inexpensive 4 way joystick list (with notes on 2,3,5 way options)

[Ioargra]

My specific situation:
I'm putting together a list of parts for my first control panel, something in the line of mameroom classic.
http://www.mameroom.com/ClassicController.asp
For my first panel, I'm going to go cheap for all the parts because of money issues, and maybe in the future build a 2nd cabinet with better controls.

Anyway, I'm going to use two Happ Supers for the 8 ways ($8.25 each from divemaster127), and I'd like to get suggestions for the 3rd joystick (the 4-way at the top of the CP).
So far it looks like I'll be ordering most of the parts from divemaster127 since I can get everything I need from him, so to save on shipping that means I'll be getting happ or ultimarc.

I'm mostly looking to support the widest range of MAME games possible, and I figure that the 4-way joystick is a pretty inexpensive way to support a wide range of games.

Oh and since this is a separate joystick, I'm wanting restricted 4-way movement instead of 8 way movement

One other thing, I'm also looking for as little as possible to show up on the top of the control panel. I'll be using the new u-trak trackball, and I dont want any extra screws or plates viewable from the top.

I dunno if all that is possible for cheap, but hopefully it is


General joystick info for everyone:
Just in case others are interested in this who don't have my particular restrictions I'm just going to list a bunch of 4-way (or 8 way that can be adjusted to 4) here:
(note that for all of these unless otherwise specified, you need to have access to the bottom of the joystick inside the control panel to adjust physical restriction between things like 4 and 8 way operation)

Happ products (divemaster127 supplies all happ products for good prices, see his sticky in the buy/sell thread)
Happ Ultimate bat top 4 way version for about $9. Does this offer restricted movement? Looks like people don't like ultimate in general, but for a cheap 4 way, would it be ok?
Happ super bat top 4/8 way for about $9. Apparently has a changable actuator so that the diagnals dont send a signal in 4 way config but does NOT restrict movement.

Ultimarc products all of these look like they can be used for both 8 and 4 way operation with physical restriction. Note that I'm only going to list the less expensive ones. They have ones such as the mag stick plus which can adjust from top of panel (without levers!) between 4 and 8 way phsyically restricted operation.
http://www.ultimarc.com/controls.html
E-Stik bat top -- looks like it has a top plate for mounting which I don't want, but its reasonably priced at $16
J-Stik bat or ball top -- Looks like a good stick, but at $21 is a bit more than I was hoping to spend.
Euro Style (suzo system 500) ball top with tapered stick, only $16. This mentions physical restriction of 4 and 8 way. But lizardlick describes a similar? stick that can also restrict 2,3,5 way called suzo series 500 universal. I need to find out if the ultimarc is the same, if so, I think I'll get this one.

Groovy Game Gear (GGG) Products has some 4 way sticks such as omni
http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=65
The omni basic runs about $23, ball top with tapered shaft.
Says it can be configured for 2,3,4,5 and 8 way, but only mentions restrictor on 4 and 8 way. Has square restrictor for easy diagnals.
They also have a plastic 4 way physical restrictor for about $5 that can mount on Happ Super joysticks:
http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=310

Ms. Pacman Reunion Stick, 4 way ball top. This is made by Happ but discontinued now. It can still be found at:
www.tornadoterrys.com/surplus.htm
(Note that the stock stick is for metal CPs, but tornadoterrys sells them configured for wood or metal, for $21 each)

Lizardlick products
http://www.lizardlickamusements.com/pages/joysticks.shtml
Sells a large variety of joysticks that can be physically adjusted to 4 way operation
a Wico chinese knockoff with leaf switches, only about $11 ! This can work as 2,4 or 8 way! (It doesn't say physical restriction, so hopefully someone can confirm if its phsyical or not)
a Sanwa JLW joystick for about $20 in both ball and bat versions that is adjustable from 4 or 8 way (looks like its physically restricted adjustment). Another $2 buys an optional 2 way metal restrictor. (Note that they also sell the sanwa JLF joystick for a few bucks more)
Seimitsu ball handle top for $25. 2,4,8 way and looks like its adjustable to be physically restricted on any of those.
Suzo series 500, has ball with tapered handle for $23. 2,3,4,5,8 way and looks to have some interesting phsyical restrictors for ALL of those configurations.

