Gauntlet II: I'm gonna go with new sticks, I think. Recommendations?

[buck16]

My dedicated Gauntlet II cab has some control issues with some of the sticks.  I HATE leaf switches (though I love the embossed Atari logo on these joys) and would like to go with some microswitch sticks.

Any recommendations that will fit the old footprint?

Thanks,
Matt

[RayB]

Why do you "HATE" leaf switches?

[Kaytrim]

IIRC Gauntlet II uses the 49-way joysticks.  Oops it is Gauntlet Dark Legacy that uses them.

TTFN
Kaytrim

[shardian]

Why do you "HATE" leaf switches?

Most of us "young guns" who grew up in the 90's never used leaf joys in the arcade. If the stick/button don't go clicky clicky, it just isn't an arcade game, you know? I hated them at first, but I can bear them on my top gunner after playing them a while.

[knave]

I don't have a ton of experience with different sticks myself but it seems like for general use lots of people like Happ Competitions.  I do have a few of these and they feel and work well.

I don't know if they are a direct bolt in for Gauntlet 2.

[ArtMAME]

I have a Gauntlet project cab that I was gonna rebuild a CP for and I was thinking about using Suzos, which GGG calls Omnistick:

http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=65&products_id=292

and Ultimarc calls Eurostick:

http://www.ultimarc.com/images/eurostik.jpg

They have similar shape but no Atari logo, but they are microswitch type.  I have one that I use in 4-way mode and it is very responsive.  Don't know about the footprint though, as my project cab was totally missing the CP.

[buck16]

Why do you "HATE" leaf switches?

They seem to be a lot more picky about the conditions they want to work all the time in.  I've seen a few Track & Field machines that, even when the leafs were switched, just had probs.  And my Gauntlet cab seems to suffer the same probs.

I prefer the clicking, reliable, affordable microswtiches.

[Kremmit]

I don't think anything is a direct bolt-in replacement for Atari logo joys.  I do seem to remember that they made some Atari joys with microswitches, although I could be mistaken there- I know I don't have any.  Anyone?

[RayB]

Even microswitches can fail. All you have to do with leaf switches is clean off any gunk that may have accumulated between the blade contact points.

[CheffoJeffo]

Even microswitches can fail. All you have to do with leaf switches is clean off any gunk that may have accumulated between the blade contact points.

Yeah, I would definitely clean the switches before considering a replacement (but then again, I prefer leafs).

[shorthair]

Kinda wonder why they never made leafs encased. In any case (hahah), likely someone'll trade you for them. I'm surprised no one has asked.

[fjl]

I'll take them off your hands 

[RayB]

I would store the original joys in the machine itself, for when you sell the machine off to someone who may want all-original parts.

[u_rebelscum]

I don't think anything is a direct bolt-in replacement for Atari logo joys.  I do seem to remember that they made some Atari joys with microswitches, although I could be mistaken there- I know I don't have any.  Anyone?

Yup.  Those Atari cases were used for leaf, micro, hall effect, two gear shifter, and 720 controllers.  Or at least the top part of the case.  The bottom part was the part that was changed to match the switch/sensor (and sometimes the handle).  I have (non-working mostly) a couple microswitch, one 720, one hall effect, and one gear shift version.  Don't have the leaf switch model, though.

Besides switching to another atari stick, I don't know of any other stick with the same footprint.

[Kremmit]

Yup.  Those Atari cases were used for leaf, micro, hall effect, two gear shifter, and 720 controllers. 

Don't forget the Xybots Twist-To-Turn sticks! 

[buck16]

Well, I fired up the Gauntlet II again today after A LONG time away from it.  All the leafs work.  And the sticks all work.  Centering mech is still good even.

Problem is some of the leaf switches are replacements.  Well, those embossed Atari joysticks had a nub on the plastic part of the switch that fit into a little hole in the joystick base, then a 1/8" away is where the screw goes.  In tandem with the screw, the nub/hole keeps the the leaf switch from moving about when pressure is put on it.  The replacements don't have that nub and you can't tighten the screw enough to keep the switch from moving/spinning a tiny bit.  So once you go, for example, left, you can't go that way again because the stupid leaf turned on it's axis.

I saw the thread on leaf switches about but thus far it hasn't been helpful.  Where can I get a leaf switch with this silly little nub (or whatever a novice like myself should be calling it) that may or may not be specific to these sticks?  Do they even make leafs like that anymore?

Thanks,
Matt

[Kaytrim]

Use a lock washer to lock the switch in place.

TTFN
Kaytrim

[buck16]

I will try the lock washer between the switch and the joystick base suggestion.  Thanks!

All the leafs are working.  I know that much.  I realized yesterday after testing them all that one of the reasons I hate them is they get a little bent and you must have to occasionally bend them back, etc.  Mine aren't all so perfect anymore so occasionally when I go diagnonally, it only goes up since it doesn't hit both the leafs perfectly ... or maybe if I go up, they'll sometimes go diagonally for a tiny sec.  It's just not as reliable a feeling as I get with normal microswitch sticks.

But I have decided I DO want to stay with the original Atari embossed sticks and restore the machine as best as possible.

So I'm off to the hardware store when I get a chance to buy some lock washers.

UPDATE:
Got the lock washers but the darn switch still tilts.  Whatever the case, seems to work anyway.  The Gauntlet II is running at about 95% with some slight stick misdirection on a very limited basis.