick and compare the feel to either the 49way/analog (whichever you don't get).  Listen to what I'm saying and save yourself a lot of headache.

[MiKman]

Nobody is going to play this stick and compare the feel to either the 49way/analog (whichever you don't get).  Listen to what I'm saying and save yourself a lot of headache.

If you would have read my entire post you would have seen that yes it would also be nice to know which one performs (feels) better as an 8-way 4-way etc.  You seem to be the only one with the headache here.

[2600]

Man, I wish Andy hadn't used 360 in the name.  I wonder how many times people are going to get confused when somebody just says "360" instead of "P360" or "U360".

P360 is bad enough for some.  They see 360 and/or optical and believe you have to hook it up like a mouse.

[shardian]

Geez if you thought comparing a 49 way to the 360 is like apples and oranges, then comparing the 49 way OR the 360 to an 8-way is like what?  Prunes to banana's maybe?

Why do you think I say it's a poor comparison. You'd rather compare a stick acting as an 8 way with another stick acting as an 8 way......neither of which happen to be an 8 way.

The software stuff........comparable. The joystick stuff, not so much. Find your favorite 8 way/4 way/etcetera and compare each stick to that instead. It's what you'll naturally do when you pop a quarter in the first time to play and ultimately, it's what will make you like or dislike a stick. Installation, software, ease of adjustment.........all nice things to have, but if the stick doesn't act like your expectations you or your friends will eventually want to replace it. It doesn't matter how convenient that stick is, if it doesn't meet you and your companions expectation you'll either stop playing the machine or get a new stick that is maybe less convenient.

Nobody is going to play this stick and compare the feel to either the 49way/analog (whichever you don't get).  Listen to what I'm saying and save yourself a lot of headache.

Why would you compare these to an 8 way? That is NOT the point. It is understood that these sticks WILL NOT act the same as the comparative traditional stick. You just said yourself above that each stick is imitating an 8-way. Ummm...that looks like a pretty good example of a comparative analysis. Which one simulates an 8-way the best. Things like throw, spring stiffness, software effectiveness...all of these are the criteria that determine which stick best simulates (insert traditional stick of choice here) the best.

[MiKman]

Why would you compare these to an 8 way? That is NOT the point. It is understood that these sticks WILL NOT act the same as the comparative traditional stick. You just said yourself above that each stick is imitating an 8-way. Ummm...that looks like a pretty good example of a comparative analysis. Which one simulates an 8-way the best. Things like throw, spring stiffness, software effectiveness...all of these are the criteria that determine which stick best simulates (insert traditional stick of choice here) the best.

YES!! Exactly , couldn't have said it better myself  Now lets get down to some head to head comparison of these two bad boys!