type of Joystick

[lukistke]

I have been stuck on what kind of joystick i want to use in my cab.  I have read the reviews on MagStik Plus and the U360's and they seem great.  Asside from the analog control, which would be nice for some games I guess, what is the disadvantage with just going with 2 8-way and 1 4-way happ compitition sticks?

[Flake]

I have two happ 8 ways and a Ultimarc J-Stick 4-way.  I find this combination serves me well.  No issues so far.  For racing games I mount my Logitec Driving Force Pro on the lip of the control panel. 

I personally wouldnt want anything other than a true 4-way for classic 4-way games.  Also, I think the happ 8-ways are a good stick for robotron.  I've played Robotron on a Mag-Stick plus and hated it.

Do a search and you'll find about 100 threads dedicated to this discussion.

[severdhed]

if you have the room for a dedicated 4 way stick and don't mind the extra clutter, than definitely install a dedicated 4 way stick. 

i had a dedicated 4 way stick for a while in my cabinet, but my control panel is only 12"x30", so there isn't alot of room to work with.  i really wanted a trackball, and it just seemed too crowded to try get fit everything and still have it be comfortable to play. also, i found that i was the only person who ever used the 4way stick, because nobody knew what it was for..or which games required a 4 way stick.   

so i figured i could either go with mag sticks or u360s.  people seem to complain about the throw on the magstiks..and i figured they would suffer the same fate...nobody would know which way to switch the stick, so it would just be pointless.

i ended up buying the u360s and i couldn't be happier.  they work great in 8 and 4 way mode.  yeah, they may not be as good as a dedicated 4way, but the nice thing is, they are easy.  people just walk up and can instantly play any game without having to worry if they have the right stick, or if it is in the right mode...it just works.    plus, my control panel is nice and clean looking because in only have 2 sticks and a trackball...no extra clutter.

they are however quite expensive, but i feel that they are well worth the money.

[javeryh]

if you have the room for a dedicated 4 way stick and don't mind the extra clutter, than definitely install a dedicated 4 way stick. 

i had a dedicated 4 way stick for a while in my cabinet, but my control panel is only 12"x30", so there isn't alot of room to work with.  i really wanted a trackball, and it just seemed too crowded to try get fit everything and still have it be comfortable to play. also, i found that i was the only person who ever used the 4way stick, because nobody knew what it was for..or which games required a 4 way stick.   

so i figured i could either go with mag sticks or u360s.  people seem to complain about the throw on the magstiks..and i figured they would suffer the same fate...nobody would know which way to switch the stick, so it would just be pointless.

i ended up buying the u360s and i couldn't be happier.  they work great in 8 and 4 way mode.  yeah, they may not be as good as a dedicated 4way, but the nice thing is, they are easy.  people just walk up and can instantly play any game without having to worry if they have the right stick, or if it is in the right mode...it just works.    plus, my control panel is nice and clean looking because in only have 2 sticks and a trackball...no extra clutter.

they are however quite expensive, but i feel that they are well worth the money.

This.  The small sacrifice in authenticity in order to eliminate confusion is well worth it.