X-Arcade Tank Stick + Optical Joystick = ???

[Dookie]

I bought an X-Arcade Tank Stick (with Trackball) last year.
I got an X-Arcade joystick because it was supposedly a good joystick for consoles and for the PC.

The X-Arcade is good but not good enough for fighting games.
The micro switches aren't cutting it when performing simple fireballs or dragon punches.
The constant "clicking" from the joysticks are annoying.

Questions:

1) I would like to know if its possible to use an Optical/Electronic joystick on the X-Arcade panel?
2) What would I need (hardware wise) to install an Optical/Electronic joystick on the X-Arcade panel?
3) How easy would the install be (hooking up wise)?
4) Would it be easier to just gut out the X-Arcade and install custom parts?
5) How easy is the Keywiz or I-PAC install? (I mean, i'm really stupid with it comes to wires and circuit boards)
6) What power source could I use for a +5v for an Optical/Electronic joystick?


note: I have no experience or knowledge with wiring or soldering or arcade parts.


I emailed X-Arcade asking if I can install a Happ  Perfect 360° Electronic Joystick onto the X-Arcade panel?

person's reply:
"The Perfect 360 will not work in the X-Arcade. But the HAPP Competition is superior and will work perfectly."

Is this person telling the truth? Is the HAPP Competition better than the Perfect 360?
When I looked at the HAPP Competition screen shots, it looks like its all micro switches.
I would like to stray away from micro switches.

Are there any websites that have detailed step by step, PLUS photo instructions on how to install, wire, and program an electronic/optical joystick?

I've searched the forums for anything similar to my questions but I've found little or vague answers.

[Dookie]

Also I forgot to mention.
If the above mentioned is difficult for a newbie to handle?

Is it possible for me to ship my X-Arcade panel, plus the needed hardware for a professional install?

[Ginsu Victim]

I didn't read everything, but I can tell you that you can put a different joystick in it, you just might need to make some adjustments. Also, you don't need a Ipac or KeyWiz because the X-arcade has its own encoder. Depending on the stick you get, you can either plug it in via USB, or if it has microswitches (which an optical wouldn't), wire it to the encoder.

[Ginsu Victim]

As for the power, USB is 5v.

[Ginsu Victim]

Another thing to consider is ordering some Cherry microswitches to replace those super-clicky X-arcade ones.

[damdai]

I think the perfect 360s are the best. I don't know what his basis for superiority is, but he works for x-arcade, so it's not good.

[Ginsu Victim]

I think all he meant is it wouldn't work because it isn't microswitch based, but if you run the USB cable from it out the back it'll work fine.

[Dookie]

OK. I installed a HAPP Competition joystick in my X-Arcade Tank Stick Control Panel and I'm still not satisfied.

As of now, I'm looking to get a Perfect 360 Electronic Joystick(s).

Heres what I would like to do.

 - I would still like to use the X-Arcade Tank Stick Control Panel.
 - I wouldn't mind taking everything out of the Control Panel.
 - I would like to install Perfect 360 Electronic Joystick(s) into the X-Arcade Control Panel.

Heres what I want to know.

 - What do need to purchase to get the P360 to work for my PC?
 - Where can I find installation guides to install a P360 to work for my PC?
 - If I get a Keywiz or I-PAC, is there a very-detailed guide on how an idiot can install it?

Heres my last resort.

 - Since I'm new to these forums, I can't post in the B/S/T forums.
 - I would like to know if theres someone here or a website that can have custom built P360 joysticks for the PC?
 - I'd pay $200-$300 for a custom 2Player 14/16 button P360 joystick for the PC.