Dang it, Randy! Why do you keep making cool new stuff? :)
I recently put one of your true-leaf pro 4-ways in my Ms. Pac machine, but I'm thinking this new stick will be better...
Does it use the wico-style rubber grommet for centering?
Early thoughts on this stick-
I don't have it installed yet, but I plan to later this week. However, just holding it in hand and moving it back and forth, I can tell you that it feels GREAT. There's no click for activation, obviously, so movement feels fluid. Centering is just right. It was smart to base this stick off the Reunion base, Randy. I can't wait to install it. More to come.
Is the restrictor removable? Would be nice to have this stick in 8-way form as well.
Is the restrictor removable? Would be nice to have this stick in 8-way form as well.
The restrictor is molded into the body. If you want an 8 way, he sells those.
Hope to install this tonight or tomorrow night. I'll keep you posted.
Is the restrictor removable? Would be nice to have this stick in 8-way form as well.
The restrictor is molded into the body. If you want an 8 way, he sells those.
Hope to install this tonight or tomorrow night. I'll keep you posted.
Is the restrictor removable? Would be nice to have this stick in 8-way form as well.
The restrictor is molded into the body. If you want an 8 way, he sells those.
Hope to install this tonight or tomorrow night. I'll keep you posted.
Any word yet Yotsuya?
-Bailey
Sorry, I've had a few busy nights. This weekend, though, I promise. I have an electrician friend coming out to run three dedicated lines to my game room, so after that it will finished and I can tweak the games.
Installed. :o
Review tomorrow morning.
Very nice review yotsuya. Have you actually tried the Leaf-Pro™? I'm planning on getting one or the other for 4 way games, being Donkey Kong the most game I play the most. I haven't decided yet.....but thanx to your review I might try this one.
I think I'm getting it, oh yes!! I might as well buy a Reunion stick to check which one fits better on a Donkey KOng cab. Love trying and compring different joysticks. In the end is actually a matter of personal taste.
Although I love the reunion stick, and use it in my cab, it is a much more stiff joystick than I remember when playing in the arcades. I might have to try this new one out..especially since it will fit exactly like the reunion.
Why even bother designing such a niche product just to use a spring?
:banghead:
Why even bother designing such a niche product just to use a spring?
What is the maximum control panel thickness on which this stick would be workable?
And those Versa-Ball things… am I understanding correctly—do they basically provide stick length adjustment by means of various selectable e-clip grooves?
What is the maximum control panel thickness on which this stick would be workable?
And those Versa-Ball things… am I understanding correctly—do they basically provide stick length adjustment by means of various selectable e-clip grooves?
What is the maximum control panel thickness on which this stick would be workable?
And those Versa-Ball things… am I understanding correctly—do they basically provide stick length adjustment by means of various selectable e-clip grooves?
The first one depends a lot on what you are willing or able to do. The optimal installation is on a metal panel with studs or carriage bolts. But really, any thickness panel can be used if top mounted with an overlay.
And yes, the VersBall2 shafts will make the shaft longer. There are two settings for length. However, longer shafts will reduce how precise the stick feels (longer shafts equal longer throws) so this needs to be weighed carefully for optimal performance of any stick. With an 8-way, adjustments can be made to account for this without major disadvantage, but a 4-way has a fixed sized restrictor. Everything is tuned to this, so any adjustments made to decrease throw before actuation, will likely result in enabling areas where diagonals are possible.
Just got mine, I have a question. How do I mount the stick? I have a wooden panel. I can't remove the top red ball. Do I have to unmount the whole stick?Google "removing e clip from joystick"
Just installed mine yesterday. Love it. It definately feels like a real pacman stick..and I'm picky as all hell. It is a little more stiff than I remember, but nothing that takes away from the 4-way experience. The leaf's make the control feel a lot more responsive, too.
I'm not sure what a grommet would have added since I've never used a leaf stick before..
Overall I'm glad I ordered this stick and will be leaving it my cab, which leaves my reunion stick as a backup
Your statements are contradictory. You say it feels like a real Pacman stick... then you say your not sure what a grommet would add. Meaning... you either cant remember what a real pacman stick feels like, or you have only ever used a generic Reunion stick... or similar Inferior replacement.
They are durable. But they are ugly, and have a ton of friction to them. Their typical leaf-micros often get bent and warped, making diagonals a wench to activate.
The REAL Pacman sticks, use a center pivot grommet. Unlike a spring pivot, which creates a stick-offset as well as a good deal of resistance to get it going... A grommet will allow the pivot to remain in perfect center, for faster activation due to less distances traveled. It also has a uniform resistance, which is pretty light. Where as a spring based has a range of resistance that multiplies until its surpassed. That initial surge, or WALL of resistance, is felt every time you have to roll past center.
The only complaint I have is it will occasionally make a "pop" sound as you play. I'm not sure what part is popping against what other part, but something is happening there. Seems like a minor issue though, as long as it doesn't get worse.
any chance of these getting made with a slightly longer shaft for wood panels?
Since the Versaball2 shafts fit Super bases, shouldn't they fit this stick (same base, I think?) for folks wanting Wood panels?
Pac-Pro: Standard 10mm shaft (compatible with VersaBall2 shafts), longer throw, bolt-up compatible with standard HAPP, X-arcade, etc.. type mounting patterns, deeper footprint, able to take serious abuse.
Randy, when using the Pac-Pro with the Versaball2 shaft have an option to keep it at it's original height?
any chance of these getting made with a slightly longer shaft for wood panels?
Since the Versaball2 shafts fit Super bases, shouldn't they fit this stick (same base, I think?) for folks wanting Wood panels?
Similarly, these sticks would fit the 8-Way Super/Super-Pro bases for "Standard" height play, rather than the 4" Robotron-Style stick length that you get with a metal panel on the Versaball2 shafts...
Randy, when using the Pac-Pro with the Versaball2 shaft have an option to keep it at it's original height?
The VersaBall2 shafts are a stepped design, with a thicker upper shaft, so the minimum length is fixed. It can be longer, and extra grooves are there for that, but not shorter. I have some hollow stainless shafts, but extra e-clip grooves would need to be added to do this. I'll look into some shorter shafts for these.