Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum

Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: spacies on May 11, 2007, 09:18:48 pm

Title: Any good joysticks out there that....
Post by: spacies on May 11, 2007, 09:18:48 pm

...are 8 way, 4 way and 2 way?

All the ones I use are only 8 and 4.

I have some old RCA plastic ones that have a restrictor plate on the bottom but they are ugly.

 :cheers:
Title: Re: Any good joysticks out there that....
Post by: Kremmit on May 12, 2007, 12:06:55 am

...are 8 way, 4 way and 2 way?

All the ones I use are only 8 and 4.

I have some old RCA plastic ones that have a restrictor plate on the bottom but they are ugly.

 :cheers:

RCA?  You mean MCA, don'tcha? 

I remember seeing some Asian import joys all over ebay a while back that had that same restrictor setup on the bottom, just unscrew the two screws on the plate and move it down to the next hole to change the action.  I think somebody said they were Korean.  Haven't seen 'em in a while, though. 
Title: Re: Any good joysticks out there that....
Post by: spacies on May 12, 2007, 12:15:58 am

Heh,

yeah MCA.

I am on a mission to find a new turntable so have HiFi on the brain at the mo'.

 ;D
Title: Re: Any good joysticks out there that....
Post by: Tahnok on May 12, 2007, 12:41:39 am
The Ultimarc UltraStik 360 can be changed between 8, 4, and 2 way from software. Of course though, that's only software, not physical restriction.

Why 2 way? 2 way games can be player fine with a 4 way joystick.
Title: Re: Any good joysticks out there that....
Post by: spacies on May 12, 2007, 12:48:04 am

The Joysticks will be going in a Multi Williams machine.
This is JAMMA not MAME.

I have the Control Panel on a fancy hinge so it lifts up to allow fast access to the underside.
I was hoping to find some sticks that would be easy to switch for this machine so when playing Defender, Stargate etc you could lift up the panel, change the restrictor and play!

If there isnt a stick out there then I may have to mill out a restrictor plate or come up with an idea myself.
Title: Re: Any good joysticks out there that....
Post by: BULL on May 12, 2007, 01:42:04 am
http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=65&products_id=292

BULL
Title: Re: Any good joysticks out there that....
Post by: Timoe on May 12, 2007, 01:48:11 am
the Seimitsu sticks come with an all-in-one restrictor plate for 2, 4, 8 way action.

But  you have to undo the screws, move the restrictor and reinsert the screws to change it.
Title: Re: Any good joysticks out there that....
Post by: Donkey_Kong on May 12, 2007, 02:15:02 am
Mitch Gerson reviewed the The Rollie Electronics 4/8 Way Adjustable Joystick. He talks about a 2-way function in his video review.

Check it out here...
http://retroblast.com/reviews/RollieJoystick-11232006-01.html

Retail is like $12.95.
(http://retroblast.com/photos/Rollie%20Joystick/RetroBlast%20Review%20-%20Rollie%20Joysticks%20(9).jpg)
Title: Re: Any good joysticks out there that....
Post by: Kremmit on May 14, 2007, 12:58:40 pm
the Seimitsu sticks come with an all-in-one restrictor plate for 2, 4, 8 way action.

But  you have to undo the screws, move the restrictor and reinsert the screws to change it.

That's how the MCA sticks he's talking about work, too.  Also the mystery ebay ones I was talking about- and one of those just surfaced: 
Shortened ebay link (http://cgi.ebay.com/Pink-Red-Balltop-Joystick-2-4-8-Way-Arcade-Jamma_W0QQitemZ280114859383QQihZ018QQcategoryZ13718QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)

It's on USA ebay, which probably puts it out of reach for you, Spacies- but the name stamped on the side might help you locate one on your side of the globe.

(http://i15.ebayimg.com/06/i/000/9e/e5/103e_1.JPG)


edit-  Oh, and hey, here's one of those MCA sticks, too:
another shortened ebay link (http://cgi.ebay.com/MCA-multigame-or-crane-Joystick-2-4-8-way_W0QQitemZ280114491100QQihZ018QQcategoryZ13718QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)

(http://i12.ebayimg.com/02/i/000/9e/a7/6da5_1_b.JPG)
Title: Re: Any good joysticks out there that....
Post by: DarkBubble on May 14, 2007, 02:37:26 pm
Mitch Gerson reviewed the The Rollie Electronics 4/8 Way Adjustable Joystick. He talks about a 2-way function in his video review.

