Deciding for 8-way and 4-way balltop sticks for new cab

[dekar24k]

Hi guys, haven't been active here in a while as I've had so much other stuff to do.

Anyways, I have started planning a new arcade cab and I'm currently trying to figure out what joysticks to get.

For my last cab I used a Sanwa JLW-TM-8 4/8-way switchable balltop-stick and I found it pretty good.

Either way, for my new cab I will have 2 dedicated 8-way balltop sticks and 1 dedicated 4-way balltop stick.

So, my question is, should I just get 3 Sanwa JLW-TM-8's and put a circular/octagonal restrictor on two of them and use a square restrictor on the third for 4-way mode, or are there other sticks which are "better"? Also, are there any dedicated 4-way balltop sticks which might be better than the JLW-TM-8 in 4-way mode?

I prefer stiff, micro-switched joysticks. Any tips or advice is appreciated a lot. Thanks!

[Ginsu Victim]

The Sanwa JLW is a good one to go with, especially since you're already used to it and it will match your 8-ways. If you want something that will stand apart from the 8-ways, there is always the Tornado Terry's Ms Pac-man 4-way (modified Happ Super, so it's microswitch-based like you asked for).

[dekar24k]

The Sanwa JLW is a good one to go with, especially since you're already used to it and it will match your 8-ways. If you want something that will stand apart from the 8-ways, there is always the Tornado Terry's Ms Pac-man 4-way (modified Happ Super, so it's microswitch-based like you asked for).

Thanks for the tip Ginsu, I might get one of these for the 4-way dedicated.

[Ginsu Victim]

It's a good stick. Here's the other link for it (scroll down) http://www.tornadoterrys.com/surplus.htm

and here is delusional2971's review of it (not much of a review, but it shows the stick off a little)

[Deadly]

It's a good stick. Here's the other link for it (scroll down) http://www.tornadoterrys.com/surplus.htm

and here is delusional2971's review of it (not much of a review, but it shows the stick off a little)

Those supposive Pac-man type replacment sticks are NOT for everyone. IMHO they are absolutely horrible. Why?
These are micro switch and are stiff. Hand fatique sets in rather quickly.
You are better off going with a leaf spring type of joystick for comfort.
I added these switch type joys to a multi I made and dear lord .... I hate them.


This has been discussed many times and the outcome is almost always the same. People that have owned or currently have an original Pac hate the clickity stiff feeling of these. I for one am one of those people.

[dekar24k]

It's a good stick. Here's the other link for it (scroll down) http://www.tornadoterrys.com/surplus.htm

and here is delusional2971's review of it (not much of a review, but it shows the stick off a little)

Those supposive Pac-man type replacment sticks are NOT for everyone. IMHO they are absolutely horrible. Why?
These are micro switch and are stiff. Hand fatique sets in rather quickly.
You are better off going with a leaf spring type of joystick for comfort.
I added these switch type joys to a multi I made and dear lord .... I hate them.


This has been discussed many times and the outcome is almost always the same. People that have owned or currently have an original Pac hate the clickity stiff feeling of these. I for one am one of those people.

I actually prefer microswitched sticks over leaf spring sticks. I have a custom USB control panel here with leafsprings and I don't really like playing on it in the long run. I feel I have more control with micro-switched sticks, but that's just me I suppose.

I think I will order everything from Ultimarc and go for the Sanwa JWL's. They have proven good in the past and I don't see why I should change that.

[Ginsu Victim]

Yeah, like I said, since you're already used to the JLWs, you should just go with those.

[dekar24k]

Yeah, like I said, since you're already used to the JLWs, you should just go with those.

I will. Just wanted to see if there were any godly sticks I hadn't heard of. Thanks for the input!