Equivalent to T-Stik Plus?

[Fred Smythe]

So I'm rereading Saint's book, and the write-up on the Ultimarc T-Stik Plus (switchable 4-way / 8-way by pulling on the stick and twisting) got me to thinking that maybe my control panel needs an upgrade.

Sadly, though, I've been out of the scene for a while, and it appears that Ultimarc doesn't sell the T-Stik Plus any more.

Does anyone know if an equivalent exists? Specifically I like the stealth thing: no ugly levers on the surface of the stick, and I don't want to have to open up my panel to make the switch. Something with the same form factor as a Happ Competition (what's currently in my panel) would also be preferable, but right now I just want to know if an available stealth-switch joystick even exists these days.

Thanks for any help!

[patrickl]

The UltraStik 360 doesn't need hardware switching anymore. It switches through software mappings (on the fly when you start a game). It's even a analog stick for games that need that. Much easier.

[TheShanMan]

The mag stik plus I think is the same as the t stik plus but has a magnetic centering mechanism rather than a spring one. I'm not too fond of it for 8 way games, though for 4 way or 2 way I love it.

[Fred Smythe]

The mag stik plus I think is the same as the t stik plus but has a magnetic centering mechanism rather than a spring one. I'm not too fond of it for 8 way games, though for 4 way or 2 way I love it.

Yeah, I did see that one after the fact. I'm not really fond of a) the magnetic centering idea, or b) the significant expense the magnetic centering idea adds to the price.

Ditto the UltraStik on the price thing. $60? Ow. It certainly looks like it's worth it for everything it does, but I just don't need it to do that much. I remember the T-Stik Plus being in the $20 range. I guess that's what I meant when I said "equivalent." Same build, same price point. As cool as it would be, $120 for two sticks (plus some, as it looks like I'd have to stick a hub in there to do the USB thing) makes my sphincter pucker.

[patrickl]

Actually the Ultrastik could save you from buying a i-pac interface (assuming you need 8 or less buttons per stick) so the costs aren't that much higher from a regular setup of two T-sticks plus an I-PAC  ($120 vs $105). The Ultrastik gives you a lot more options though. Games that need a steering wheel or analog stick are much better playable with it than with a regular switched joystick (take for instance games like Outrun, Spy hunter, Star Wars etc etc)

BTW the T-stick was probably in the $20 range when the dollar was still worth something. I'm amazed that Andy can keeps his prices that low. He must be buying in dollars too. I paid 24 euro for my T-Sticks in 2004. Converted to current dollars that would be about $36. In fact he charges only $33.

You might find people wanting to offload their T-sticks after having them replaced by UltraStiks. Maybe the Buy/Sell/Trade forum would work for you?

BBTW if spending $120 is already a problem, maybe you should reconsider building an arcade cab. Most people end up spending in the thousands.

[Fred Smythe]

Actually the Ultrastik could save you from buying a i-pac interface (assuming you need 8 or less buttons per stick)

I don't follow. Do the Ultras have button support built-in?

BTW the T-stick was probably in the $20 range when the dollar was still worth something.

It's possible that I'm misremembering, too.

You might find people wanting to offload their T-sticks after having them replaced by UltraStiks. Maybe the Buy/Sell/Trade forum would work for you?

Didn't think of that. That might be worth checking into. Thanks.

BBTW if spending $120 is already a problem, maybe you should reconsider building an arcade cab. Most people end up spending in the thousands.

Thanks, yes, I'm well aware:



The idea was to upgrade an existing panel, not build from scratch.

[Ginsu Victim]

I don't follow. Do the Ultras have button support built-in?

Yep, which can use an 8 button wire harness. Say you want six buttons per player, this leaves a start and coin button wire free per stick.

You can see there is a USB plug and 9 pins for the harness:

[Fred Smythe]

Yep, which can use an 8 button wire harness

Gotcha. I can see how that could simplify things quite a lot if I were building from scratch.

[Ginsu Victim]

I understand that. I just answered the question you had.

[Fred Smythe]

I understand that. I just answered the question you had.

Oh, no, that wasn't intended to be negative! I appreciate it!

[Ginsu Victim]

It wasn't taken negative. Cheers, mate.

[TheShanMan]

Yeah, I did see that one after the fact. I'm not really fond of a) the magnetic centering idea, or b) the significant expense the magnetic centering idea adds to the price.

Just curious why you don't like the magnetic centering. Again, I'm not endorsing the stick as an all purpose stick, but the poor 8 way functionality is the reason, not the magnetic centering.

[Fred Smythe]

Just curious why you don't like the magnetic centering. Again, I'm not endorsing the stick as an all purpose stick, but the poor 8 way functionality is the reason, not the magnetic centering.

Well, honestly, I haven't actually tried one, so maybe it's a misconception, but the feeling I get is that no way no how is a magnetically-centered stick going to have as much resistance as a standard one. And I like some resistance from my joysticks.

[TheShanMan]

IMO between the magnet and the resistance of the micro-switches themselves it has PLENTY of resistance. I wouldn't let that be the deciding factor on the stick.

[Fred Smythe]

IMO between the magnet and the resistance of the micro-switches themselves it has PLENTY of resistance. I wouldn't let that be the deciding factor on the stick.

Fair enough. What don't you like about the diagonals?

[TheShanMan]

The throw is short and the restrictor is such that it is much easier to hit the diagonals than to hit up/down/left/right. So though your intention may be to go up, it is quite likely you'll inadvertently end up in up/left or up/right.

However, the short throw is awesome for 4 way games, so it's a double-edged sword. That's why I mostly think of it as a 4 way stick.

[Fred Smythe]

The throw is short and the restrictor is such that it is much easier to hit the diagonals than to hit up/down/left/right. So though your intention may be to go up, it is quite likely you'll inadvertently end up in up/left or up/right.

However, the short throw is awesome for 4 way games, so it's a double-edged sword. That's why I mostly think of it as a 4 way stick.

Mmm-kay. Well, maybe I should just suck it up then and live with what I have. There is no point in switching if it can't be a true 4/8 way combo.

[kelemvor]

I have 2 Mags and 2 J or T or whatever the predecessors are.  Dont' have my cab put together yet though.  I picked them up from someone over in the buy/sell/trade forum for a good deal.  Check over there.

I thought they worked OK but In my mock up I didn't have them mounted exactly straight so had some problems there.