Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum
Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: mindstein on April 19, 2004, 10:04:09 pm
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I see that everyone likes the happs supper joystick the best. Before I buy them has anyone tryed the ultimarc t-stick or j-stick series? It is a 4 and 8 way switchable joystick that said it has a restrictor built in and doesn't just deactivate the microswitches and it can be switched by a button or by pulling the actual stick out and twisting. It is a bit expensive but it looks very cool if it works like they say. The ultimarc page is here:
http://www.ultimarc.com/controls.html
I would love to here what you all think.
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http://www.arcadecontrols.org/yabbse/index.php?board=1;action=display;threadid=17708 (http://www.arcadecontrols.org/yabbse/index.php?board=1;action=display;threadid=17708) - Comprehensive post about the T-stick.
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Do a search for T-stik and Super.
I've got both, and use them for different games.
The T-stiks are more precise when you need 8 individual directions, but the supers are nice for games where you move in circles.
I prefer Wicos for the circle games, but have the top-fire supers for games that need them.
If I had to have only one type of stick it would probably be T-stiks though.
The switchable feature is really nice.
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I wouldn't trade my T-Stik Pluses (or is it T-Stiks Plus?) for the world. Well, maybe for the world, but certainly not for any other joysticks, unless the other joysticks were covered in diamonds or something, but the odds of such a trade being offered to me are rather slim.
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I personaly am not a big fan of the t-stick. The throw on it is only like
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The T-Sticks work really really well. The ONLY bad thing about them in my opinion is they do have a very short throw. Of course that could be good for some games... But the whole 4-8way switch works awesome.
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Thanks, everyone for all the info and the very fast responces. Sorry for not searching for t-stick in the forums. I have desided to build a multi control panel cabinet (I was inspired by 1-up) and will use several joysticks and I will go with your recomedations on the right stick for the right game. All of the input was very helpful and I could not have gotten it without playing with the actual sticks. This forum has been very helpfull in answering all of my questions, and geting me going on my first mame cabinet.
I will be sure to post pics and info on my project as it progresses.
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my .02 cents
I have t-stiks installed in a cocktail cab and I like them the 4-8 way thing works wonders in pacman and then when I play my shoot um ups in 8 way mode they work great. I think the short throw is a definite plus for them especially in shoot um ups becuase there is a lot of manic movement all over the place so the very short throw makes changing directions very fast and it just feels really precise compared to my happs competition so I really like it for that.
I can see why some people might not like them for fighters though. If you are a really hard core fighter freak then something with a perfectally smooth circle motion would be better. I think supers are good for that also the perfect 360 sounds like a great fighter joystick if you can afford it. I think I'm going to go with one of those or maybe one of each in my full size cab whenever I get around to finishing it.
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No one has mentioned the J-Stik yet...
It has longer throw than T-Stik,
It is a more tricky to switch 4/8-way (under panel access required),
It has pretty light spring pressure.
I can't compare directly as I haven't tried the T-Stik yet and so I'm not sure whether I would like the short throw or not. But IMO the J-Stik is a very nice stick; it is good for quick movements and circular movements and the 4-way mode works great.
Plus the chrome stick + red ball makes it better than the Super :D
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Happs Supers have been the worlds favourites for a very long time, until Ultimarc began selling T-sticks. They look very similar, but feel so different! T-sticks are the most precisse stick ever. Why? Because of their short throw. I can't understand complaints about that. I would like it even shorter. I think there are some japanese sticks, which I think use leaf switches and soft springs, which have a even shorter throw, for extreme precission with shmups. I'd really like to know more about them. Just try to play r-type with Happ Supers and with T-sticks. With which stick do you get better scores? It's interesing to know that the original version of the T-stick has been being sold by the makers (Industrias Lorenzo) by many many years. I remember that I bought my old Telemach joystick, a spanish joystick for PC. That was in 1988 I think. It mounted a T-stick, but the version with magnet for the return to center. There was another model of joystick available from the same copany, which was more expensive. It was called Telemach madera.
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I ordered two J-Sticks from Ultimarc to replace my Supers and threw in a T-stick + just in case I ever needed it or in case I really didn't like the J-sticks (not much info or opinion on them on the net). I was very satisfied w/ the Supers but I could not live without real 4 way gaming anymore.
I am very happy with the J-Sticks. The throw is a little longer then the T-Stick but they are very solid in 4 way and work well in 8 way. I highly recommend them...with two caveats.
One--if you do not have easy access to the bottom of the sticks to change them from 4 way to 8 way, get the T-sticks. If you do have easy access and want to save some money, J-sticks all the way.
