Mag-Stik Plus

[ratzz]

Any thoughts on the above?

Are the generally ok?

I like the idea of the switching option, but need some advice.

Anyone have these installed?

Thanks in advance guys ...

Ratzz

[Senator]

I have these installed and I like them just fine but have never used any others so have no basis for comparison.  The switch from the top feature works well and is convenient.  I read a lot of people say the throw is too short.  True but again I can't compare.

See my install here:
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=71499.0

[leapinlew]

If you plan on playing fighting games - forget about it, throws too short
If you plan on playing dual stick 8 way games (robotron, smash tv) forget about it, throws too short
If you plan on non-arcade people trying to figure out how to switch the sticks from 8 way to 4 way(not to mention knowing which mode they need to be in for each game) - forget about it

I've had the magstick sticks and the only way I found them useful was for 4 way games only and even then it took a long while to get used to. Since then I've sold my magstik+ sticks and use dedicated 4 way or 8 way sticks. The idea is great, but I think the short throw was too much of a put off.

I would be tempted to try the U360's before using the Magstiks.

[ratzz]

Thanks guys,

For a complete novice like myself, can you explain what the 'throw' is?

Also, will they be ok for 3/4" MDF CP?

Ratzz

[Kaytrim]

Throw is in reference to the distance the stick travels from the center to edge.  I used the predecessor to the Mag-Stick and was not happy with the way it worked in 8-way mode.  The diagonal directions go too much play area compared to the UDLR directions.  Made it difficult to play fighter games and Robotron was a pain.  Once I installed two Happ Competition sticks my Robotron scores nearly doubled and I was able to use the special movements in fighter games.

I have also used a 49-way stick and they are almost the same as the Competition sticks.  Plus with the controller from GGG I was able to use it for 4-way games 2-way games even Q-Bert was playable for the first time.

TTFN

[ratzz]

What about the J-Stik? Anyone used these?

[leapinlew]

What about the J-Stik? Anyone used these?

Here is my first year of arcade building

1. Buy a cheap set of 8 way sticks. After all, it's all the same and 4 way games CAN'T be that bad on a 8 way joystick.
.... 1 day later
2. X-arcade sucks! Buy a joystick that does both 4 way AND 8 way. I'll justify it by thinking I will save money because I won't need multiple sticks. Brilliant!
... 2 weeks later
3. Magstick+ sucks! To cut down confusion and have a longer throw make the cabinet a dedicated vertical 4 way using a Happs Super
... 1 month later
4. Super sucks in 4 way mode, switched up to a Wico 4 way with a physical restrictor plate.
 Haven't looked back

[Donkey_Kong]

I cuncur with Lews statements on the magstick plus. It is a great 4-way that takes a little getting used to. Wouldn't be a top choice for fighters or other 8-way stuff, unless a guy could get used to the extremely short throw.

I have a pair of U360's. You can actually adjust the throw on these with restrictor plates, among many other things. Big bucks compared to others though. If I ever get to project #2, I will definitely try something cheaper.

[jlfreund]

Although the throw is too short, I don't think that's why you can't use them for Robotron (and probably for fighers).

I'm a huge Robotron player and I have been living with 2 mag stick plus's for over a year.  The reason they suck is because they don't hit vertical/horizontal very well in 8-way mode.

If I just mindlessly play my robotron, about 90% of the shots and movements come out diagonal.  The only way I can shoot horizontal and vertical is to make a conscious effort to move the joystick exactly right.  I'm pretty good at that now, but I still die all the time because I can't get the vertical shot in time.

I plan to replace them someday when I build my CP 2.0 but I can't figure out how I'm going to get awesome robotron sticks and still be able to play nice 4 way games like Pacman let alone 2 player 4 way like Joust.

Jason

[mushmouth]

I have whatever the Mag-Stik Plus was called before it used a magnet. Oh yes, the T-Stik MkIII. It was the first one they had top accuated with a red balltop version option. Same deal. The throw is very short. On the same panel I also have an original NOS Monroe that they used to use on Gyruss. The difference between the sticks is BA-RUTAL. If I had that Monroe in a 4-way version, I'd be in heaven. I can't get used to a short throw stick and I'm looking to replace it. I've heard people say those are great for fighters, but I don't play fighters.

If anyone has an interesting trade offer for My Black balltop T-Stik MkIII, toss it my way. Suggestions for replacement also welcome. It's in great shape and has been used very little. I'm looking to get more oldschool where that stick lies...

Bottom accuated is fine, but I do need it to do 4 way and 8 way well without a tight feel or short throw.

Mush

[mrserv0n]

I have had 1 magstick I bought for a trial when I built my first CP because all this talk about 4 way sticks etc seemed so important, I have had happ competitions and happ super 8 way and the super 8 way is a 10/10, it can switch to 4 way if you want it to but I never once had a problem playing a 4 way game on it nor had any newbs on my cab. I now own 6 of them. I recommend happ super 8s , I always wanted to try the U360 but dropping 50 bucks on a stick for something that I see perfection for $15 just never was necessary to me but they're probably the bomb as people say.

[leapinlew]

I have had 1 magstick I bought for a trial when I built my first CP because all this talk about 4 way sticks etc seemed so important, I have had happ competitions and happ super 8 way and the super 8 way is a 10/10, it can switch to 4 way if you want it to but I never once had a problem playing a 4 way game on it nor had any newbs on my cab. I now own 6 of them. I recommend happ super 8s , I always wanted to try the U360 but dropping 50 bucks on a stick for something that I see perfection for $15 just never was necessary to me but they're probably the bomb as people say.

Some people feel this way. Albeit a very small minority.

I can't use an 8 way for a lot of th classic 4 way games.

[FrizzleFried]

I have a J-Stick in my Multipede cabinet.  4-Way mode rock,  8-way mode is OK.  Playing 4-way games in 8-way mode is about 10x harder than playing 4-way games on an 8-way Super.   

I like the light feeling and SHORTER throw than the Supers/Comps...

The removable ball top is nice too.

[mushmouth]

anyone sell j-sticks in the USA?

[mrserv0n]

I have had 1 magstick I bought for a trial when I built my first CP because all this talk about 4 way sticks etc seemed so important, I have had happ competitions and happ super 8 way and the super 8 way is a 10/10, it can switch to 4 way if you want it to but I never once had a problem playing a 4 way game on it nor had any newbs on my cab. I now own 6 of them. I recommend happ super 8s , I always wanted to try the U360 but dropping 50 bucks on a stick for something that I see perfection for $15 just never was necessary to me but they're probably the bomb as people say.

Some people feel this way. Albeit a very small minority.

I can't use an 8 way for a lot of th classic 4 way games.

Well one thing you could do on an 8 is for the 4way games you can set your mame controls for diagonals to be left and right so if you hit the diagnal it registers as a left or right 

[leapinlew]

I've tried that before. It ends up with some distracting dead zones for me. It's just a personal preference. I've seen plenty of people play 4 way games with an 8 way stick. All I say to that is, lets play some fast Ms. Pacman and high score wins.