The NEW Build Your Own Arcade Controls
Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: bboysnj on December 03, 2008, 12:48:12 am
-
8)
-
Mmm, yes. I sent them a message and will call tomorrow.
-
I nearly ordered one of these as a Christmas gift.... glad I didn't.
Yes, things get delayed, but there's no excuse for poor customer service.
-
Curt Vendel recently had two emergency heart surgeries. I am sure that has impacted the delivery of his joysticks, and his ability to send proper notifications.
-
Curt Vendel recently had two emergency heart surgeries. I am sure that has impacted the delivery of his joysticks, and his ability to send proper notifications.
I've done business with Curt in the past and was always pleased with his service. Sorry to hear about his two heart surgeries. Hope everything turns out well.
-
Since I have actually seen and tested a review unit, I'd say there's nothing to worry about. They are going to be here. I'll see what I can find out and pass it along to you guys.
-
Yeah I ordered a couple early November and haven't heard a thing (no response to emails either).
Hope he's OK. I have to wonder why there wasn't something posted on his website about his emergencies, seeing as how someone was obviously on there to update the estimated shipping dates. I was all ready to initiate a charge back since my emails were being ignored.
-
looks like production issues and how the manufacturing company prioritized his order:
Hi Arthur,
As you may know, I have been expecting delivery within the 1st week of December of the first batch of joysticks - approx. 5,000 of the 10,000 pcs orders. The current US arrival estimate has been December 6-9th. I have been in a bit of a battle with the factory in Shenzhen that I'm using. Normally I would use a factory with whom I have a very strong relationship, however they could not accept such a small order of 10,000 pcs. I know it sounds like a lot, but in manufacturing, where they do 100K-1Mill pc runs, my order is very low.
As such, for the last week I've been having a delivery conflict with the factory. They keep re-prioritizing my order back and back and after the past week of trying to convince them to stay with the December schedule, the other evening (Monday morning their time) I've been told that I will not have my orders built until December 18-19 to the 22-23 , which means they will not arrive until after the New Year, nearly a month behind schedule.
This is puts things in a position where these joysticks were for presents for the holidays and my timing was meant for just that which has now been thrown off completely.
I am a very fair and honest person, and I will not expect anyone to have to wait any further for their orders, so if you or anyone else do not wish to wait, I will fully honor and fully refund any order and I will process the return. I can not guarantee that if anyone re-orders later that I will have enough left to take an order from them later on, again, this is only a 10,000 piece run and as it stands I am at over 8,000 orders so there are not many left.
I apologize for this inconvenience to you and everyone and I am trying to get in a DHL shipment of at least a few hundred for the very early orders that were taken in order to at least get a small batch out to very early buyers.
Regards,
Curt
-
:-[
-
Oh. I got the same response this morning - and suggested he do a batch email. At the very least he emailed someone else. Of course the surgery thing is a consideration but it shouldn't be a stop sign to inquiring into things. This thread is appropriate.
-
:-X
-
Check out http://www.retrousb.com/index.php (http://www.retrousb.com/index.php) for other old school game pad usb options. NES ans SNES are pre-made. Atari, Genesis, Saturn, InTV, 3DO, Colleco, etc are available as retrokits (parts, boards, instructions, etc). Of course the retrokits will require a soldering iron...but if you are on this board you probably have some experience with those...
They are great. I have a pre-made NES one and I retrokitted a genesis one.
-
8)
-
Well, good thing I only spent thirty bucks. Maybe I can get that back through google store given the circumstances. Hmmm.
-
Well, good thing I only spent thirty bucks. Maybe I can get that back through google store given the circumstances. Hmmm.
No doubt...I'm in for 2 controls myself...that said, I'd love to hang in there as I love the product (from what I've seen....thanks Mission!) So -- please, guys, I know a couple of you, at least, have had or currently have contact with this vendor -- please, I implore you, give us the high sign that the dude's ok. 2 heart surgeries is some serious **smurf poo** dudes. I hope the guy's square...
-
Looks like the site is back up and functioning.
-
Site looks like it is working now.
-
:afro:
-
Hola folks,
Just bumping this up to see if anybody who ordered one (or more!) got theirs?
I wrote to Curt's email directly, then to the legacy address, I called and got an answering machine, and finally used Google Checkout to send a note --- nothing. Big old goosegg.
Just seeing if anyone has received theirs, or has been "privileged" enough to get a response?
Thanks!
-
I believe someone has heard that he has been in the hospital.
