Ultimarc U360 Restrictor plates

[IreM72]

Hi

I'm very interested in the Ultimarc U360 joystick, but Andy is now doing two sets of restrictor plates:

"Optional Restrictor Plates with mounting hardware. Pack 1 contains one 4-8 way and one circular. Pack 2 contains one octagonal."

i'm thinking of buying the U360, will i need to get both packs to play most games or will just one type be sufficient? if so which will be the better pack to get?
I want to play as many games as possible.

Each pack is seperately priced so will add more cost to an already pricey (but great)stick, if just one pack will do the job

any opinions?

Thanks.

[DaveMMR]

The plates are not easily switchable so you pretty much go with one plate and run with it.  The circular is what I use since all it really does it shorten the throw.  But some people like to "feel the corners" or limit the joystick a bit, depending on the games they play.  And if the long throw doesn't bother you, you don't even need a restrictor at all.   

[Encryptor]

Maybe I'm confused about this. I thought the Ultimarc 360 could be anything 2/4/8 way depending upon how it was programmed. Why do you need a restrictor plate?

Encryptor

[jrmitch]

Maybe I'm confused about this. I thought the Ultimarc 360 could be anything 2/4/8 way depending upon how it was programmed. Why do you need a restrictor plate?

Encryptor

You don't  need one at all.  It just limits the throw of the joystick to give you a bit more of an authentic feel depending on what you're after. 

For example, you're playing Ms. Pacman, a 4-direction game.  Even though you program the stick for 4-way play,  you can still move the stick in any direction you want.  If you install the 4-way plate and you'll only be able to move it in 4 directions.

Like DaveMMR said,  they're not easily switched once installed, so you'll have to generally make a decision and stick to it.

[solderguy1]

If you install the 4-way plate and you'll only be able to move it in 4 directions.

Like DaveMMR said,  they're not easily switched once installed, so you'll have to generally make a decision and stick to it.

Maybe I'm confused, but I don't see the point of even having a u360 in that situation, get a much cheaper dedicated 4-way instead.
I remember someone posting that their dream joystick would have restrictors that switched in and out electronically using solenoids.   

[DaveMMR]

If you install the 4-way plate and you'll only be able to move it in 4 directions.

Like DaveMMR said,  they're not easily switched once installed, so you'll have to generally make a decision and stick to it.

Maybe I'm confused, but I don't see the point of even having a u360 in that situation, get a much cheaper dedicated 4-way instead.
I remember someone posting that their dream joystick would have restrictors that switched in and out electronically using solenoids.   

Confused, would we?

But you're right, there really is no point in getting a 4-way plate or anything like that if you're using this joystick for it's on-the-fly mapping capabilities.   But it can also be used as an 8-way restrictor (for the feeling of corners) that can be software-restricted to 4-way.   

Also, my theory, is that Andy tried to make the joystick as versatile as possible by including numerous options for replacing most other joysticks.

[fjl]

I was thinking of getting an 8 way restrictor but at $14 bucks a pop, thats pretty freaking expensive for a small piece of plastic!

And i need two of them...

[fixedpigs]

I was thinking of getting an 8 way restrictor but at $14 bucks a pop, thats pretty freaking expensive for a small piece of plastic!

And i need two of them...

as with anything you don't like the price of...i suggest you make them yourself...

[Hoopz]

I was thinking of getting an 8 way restrictor but at $14 bucks a pop, thats pretty freaking expensive for a small piece of plastic!

And i need two of them...

You dropped how much on a table saw that you didn't need and you complain about spending a few bucks to make the controls better for you?   

[mrclean]

I just recently ordered the sticks with pack1 , I plan on using the circle restrictor like daveMMR. I also ordered it with the "hard" springs.. i'll fiddle with it on a test panel and see which feel I like better ultimatly ill more than likely end up with the circular restrictor and hard springs.

[AndyWarne]

I was thinking of getting an 8 way restrictor but at $14 bucks a pop, thats pretty freaking expensive for a small piece of plastic!

And i need two of them...

The kit actually contains four custom-turned metal mounting pillars and four custom nylon thumb-nuts plus both types of restrictor plate.
Andy

[fjl]

I was thinking of getting an 8 way restrictor but at $14 bucks a pop, thats pretty freaking expensive for a small piece of plastic!

And i need two of them...

You dropped how much on a table saw that you didn't need and you complain about spending a few bucks to make the controls better for you?   

Who says I didn't need my table saw? I've been using it to cut my ham into deli slices.
Still, $14 bucks is alot. That should be the price for 2 restrictors. Over at LizardLick, they sell the Sanwa restrictors for $4.95 and GroovyGameGear sells that new 4 way restrictor also at $4.95 and those where made using "a freaking laser!"

Hey Andy, how about you fill me in on the questions I asked about the restrictor on this thread...

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=74116.0

[AndyWarne]

Hey Andy, how about you fill me in on the questions I asked about the restrictor on this thread...

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=74116.0

I cant actually see any unanswered question on that thread, maybe you can ask again here or drop me an email?
Thanks
Andy

[LeedsFan]

I think it's more to do with the current exchange rate. It's roughly $2 to £1 right now which means for you Stateside guys buying from the UK is gonna seem expensive. Conversely for us buying from the States seems cheap as chips. Then again you have the vast majority of all the arcade goodies close at hand and readily available. But we have Andy at Ultimarc. 

ok ... ok....  but yeah I can see why you think it seems expensive. But it's not at all really.

[mrclean]

Got my sticks.. intstalled on cab.. and my x, and y seem to be backwards? do i need to take apart my panel / and physically rotate the sticks or can this be done with the software? Having alot of trouble getting these to work in mame / as well as even my front end here is my mame.ini:
### Input device options ###
mouse                   1
joystick                1
lightgun                0
dual_lightgun           0
offscreen_reload        0
steadykey               0
keyboard_leds           1
led_mode                ps/2
a2d_deadzone            0.300000
# ctrlr                 <NULL> (not set)
paddle_device           keyboard
adstick_device          keyboard
pedal_device            keyboard
dial_device             keyboard
trackball_device        keyboard
lightgun_device         keyboard
digital                 none