U360 restrictor opinions

[TheShanMan]

I'm trying to decide on the restrictor (if any). My plan is to replace my 8 ways so my main interest is using them for 8 way games and to a lesser degree, analog and 49 way. Circular seems least compelling to me. Octagonal sounds pretty good for 8 way, but it seems to me that anything other than a square restrictor would be non-ideal for analog (or 49 way) games. So I'm leaning toward the 8 way restrictors.

Without an added restrictor plate, does the joystick have square restriction (i.e. same restriction as an 8 way joystick)? If so, how does the restrictorless throw compare to a happ competition (which is what I'm replacing)?

I'd be especially interested in hearing what people say about restrictors they tried but didn't like.

Too bad the restrictor packs are so expensive - I'd love to just get 2 of each of them so I could have the chance to try them all out myself.

[Ginsu Victim]

Without a restrictor, it's circular, just with a LONG throw.

I've tried it with the square and circular restrictor (both come together), and I prefer the circular (plus the shorter throw--it's not TOO short).

Having grown up on 8-way Wicos, the circular restrictor feels great.

[u_rebelscum]

Yup, some 8-ways are circular (happs super) while others are square (happs competition).  The u360 unrestricted is circular.

You should be about to "hit the corners" in analog mode with any restrictor, as long as it's set up with software & knows it's restricted.  OTOH, if you recalibrate with the windows joystick window, you will lose the corners in the circular restrictor (don't have the octagon restrictor).

If you mostly play 8-way/4-way games, I suggest getting whatever restrictor you're used to, or feel like.  If you use mostly analog, I suggest no restrictor.

[TheShanMan]

Thanks guys.

So in analog mode with a round restrictor are you saying that it would use virtual square restriction by making the largest square that can fit inside the circle, such that with up/down/left/right you can travel past the edge of "full range" and into a dead zone (see image - beyond the square but inside the circle)? Are there any negatives to that? Seems like it would be non ideal for precise control - if the joystick is extreme left and you move it just a bit toward center it wouldn't have any effect on the game, right?

And how would this affect 49 way games like road runner? Would there be a similar "virtual restrictor"?

[swaffar]

first of all thanks for creating this post as i was just about to make the same one... my panel's about to go together and at the last minute i decided to order two 360's and double up on sticks (go smash tv)

that said it's a little late for me to change the fact i went with two octagonal plates. eek.  anyway, i was wondering if anyone out there has tried and NOT liked these.

[Zeosstud]

I have the circle plates installed in my U360 and I love em.  Bought them for Robotron and it has not let me down.

Zeosstud

[u_rebelscum]

Thanks guys.

So in analog mode with a round restrictor are you saying that it would use virtual square restriction by making the largest square that can fit inside the circle, such that with up/down/left/right you can travel past the edge of "full range" and into a dead zone (see image - beyond the square but inside the circle)? Are there any negatives to that? Seems like it would be non ideal for precise control - if the joystick is extreme left and you move it just a bit toward center it wouldn't have any effect on the game, right?

You pretty much got it.  Depending on what the original cab had, this might match how it worked (circle original) or not (square).  This is something ALL analog joysticks face

And how would this affect 49 way games like road runner? Would there be a similar "virtual restrictor"?

49-way games are just another analog joystick game to mame.  The only difference is these have 7 values per axis, while most analog stick games had 256.  Mame basically does a x * 7 / 256 to know what value to send the game.

Easier to think analog joystick is same as hall effect joystick, and 49-way is a low res analog stick.

[TheShanMan]

That helps a lot, rebel!

With that in mind, I really like the sound of the octagonal, especially since I will probably be using the sticks for 8 way games more than analog and it would seem that octagonal would be ideal for giving a distinct feel with each of the 8 directions. Is anyone using the octagonal (or at least tried them)? If so, how do you like them for 8 way games? And how about analog games?

[TheShanMan]

*Bump*

Anyone with octagonal restrictors??? (see last post)

[wachin]

I have an octagon restrictor installed on my U360.  At first I thought it would be helpful with 8-way games, but I realize that when I move to the diagonals, I'm not hitting the exact diags on the restrictor plate itself.  I'm using the generic Ultramaps, so it still registers as a diagonal, my stick is just not landing in the crook of the plate. 

