Anyone ever put a ball-top on an E-Stik or Happ Universal?

[Cue-Ball]

I've decided that i'm going to either get an E-Stik or a Happ Universal joystick as my main 4-way.  The deciding factor was the 45* rotation for Q*Bert and Congo Bongo.  However; i would really like to have the "ball-top" feel for 4-way games.  Has anyone ever fitted a ball-top stick to their E-Stick or Universal?  Or, does anyone know if the shaft lengths are comparable enough to make this work?

[shmokes]

I'm having the same dillema.  For a while I was sure I would get the E-stick, but lately I've been thinking, "why get a non-ball top stick for a dedicated 4-way for just two games?"

I'm really thinking that I ought to not only get a ball-top, but make it a leaf-switch ball top.  That's more useful than 45 degree rotation, IMO.

[Mamezilla]

I've decided that i'm going to either get an E-Stik or a Happ Universal joystick as my main 4-way.  The deciding factor was the 45* rotation for Q*Bert and Congo Bongo.  

I just want to tell you that last month, I e-mailed Happ's and asked them if the switchplate on their universal joystick does rotate 45 degrees, just like the e-stick.  They replied that it didn't, so I guess it only has the built-in restrictor plate.  So in your case, if this is true, you'll have to stay with the Andy's E-stick.  At least that's what I'm gonna do when I redo my CP.  Sorry that I cannot help with the ball-top thing, but I'm interested on that topic also.

[paigeoliver]

I personally always use Ms. Pac/Galaga replacement sticks for my 4-ways, they are the best new stick you can buy. You can get used to non-rotated QBert pretty easy you know.

[rampy]

I personally always use Ms. Pac/Galaga replacement sticks for my 4-ways, they are the best new stick you can buy. You can get used to non-rotated QBert pretty easy you know.

how do those work on a wood CP?  

rampy

[paigeoliver]

They DON'T work on a wood panel. You either make a metal panel, or make a mounting plate. Back when I had a wooden panel I just made a mounting plate out of a little square of sheet metal I got fro, Home Depot.

Metal panels totally rock though. I reccomend them if at all possible. The majority of the high quality classic era controls are designed for them (especially those SWEET ball top leaf switch 8-ways).

[Zeitgeist]

Ok,
I'm sure that I have read this issue addressed here before but here goes anyway:
In regards to the E Stick & Happs Universal Joystick (essentially the same stick - different color), the restrictor plate only rotates 45% to orient the corners like this + (4way) instead of like this X (8way).
You can still hit the diagonals in 4 way mode if you try hard but the great part about this stick is that you can actually feel the diamond pattern & know for sure you are really going straight up/down/left/right.
The 45% oreintation that applies to Qbert occurs when you physically loosen the joystick assembly (it attaches to the pannel with it's oun spanner nut) & turn the whole thing 45%.
Of course you would want the restrictor plate to be in the 4way mode or else this is pretty much useless.

I have this stick on one of my pannels & it works nicely.
It would be pretty sweet if it came in a ball top version though

Hope this helps you BuhBuh-Ray & anyone else who is curious about this issue.

They say a picture is worth a thousand word so here goes:
Qbert orientation (in 4way mode):

[Zeitgeist]

Here is a picture from the top side:

[shmokes]

I hate to say this since you own one and I don't, but I think you're doing that wrong.  Read this thread:

http://www.arcadecontrols.org/yabbse/index.php?board=1;action=display;threadid=5544;start=0

[Zeitgeist]

Yep,
That's the thread that I was refering to.
The two sticks are essentially the same.
As AndyWarne suggested, you can rotate just the switch plate about 45 degrees if you like, but it will not be fully locked into place as the manufacturer intended.
It won't fall off mind you, but it is not as tight a feel IMHO as if you use the method of rotating the whole stick 45 degrees & properly locking the switch plate into place.
If you do do this, don't forget the notches.
I do agree however that rotating just the switch plate does work.
I have done this to test it.
Suppose it's just a matter of preference really.
Sorry, I was trying to help clear things up not furthur confuse.
 

Here is a close up of the Universal so everyone can compare:

[Cue-Ball]

Okay, so are we now 100% positive that the Happ stick and the E-Stik are not the same?  I want to make sure because i was going to order the Happ since Ultimarc's shipping is so steep.

Still no answers on the ball top issue though.  Nobody on this board has ever tried to attach a ball top to the E-Stik?  C'mon, guys!  I don't want to be the guinea pig on this one!

[Zeitgeist]

From the looks of it they ARE the same!
...just a different color handle & diffrent brand of microswitches.
You can do the same little trick with the switch plate on both of 'em.

 

[shmokes]

Read that thread again.  I don't know how you are getting from that thread that that is how it is meant to work.

That top square that shows above the control panel should not rotate.  If it works for you that's fine, but it does not appear that you are using it the way it was meant to be used.