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paulscade - First Build - MAME - Blastoff!
paulscade:
The MagStik+ Joysticks:
They are OK. I did read other people's comments/reviews before buying them... and the one thing that I read over and over is the comment about their short throw. Well.. they have a very short throw. I measured only 1/4" each side of center. I really wanted the sticks because of their 4/8 way, change from the top, design. I figured that I could get use to the short throw.
The sticks are well made and strong. They look like they could take some abuse. I've found that they work fine in 4 and 8 way mode but the diagonals are not always so easy to hit and the corners, are not as distinct as I'd like.
While these sticks can be switched from the top of the panel, you can't easily tell if you're in 4 or 8 way mode. It would be nice if there were some sort of indicator. If it's before the game starts, I find myself listening for the difference in the clicking sound (as both switches are depressed in the diagonals) to tell when it's in 8 way mode.
I did get use to them pretty quickly.
Compared to the U360... I actually like the MagStiks more. (I have the 360 w/hard spring and no restrictor). I might add the circular restrictor [that I've heard so much about] and that may change my comment. You can't really beat the U360 for versatility... it's really a different stick. It's nice to have both in the panel.
I've also heard others comment about the MagStik microswitch clicking. Yes, they click but I don't see it as a distraction... the click provides a bit of tactile feedback so I see it as a positive attribute.
Would I buy them again... yes.
Visitor Q:
Excellent work all around Paul!
:applaud:
Keep it up!!!!
Benevolance:
Very nice work, Paul.
Have you tried a 49 way joystick? If so, could you comment on how the U360 compares to the Magsticks?
paulscade:
Hey Benevolance.. I've never used a 49-way stick so I can't comment. ... see above... I thought that I did compare the MagStik to the U360.
If I had to add something, it would be to say that the U360 is also a nice stick. It's lighter than the MagStik and it seems more delicate.... even though I don't think that you could easily break a U360.
U360:
There are 4 metal supports extending downward from the base of the stick. These supports hold the electronics and sensor in place. On my stick, they look to be bent a little... almost like if you placed the stick on a hard surface and put a lot of pressure downward/diagonal on it... all 4 supports are bent equally. I wasn't sure if that was on purpose (some sort of "adjustment"), by design, or by accident (shipping?). I left it alone. The stick does seem to be just a little off center.... and even though there's another thread in the main forum about not using Windows calibration to adjust for it (vs changing the dead zone in the maps)... I used Windows calibration anyway and it seems to be working fine.
Although I can't say for sure (because I don't have one)... I think that I'd probably agree with what most people are saying about using the circular restrictor. Without the restrictor, there is quite a bit of throw on the U360... but it does feel nice and smooth through the entire movement.
Benevolance:
That was a retarded typo on my part. I meant to ask how the 49-way compares to the Magsticks...but since you haven't tried the 49-way, that answered my question. :D