-
that is correct Saint he is in the hospital right now...
http://www.atariage.com/forums/index.php?s=&showtopic=137147&view=findpost&p=1655004
-
Good to know something current.
-
that is correct Saint he is in the hospital right now...
http://www.atariage.com/forums/index.php?s=&showtopic=137147&view=findpost&p=1655004
Blocked from work. Is he in there for the ticker again?
Don't take this the wrong way. When he gets out of the hospital, is there anyone that can help him out with legacyengineer? No matter what happens, he's probably under a lot of stress dealing with a lot of eager gamers who want their controllers. Might take a huge amount of work off his shoulders if someone trustworthy can at least respond to emails and update the site accordingly.
-
Blocked from work. Is he in there for the ticker again?
From Thu Jan 8, 2009 9:11 AM
Hi All,
For anyone trying to reach me, if I don't get back to you immediately, please be patient. I'm am a guest at the hotel "NYU Medical Center" once again. For those who are not aware I've been having an on-going battle with issues with my heart. I've already had 2 open heart surgeries this past summer. Unfortunately I've been re-admitted back to the hospital once again with some minor complications and possibly another surgery this coming weekend. Thank God for free wireless in the hospital. I'm in the Tisch wing over on 34th & 1st if anyone wants to visit ;-)
Regards,
Curt
after some get well wishes, from Sun Jan 11, 2009 1:42 PM:
Thanks everyone...
Surgery is scheduled for Thursday, I'm on a mega antibotic cocktail to try and nuke out any residual infection I may have before the surgery, gonna be a lot more then I had originally thought, I have a psuedoanuerism on the root of my aorta and the surgeon is considering replacing the original mitral valve he put in back in June and is going to examine the aortic valve for a 1-3mm "possible" infection they see, but can't determine yet until they go in.
Marty, Albert and Karl are all in the loop and will get updates as things going along, I've got limited wifi here at the hospital so at least I can post on AA, outbound smtp is a big no-no so answering emails is not an easy process, but I've got the beginnings of a decent work around forming.
I'm coding Adventure II on windows right now, so that is keeping me busy and I've made the decision that once I get home, get well enough and get the joystick shipments on track, have decided that I will go forward with doing the paddle controllers in the late Spring, a lot of people have asked for them and I think they will be well received.
So I'm staying positive, looking forward to recovering and getting back on track with the classic gaming products. Thank you to everyone for you support and kind words.
Curt
-
HOLY CRAP is this # 3 open chest?
no way , no how! not for me
I have seen 2 of these.
1 on Step Dad
1 on older brother.
nope not for me :scared
just let me take my chances with my maker
-
Jesus. I'd say that's a decent excuse, eh?
-
8)
-
Jesus. I'd say that's a decent excuse, eh?
not for were I work :embarassed:
I honestly fell for the guy and I do not know him
-
:afro:
-
Hi guys --- just checking in to see if anyone has news about Curt's condition? I checked the Atari boards and haven't seen anything. Genuinely concerned. Thanks!
did you check real hard there?
http://www.atariage.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=137578&st=0
-
Hi guys --- just checking in to see if anyone has news about Curt's condition? I checked the Atari boards and haven't seen anything. Genuinely concerned. Thanks!
did you check real hard there?
http://www.atariage.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=137578&st=0
Your link isn't working....
Well, I went to the original thread you posted, yes, around the 11th - but besides "well-wishes" I didn't hear anything about how the surgery went. I'm not being a **smurf** Mission; the guy had major surgery and was supposed to be out of it in recovery at this point. Just seeing if anyone who might be in contact with his family has word about his health.
.....and concern about a person's well-being aside, strictly from a business standpoint, someone should have updated LegacyEngineer.com with Curt's note about his situation and call for patience. At this point, all emails and phone calls have gone unanswered - and we're talking about correspondence WELL before the man got sick again. Pardon me, but it's kind of retarded to expect the "thousands" of folks who placed orders and DON'T traipse AA or BYOAC boards to have to "dig" for info about their orders.
Whatever. If someone has actual news about how the surgery went, it would be appreciated if they give a heads up. I'm done "digging".
Peace.
-
my bad, forgot that area is unseen by guest accounts...
anyways,
Curt Vendel Tue Jan 20, 2009 6:19 AM
okay, all set and heading to the OR in a few minutes. Thanks for everyone's support. Marty from classicgaming.com and Albert here at Atariage.com will both be in touch with my wife and will have updates. It'll be a few days after I get out of the recovery room before I'll be up to using the laptop again.
