Ultrastick 360..long shaft or not?

[severdhed]

hey guys, everyone finally convinced me that ultrastick 360s are the way to go for my cabinet.  it may be a little while till I can afford them, but I am trying to plan ahead a little here. 

Right now i am using a gutted x-arcade 2 player unit in a custom panel, and i want that all to go away..the wiring is a nightmare, and i want some color other than black.  i have limited space, so i want to eliminate the dedicated 4 way stick i have, so i have room for my trackball, and possibly the spinner.

so i am going to buy two ultrastik360s.  however i have a few questions that i hope someone can answer.  i am not super picky when it comes to joysticks, i am perfectly happy with the x-arcade sticks that i am using.  i have a set of wico 8way leaf switch sticks that i tried in my panel, but the sticks were too short, and i dont really like the ball tops for fighting games.  i also have some generic happ comp. knock off sticks that have a very short throw and really stiff springs.
 
i plan to bottom mount them on a 5/8" MDF panel with 1/8" plexi.  that is how my x-arcade sticks are mounted and the height it just fine. 

since teh u360s arent cheap, i dont want to order any unnecessary accessories if i dont need them.  my question is, how long are the standard bat top sticks on these units?  how do they compare to the x-arcade or happ competition sticks?  i dont want to get the longer shafts if i dont need them.  also, are the stiff springs really needed?  i dont like the feel of the stiff springs on those cheap sticks.  i also see alot of people recommending the round restrictors for a shorter throw.....


i just need to know how the stock u360 compares in stiffness, throw, and shaft length to a xarcade, or happ comp stick.

thanks guys.

[ivwshane]

I ended up routing out some material out of my cp and under mounted my u360's. If I didn't do that I would have definitely had to of purchased the longer shafts.

[Lecithin]

I've heard a lot of difference in opinion on restrictors. Most people debate on whether circle (shortens the throw), octagonal (more natural feel for those used to it), or no restrictor is the way to go. I've read probably 10+ posts and a few reviews and with restrictors I think its a personal preference.

As for the springs, most say go with the heavier springs but again, its what you're used to.

I've also seen a few pictures of them bottom mounted and they're fine but you're probably going to have to do like ivwshane did and route out some space or they'll be too short.

I haven't used the x-arcades or happ competitions but I can tell you the U360s are the most versatile sticks I've ever seen.

[Ginsu Victim]

My setup:
Balltop U360s with stiff springs and circular restrictors. Mine are bottom-mounted (no routing) in a wood panel and probably too short for some people, but it's just right for me.

[shiloh]

I have mine mounted at the bottom of a wood panel (5/8" + 1/8" plexi) and I do have the long shaft. I have used the circular restrictor to shorten the throw and also use the hard springs.

If I remember correctly (I'm not home now) but the top of the stick is at 2.5 inch from the CP (using the oval top).

My personnal opinion is that if you dont route your CP then, the long shaft are welcome. If you use the long shaft; use a restrictor too or the throw is too long to my taste for fighter game.

[nickynooch]

Haven't finished mine yet, but...

I got the long handle... plays great!

I also, got a restrictor plate.  Can't remember which (I'm not at home), but restrictor plates are a must IMO.

I also, got the hard spring... which plays different.  I prefer it.  Gets a little more kick to it.

I plan on mounting my joystick from underneath so the long handle was a no brainer, but even if I didn't, I'd shell out the bucks for them.

[dgame]

I use the long handles and stock spring. I ordered the hard springs but I felt they were, well, too hard. I consider myself a finesse player so light and easy is the way for me. YMMV.

[Ginsu Victim]

Too hard? Try the stock spring in a Happ Universal!

The hard spring in the U360 is PERFECTION.

[deepblue]

I just installed the hard springs in my U360's - this is a must imho, I find the stock spring far too light.

I am bottom mounting my sticks (haven't done so yet) and routing the bottom so I won't be getting long shafts.

General comment on restrictor plates - I tried the circular and 4/8 way on the weekend, and for "me" (that is an important distiction here), I don't like the feel of either, and will likely rip the out. They really shorten the throw and make the feel sort of clunky - and the stock movment is so buttery smooth by comparison. All depends what you like and what you're looking for.

[HaRuMaN]

I find that women prefer the longer shaft...   

[Jack Burton]

I can give you the fighting gamers opinion and it is:

short shaft, undermounted in metal CP.  No exceptions.

[severdhed]

my x-arcade joysticks are bottom mounted with no routing and teh top of the stick is 2.75" above the top of the panel.  this is a nice height....  i tried bottom mounting my 8way wico balltops but they were way too short.  i just didnt want to spend the money if i didnt need to.  these sticks are expensive enough as it is...$59 + $8 for the wire harness (i dont want to use my x-arcade encoder any more, and i figured this was cheapest way to go for an encoder)..then you start adding on extra shafts($12), the restrictor kit ($14) and the springs ($3) you are suddenly looking at $96 per stick.  i need two of those, about 14 buttons, trackball mounting plate, and tmolding...i'm looking at nearly $250.

it is alot of money to spend on something i very rarely actually play.  i like having it, and i use it once or twice/ month...but i cant help but wonder if i would be better off going another route.

[Jack Burton]

Well, you might be able to get ultimarc to ship the joysticks with the long handles already installed and skip the short ones, since it doesn't look you will be using those.

You can save a few dollars like that.

Does the U360 come with a restrictor or need one?  Cause if either is true then you don't need to worry about that at all either.

[severdhed]

i may not need the restrictor kits, but it seems as if alot of people recommend the restrictor if you are using the longer shaft, or the throw is too long.    it's alot of money to spend on controls.  but then again, i spent $150 on the x-arcade that i gutted and i am not satisfied.    i thought about spending the $30 or so to get a magstik plus, to see if it would do what i need, but if it doesnt, then i am out that money too. 

the hard part is going to be convincing my wife that i need to spend another $250 on controls for my arcade cabinet..especially since we just had a baby.

[DaveStall]

I have the standard shafts, but my CP is only 1/2" + 1/8" plexi and the length is just about perfect.  Personally, I think the length would be OK with a thicker CP, but that is something only you will know once you try it. 

For quick games like Robotron, I think the circular restrictor is a must.  I started with the regular stick and the throw was just too long for me to get comfortable with.  The circular restrictor works great.

As far as the springs go, I think the "harder" spring is way, way too light.  If you are used to fighting sticks it probably feels about right.  If you prefer the feel of something like a classic Wico with the rubber grommet, you will most likely want something a bit (or a lot) stiffer.  I would guess the Wico sticks on my Robotron are at least twice as stiff as the hard spring in the U360 if not more.  It's pretty easy to find springs that will work with the U360 at your local hardware store, although you will most likely need to cut them down to size a little.

Dave

[Ummon]

I didn't cut down the ones I got from Ace and they have relief.