Joystick selection...HELP!

[dcsipe]

Ok, I'm going crazy here.  I've been planning on building my first cabinet for a few weeks now.  I've been searching this forum, asking a few questions here and there and reading the Project Arcade book.  I thought I had decided on the U360's, but am concerned a little with the 4-way play.  Then, I thought I had found my solution in the Happ Competition with a restrictor plate.  Of course though, after searching I find that no one sells or makes restrictor plates (the ones talked about in the book, and that used to be sold on oscarcontrols.com).  I'm considering the Omni-Stik Basic, but haven't found a lot on it.

Here is what I am looking for:

A joystick that is 4 way and 8 way switchable, that is relatively easily switched. (don't mind opening up the CP for a quick turn of something)
However, I'd like the 4 way play to be fairly reliable, with minimal dead-stick syndrome.
I'd prefer something that works great out of the box, but if there's something that simple mods can be done to, I'd be game for that.
I'm not TOO terribly concerned about cost of the joystick.

The games I am looking to play on this arcade are games such as: Street Fighter, Double Dragon, PacMac, Ms. PacMan, Donkey Kong, Mortal Kombat (all of them), Killer Instict, Golden Axe, Alien Vs. Predator, TMNT and others.

Can anyone help??  I'm getting to the point where my research in what I want is taking longer than it will to build this thing!

I also realize that there's no "perfect" joystick (well, for some of you there may be).  I know that each one will have its cons.  If I could get it narrowed down to about 3 or 4 GREAT 4/8 way joysticks, I may be able to finally make a final decision.

EDIT: Just realized I accidentally posted this in the Hardware Review sections, where it probably doesn't belong.  Would a mod mind moving this to the Main thread?  I don't want to clutter up the board with multiple posts.

[Donkey_Kong]

You might want to consider adding a dedicated 4-way in between a pair of U360's, like the Ms Pacman reunion stick for example.

I was going nuts about that decision in the beginning too. However, after testing my U360's for awhile I'm happy enough with how they work on the 4 way classics like Donkey Kong and Ms Pacman to the point where I X'ed the dedicated 4-way plan and just went with a pair of U360's setup for Street Fighter and MK etc... I will be content to play my DK and Pacman type games with them. They don't have the restricted 4-way "corners" but the fluidity type motion capability and performance of the sticks makes up for it IMO.

BTW: I have the round restrictors installed with the medium spring.  Premo

[dcsipe]

Thanks DK, good to hear that the U360's are good in 4way play.  They may be back in the running after that recommendation.