I should also point out that I don't play a lot of Fighting games like SF2, so I don't mind not "feeling" the exact diagonal.  Taking this into consideration, I think with my next order from Ultimarc, I'll be buying a round restrictor to try out as it seems to be the preferred one around here.

I will say that the octagon feels much better as an 8-way option then a square restrictor where the throw is shorter up/down & left/right, then diagonals (for example on the Ultimarc's E-Stik in 8-way mode).

Lastly, the octagon's opening is cut at an angle, so I guess there are two different throw distances you can have depending on which side is facing up when you install it.  Hope this helps.

[cadmium]

I just got mine in this weekend, though I've only had a little time to play. I ended up not getting any restrictors, due to trying to save some $$$ (also seems like a pita to install). With no restrictors it's not too bad. Yeah, the throws a little long, but it's not obscene or anything. Keep in mind I'm coming from happ competitions, which also have a pretty long through.

Without a restrictor you are also getting the most out of analog games. Just my 2c.

[TheShanMan]

Getting the most out of analog games because you have more precise control I guess? I haven't heard complaints in that regard using the round restrictors, but perhaps people don't play a lot of analog games with them.

I hear you though on price. If I go with the round, I hate to pay $28 for 2, and basically throw away the square ones that also come in the kit. I wish Andy or divemaster had an option to split up the kits. I'd gladly pay $9 each, giving an extra $2 profit per restrictor, but saving me $10 over what I'm going to have to pay. Maybe Andy doesn't think the more expensive octagonal restrictors would sell in that case though.

[cadmium]

I hear you though on price. If I go with the round, I hate to pay $28 for 2, and basically throw away the square ones that also come in the kit. I wish Andy or divemaster had an option to split up the kits. I'd gladly pay $9 each, giving an extra $2 profit per restrictor, but saving me $10 over what I'm going to have to pay. Maybe Andy doesn't think the more expensive octagonal restrictors would sell in that case though.

Oh yeah, that's my biggest complaint about these sticks, the nickle and diming. The sticks are already some of the most expensive just by themselves, but you can easily spend another $50 per stick to get it "just right". I saved some money and bought 2 sticks off of ebay for $99 with the heavy springs already installed (though one is being sent back for some repairs). No restrictors, no wiring harness.

I was able to fake the wiring harness using a cut up usb mobo connector I had lying around. I'm willing to live without the restrictors for the time being. If I want them, they will be there later. Right now, the long through isn't too bad. But like I said, Happ Comps have a longer throw than most other sticks too, so take my opinion with a grain of salt.

[Ginsu Victim]

I've pointed TheShanMan toward the JLW restrictors at LizardLick, which I believe to be the same thing, only cheaper.

[u_rebelscum]

Getting the most out of analog games because you have more precise control I guess? I haven't heard complaints in that regard using the round restrictors, but perhaps people don't play a lot of analog games with them.

I have the circle restrictor on one of my u360s, and the other doesn't have one.  I prefer no resistor one for analog games, too. 

I would describe the no restrictor for analog because I only need be less precise:  You have to move the stick further on the no restictor to get the same output.  IOW, since with the restictor has less throw, the user has to be more precise.  (Same as with a mouse:  a 2400 dpi mouse is more precise than a 1200 dpi mouse, and assuming all other settings are the same the user has to be more precise, too.)

Anyways, I'm not a fighter, so the circle restrictor  is perfect for me for 8-way shmups & action/platform games, while the no restrictor is better for analog games.  Don't have the octagon restrictor, and the square/diamond restrictor doesn't fit the games I play.

[DaveStall]

I've pointed TheShanMan toward the JLW restrictors at LizardLick, which I believe to be the same thing, only cheaper.

I thought about going that route as well, but actually mounting the restrictor is going to take a little bit of work.  The Ultimarc kits come with additional mounting hardware to attach the PCB once the plate has been put in place.  If someone has done this already, please give some details!

Dave

[Ginsu Victim]

I've pointed TheShanMan toward the JLW restrictors at LizardLick, which I believe to be the same thing, only cheaper.

I thought about going that route as well, but actually mounting the restrictor is going to take a little bit of work.  The Ultimarc kits come with additional mounting hardware to attach the PCB once the plate has been put in place.  If someone has done this already, please give some details!