Curt
Albert (site owner) Tue Jan 20, 2009 5:15 PM
Earlier today there was an update that he was in the OR, doing well, and that he was expected to be done at 3:30 (EST). I believe that was around 2:30 EST. I haven't heard anything since then.
..Al
wgungfu (another member in contact with family) Today, 11:34 AM
Just an update, he's out of the ICU and in Stepdown and talking.
-
Ok, great to hear he's out of ICU...that is huge.
Thanks Mission.
-
Alive, well, and headed home!
http://www.atariage.com/forums/index.php?act=Search&nav=au&CODE=show&searchid=a8bf04502081540e7d3451a9a453d9e5&search_in=posts&result_type=posts (http://www.atariage.com/forums/index.php?act=Search&nav=au&CODE=show&searchid=a8bf04502081540e7d3451a9a453d9e5&search_in=posts&result_type=posts)
-
Update:
http://www.atariage.com/forums/index.php?s=&showtopic=138016&view=findpost&p=1669542
Hi Everyone,
I am typing from my home computer at long last, I got home last night from the hospital, I'm pretty worn out right now, gonna take it easy for the next few days, catch up a little on my lost month at the hospital, just get my barrings again. Feeling good, breathing is much better, pain still sucks, but I've got some very nice drugs that are helping a bit with that. Hopefully in the next day or two I can start tacking the tons of emails I need to catch up on. I'm also going to try and work out something with Albert over the next 2 weeks and see if Atari Age can be the distributor for the classic USB joysticks as I just can't handle order shipments right now. I'm up to sitting in a chair for 1 hour at a clip, taking a walk for 10 mins, then having to crash for a 2 hour nap several times a day, so I don't think I'm going to be fit for duty in getting everyone's orders out for a while.
Curt
-
Just curious -- anyone received their order yet? Still hanging tight here. (just psyched).
Good news btw is that the man is home and well! Thanks Mission for keeping us in the loop! There's a new note regarding shipping on his site as well -- so all orders should be out by the top of March!
http://www.legacyengineer.com/store.html (http://www.legacyengineer.com/store.html)
Can't wait!!!
-
I ran across an old email confirming my transaction on buying two of these. Man, it's been four months, now. And look what I find on the site:
CURRENTLY SOLD OUT!
Inventory is not available at this time, the new storefront, newsletter system and customer management system are going online on June 30th and at that time a very limited number of available joysticks will be onsale with an inventory counter, once gone, another batch will not be available until July.
I didn't get mine, and I ordered last October.
-
Personally, I cant believe anyone would want one of these.
They were wretchedly horrible joysticks. Ate up the hands, were sloppy and
inaccurate, stiff, and the internal pads wear and cause intermittent connections.
You had to use one hand to fire and hold the thing... and so it was very clumsy
and awkward.
Personally, Id buy these and day over those Craptastic torture devices:
http://cgi.ebay.com/Pair-Epyx-500XJ-by-Konix-Joystick-Atari-2600-Commodore_W0QQitemZ280359467984QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_Vintage_Video_Games?hash=item4146b9fbd0&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=65%3A12|66%3A2|39%3A1|72%3A1240|240%3A1318|301%3A1|293%3A1|294%3A50
Epyx 500xj
Ergonomic, fitting in the hand really comfortably. Has high quality microswitches in
the assembly, instead of those dreadful contact pads. Highly accurate, no sloppy feel.
Comfortable shaft as well.
-
the konix speedking (as it was nameb here) I had one (actually i still have it in my joystick cemetery) it works well unless you need to use diagonals, whitch are a nightmare, but for 4 direction this joystik was a dream. Quickshot 2 turbo (for the ones who liked trigger joysticks) and the prof competition (and the other suzo styled joystiks) where the best in europe.
Ironically Konix went into bankrupcy while developing an home arcade system (the prototype had a moving platfform for racing / flight games also!!!)
-
Epyx 500xj
Ergonomic, fitting in the hand really comfortably. Has high quality microswitches in
the assembly, instead of those dreadful contact pads. Highly accurate, no sloppy feel.
Comfortable shaft as well.
I used one of these with my Atari 600, Commodore 64, and Amiga's back in the day. That was a great little joystick.
-
unless you need to use diagonals
Strange that you say that. In order to pass a high level in Maze Hunter for the SMS,
you had one square to orient, and then had to make a perfect transition diagonally
two squares, and time the jump across the chasm.