Check it out here...
http://retroblast.com/reviews/RollieJoystick-11232006-01.html

Retail is like $12.95.
(http://retroblast.com/photos/Rollie%20Joystick/RetroBlast%20Review%20-%20Rollie%20Joysticks%20(9).jpg)

$10.95.  Ponyboy hadn't added them to his inventory list, but confirmed price an availability via PM when I asked about them.  He said he was going to add them, but ommitted them in his recent update.
Title: Re: Any good joysticks out there that....
Post by: ahofle on May 14, 2007, 03:12:02 pm
Pretty nice stick.  If someone could figure out a way to switch that restrictor from above the control panel, it would be perfect.
Title: Re: Any good joysticks out there that....
Post by: SavannahLion on May 14, 2007, 03:32:25 pm
Pretty nice stick.  If someone could figure out a way to switch that restrictor from above the control panel, it would be perfect.

Except it would add yet another annoying control to the top of a CP. IMO, under the CP lip might be a better place for something like that.

I think there's a joystick that already has that feature. Can't remember who carries it though.

RandyT carries what you're thinking of (http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=195&zenid=b7eda362aaa0ccc2e54cd263da659d10).
Title: Re: Any good joysticks out there that....
Post by: ahofle on May 14, 2007, 03:43:44 pm
I guess I was thinking of some way to manipulate it using only the joystick and not a separate lever (like pulling up and twisting or something).  I've seen the Omni stick, but the mounting plate is too large IMO.  It's definitely the best option out there for changing restrictors above the CP though.  I guess someone would've invented it by now if it were possible.
Title: Re: Any good joysticks out there that....
Post by: Zebidee on May 14, 2007, 04:11:30 pm
Have you seen Ultimarc's Magstick?  Allows 4/8 way changing by lifting the joystick and turning it 90 degrees.

http://ultimarc.com/controls.html

I've got some and they work well.


Title: Re: Any good joysticks out there that....
Post by: ahofle on May 14, 2007, 04:37:04 pm
I totally forgot about the magstick plus.  I remember there being issues with the throw (or was it the return-to-center).  I need to do some research.  Sounds like you are happy with it though.  Thx!
Title: Re: Any good joysticks out there that....
Post by: pointdablame on May 14, 2007, 05:10:52 pm
The Magstik plus and Omnistick Prodigy only do 4 and 8way though, The OP is looking for a 2,4,8 way solution.
Title: Re: Any good joysticks out there that....
Post by: TOK on May 14, 2007, 05:57:53 pm
Spacies, I originally wanted to do the same thing as you. I went so far as looking at a dedicated two way before deciding I wanted to play more than just Defender/Stargate.

I didn't like some of the comments I read about the software mapped sticks, so ultimately, I went with the Sanwa 4/8 way. It's available in a red balltop, so the Williams look is right, and the throw is very light for a microswitch stick. If you can't find another solution, I'd recommend these. I can tell you that Defender and Stargate play fine with them.
Title: Re: Any good joysticks out there that....
Post by: Zebidee on May 14, 2007, 06:07:13 pm
I don't want to get into a discussion about the pros of dedicated 2-way joys (again, I sound like a sex-ed teacher).  But really, an 8-way is as good as a 2-way.  Its all I ever use for galaga etc.  Pretty hard to mess it up.

Issues with Magstick Plus throw:  I think I know the throw issue, and the solution.  You need to carefully adjust the u-bracket at the end, under the lock-tight nut.  It needs to be snug to the rectangular washer underneath, and the nut adjusted to be tight but still allowing free rotation.  It is easy to accidentally bend the u-bracket if you disassemble the joystick to install it into a CP.  You also need to ensure that the 4 microswitch leaves are all pretty similarly adjusted, and tight to the shaft .... you can carefully use needle-nose pliers (and a spanner/wrench for the nut) to fix both of these problems.

Title: Re: Any good joysticks out there that....
Post by: spacies on May 14, 2007, 06:58:51 pm

Cheers fellas.

I think for the amount of hassle to change the restrictor plate each time, its probably not worth it in the end.

I currently use Sanwa sticks, thanks TOK, so I will just stick with those.
And I will leave set at 8 way.

Problem being is that Joust requires left and right onle and Defender, Satrgate requires up and down. Roborton 8 way, so you can imagine how much stuffing around there would be.

Until myself or someone else comes up with an idea, Sanwa 8 balltops is the way it is!

Thanks for your input and help.

I will put this one on the 'to do'  list.

Ok, while typing this I had an idea.
I will have a play today and see if it will work.

 :cheers:

Title: Re: Any good joysticks out there that....
Post by: shorthair on May 14, 2007, 07:32:10 pm
Have you seen Ultimarc's Magstick?  Allows 4/8 way changing by lifting the joystick and turning it 90 degrees.

http://ultimarc.com/controls.html

I've got some and they work well.




I think the issue was with the T-stick, hence the Mag-stick. On the Omni-stick, I don't like that the slider is a flange, vs a knob. Maybe not a finger issue, but more likely than if it were round or elliptical.