This hobby needs a new joystick

[Civilan]

I've been around here for only a short time learning all I could about designing a control panel. There is just too many joystick types used in all the games. What this hobby needs is a real ULTIMATE joysick.

The joystick would have:

- snap on/ plug in  interchangeable handles, one bat handle, one ball handle, one flight stick handle with 3 buttons (trigger + 2 thumb)
- switchable from 2-way, 4-way, 4-way diagonal, and 8-way
- switchable to analog and provide a longer throw when required
- When the joystick handle is removed a plug can be inserted into the hole to keep the control panel clean

With a joystick like this one could put 4 joysticks, 2 spinners, 1 trackball, and all the required buttons on a control panel without creating massive clutter on the face of the control panel.

I'm dreaming again... have fun adding to it.

Cheers,
Pierre.

[MameFan]

Modular/switchable restrictor plates for 2/4/8 way should be doable at (relatively) low cost, and a rotating joystick base for diagonal 4 way (qbert) should be doable but more issues surrounding "locking" it in place.  

As far as the swappable handles... anyone remember the Wico sticks from the mid-80's for Commodore/Atari systems? I had one where you could have a flight handle, a Bat stick or a ball, all interchangable. So that's not hard (with button on end).  Adding triggers/etc.. involves more issues.


I would love some type of restrictor plate thing where you could have 2 plates come together to limit to 2 way horizontal, another 2 for 2 way vertical, another for 4 way, and another for 8 way.  Each would be a pair of plates, motor run, clamping together under the stick and the ones not in use would retract (spread open).  Would need to be interlocking overlaping dual layers though to prevent the 'finding' of the meeting point during play when doing round motions.

Could be done with 8 half-plates and a few gears with locking pins and a cam to select each one into place/alternate to the next one, and a stepper motor to select each mode.   However to cost to design and manufacture such a thing would be astronomical and would mean each stick would probably sell for $200.  You'd not be able to get the cost down until you sold enough sticks for every existing arcade game cab still in existence.

Still an interesting idea.

[Civilan]

I forgot to add that the joystick would need to be a rotary type with a lock to prevent it from rotating in certain  games.

Yes I know it would be expensive but this is a dream after all.

Civilan

[hevnsnt]

and be less than $10 with free shipping.  

[rampy]

As far as the swappable handles... anyone remember the Wico sticks from the mid-80's for Commodore/Atari systems? I had one where you could have a flight handle, a Bat stick or a ball, all interchangable. So that's not hard (with button on end).  Adding triggers/etc.. involves more issues.

No, I don't remember... do you know the name/model of that wico stick?  Sometimes old home wico sticks shafts/etc are compatible with arcade sticks bases because... well wico made both home and arcade joysticks...  

Might be fun to play with (the old wico interchange-a-tron stick)

*shrug*  any leads would be.. uh.. appreciated...

rampy

[MameFan]

They were part of their Command Control series of joysticks.  I still have 1 in my collection with the contoured finger grip on it, but do not have the ball top or bat top interchangable parts.

The contoured version was red colored with round top fire button, but was shaped like their "Boss" joystick (which was Grey/black instead of Black/Red).


The best examples are these 3 auctions of the individual versions, but they did make one that had all 3 interchangable:

Ball tops:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3018741833

Bat tops:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3017875491

Contoured Tops:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3016201456


And yes, the Wico's used leaf switches and were substantially stronger than any other Atari/Commodore joystick made at the time (which usually all used button contacts that dented/cracked/flaked off or oxidized) and it wasn't til the very end that Epyx introduced microswitch ones (500XJ).

The Wico Boss/Command Control line used the same centering grommet as their arcade series and also I found are the same size as those in PacMan series leafsticks too (no center wobble like some replacements have).

I'll do some lookin and try to find a box showing all 3 attachments.  BTW--All were 8 way sticks.. I never saw a 4 way switchable version of any of them (if so, would only have been electronics anyway, not a restrictor)

[JMDickson]

I have one with all 3 handles and the original 'parts' bag.  I'll see if I can get some shots of it if you want.

[skirge66]

Modular/switchable restrictor plates for 2/4/8 way should be doable at (relatively) low cost, and a rotating joystick base for diagonal 4 way (qbert) should be doable but more issues surrounding "locking" it in place.  

http://www.oscarcontrols.com/

oscar's restrictor plates are very nice, i bought a full set, with a mounting plate, i mounted a happs competition to the plate. the restrictors change out very easily and the 2 way can be mounted vertical or horizontal. they are made of high quality materials and the look is very professional typical of an oscar product, all in all they are fantastic.

[HeadRusch]

The Epyx 500XJ was, bar none, the best handling microswitch joystick I ever had....I bemoaned the day they stopped making it.

I used to use them with my C64 and Amiga setups all the time........sadly their PC version, which was analog, was abysmal.............

[rampy]

I have one with all 3 handles and the original 'parts' bag.  I'll see if I can get some shots of it if you want.

that'd be cool if it isn't too much trouble.... it's more out of curiosity than anything else...

I'd be especially interested in how the swap process works (did you have to dissasemble the base? or did the just bop in and out)

thanks!

rampy

[u_rebelscum]

I forgot to add that the joystick would need to be a rotary type with a lock to prevent it from rotating in certain  games.

Yes I know it would be expensive but this is a dream after all.

Civilan

How about locks when the flight stick is snapped in, a continuous/12-step spin switch, and variable spin resistance?  

Normal super/competition/pacman shafts can be turned (but with high resistance).  Ikara type had 12 step rotary sticks, 50 cal had continous.

[Howard_Casto]

kelsey(oscar) has looked into this and is still looking into it.  Go bug him, I thought it was a good idea too.    

[OSCAR]

kelsey(oscar) has looked into this and is still looking into it.  Go bug him, I thought it was a good idea too.    

Yes, I was looking into it, however when I started getting into the plastic portion of it the price went sky high because of the relatively small volume and the high initial investment in tooling and dies.   Possibly an anodized machined aluminum alloy joystick handle instead of plastic?  Hmmmm....  Even still, that route would still likely be in the $20+ neighborhood for just a handle based on some preliminary pricing I was looking at.  

[Wade]

I use the J-sticks from ultimarc, and they seem to work perfectly in 4-way, diagonal 4-way (leave it in 8way mode), and 8-way.  The ball top is threaded and can be removed.  Maybe someone should look into making a few different tops that will thread right onto these sticks.

Wade

[AX]

as a note these sticks are 100 x better than the crappy happ controls.  I hate the sloppy travel that the happ js have.  the t-stick from ultimarc is perfect.  small travel and easy 4x8 way switching.  also it's true 4 way not like the happ bushing crap.  anyway thats just my opinion.  I could be wrong

[ErikRuud]

I still have my Wico Command Control Stick that came with all three tops. I only have the bat handle, the ball and flight handles are missing. The tops are changed by pulling them up off the shaft. They fit pretty tight.  They also came with a plastic 4-way restrictor that could be snapped on and off.