Dave

Yeah, I actually thought about that after talking to ShanMan.

[Ummon]

I've pointed TheShanMan toward the JLW restrictors at LizardLick, which I believe to be the same thing, only cheaper.

Except for the octagonal - which is functionally the same - these are the same looks to me. Hmmm, the extra mounting shafts, or somethingl like it, may be available at your local hardware store.

[TheShanMan]

Yeah, I actually thought about that after talking to ShanMan.

Well I wish you told me that! At least Dave raised the issue. I had no idea that there was additional hardware needed, and I don't know what it looks like. Well, I guess that rules LizardLick out.

[Ginsu Victim]

Yeah, sorry I hadn't followed up on that. Once I saw where someone PM'd you in your BST thread, I put it out of my mind.

[Ginsu Victim]

I've pointed TheShanMan toward the JLW restrictors at LizardLick, which I believe to be the same thing, only cheaper.

Except for the octagonal - which is functionally the same - these are the same looks to me. Hmmm, the extra mounting shafts, or somethingl like it, may be available at your local hardware store.

No, they are special made. I mean, you could probably rig your own, but not easily. I suggest just ordering from Ultimarc.

[TheShanMan]

OK, no big deal. That guy PM'ed me to say he'd see if he could find his, but I haven't heard from him since. Still overpriced for sure, but it's not quite as bad as comparing $14 to LizardLick's $4.95 restrictor.

[Stub]

   FYI, I ordered a oct restrictor earlier this year, from Ultramarc, as a test, and the plate did not fit properly, the screw holes were slightly to close together and I had to dremel them oblong to fit on my posts. Just letting you know it was very annoying for buying something made for the device. The other two fit perfectly. ( Circ and Square )

[Ummon]

   FYI, I ordered a oct restrictor earlier this year, from Ultramarc, as a test, and the plate did not fit properly, the screw holes were slightly to close together and I had to dremel them oblong to fit on my posts. Just letting you know it was very annoying for buying something made for the device. The other two fit perfectly. ( Circ and Square )

Could've been part of an off batch. Always, anything with Ultimarc, holler at Andy. Nicely, of course. He'll square it away.

I've pointed TheShanMan toward the JLW restrictors at LizardLick, which I believe to be the same thing, only cheaper.

Except for the octagonal - which is functionally the same - these are the same looks to me. Hmmm, the extra mounting shafts, or somethingl like it, may be available at your local hardware store.

No, they are special made. I mean, you could probably rig your own, but not easily. I suggest just ordering from Ultimarc.

I bet there's something at the hardware store that would work. Hell, ask Lizard Lick, they might have something, never know.

[Ginsu Victim]

   FYI, I ordered a oct restrictor earlier this year, from Ultramarc, as a test, and the plate did not fit properly, the screw holes were slightly to close together and I had to dremel them oblong to fit on my posts. Just letting you know it was very annoying for buying something made for the device. The other two fit perfectly. ( Circ and Square )

Could've been part of an off batch. Always, anything with Ultimarc, holler at Andy. Nicely, of course. He'll square it away.

I've pointed TheShanMan toward the JLW restrictors at LizardLick, which I believe to be the same thing, only cheaper.

Except for the octagonal - which is functionally the same - these are the same looks to me. Hmmm, the extra mounting shafts, or somethingl like it, may be available at your local hardware store.

No, they are special made. I mean, you could probably rig your own, but not easily. I suggest just ordering from Ultimarc.

I bet there's something at the hardware store that would work. Hell, ask Lizard Lick, they might have something, never know.

Nothing I've ever seen...

[Ummon]

I'll have to look....eventually............I'm thinking if metal shafts don't work, then a washer underneath them (depending on which end meets which part - base or pcb) should.

[AndyWarne]

Maybe Andy doesn't think the more expensive octagonal restrictors would sell in that case though.

The octagonal restrictors we will probably never make any margin on, as they are a low-volume item and had the full cost of an injection mold to pay up-front. We had a mold made because we wanted to do it properly, using a chamfered hole rather than straight-cut, and using a very hard material. To be honest I think we went over the top, that stuff you could probably make train wheels out of and they wouldnt wear!
Andy