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Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: shatter on February 16, 2007, 12:55:34 pm

Title: Do I need to get the long shaft for the Ultrastik 360?
Post by: shatter on February 16, 2007, 12:55:34 pm: Hi,

I am building a control panel using 3/4" ACX plywood and just got two ultrastiks for it with the standard shaft length. It seems a bit short, is it worth going to the 0.4 inch longer shaft or will it play ok as is? Seems like you'll only be able to hold the joysticks with your finger tips instead of grasping with your whole hand.

Opinions on this? An alternative would be to route the underside of the control panel to make the thickness less.

Thanks!
Title: Re: Do I need to get the long shaft for the Ultrastik 360?
Post by: Aurich on February 16, 2007, 01:10:14 pm: I like the standard shaft, but I have a metal CP, so yours sounds too short for me. :dunno
Title: Re: Do I need to get the long shaft for the Ultrastik 360?
Post by: Kaytrim on February 16, 2007, 01:14:36 pm: Another option is to mount them from the top and recess the mounting plate.
Title: Re: Do I need to get the long shaft for the Ultrastik 360?
Post by: RobotronNut on February 16, 2007, 02:04:16 pm: the shorter the shaft, the quicker the engagement, and the higher your scores in many games (all else being equal). i prefer the shortest shaft i can get away with, without chafing my knuckles against the panel. for my fingers, the stock u360 shaft works well with the round ball top in a 3/4" wood panel with no routing. YMMV.

[edit: added qualifications in italics above]
Title: Re: Do I need to get the long shaft for the Ultrastik 360?
Post by: somunny on February 16, 2007, 02:06:52 pm: I need to grow up beacuse I'm finding this discussion quite amusing.
Title: Re: Do I need to get the long shaft for the Ultrastik 360?
Post by: Dmod on February 16, 2007, 02:32:30 pm: My CP is 5/8" MDF, and I've got the oval top U360s.

I found that routing the underside of my panel to 7/16" thickness was a lot more comfortable.
Title: Re: Do I need to get the long shaft for the Ultrastik 360?
Post by: divemaster127 on February 16, 2007, 02:35:44 pm: I have the longer shafts in stock if you need
dm
Title: Re: Do I need to get the long shaft for the Ultrastik 360?
Post by: squirrellydw on February 16, 2007, 03:59:25 pm: I used the longer shafts in 3/4 mdf and I like it. I mounted them from the bottom, seems perfact to me
Title: Re: Do I need to get the long shaft for the Ultrastik 360?
Post by: divemaster127 on February 16, 2007, 04:02:14 pm: thats what i did the stock shaft at least for my cp were just to short
dm
Title: Re: Do I need to get the long shaft for the Ultrastik 360?
Post by: rockin_rick on February 16, 2007, 05:45:56 pm: Quote from: RobotronNut on February 16, 2007, 02:04:16 pm
the shorter the shaft, the quicker the engagement, and the higher your scores in many games (all else being equal)

Using the longer shaft will increase the throw of the stick, along with increasing the engagement distance. Perhaps using the circle restrictor along with the longer shaft will offset the greater throw and engagement distance? How will this compare to using the shorter shaft without the circle restrictor (short + no restrictor vs. long + restrictor)?

Rick
Title: Re: Do I need to get the long shaft for the Ultrastik 360?
Post by: shatter on February 16, 2007, 10:39:00 pm: Thanks for all the replies. I am going to go ahead and get the longer shafts and use them with the circle restrictor and give it a go.

Thanks!
Title: Re: Do I need to get the long shaft for the Ultrastik 360?
Post by: squirrellydw on February 17, 2007, 12:19:00 am: Quote from: shatter on February 16, 2007, 10:39:00 pm
Thanks for all the replies. I am going to go ahead and get the longer shafts and use them with the circle restrictor and give it a go.

Thanks!

thats what Ihave its perfact and I am drunk........I love rum
Title: Re: Do I need to get the long shaft for the Ultrastik 360?
Post by: Donkey_Kong on February 17, 2007, 01:33:43 am: Quote from: squirrellydw on February 17, 2007, 12:19:00 am
Quote from: shatter on February 16, 2007, 10:39:00 pm
Thanks for all the replies. I am going to go ahead and get the longer shafts and use them with the circle restrictor and give it a go.

Thanks!

thats what Ihave its perfact and I am drunk........I love rum

:laugh2:
Title: Re: Do I need to get the long shaft for the Ultrastik 360?
Post by: destructor on February 17, 2007, 04:16:04 am: Quote from: RobotronNut on February 16, 2007, 02:04:16 pm
the shorter the shaft, the quicker the engagement, and the higher your scores in many games (all else being equal). i prefer the shortest shaft i can get away with, without chafing my knuckles against the panel. for my fingers, the stock u360 shaft works well with the round ball top in a 3/4" wood panel with no routing. YMMV.
Yes, RobotronNut is right.
Use shorter shafts, are very comfortable.
Title: Re: Do I need to get the long shaft for the Ultrastik 360?
Post by: JustMichael on February 17, 2007, 04:53:28 am: I just wish they had thicker shafts and a hole right down the center. It would be nice to light up the ball.
Title: Re: Do I need to get the long shaft for the Ultrastik 360?
Post by: RobotronNut on February 17, 2007, 01:55:00 pm: Quote from: rockin_rick on February 16, 2007, 05:45:56 pm
Using the longer shaft will increase the throw of the stick, along with increasing the engagement distance. Perhaps using the circle restrictor along with the longer shaft will offset the greater throw and engagement distance? How will this compare to using the shorter shaft without the circle restrictor (short + no restrictor vs. long + restrictor)?

so far, i've only tried the U360 in 4-way mode. may be a while before i can give it a thorough workout in 8-way mode with robotron. judging by my experience with the square restrictor in 4-way mode, i expect that the short shaft AND the circle restrictor will be best for robotron.

btw, the U360 makes a fine 4-way, but if you're looking for a dedicated 4-way, the J-stik is very similar in feel and performance and is MUCH less expensive. (the U360 and J-stik share the same basic mechanism.) the J-stik is my new favorite 4-way.
Title: Re: Do I need to get the long shaft for the Ultrastik 360?
Post by: destructor on February 17, 2007, 02:03:26 pm: Quote from: rockin_rick on February 16, 2007, 05:45:56 pm
How will this compare to using the shorter shaft without the circle restrictor (short + no restrictor vs. long + restrictor)?
No compare :D Impossible is to U360 without restrictor to play on normal 4/8-way games. Toooooooooo long throw, never mind short or long shaft.

Circle restrictor - excellent for some games. Now I use U360 with circle on Wonder Boy 3 - excellent.