Best / most inexpensive place to get joysticks/buttons/etc? in USA

[xtravbx]

I'm at the point now where I'm buying my buttons & joysticks and ipac4.

Anyone know the best place to order stuff up?

Who do you use?

[severdhed]

if you are planning on getting an ipac4...then I say order right from ultimarc.com.  even though they are in the uk, the shipping cost was reasonable, and very fast.  I placed an order on a saturday, my stuff shipped monday and I had it in pennsylvania by wednesday. and Andy is a stand up guy...he really stands by his products and doesn't hesitate to fix any problems. I can't say enough good things about ultimarc

I have also ordered from groovegamegear and I was very satisfied.  they have a great selection of products and good prices.  although it took 2 days longer to get my stuff..I placed both orders within minutes of each other..my ggg order arrived on friday.

if you want to consolidate your order and get everything from one place,  then I say contact divemaster..he has all kinds os stuff and good prices as well...orders generally take a while though since he does tis in his spare time a few days a week.

I have ordered from all 3 and would do so again in the future

[xtravbx]

Thanks!

Keep em' comin. I'm gonna order tonight.

[divemaster127]

I carry the happ & ultimarc lines my next ship date is thursday so anyone can get there order in by late wednesday the items will ship then.  If you are in the in the US can help you with the above items.  If you are in the UK I would order from ultimarc, the shipping would be cheaper.
thanks
dm

[xtravbx]

What sort of payment system do you accept divemaster?

[divemaster127]

hello paypal, checks or money orders
thanks
dm

[xtravbx]

Do you have any sort of instant messenger system to put together a price?

[divemaster127]

Just send a pm & i will send you back a quote with shipping
thanks
dm

[ViciousXUSMC]

Cheapest place is probably ebay

I got my Happ Comp Buttons @ $1.20 each and my Happ Comp Joysticks for like $8.40

you have to shop around, many times online buying is misleading due to shipping charges.  In this case the buttons had a flat rate shipping of $10 after 10 buttons now matter how many you got, so for a big setup it was a good deal.  The Joysticks were like $8 for the first one and $4 for an additional one.

It ended up being cheaper than I could find it anywhere else and these were brand new official products.

I got my I-PAC from Ultimarc, My Quick Connects from Lizard Lick, and I had looked around at a few other shops but can not recall the name at this time.

I should compile a list of shops to help everybody. 

[xtravbx]

Yeah sourcing parts at good prices has not been easy.

I went through divemaster.

160 after shipping for 32+4 player buttons. 4 happ comp 8-way joysticks, and an ipac4.

Never thought the buttons, etc, would add up so much!

But Ive got my cocktail built, got my 22 inch monitor on the way, my PC is ready.. Just finishing up some odds and ends here and there, and when the buttons etc arrive, i'll wire it up to the ipac, and I'll be good to go.

I also want a USB 3" trackball too, to be honest..

Man. This project is adding up. Can't wait when it's all done and ready to finally play!!

[Blanka]

Happ competition 8$40. Good price, but that's what you pay for butt ugly.
Japanese are the ones that make good sticks that look good and are made beautifully. But at a double price. 

[xtravbx]

I don't mind how they look, I like them actually.

That's the style of joystick I was going for, I like the "bat" shaped ones.

[ViciousXUSMC]

Happ competition 8$40. Good price, but that's what you pay for butt ugly.
Japanese are the ones that make good sticks that look good and are made beautifully. But at a double price. 

There is much more too it than looks, you know that.

The throw distance, mounting, and feel are way different.  For a one joysick to rule them all I think Happ Comp is the best.  Its very durable, and pretty neutral in all of its characteristics.  Plus I have no problems using it with a 4 way game, I have a feeling I would hit diagonals too often trying to use a Sanwa in a 4 way game due to its much smaller throw, but thats just a guess since I have not tried.

Bottom line there is a tool for every job, and not any single tool can do every job.  I think Sanwa type stuff is the best tool for fighters, but for an overall Mame stick I think the Happ is better, plus with kids like me you would rather them be bashing on a Happ Comp since its made out of adamantium and can be mounted to 1/2" thick wood panels. (just kidding about the adamantium but they are really freaking strong)

[Blanka]

There is much more too it than looks, you know that.

I know! My Sanwa's play so dem good because the look so dem cute (with the small balls off course)! I would not even dare to touch a Happ monster. Compare it with coloured food. A blue slice of bread may taste fantastic when blindfolded, but if you see it, it tastes gross.
BTW, I mount everything (buttons, short leaf buttons, trackballs, joysticks) in 18mm MDF with no problems, very sturdy and no bolts or mounting plates visible.

[ViciousXUSMC]

Those bubble tops are my fav

I dont know how well I will do with a ball top as I almost have never used one, I rest my wrist on the control panel and hold the bat top from the side.  Its not good posture but it works for me.

P.S. Next time I have green eggs & ham I know to make blue toast

[CheffoJeffo]

I should compile a list of shops to help everybody. 

Add 'em in ...

http://wiki.arcadecontrols.com/wiki/Vendors

[ViciousXUSMC]

I should compile a list of shops to help everybody. 

Add 'em in ...

http://wiki.arcadecontrols.com/wiki/Vendors

Will do

[MrMojoZ]

...can be mounted to 1/2" thick wood panels.

Japanese sticks also mount into 1/2" wood, with a couple minutes of router work.

[severdhed]

Yeah sourcing parts at good prices has not been easy.

I went through divemaster.

160 after shipping for 32+4 player buttons. 4 happ comp 8-way joysticks, and an ipac4.

Never thought the buttons, etc, would add up so much!

But Ive got my cocktail built, got my 22 inch monitor on the way, my PC is ready.. Just finishing up some odds and ends here and there, and when the buttons etc arrive, i'll wire it up to the ipac, and I'll be good to go.

I also want a USB 3" trackball too, to be honest..

Man. This project is adding up. Can't wait when it's all done and ready to finally play!!

When you are ready for a trackball, i highly recommend the ultimarc UTrak.  it mounts very nicely in a wooden panel, and with the lighting module, it is just a thing of beauty.

[Ginsu Victim]

Cheapest place is probably ebay

I got my Happ Comp Buttons @ $1.20 each and my Happ Comp Joysticks for like $8.40

www.GroovyGameGear.com

Happ horizontal pushbuttons - $1.20 ea

Happ competition (with actuator problem fixed!) - $8.49

[MrMojoZ]

I'll take GGG over EBay any day for those items.

If you want Japanese parts you want www.lizardlick.com.

[Ginsu Victim]

The less I have to deal with eBay, the better, especially for stuff that's easy to find.

[ViciousXUSMC]

Cheapest place is probably ebay

I got my Happ Comp Buttons @ $1.20 each and my Happ Comp Joysticks for like $8.40

www.GroovyGameGear.com

Happ horizontal pushbuttons - $1.20 ea

Happ competition (with actuator problem fixed!) - $8.49

I found these guys before I purchased but those did not look like the comp buttons but rather the concave ones and I was not willing to take a chance.  I am quite sure if they were the comp they would say it.  Nothing wrong with ebay if your smart.  If a person has like 30,000 positive feedback I feel pretty comfortable buying from them.

[Ginsu Victim]

those did not look like the comp buttons but rather the concave ones

You are correct. They are not the comp buttons. I was pointing out where to buy PROPER buttons. 

Nothing wrong with ebay if your smart.

"Your" not winning any points with that statement.