What is your Recomended 4 way joystick?

[Rakae]

I have been having a hard time finding any good reviews on 4 way joysticks.
Let me know what you guys think.

Thank you in advance.

[leapinlew]

WICO!

[MaximRecoil]

Are you looking for something that is currently in production or do you want to look for an out-of-production used or NOS one? Do you want leaf switches or microswitches? Rubber Grommet or spring centered? Also, what is your favorite 4-way game? For example, if you are primarily a Donkey Kong fan, you may want a Nintendo joystick (spring centered; microswitch), either an original or a reproduction from MikesArcade. If you are primarily a Pac-Man fan, you may want to find an original Midway 4-way joystick (grommet centered, leaf switch). For a readily available general purpose joystick that is adjustable for 4 or 8 way operation, both the Sanwa JLW and the Seimitsu LS-32 are high quality joysticks (spring centered; microswitch). A 4-way Wico (grommet centered, leaf switch) is a good general purpose 4-way as well, if you can find one (they are long since out of production).

There is also the Happ Reunion joystick (spring centered; microswitch), but this is not a true restricted 4-way; it is essentially a Happ Super with a red balltop. They are technically 4-way joysticks because the actuator in its flipped state can't trip two switches at once, but they don't have a physical 4-way restriction like dedicated 4-way sticks do. However, GroovyGameGear makes a physical 4-way restrictor for Happ Supers, and I believe it will work on the Happ Reunion joystick as well.

The general consensus seems to be to stay away from the made-in-China Wico-knockoffs that you find in various places for cheap. I've never tried one myself.

[Hoopz]

Maxim gave you a pretty accurate and detailed post regarding most of your choices.  Outstanding write up Maxim.   

If you are interested in physically restricting a joy, check out SirPoonga's recent thread regarding an Oscar Controls restrictor plate. 

[leapinlew]

Maxim gave you a pretty accurate and detailed post regarding most of your choices.  Outstanding write up Maxim.   

If you are interested in physically restricting a joy, check out SirPoonga's recent thread regarding an Oscar Controls restrictor plate. 

I agree. Nice write up Maxim.

Many people overlook these from GGG for restricting a Happs Super:

[daywane]

I like the old leafs. Pacman or MsPacman.
you can find them on ebay all the time.
not hard to fix back up to good playable fell.

I hate the clicks from a micro switch. I will still use a microswitch but I LIKE the leafs much better.

[whammoed]

There is also the Happ Reunion joystick (spring centered; microswitch), but this is not a true restricted 4-way; it is essentially a Happ Super with a red balltop. They are technically 4-way joysticks because the actuator in its flipped state can't trip two switches at once, but they don't have a physical 4-way restriction like dedicated 4-way sticks do. However, GroovyGameGear makes a physical 4-way restrictor for Happ Supers, and I believe it will work on the Happ Reunion joystick as well.

The Happ Reunion joysticks I have are physically restricted.  These were bought a couple years ago, but I don't know of any changes to the design.  They look similar to the supers, but definitely have a diamond shaped restrictor built into the base.

[MaximRecoil]

The Happ Reunion joysticks I have are physically restricted.  These were bought a couple years ago, but I don't know of any changes to the design.  They look similar to the supers, but definitely have a diamond shaped restrictor built into the base.

That's even better then (looks like they made more modifications to the Super base than I thought they did). Is the restrictor removable or is it molded as part of the base?

[whammoed]

The Happ Reunion joysticks I have are physically restricted.  These were bought a couple years ago, but I don't know of any changes to the design.  They look similar to the supers, but definitely have a diamond shaped restrictor built into the base.

That's even better then (looks like they made more modifications to the Super base than I thought they did). Is the restrictor removable or is it molded as part of the base?

It is part of the base.

[Xiaou2]

 Ive got a few supers that I considered using that restrictor on... however, I prefer
a Ball Top.


 I think I prefer the original pacman style sticks... however,  the base is too large
for the project that Im going to be doing soon.   Its also often hard to find them
in excellent condition.  Though, they may be more easily repaired than the Wicos.

 I was then looking for some Wico dedicated 4ways.  However, its very rare to
find them, and find them in good condition.  If you do find (2),  it no doubt will
be quite expensive.   If the diamond is ate up..  which used ones usually are... they
are basically trash... as the metal restrictor is melted into the plastic base.


 I didnt feel like waiting,  so decided to order the  "Sanwa  JLF-TP-8T".

 http://www.lizardlickamusements.com/pages/joysticks.shtml


 Its restrictor can be switched diagonally,  (though, it does not look like it
initially from the pic)     which is what I desire most.