[Ginsu Victim]

Happ Super? You might want to try the Happ Competition. It's a better stick.

four-way?
Avoid Happ Ulimate altogether. They're junk.
E-stik still hits the diagonals fairly easy, even in 4-way mode. I replaced mine.
J-stik is a good stick. It's worth the few extra dollars. Of the choices you've limited yourself to, I'd say this is the one to go with.

If you wish to order your 4-way from elsewhere, try the awesome Sanwa sticks at http://www.lizardlick.com

[Hoopz]

How about the Pac-Man reunion stick?  Its a Happ stick that Divemaster carries.  It's about $10-12 so very reasonably priced. 

[Ginsu Victim]

I was just coming back to edit my response and suggest that.

[Ioargra]

Happ Super? You might want to try the Happ Competition. It's a better stick.

four-way?
Avoid Happ Ulimate altogether. They're junk.
E-stik still hits the diagonals fairly easy, even in 4-way mode. I replaced mine.
J-stik is a good stick. It's worth the few extra dollars. Of the choices you've limited yourself to, I'd say this is the one to go with.

If you wish to order your 4-way from elsewhere, try the awesome Sanwa sticks at http://www.lizardlick.com

Well super vs competition is another matter heh. I'm not really sure which is better and I need to research them, I had read somewhere that competition was better for fighter games and super better for general use, but perhaps that was incorrect. Anyway, I probably need to do a search on the board and maybe another post asking about that

Yeah I've seen a lot of people really liking the Sanwa products, and I might go with them in a future control panel, but for this one I'm just looking for cheap decent stuff.

How about the Pac-Man reunion stick?  Its a Happ stick that Divemaster carries.  It's about $10-12 so very reasonably priced. 

I saw a couple pac-man sticks on the main happ page, but the happ price on one was very expensive and on the reunion it was BLANK lol so I skipped it.
I guess I need to find out the price from DM then
Thanks for the suggestion!

[Ginsu Victim]

Well super vs competition is another matter heh. I'm not really sure which is better and I need to research them

http://retroblast.arcadecontrols.com/hardware.html

[Ioargra]

Well super vs competition is another matter heh. I'm not really sure which is better and I need to research them

http://retroblast.arcadecontrols.com/hardware.html

Thanks. From the chart looks like competition takes more travel to engage (10 degrees vs super's 5 degrees). But the competition takes less pressure to engage (.75 lb vs the super's 1.0 lb).

Interesting square thingy on the bottom on the competition to engage the switches, and sounds like the competition is more precise on the diagnals.

Ok, this makes me lean towards the competition, I like the less pressure, since I'd guess its easier for longer playing periods...

Actually, maybe I should just get one of each (since its a 2 player control panel), and then play with them and put whichever I prefer into the 1st player slot. I doubt the other player is ever going to notice anything

[Ginsu Victim]

If you plan on playing any dual joystick games, like Robotron, Smash TV, or Total Carnage, you'll want both sticks the same.

Also, the Competition sticks currently have a flaw that, to my knowledge, only RandyT at GroovyGameGear.com is fixing. If you order them from there, he will fix it before shipping. (Alternately, you can order the IL Competition stick (the ORIGINAL!) from Lizardlick.com and not have to worry about this issue)

[DeLuSioNal29]

Now my interest has been peaked:  For the Happ Pacman re-union joystick, it looks like it would be mounted from underneath on my panel (3/4 wood).  Would that make the joystick too short to properly use?

~ D

[Ginsu Victim]

Now my interest has been peaked:  For the Happ Pacman re-union joystick, it looks like it would be mounted from underneath on my panel (3/4 wood).  Would that make the joystick too short to properly use?

~ D

What about the Ms Pacman stick at http://www.tornadoterrys.com/surplus.htm ? You can specify shaft length for wood or metal.