I couldnt do it on an sms pad but maybe once in 40 tries. Yet the epyx made the
task actually achievable. Hard, but not utterly impossible like the standard d-pad.
I used one of these with my Atari 600, Commodore 64, and Amiga's back in the day. That was a great little joystick.
Hell Yeah :) I bought it for my c-64, and used it on the Amiga, and Sms.
Another cool little gamepad was packed with a neo geo i think. I had a pc version
that was similar too. The flat top D-Pad used micros rather than the pressure pads. Made it much more accurate and enjoyable, as the feeling to these was a bit better.
-
Personally, I cant believe anyone would want one of these.
They were wretchedly horrible joysticks. Ate up the hands, were sloppy and
inaccurate, stiff, and the internal pads wear and cause intermittent connections.
You had to use one hand to fire and hold the thing... and so it was very clumsy
and awkward.
Totally agreed. The first one broke about a week after the warranty expired (6 months only, that's not even allowed anymore here). The 2nd went 2 weeks later.
I prefered the Suzo as it was SO true to the arcade. I had (actually, still have) the leaf-switch version which works great until this day:
(http://www.ntrautanen.fi/computers/other/images/competition_pro_5000.jpg)
They USB-ed and "repro-ed" these too and DO NOT BUY it.
http://www.plug-ins.net/product.php?productid=340&cat=228&page=1
It sucks totally in every possible way. The only suggestion I could make is use the USB interface to put it in an original if you must.
-
unless you need to use diagonals
Strange that you say that. In order to pass a high level in Maze Hunter for the SMS,
you had one square to orient, and then had to make a perfect transition diagonally
two squares, and time the jump across the chasm.
I couldnt do it on an sms pad but maybe once in 40 tries. Yet the epyx made the
task actually achievable. Hard, but not utterly impossible like the standard d-pad.
I used one of these with my Atari 600, Commodore 64, and Amiga's back in the day. That was a great little joystick.
Hell Yeah :) I bought it for my c-64, and used it on the Amiga, and Sms.
Another cool little gamepad was packed with a neo geo i think. I had a pc version
that was similar too. The flat top D-Pad used micros rather than the pressure pads. Made it much more accurate and enjoyable, as the feeling to these was a bit better.
I dont know the latest (or the US) versions but the versions that i had of the speedking (single button atari standard) diagonal arc of engage was not more than 5°~ 7° you had to be very precise. I had 3 of them and all shared this "problem".
-
They USB-ed and "repro-ed" these too and DO NOT BUY it.
http://www.plug-ins.net/product.php?productid=340&cat=228&page=1
It sucks totally in every possible way. The only suggestion I could make is use the USB interface to put it in an original if you must.
The reissue is bad not THAT bad (but still light years away from the real thing) and for 9€ (around 15$) one can't ask for too much, the only thing that i didnt understand i s why they put a ten ton spring for the centering, that stik used to play decathlon (or track and field) will make you use the same amount of calories as you were really running the marathon.
-
I remember the atari sticks having very little throw and being quite accurate. Regardless, and pulling the thread back on track, I wanted to check 'em out. Curiously, I got an email back in a couple/few hours that day. They asked for a copy of my transaction. I sent this via email. Haven't heard anything since.
-
They USB-ed and "repro-ed" these too and DO NOT BUY it.
http://www.plug-ins.net/product.php?productid=340&cat=228&page=1
It sucks totally in every possible way. The only suggestion I could make is use the USB interface to put it in an original if you must.
The reissue is bad not THAT bad (but still light years away from the real thing) and for 9€ (around 15$) one can't ask for too much, the only thing that i didnt understand i s why they put a ten ton spring for the centering, that stik used to play decathlon (or track and field) will make you use the same amount of calories as you were really running the marathon.
The only thing ? Let me start: The buttons don't even stay straight because of the way they put them on the microswitches.They will allways hang to a side which gives it a ridiculous cheap look. Also rhe buttons don't even look the same and have a flat top instead of concave. The microswitches are the hardest switches I've _ever_ come across. I couldn't play it for longer than 5 minutes untill getting very tired of it (besides being totally annoyed by it).
The overall construction is just cheap and flimsy. Of course I'm spoilt because I have a very rare early original Suzo that has leaf switches for both buttons AND the stick and it's heaven compared to hell. The 9 bucks are a good investment though, use the USB PCB in an original Suzo and you have a sweet computer/MAME joystick.
-
Still no word from them, and a couple weeks ago I even called and left a message. At least it was only thirty bucks.