 But what impresses me,  is the attention to various details.   The microswitches
are precision assembled to a PCB board,  and the Ground is tied into all the switches
It comes with a Wire Harness,  for easy connections.    Simply Awesome

 I also like that they use the standard type switch, instead of the Micro-Leafs. 
Micro-Leafs thin metal leaf  bends easily and gets misaligned or broken.

 The thick plastic restrictor looks very durable,  unlike the thin ones that Ive seen
from the other companies.

 Be careful,  as some of these Japanese 4 way joys have non diamond restriction. 
They have semi-circle shapes instead.   I suppose the midpoints could be grounded
down however.
 

 Thanks for the post.  Ill post an initial review when the arrive.  However,
it may be a little while before Im able to mount and wire them to test them in gameplay.
I still have to get an encoder yet too...


 Btw - If you look around,  you can see that some sell an  Analog Balltop.  Its barely
bigger than a regular stick. It even uses gearing    With a rubber spider attacted to the
top of this,  it would make a great  Sinistar Stick.   It even uses 10k pots.

[AtomSmasher]

The Happ Reunion joysticks I have are physically restricted.  These were bought a couple years ago, but I don't know of any changes to the design.  They look similar to the supers, but definitely have a diamond shaped restrictor built into the base.

That's even better then (looks like they made more modifications to the Super base than I thought they did). Is the restrictor removable or is it molded as part of the base?

It is part of the base.

I just checked my Happs Reunion (which was bought 2 to 3 years ago) and it also is restricted via a molded base.

[leapinlew]

Ive got a few supers that I considered using that restrictor on... however, I prefer
a Ball Top.

Me too. I've ordered the balltops for the supers from Tornado Terry and used Supers as 4 ways. After all the add-ons, you end up with a fairly expensive joystick.

[Xiaou2]

 

After all the add-ons, you end up with a fairly expensive joystick.

Exactly.  Which is one reason I chose not to go that route.   Also because
they use those dreaded micro-leafs.

 The Sanwa's are lookin really nice.   Hope the throw and feel is good.

[kowal]

JLF in 4way mode still registered diagonals on 7-10 degrees
only JLW i is good or LS-32

[Rakae]

First off this place is awesome never have I found a place on the internet so help full.

I am still very new to all this. This will be my second mame. I want to make a box for Pacman Donkey kong Galaga just the classics. I have 8 ways now and find that the dead zones on some of the classics frustrating.  I got an old Pacman box for 10 bucks on craigs list...
wait I am getting off topic.

I like the joystick I have used on those 48 in 1 cabs.  It plays the classics better then what I have now. If that gives any one an idea. I was hoping that there was a good one on the market I could just buy.

Also I was going to buy the Ipac to hook all this up is that recommended?






 

[AtomSmasher]

First off this place is awesome never have I found a place on the internet so help full.

I am still very new to all this. This will be my second mame. I want to make a box for Pacman Donkey kong Galaga just the classics. I have 8 ways now and find that the dead zones on some of the classics frustrating.  I got an old Pacman box for 10 bucks on craigs list...
wait I am getting off topic.

I like the joystick I have used on those 48 in 1 cabs.  It plays the classics better then what I have now. If that gives any one an idea. I was hoping that there was a good one on the market I could just buy.

Also I was going to buy the Ipac to hook all this up is that recommended? 

I'll just say that I enjoy my Ms.Pac-Man/Galaga Reunion stick as my 4-way stick and it is available from several sellers.  Your best bet is to buy from Ponyboy or Divemaster in the Buy/Sell/Trade forum, who both have great selections for great prices.

However, one complaint I remember hearing is that the shaft is too short when it is bottom mounted, but it is just right when top mounted.

[mark shaker]

Does anyone have any suggestions for replacing Assault's 4-Way Trigger Grip Joysticks?

The game plays poorly with 8-Ways.

I don't like top-fires.

Thanks!

   - Mark

[Xiaou2]

 Well, I got my sticks today.  Very fast shipping 

 Im very impressed with the quality of these things.   The design is really amazing.

 
 About the 4 way /  Diagonals...

 
 Turns out that you can in fact push diagonally and can register 2 directions at once.

 However,  if you were playing a game of  Ms Pacman,  you would basically be
pushing in a continuous direction most of the time.   For example... you would be holding
left... and swinging the joystick upwards when you wanted to go up.   Therefore,
the joystick would follow the outside diamond shape and would Not register two
directions at once.

 However, a game like  Karate Champ might be a problematic game... as you would
possibly push diagonally on accident.  Its not a directional "flow" type of game like
Pacman.

 I can see the advantages of this 4way design over the other,  in that the activation
in 4way may be quicker.   

 
 I have to consider and see what my options are about returns.. and decide if that
is what Id like to do or not.

 Only wish I had known this info beforehand.