Mag-Stick Plus discussion

[mvolke1]

I just got two Mag-Stick pluses from Ultimarc. For the life of me, I can't figure out how to get them to switch from 4 to 8-way. They're supposed to be able to change from the top of the console, but I have been sitting in my apartment twisted and pulling and turning for two days to no avail. (that didn't sound too good)

Anyone got advice?

[MameJunkie]

From Ultimarc Website...

To switch: Pull out the stick against the spring pressure, continue pulling while rotating, until the mechanism engages, then turn anticlockwise for 8-way, or clockwise for 4-way. The stick clicks into position when turned 45 degrees. The mechanism actually rotates an internal restrictor plate and also rotates the microswitch actuator for a perfect 4-8 way transition.

[Alcathiax]

Pull up against the spring firmly. Rotate it until you feel it pull up another 1/4 inch. Then rotate it either to the right or the left. If you are looking at it from the bottom you will see the white lever move when you do this correctly. If you need some pics of what I am talking about...let me know. I can take some and post them.

[mvolke1]

Thank you. I'll try that. I read what the Web site said, but it wasn't working. I haven't felt it pull up at all. I think I might have been turning it to the left to engage, not the right.

[Alcathiax]

I really think if you are looking at the bottom of the joystick you can see the little tabs on the side of the rod. If you look carefully enough you can see where they "engage" to move the lever.

[Ninten-doh]

Also make sure the nut on the bottom is nice and tight.  I've found that it doesn't catch as well (or catch at all) if the nut isn't tight.

[destructor]

http://www.retroblast.com/reviews/joysticks/ultimarc_tstik.html

Click on "Click here to launch the Switching video in a separate window" video link.

[mvolke1]

I did finally figure it out~! Thank you all for your help. I felt pretty silly, but I was turning it to the left, not the right, to engage the switch. D'Oh! 

[Donkey_Kong]

I'm waiting for my Mag Stik Plus to arrive. It has been taking awhile and the suspense is killing me. I'm building a 2 player CP and am thinking of sticking the Mag Stik Plus in the middle somwhere as a dedicated 4 way that can of course be used as an 8 way as well. Now and then I suppose my 10 year old could squeeze in between me and my 12 year old and we could beat the crap out of some simpsons rivals or some TMNT. As you can see (pic below) the mag stik plus is not yet mounted...Awaiting arrival.
Already mounted are a pair of Ultra Stik 360's. I posted my opinion of the U 360's at this link...
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=57107.0




Question is this...
How will the Mag Stik Plus be as my dedicated 4 way? How good is it for games like Pac man, Donkey Kong etc? Compare it to an original Ms Pac Man stik if you could. I do need something good for speedy Ms Pacman. 


  and thanks for any help...

[fatfingers]

Question is this...
How will the Mag Stik Plus be as my dedicated 4 way? How good is it for games like Pac man, Donkey Kong etc? Compare it to an original Ms Pac Man stik if you could. I do need something good for speedy Ms Pacman. 

One man's opinion:

I have both mag-stik plusses and ultra-stiks and I dropped my mag-stiks by the wayside as soon as I got my ultrastiks.

[Donkey_Kong]

I have both mag-stik plusses and ultra-stiks and I dropped my mag-stiks by the wayside as soon as I got my ultrastiks.

So are you saying I have nothing to look forward to here? Is my 4 way future not looking so bright? I mean I know very well that the ultra stiks 360's kick some royal hiney...But all I'm wanting here is a good 4 way stick and well...

Anybody else have an opinion of the Mag Stik Plus as a dedicated 4 way? You know I was thinking 4-8 way switchable from the top for convienience and flexibilty, but ultimately hoping for some pretty stellar 4 way action...You know what I'm sayin'?

My Mag Stik Plus is sitting at the post office and I gotta go get it tomorrow...I'll report back after I smack that thing around for a day or two...

 

[leapinlew]

I'm curious what you think too....

The short dead throw of the magstick+ is what killed it for me.

[Donkey_Kong]

The short dead throw of the magstick+ is what killed it for me.

Damn, now I'm scared. I should have done more research before comitting!! 

[fatfingers]

The short dead throw of the magstick+ is what killed it for me.

Damn, now I'm scared. I should have done more research before comitting!! 

Like everything else in this hobby, everyone's preferences are very different.  You may find that you love the mag stik plusses.

Edit: spelling

[Donkey_Kong]

You may find that you love the mag stik plusses.

Thats what I'm hoping!

Thanks for all the help guys...I'm gonna book to the post office tomorrow and get that stick, fire it up and let ya'll know how she runs!!

Later! 

[Congui]

Hi.

I have 2 magsticks plus on my control panel (still no cab), and I like the short throw; maybe I'm amoung the minority here lol .  Any way, it's really a matter of preference.  Just give them a chance (since they're on their way), and maybe you'll like them.

Cheers,

Congui

[jlfreund]

I have 2 Magstick plus's on my CP and I find the switching isn't too tough once you get the hang of it.

My problem is that it feels like the horizontal and verticals are much harder to hit than diagonals.  When playing robotron, for example, in normal, mindless gameplay, 90% of my shots are diagonal, and I have to really concentrate on positioning the joystick just so to get it to shoot vertical or horizontal.

Jason

[destructor]

I have 2 Magstick plus's on my CP and I find the switching isn't too tough once you get the hang of it.

My problem is that it feels like the horizontal and verticals are much harder to hit than diagonals.  When playing robotron, for example, in normal, mindless gameplay, 90% of my shots are diagonal, and I have to really concentrate on positioning the joystick just so to get it to shoot vertical or horizontal.

Jason

More training.

[mvolke1]

I've gotten used to them. It's really simple to change from 4 to 8-way. I do it all the time without much thought and other who play the cab say the same.

I really like the short throw, and I plan to get the 8-way only Mag Stick for my side control panel. They've been very reliable.

[rlemmon]

I have had one since they were released. I love it the switching mechanism and the magnetic centering is brilliant.

[leapinlew]

I have had one since they were released. I love it the switching mechanism and the magnetic centering is brilliant.

Not to be a jerk, but whats brilliant about the magnetic centering? I didn't find the centering to be any better or worse on this stick. The switching mechanism was great, for me. I don't think normal people care about things like 4 way and 8 way. In fact, trying to show my wife how to switch to a 4 way mode was confusing for her and she opted to not even play.

The Ultimarc360 with auto-mapping on the fly really looks like it's the way to go.

[Kaytrim]

I have 2 Magstick plus's on my CP and I find the switching isn't too tough once you get the hang of it.

My problem is that it feels like the horizontal and verticals are much harder to hit than diagonals.  When playing robotron, for example, in normal, mindless gameplay, 90% of my shots are diagonal, and I have to really concentrate on positioning the joystick just so to get it to shoot vertical or horizontal.

Jason

This sounds just like the T-Sticks that I have.  The only difference is the centering mechanism.  I am chomping at the bit to get money together so I can replace my T-Sticks with U360s.  I might get dedicated 8-way joys and keep one T-Stick as a dedicated 4-way.