A little help from my friends...which 4-way stick?

[rubberpoultry]

Hello fellow BYOACers.

As I've posted before, I took the easy route and bought prefab everything. Here's my cabinet and story:

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=61511.0

Anyway, I bought a used slikstik classic. I've never had any problems with it. Infact it looks and plays perfect. Since I bought it used (saving a ton) I didn't really have a choice on what was included on it. I don't think I would have really known what to look for anyway since I'd only played MAME using a keyboard and gamepad.

So... as I've gotten more into playing MAME on my cabinet, I've really begun to notice how annoying it is to play 4 way games like Pacman using whatever the sticks are on my control panel. I'm sure one of you could identify it right away as an 8 or 32 way or whatever it is.

My wife has even started to complain about it and when I told her I though I needed a 4-way to fix the problem she said that I should go ahead and get one since it's so hard to play Pacman and Burgertime (two of her favorites).

I've attached a picture of my control panel. What I'd like to do is replace the top middle stick (which I never use) with a 4-way. I'm not sure what the purpose of the top middle stick with trigger is, but I've never been able to get the trigger to work right anyway.

I have a couple of questions I hope you can help me with. I've never wired a control panel, and I don't know the first thing about it. I opened the control panel and looked around and it looks like it might be doable with no experience. I think it has an ipac in it if I remember right.

My questions are... which 4-way controller would you recommend for a wiring novice? Which has the best feel regardless of wiring experience? Is it just a matter of removing the current stick and running the wires to the same place on the ipac? Is that pretty easy?

Sorry for the newbie questions. I'm fairly active on the group and enjoy reading posts here every day. I'm sure I could spend hours researching the problem, but I thought someone else might also want the answers you may provide me.

Thanks,
RubberP

[shardian]

The stick you have in there now is a top-fire joystick. You can always put the top-fire up for trade in the buy,sell,trade forum.

The most readily available (and good) 4-way stick is the Ms. Pacman reunion stick. It is microswitch based. If your joysticks are mounted underneath the control panel and the panel is wood, you may need a new, longer joystick handle for the stick.

[Kremmit]

You said "trigger", but that looks like a top-fire.  I'm pretty sure SlikStik uses all Happ joysticks, so that should be a Happ Top Fire Joystick.

A 4-way Wico or a Happ Ms. Pac/Galaga Reunion stick will both fit the mounting holes with no  modification.  The Reunion sticks can be had brand new, and at a discount if you go through Ponyboy or Divemaster.  The Wico is not sold new anymore, so if you want one, your best bet is the Buy/Sell/Trade forum or eBay.  There are lots of other posts about whether microwsitch sticks (Reunion) or leafswitch sticks (Wico) are better, but it always comes down to personal preference.  If you've got any arcades you can visit, you might find examples to try out- the Reunion will be found on a Class of '81 Reunion (Ms. Pac / Galaga), and the Wico can be found on all manner of old games, just look for a smooth balltop and that's probably one.

FWIW, a Happ/Midway/GroovyGameGear 49-way will also fit those mounting holes, as will a Happ Competition, Super, Perfect 360 or Ultimate.

[Kremmit]

Shardian got his reply in while I was typing.  Just to add to what he said, that longer replacement handle he mentioned is available from Tornado Terry.  I believe he'll also sell the complete stick with the taller handle included.

[rubberpoultry]

Thanks guys. I'm thinking of going with Tornado Terry's 4-Way joystick. Will it be pretty self evident on how to install it? Is it just a matter of unplugging the old one and re-attaching the wires to the new one?

Sorry for the lack of knowledge on this.

RubberP

[shardian]

Thanks guys. I'm thinking of going with Tornado Terry's 4-Way joystick. Will it be pretty self evident on how to install it? Is it just a matter of unplugging the old one and re-attaching the wires to the new one?

Sorry for the lack of knowledge on this.

RubberP

I'm not familiar with the slikstik, but I will go ahead and assume the sticks are bottom mounted and the put T-nuts up top.
If so, then you'll just open the cp up
pop the e-clip off the joystick
 take out the handle
undo the four bolts holding the joystick body up.
switch the wires from the old joy micro's to the new joy
take out stick from new joy
bolt up new joy body
drop in handle
reattach e-clip
Play Games

[rubberpoultry]

You make it sound pretty doable. Now I just have to figure out which one to get.

[Tiger-Heli]

Personally, I like the GGG Omni-Sticks for a 4-way short-throw stick, but unless you have room for and buy the mounting plate, they can be tough to install and have look right.

http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=65&products_id=294

[BobA]

Have you looked at the Ultimarc Mag Plus 8/4 way swichable?   From what I have been able to tell during testing they work very well and can be switched from the top of the panel with nothing showing.

[GoPodular.com]

I'd go with a reunion stick and a long handle.  It should be an easy swap, I think they use quick disconnects.  BUT, I'm fairly certain SS just uses wood screws, not T-nuts.  Be careful when taking the screws out/putting in so it doesn't get jacked up.