Joystick confusion

[JayB]

I've been reading through a lot of different threads on here and elsewhere about changes to Happ products and wanted to get an  current view on their joysticks. I gather they are no longer supplied from Il and have since not been as good quality. This is only what I've picked up on from some comments being made so excuse me if this is wrong or no longer an issue.

I was going to order the Happ Competition joysticks today (first time build) but, other option would be something like this Sanwa-> http://www.gremlinsolutions.co.uk/products/sanwateardrop.htm

Can someone shed some light on this for me please? I'm based in the UK so some sticks, like the Mag Stik,  aren't carried by the usual sites. I think my preference would be towards a bat top but, my main concern is to just get a good quality stick. I had also thought of buying the Il pushbuttons rather than Happ ones, for the same reason.

Thanks in advance for any clarification as I'm not sure if I'm just being overly cautious over this. 

[JayB]

  Anyone?

[Franco B]

Seeing as you are here in the UK ( ) you are in the perfect place for Magsticks as Ultimarc (manufacturer and supplier of the Magstick amongst other products) are UK based. Check out www.ultimarc.com. You may want to have a look at the U360 joysticks whilst you are there as they are very popular at the moment.

The Sanwa JLW that you linked to are a great joystick, im using a pair of them on my current build. In fact, the Ultimarc U360 is actually a modified JLW.

I cant help you with the buttons though I'm afraid.

[JayB]

Hi Franco, and thanks for the reply    Another UK user 

Haha I honestly thought Ultimarc were based in the states, will definitely take a look at their site in a moment then. Would you say the Sanwa's would be a better one to go with over the Magstick or are they very close quality build wise?

Sure, I'll have to take a chance on the buttons I think. 



 

[Franco B]

 

I don't really think build quality is an issue. Its more of how the joysticks feel and perform. I have never used the Mag sticks so I cannot comment on them. AFAIK they are similar to the t-sticks that Ultimarc used to sell in terms of throw and stiffness (short throw and quite stiff). I know some people like them and some people really don't get on with them.

I have heard no complaints about the JLW/U360's though apart from some think the spring could be a little stiffer, you can buy stronger springs though. The JLW is a Japanese stick and is generally used for schmups/fighting games where joystick presses tend to have to be more accurate/faster, hence the lower actuating pressure. I personally like the stock JLW feel.

[JayB]

Thanks Franco, that's the sort of advice that's helping me. 

One thing, I'm mounting the joysticks in a 3/4" wood control panel. Looking at some of the shots of them the connection looks close to the plate as I presume they're meant for metal cp's. Is it doable if I routed out the top of the wood? 

[Franco B]

No problemo 

I have my JLWs mounted in 12mm MDF and they seem like a good height to me, you can see the height here:



Once you get the controls you can have a play with them and see what feels right to you.

If needs be you can route out some material from the bottom of the CP or you can route a recess in the top of the CP and mount them from the top.

[JayB]

Thanks for taking the time to take a shot of your control panel Franco, much appreciated. That helps me to visualise what it will look like as it's hard going by some of the pictures shown of just the item. I really like the clear balltops 

Yeah, I was thinking of routing a recess on the top of the panel for the plate to sit in and maybe taking some off the underneath. I'll have some plexi on the top also so I guess it will be very close to the height you have. Looks great by the way, like the extra's you have such as the dust cover and button thingy's. 

I drove over to an arcade tonight and then found they had no joystick games there what so ever  Only had shooters and driving games so couldn't get to check out joysticks to get a feel.

Are those concave translucent buttons? I was thinking of getting the Translucent one's sold at Gremlin solutions but, I read that unlit buttons feel better. Sorry for so many questions, it's just nice to get a 1st hand view from someone who has them as I'm buying blind at the moment with nowhere to see what I'm buying. 

[JayB]

As Columbo would say "Oh and one other thing" 

Are yours the UM-8 or the TM-8?

[Franco B]

No problem, I'm more than happy to help.

I'm not surprised you didn't see any games with joysticks, its a sad sad world 

I have the TM-8's, the UM-8's (Bat Tops) have a longer and thicker shaft which would be more suitable for mounting in a thicker panel but it also has a larger thread on the top so It would not be compatible with the M6x1 thread on the Seimitsu LB-39 ball tops.

I got my clear convex buttons from www.arcade-shop.de You can see the range of colours [here]. They are made from the same Happ mould so are identical. I don't have any complaints with mine.

I also got my Seimitsu LB-39 ball tops from www.arcadeshop.de. You can see the range of colours if you scroll down the page [here].

[Blanka]

Andy from Ultimarc is also UK based and has MagStiks and Bat tops:
http://ultimarc.com/controls.html

@ Franco B
How is your chrome holding on the shaft while streetfighting with those stainless steel washing discs?
Do you mean clear concave? The happ-style is concave, but they also have Seimitsu convex clear buttons.

[Franco B]

I made my hollow shafts from solid stainless steel so there is no chrome plating to come off

Edit: Yeah I meant concave, 5am starts this week 

[Blanka]

Edit: Yeah I meant concave, 5am starts this week 

I mixed that up all the time too. Until I got the donkeybridge that concave->is like a cave is a hole->is hollow