Two--If you are a Robotron/Smash TV FANATIC (or Rescue for that matter, although I doubt there are many of those out there), and if you have played Robotron/Smash TV with a Super, prepare to be disappointed. I love all old 80's games but Robotron is #1 on my favorite list. The round plug and leaf spring design of the Super makes it absolutely perfect for the fluid movement needed for Robotron. I find myself getting stuck in the diagonals with the J-stick or T-stick.
Keep in mind that I don't have a problem with ANY other game--schmups, fighters, etc. all work great with the J or T-sticks. With Robotron, however, it seems to be very easy to have them slide up into the diagonal positions while you are in the heat of battle. Maybe it's my sloppy play and it might just be something that I need to get used to.
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I ordered two J-Sticks from Ultimarc to replace my Supers and threw in a T-stick + just in case I ever needed it or in case I really didn't like the J-sticks (not much info or opinion on them on the net). I was very satisfied w/ the Supers but I could not live without real 4 way gaming anymore.
I am very happy with the J-Sticks. The throw is a little longer then the T-Stick but they are very solid in 4 way and work well in 8 way. I highly recommend them...with two caveats.
One--if you do not have easy access to the bottom of the sticks to change them from 4 way to 8 way, get the T-sticks. If you do have easy access and want to save some money, J-sticks all the way.
Two--If you are a Robotron/Smash TV FANATIC (or Rescue for that matter, although I doubt there are many of those out there), and if you have played Robotron/Smash TV with a Super, prepare to be disappointed. I love all old 80's games but Robotron is #1 on my favorite list. The round plug and leaf spring design of the Super makes it absolutely perfect for the fluid movement needed for Robotron. I find myself getting stuck in the diagonals with the J-stick or T-stick.
Keep in mind that I don't have a problem with ANY other game--schmups, fighters, etc. all work great with the J or T-sticks. With Robotron, however, it seems to be very easy to have them slide up into the diagonal positions while you are in the heat of battle. Maybe it's my sloppy play and it might just be something that I need to get used to.
Pretty interesting :)
Personally I didn't like Supers (when I had them) for smashTV etc., I found I hit the diagonals too easily. I haven't tried those games with my J-Stiks yet, sounds like I might have a worse time!...
How do you rate the T-Stik vs the J-Stik? Other than the above panel switching of the T-Stik, do you have any preference?
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No real preference. T-Stick is a little better for 4 way games because of the tight throw, J-Stick is a little better for fighters due to the longer throw. I recommend either one equally--it really just depends on the needs of your cabinet.
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No real preference. T-Stick is a little better for 4 way games because of the tight throw, J-Stick is a little better for fighters due to the longer throw. I recommend either one equally--it really just depends on the needs of your cabinet.
Thanks :)
I think I'll stick with my J-Stiks in that case...I will probably be playing more fighters than 4-way games.
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I'm building a solo CP atm for primarily fighters and yesterday got around to mounting my J-Stik, and from the quick play I've had it is great for that. It's super smooth and really lightly sprung, it makes it perfect for throwing it around for specials. My other passion is vertical scrolling shmups, i think this is going to be good there too.
I like sticks with light response and it's tear shaped handle all the way for me :)
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I'm building a solo CP atm for primarily fighters and yesterday got around to mounting my J-Stik, and from the quick play I've had it is great for that. It's super smooth and really lightly sprung, it makes it perfect for throwing it around for specials. My other passion is vertical scrolling shmups, i think this is going to be good there too.
I like sticks with light response and it's tear shaped handle all the way for me :)
The J-Stik is great for scrolling shooters...I have only had a few hours play time but most of that was spent on Ghost Pilots ;D
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My only real complaint is the smaller mounting hole pattern of the T-Stick. If you are like me you drilled your control panel for the outside bolt holes on a Happ stick. T-Sticks use the inside bolt pattern. Yet another good reason to stick with the J-Stick if you have them.
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btw... out of older conversations... (no jstick or tstick in convo)
Compititions where the best for fighters. Why? They HAVE the corners. So you KNOW when you blocking. I agree with this.
Ultimates... worse the compititions... the have corners also.
Supers... These are the best for SOME classics. TimePilot, Gyrus ect which where smooth running.
I have ultimates and supers. I personally like supers for ALL but fighters myself.
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I'd like to add a question to this thread. How about some opinions form the guru's...
For a 4-way joystick what would you say/think about "Dedicated Happ Ultimate 4 Way Joystick"
For a 8-way joystick what would you say/think about "Happ Controls "Ultimate" 8/way Joysticks"
I'm thinking of buying these on ebay. Is it worth it? Or should I go with better controls?