OSCAR Push/Pull Spinner - First Impressions

[OSCAR]

I tried to use the Up/Down spinner in Tempest, using the down motion as Fire and up as Super Zap. It's not easy, and the dial has enough weight to it that it took a lot more effort to quickly spin back and forth.

Arkanoid, on the other hand, was a lot of fun with the Up/Down spinner, and it was neat to be able to  use the down motion to "launch" your ball.

Different spinners for different games -- I think it's great that we've now got a number of spinner and knob choices to pick from.

I've also been using my DOT spinner quite a bit in Tempest.  I prefer standard buttons for the Fire and Super Zapper in lieu of the leaf up/down, too.  I'm not going to dispute that the DOT is a bit hefty, but I currently have my Tempest hi score by using my DOT.  I'm a bit surprised because I honestly didn't think I could do better than I have previously done with my Pro.

[KevSteele]

I'm not going to dispute that the DOT is a bit hefty, but I currently have my Tempest hi score by using my DOT.

It's probably just an "adaptation" problem -- I'm used to the Tornado with the light touch, and it's hard to teach my muscles that they have to apply a little more "oomph" when using the DOT. That, and adjusting to the slight "play" in the shaft before it hits the outer shaft (and turns the encoder wheel).

It does require more effort to turn the DOT, which helps with keeping moves precise but hurts when you've got to change direction quickly and often. I agree that it's better to play Tempest with buttons for the Fire and Super Zap (instead of the up/down motion).

Anyway, it's kind of like changing types of joysticks...I'm sure it takes a few games to get used to the different "feel"...

Kevin

[OSCAR]

Anyway, it's kind of like changing types of joysticks...I'm sure it takes a few games to get used to the different "feel"...

Kevin

I agree with this 100%!  Try switching between a Suzo 500 and a Wico 8-way leaf, it's very similar.  You will have people on both sides that say each one is the "best" joystick, but they are very different in feel.

[Vectoraster]

I like the sideart.  What city is it?  How did you do it?

Thanks Jay (PlanetJay) - you know why

SirPoonga - It is the New York skyline - one of the 8-panel wall murals for sale by environmentalgraphics.com (if anyone's interested have Home Depot order it for way less though.) Instructions will be up at my website.  Here is the full image I scanned from the box, by the way.

If I can chime in about the big spinner debate - building your own arcade controls (for me at least) involves providing MAME the last thing that it needs to re-capture the feel of the original.  That's what's so special about OSCAR's push/pull spinner.  I wouldn't even think of using it for Tempest, though.  Has anyone timed how long a real Tempest spinner keeps spinning?