-
Hi Ummom,
If you left a voicemail, it is no surprise no one has gotten back to you - the link at http://www.legacyengineer.com/store.html clearly states to send email, not voicemails, the telco# is information messages only, no voicemails are responded to. To leave any requests/questions/comments to online.sales@legacyengineer.com
If your order is lost, missing, or backlogged, if you do email, it says - send a cut&paste of your google order receipt and make sure you include your current mailing address. When you do so you immediately get put into the new system and your order is filled.
Try it, you might like it ;D
Anyway, looks like lots of orders have been going out the door, it would be nice to start to see those here on the boards who've sent their info and gotten their orders to give their review of the controllers.
-
Try it, you might like it ;D
Thanks for the tip. I finally found my receipt email and forwarded it to the email address you listed. Curt responded within hours and is working on my shipment. Can't wait!
-
I will have to try again. I've done the email twice to no response.
-
I just saw this, looks like its true, people are definitely getting their orders:
http://www.atariage.com/forums/topic/131503-an-atari-joystick-this-christmas/page__view__findpost__p__1823508
-
>
> http://www.atariage.com/forums/topic/131503-an-atari-joystick-this-christmas/page__st__325__p__1823508&#entry1823508
>
> I shipped out nearly 800 orders this weekend alone.
>
These volumes don't seem realistic.
If each order takes 5min to process, box and ultimately ship, this would have taken 66 hours (2.7 days) to complete ... working non-stop!
Something just doesn't add up here.
Then again, maybe there is an army of immigrants who are taking orders and pushing them out the door with exceptional turnaround times. :)
This is the second time there has been reference to large volumes of orders for this product.
-
It says on the store page in the FAQ that they only ship out once a week, so if you are packing orders for 6 days (gotta have at least one day off, right? -- maybe not) then the figure is totally realistic, all you are doing is sticking a product into a box, taping it up and putting a label on it, I doubt it would even take 5mins each for something like that.
-
I emailed (with my receipt) a few times, and then decided to call. Then, last saturday maybe, I emailed again, and I received a message from Curt within half an hour maybe. He said he just set a two-stick order on the bench and that it would be out Monday, and here's the USPS tracking number. I haven't looked cos USPS tracking blows, so I'm just waiting. Was gonna wait till I got it to say anything, but since the thread got revived....
-
Exact same experience, minus the tracking #. Earlier when I emailed I didn't hear back, but this time a day or so ago I emailed and heard back immediately. I think he's catching up on his backlog. Assuming it pans out, and I'm pretty optimistic it will, I gotta give him kudos for coming back from a health problem of the magnitude he had and making all his transactions right.
-
Update: I actually got these in the mail two days ago (Wed), but I hadn't checked the mail before I posted. Two day post (Mon-Wed) is good. I may write up a review later, but I'll mention I hooked 'em up and they tested out fine. Seemed quite authentic, Atari-wise. Love the short throw. Not good for 4-way games. Kinda uncomfortable in the hand after a bit - as the originals were. Might be killer if firmly mounted inside a panel. Remember these have multi-input controllers that can be tapped.
-
My favourite C64 joystick was the Wico command control with red ball top:
http://www.the3dstudio.com/product_details.aspx?id_product=55457
This was a tank of a joystick and never ever let me down.
-
Anybody else receive their orders - anyone have a write up or review of these?
I'd love to see a YouTube review to see them actually work with games.
-
I sent my Google Checkout receipt to sales@legacyengineer.com as indicated on August 25th. I received an email back the same day. Received all 4 joysticks on 9/3. Looks like he's got 'em moving along...
-TP
-
Anybody else receive their orders - anyone have a write up or review of these?
I'd love to see a YouTube review to see them actually work with games.
I have received my first order (I ordered 1, then ordered a second pair for a total of three). Haven't had a chance to open and play with it yet, but I can verify one of my orders is in my hands :)
-
Anyone seen this - new special editions (only 250 pieces each) going on sale next week:
http://www.legacyengineer.com/storefront
:applaud:
-
Well somebody did post up a youtube video, but its for another product from Legacy - a board to upgrade older original joysticks - I like the background music :lol
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVSmt_Q67g8
Curt
Anybody else receive their orders - anyone have a write up or review of these?
I'd love to see a YouTube review to see them actually work with games.
-
Anyone seen this - new special editions (only 250 pieces each) going on sale next week:
http://www.legacyengineer.com/storefront
:applaud:
Are they only different by the housing and button colors?