[Hoopz]

Now my interest has been peaked:  For the Happ Pacman re-union joystick, it looks like it would be mounted from underneath on my panel (3/4 wood).  Would that make the joystick too short to properly use?

~ D

What about the Ms Pacman stick at http://www.tornadoterrys.com/surplus.htm ? You can specify shaft length for wood or metal.

You beat me this time.   

I was going to say this as well.  You can also buy a replacement red ball top shaft if you mount it in a wood panel.  Adds a little to the cost but if you don't route the bottom out, it makes it better.

[Ioargra]

I came across another thread on choosing a 4 way:
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=63990.0
It mentions the omni from GGG, which looks like a good joystick that can be restricted to 4 way:
http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=65&products_id=294
However, I can't get it from divemaster. Sigh.

If you plan on playing any dual joystick games, like Robotron, Smash TV, or Total Carnage, you'll want both sticks the same.

Also, the Competition sticks currently have a flaw that, to my knowledge, only RandyT at GroovyGameGear.com is fixing. If you order them from there, he will fix it before shipping. (Alternately, you can order the IL Competition stick (the ORIGINAL!) from Lizardlick.com and not have to worry about this issue)

Ah I hadn't thought about dual joystick games. Thanks!
What flaw is it? I'm trying to stick with ordering everything from divemaster to save shipping, so I'd just as soon change to super if I'm not going to get competition from him.

Now my interest has been peaked:  For the Happ Pacman re-union joystick, it looks like it would be mounted from underneath on my panel (3/4 wood).  Would that make the joystick too short to properly use?

~ D

What about the Ms Pacman stick at http://www.tornadoterrys.com/surplus.htm ? You can specify shaft length for wood or metal.

You beat me this time.   

I was going to say this as well.  You can also buy a replacement red ball top shaft if you mount it in a wood panel.  Adds a little to the cost but if you don't route the bottom out, it makes it better.

Turns out that the Pacman reunion stick isn't being manufactured anymore (which is why the price was blank on the happ page), and divemaster doesn't have any.
But I appreciate the headsup on it. I hadn't noticed that it was for metal CP's only (unless I replaced the shaft or routed the CP)
A random google shows at least one other place (unless they forgot to remove it) besides tornadoterrys still sells it:
http://www.twistedquarter.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=5&products_id=15

So I may end up going with the ultimarc J-stick, or perhaps just get one from the tornadoterrys page you linked, just so I can have one before they dissapear

[Ginsu Victim]

What flaw is it?

The square actuator is supposed to float, but they've made them too tight. This causes accidental direction presses. RandyT has been altering them to make them float properly. Like I said, the original IL Competitions that LizardLick sells don't have this issue.

[Level42]

And, as always, the best joysticks in the world get overlooked. Sigh.

Suzo (or what Ultimarc sells as "Eurostick" is IMHO the best joystick ever.

Well, not entirely true, since it's a microswitch joystick. The best was the Suzo Inductive. If your lucky TNTamusements still have a couple at about 17 bucks each.

[Ioargra]

I've updated the OP with a bunch of differant stuff and decided to turn it into more of a list of options, since I imagine other people besides myself may be interested in the info.
If anyone has any info on other inexpensive 4 way joysticks to add to the list, reply and let me know so I can add it

I'm now especially interested in 2 differant items. The suzo with the funky looking pawls that can be adjusted for 2,3,4,5,8 way physical restriction options.
And the $5 restrictor 4-way plate from GGG for the happ super joysticks. That may be the most cost effective option.

And, as always, the best joysticks in the world get overlooked. Sigh.

Suzo (or what Ultimarc sells as "Eurostick" is IMHO the best joystick ever.

Well, not entirely true, since it's a microswitch joystick. The best was the Suzo Inductive. If your lucky TNTamusements still have a couple at about 17 bucks each.

Actually, I just did a big update and Suzo is now listed (its the last on the list) And after seeing your reply I added the euro stick from ultimarc too.

Any thoughts on the "Suzo  Series 500 Universal STC Joystick" on the lizardlick page? Is it a good stick?