X-Arcade Joystick vs. Happ Super 8

[AnechoicJinx]

Hey all    I've had an X-Arcade for about 6 months now, but from day 1 did not like the joysticks.  They are SO loose the way they come...so to counter this, I bent the prongs of the microswitches a bit to create more resistance.  This led to some of them breaking occasionally, and a slightly uneven feel for the joystick overall.

I was wondering how tight the Happ Super 8's feel.  I'm interested in replacing the two I have on this setup with those, since I hear they're the best.  And do they come with their own microswitches when you order them?  Thanx so much in advance!

[rampy]

uhhhh... they are nearly identical (x-arcade and happs super 8s)

Maybe you should try a happs competition

*shrug*

rampy

[jetli]

i have mounted both the happs super and the x-arcade knock-off and i really really cannot tell the diffs.  to throws, clicks on contact, 8-way  movements diagonals.  i mean the x-arcade sticks are functioning as designed as far as i can tell...

[armad1ll0]

yeah, but when you look at those cheap ass contact switches.... are those couple of bucks really worth it.

Even ultimates were $8 when they were on sale. I know most of you dudes prefer competition and supers over ultimates but I prefer Ultimates for the corner.

The RealBobRoberts sells them for what $10 normal...

[rampy]

yeah, but when you look at those cheap ass contact switches.... are those couple of bucks really worth it.

Even ultimates were $8 when they were on sale. I know most of you dudes prefer competition and supers over ultimates but I prefer Ultimates for the corner.

The RealBobRoberts sells them for what $10 normal...

are you even reading the posts before pontificating your dislike of the cheapo x-arcade buttons/sticks?

Nobodies talking about costs comparisons here.  Since this guy is looking to replace his sticks in his x-arcade controller, I'm guessing they came with x-arcade sticks to begin with... and wasn't trying to be cheap per say...

regardless... it's all a feel thing.  I'd tell hte original poster to go ballz out and get 360's but he won't be able to easily interface those with his x-arcade pcb.

Ultimates can be ok if you put in a stiffer spring... but they are inferior quality wise to other happs sticks.

*shrug*

Rampy

[AnechoicJinx]

Hmmm, I didn't realize they were that similar.  I would definitely love to put a 360 stick in...but I'm totally inept at dealing with electronics (it's why I bought an X-Arcade in the first place...), and I'm afraid I'd screw something up.

So here's my new question: what's the best way to tighten up a stick?  This microswitch bending just isn't cutting it...for instance, I bent one too far and now I'll hit up 50% of the time when moving it side to side...it's just not consistent and it takes a lot of tweaking.  That and it eventually loosens back up with use, or they'll break.  

Thanx for the replies

[SNAAAKE]

Its all good..
that x-arcade stick is like 95% same as the happs(lorenzo) supers.
I dont see a ANY major difference..works great.

[rampy]

Hmmm, I didn't realize they were that similar.  I would definitely love to put a 360 stick in...but I'm totally inept at dealing with electronics (it's why I bought an X-Arcade in the first place...), and I'm afraid I'd screw something up.

So here's my new question: what's the best way to tighten up a stick?  This microswitch bending just isn't cutting it...for instance, I bent one too far and now I'll hit up 50% of the time when moving it side to side...it's just not consistent and it takes a lot of tweaking.  That and it eventually loosens back up with use, or they'll break.  

Thanx for the replies

Just to re-iterate -> you'll have a hard time installing happs perfect 360's due to x-arcade's pcb "architecture" ...

You could try competitions (or ultimates) they don't work in the same principle as supers so you won't have to worry about the actuator arms so much...

(you can put in replacement microswitches with actuator arms in the meantime if you need a 3 dollar fix for you over bent/metal fatigued ones).

Have you looked at oscars review  or review number 2?

*Shrug* I'm pretty sure you'd be happier with competitions (at least happier than you are right now)

Rampy

[Tiger-Heli]

Just to re-iterate -> you'll have a hard time installing happs perfect 360's due to x-arcade's pcb "architecture" ...

You could try competitions (or ultimates) they don't work in the same principle as supers so you won't have to worry about the actuator arms so much...

(you can put in replacement microswitches with actuator arms in the meantime if you need a 3 dollar fix for you over bent/metal fatigued ones).

Have you looked at oscars review  or review number 2?

*Shrug* I'm pretty sure you'd be happier with competitions (at least happier than you are right now)

Rampy

Just to clarify - Most encoders supply +5V on the input lines and use a common ground.  X-Arcade either uses a matrix or uses a ground signal on the input lines and a common +5V.  (Like in the 40's when some cars were Positive ground and some were negative ground.  It worked, if you knew what you were dealing with.).

Your only way to install P360's is to scrap the X-arcade PCB and add a KeyWiz or I-PAC, but that's a lot of work.

X-Arcade and Happ Supers use a round actuator and microswitches with levers.  Happ Competitions and Ultimates use a square actuator and regular microswitches.  They all come with microswitches.

OSCAR's reviews are worth reading.

I agree, it sounds like you will be happier with the competitions.  See also this thread where OSCAR discusses a "Midway Competition Joystick" $17.70 from Happ:

http://www.arcadecontrols.org/yabbse/index.php?board=1;action=display;threadid=7949;start=msg57951#msg57951