I need a joystick recommendation

[dprush83]

I have an X-arcade control panel and I am working on slapping some artwork on the top and I want to get a higher quality set of joysticks.  My problem is, I don't know which joysticks will work well and fit in the hole that is already drilled for the X-arcade.  Does anybody know of a classic looking joystick that can be (rather easily) switched between 4 and 8 way play?  I'd like to have a classic Donkey Kong looking joystick if possible.

Thanks in advance for any recommendations! 

[Jack Burton]

A sanwa JLW stick should fit into the existing holes and bolts and is a fine replacement.

more info here:  http://www.lizardlickamusements.com/pages/joysticks.shtml

and of course there is always the magstick plus, which can be switched from the top of the panel.

http://ultimarc.com/controls.html

[dprush83]

A sanwa JLW stick should fit into the existing holes and bolts and is a fine replacement.

more info here:  http://www.lizardlickamusements.com/pages/joysticks.shtml

and of course there is always the magstick plus, which can be switched from the top of the panel.

http://ultimarc.com/controls.html

Thanks Jack!  I really like the JLW, does anybody have any feedback on the feel?  This would be nice to mount from the bottom the way it is set up now. 

[fjl]

I believe the JLW are the favorite among the Japanese. And you know how much they love Arcades. Heck, they still have massive arcades running over there unlike in the US which sadly could be considered a passing fad.

[severdhed]

the problem you will run into, is that there aren't many sticks that are easily switchable betwen 4 and 8 way.  the only two that i know of are the magstik plus, and the omnistick prodigy...the omnistick has a mounting plate that goes on top of the panel, so it isn't going to just drop into your x-arcade...and the magstik i believe has a different size mounting plate, so it won't just bolt right in either.

the ultimarc J-stik comes in a red balltop, and has the same mounting holes as the x-arcade sticks, and it is switchable, but you have to switch it from below the panel.

[Jack Burton]

EDIT: whoops, posted in wrong thread.

[deepblue]

The JLF's are good - if you don't mind a bit of a microswitch clickity-clack when they shift around.

I would recommend the Utrastik 360's - they are essentially a heavily modified JLF if I'm not mistaken, and are butter smooth.

I have both, but P1 and P2 are Ultras.

Changing from 4 to 8 way requires access to the bottom of the sticks, but isn't difficult.

[dprush83]

I ended up with the Sanwa JLW's.  It did require some modifications to the X-arcade panel, but nothing some sandpaper and a grinder couldn't take care of! 

I really like the feel of the stick, it's exactly what I was hoping for.  Also, changing from 4 to 8 way is really easy, I have to keep a screwdriver in the cab, but the screws don't even have to come all the way out--just loosen and turn.  I just got the sticks and new buttons installed, so it's looking sharp and already I've set a couple new high scores on some of my favorite games! 

I posted a pic below, I still need to do some CP art for the panel to get rid of the X logo.  The only thing left to do now is paint the new bolts on the joysticks and get the trackball lit up.