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Ultimarc 360 Joysticks - my review
Donkey_Kong:
...
lloydcom:
Can I connect this joystick to my X-Arcade Duo?
Is there enough height for the USB controller, and can I use the redundant clips to the joystick for use in non PC systems?
tranq:
To address the last post: the depth below the plate is less than most sticks, so it should fit just about anywhere. (However, I think there are stick schematics at Ultimarc.)
My own review:
First off, I'll add onto the Retroblast review points. Great stick, smooth motion. Very sensitive - in analog mode, particularly with the stock (light) spring, it almost registers if you blow hard on it. (I don't like the light spring, cos 1) at least one of mine will stick just slightly up or left; and 2), it has a little shake of play to it before moving.) When in digital mode, it has a little play before it activates, but is still quite short at, say, 2mm. Just as in the review, the shaft is a little short: I'm not sure why Andy did this, cos most people use MDF, which makes for a LOW stick. Hence, unless you've a metal or plastic board, GET THE LONGER SHAFT. Lastly, the ultramap utility is pretty straight forward - however, every time when loading, it defaults at analog for all sticks. Now, it doesn't program your stick to analog, it just doesn't show what configuration your present stick is in upon scaning for it. Kinda weird, but not a problem.
Okay, now my own thing: I hate the play in all digital (or digital emulating) sticks. I want it to engage/send a signal at 2mm, and stop at 3. (Or maybe 2.5.) For about two years, I've wanted to have someone make me a special P360 with this in mind - but with the advent of the Ultrastick, I decided to use it, instead. Unfortunately, Andy wasn't available to make me special restrictors, so I went local.
Below is a fabbed restrictor made of acrylic. I patterned it off the PCB and made the interior round. Notice the round Ultimarc restrictor next to it. See how BIG it is inside? Mine is probly half the size....basically, I measured the shaft and black plastic 'accuator' (about 13mm), and added 2mm to the diameter (NOT radius).
I'll segue for a moment. I also had to make my own mapping for this. Basically, I did what I call an 'easy 8-way', where I start in the first set of squares from the centre. This is the most responsive activation this stick can get.
Now, materials and fab process. The local guy I went to used a pulsing laser cutter. This isn't optimal, but it IS inexpensive. That is, CNC-made, you're looking at, at least, $100-200 dollars for just a few. In this case, it was only $10 bucks per, and he'll make me one at a time. (Now, seredipitously, I discovered I knew this guy from my home town, back in high school, and he gave me a super deal, so I paid hardly nothin for 'em....anyways...) It isn't quite perfectly round, and it's a little rough inside, so I used a small, fine grinding bit on my hand drill to finish it.
Now, it's super tight and I can make very fast moves with very little effort, which, for me, means more fun.
Ninten-doh:
Quick question about U360...do you have to make a custom map for each game or does it somehow recognize (thru controls.dat?) which default map to use? This sounds incredibly time consuming...unless someone is willing to ZIP up their maps and send them to me. ;D
tranq:
--- Quote from: Ninten-doh on December 14, 2006, 04:10:23 pm ---Quick question about U360...do you have to make a custom map for each game or does it somehow recognize (thru controls.dat?) which default map to use? This sounds incredibly time consuming...unless someone is willing to ZIP up their maps and send them to me. ;D
--- End quote ---
You don't have to make a map for each game. Ultimately, Mame would just select from a file the appropriate map. Unfortunately, this is a whole other kettle. It would seem Andy got ahead of himself in designing this stick that he didn't think to couple it with some utility or what-have-you to have mame do map select on-the-fly. However, it seems it must be part of the core. Someone, someone unknown unfortunately, has done a .106 version, but it's command-line. Sucko for me, cos I only use mame32. Also, Andy said he's working on something with the GameEx dude; in the meantime, you can use either Mamewah or something called MaLa, and use a batch file. (I couldn't get either of these to work, in general, so that's out for me.)
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