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Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: Charlie97L on May 17, 2016, 04:47:35 pm

Title: Joystick for 4, 8 and 45 degrees?
Post by: Charlie97L on May 17, 2016, 04:47:35 pm
Is there a joystick out there that's capable of doing all 3 functions that's easy to change?

4 way, 8 way, 45 degrees?

Thanks!
Title: Re: Joystick for 4, 8 and 45 degrees?
Post by: johnrt on May 17, 2016, 04:51:27 pm
The Ultrastik 360. It's an analog programmable joystick.
http://ultimarc.com/ultrastik_info.html (http://ultimarc.com/ultrastik_info.html)
Title: Re: Joystick for 4, 8 and 45 degrees?
Post by: pbj on May 17, 2016, 05:05:25 pm
Ultrastik does not have physical restrictors.  Nobody uses those things.

Title: Re: Joystick for 4, 8 and 45 degrees?
Post by: Charlie97L on May 17, 2016, 05:10:05 pm
Hm, I did see that one... Any other options?   That wouldn't be my first choice!
Title: Re: Joystick for 4, 8 and 45 degrees?
Post by: Slippyblade on May 17, 2016, 07:12:55 pm
For what you are wanting, the Ultra is the answer.  It *should* be your first choice.
Title: Re: Joystick for 4, 8 and 45 degrees?
Post by: Charlie97L on May 17, 2016, 07:23:28 pm
I've used one and it feels a bit odd, but yeah, it's the obvious choice, just making sure I'm not missing any other options.  :)
Title: Re: Joystick for 4, 8 and 45 degrees?
Post by: Ginsu Victim on May 18, 2016, 10:37:36 am
Happ Universal

(https://na.suzohapp.com/images/50/50604800_lrg.jpg)
Title: Re: Joystick for 4, 8 and 45 degrees?
Post by: pbj on May 18, 2016, 11:10:00 am
Yeah, I've got a Happ Universal (or j-stick or whatever the hell Ultimarc was calling them) on two cabinets.  Hate it. 
Title: Re: Joystick for 4, 8 and 45 degrees?
Post by: Ginsu Victim on May 18, 2016, 11:14:48 am
Yeah, I've got a Happ Universal (or j-stick or whatever the hell Ultimarc was calling them) on two cabinets.  Hate it.

E-stik is the Ultimarc version.

I hated them as well, and replaced them with the U360s, but it fits what he's looking for.
Title: Re: Joystick for 4, 8 and 45 degrees?
Post by: Charlie97L on May 18, 2016, 11:49:00 am
Could I program an 8 way to work?
Title: Re: Joystick for 4, 8 and 45 degrees?
Post by: Slippyblade on May 18, 2016, 12:51:49 pm
On a normal 8-way stick there is no "program".  It's a simple mechanical device that consists of 4 switches that are either connected or not.
Title: Re: Joystick for 4, 8 and 45 degrees?
Post by: RandyT on May 18, 2016, 03:21:16 pm
Is there a joystick out there that's capable of doing all 3 functions that's easy to change?

4 way, 8 way, 45 degrees?

It's pretty much the default capability list for virtually any square restricted 4/8 way selectable joystick.  With these sticks in 8-way mode, it's easy to find the corners for 45 degree games (like Q-bert.)  The only difference is that 2 switches are actuated instead of one.  If the switches are adjusted well, there's little difference between a square restricted 8-way, and a diamond restricted 4-way rotated 45 degrees, so long as MAME is configured properly for the game.
Title: Re: Joystick for 4, 8 and 45 degrees?
Post by: 8BitMonk on May 18, 2016, 06:08:42 pm
Ultrastik does not have physical restrictors.  Nobody uses those things.

Ultrastiks have physical restrictor plates just like any other joystick, 4-way, 8-way, round, octagonal. Plenty of people use them, including myself, and love them.

I've used one and it feels a bit odd, but yeah, it's the obvious choice, just making sure I'm not missing any other options.  :)

Keep in mind the different restrictor plates and light or heavy springs, the one you tried isn't necessarily representative of what they all feel like.
Title: Re: Joystick for 4, 8 and 45 degrees?
Post by: severdhed on May 19, 2016, 09:21:14 am
i use sanwa JLW / Ulimarc J-Stiks for everything and i love them.  They are excellent in 4 way mode. they work great in 8 way mode, and for qbert, use the 8way mode and remap mame to use two inputs for each direction.  _for example up in qbert = up + right on the joystick.  because of the square gate, it is incredibly easy to find the corners and this works very well.
Title: Re: Joystick for 4, 8 and 45 degrees?
Post by: Charlie97L on May 19, 2016, 09:27:46 am
Is that stick bottom switchable?
Title: Re: Joystick for 4, 8 and 45 degrees?
Post by: severdhed on May 22, 2016, 11:16:41 pm
yes.  the stock JLW requires that you loosen 4 screws.  if you go with the J-Stik, they are modified with longer screws/springs/washers so that no tools are required
Title: Re: Joystick for 4, 8 and 45 degrees?
Post by: GeoMan on May 23, 2016, 04:31:09 pm
One more vote for Ultrasticks, as i use 3 of them for a long time. I wanted a joystick to play all kind of games: Analog, 8/4 way, diagonal for QBert.

I use a thick spring and a round restrictor. The stick is set to analog mode and i limit the directions by just creating a <game>.ini file, adding a joystick_map and placing it into the Mame INI folder.

For Crushroller, Pacman, Lady Bug and other 4-way joystick games -> joystick_map s8.4s8.44s8.4445

QBert diagonals -> joystick_map 4444s8888..444458888.444555888.ss5.222555666.222256666.2222s6666.2222s6666

Qix, Frogger 4-way tight control -> joystick_map 888888888.488888886.448888866.444555666.444555666.444555666.442222266.422222226.222222222.

You can also create horizontal/vertical limits or leave it in analog mode for Space Harrier. They all work perfectly!