Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum

Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: M.Lanza on August 21, 2008, 03:39:39 pm

Title: Adding microswitches to U360's ?
Post by: M.Lanza on August 21, 2008, 03:39:39 pm
I just got my U360's today and will be using them with the circular restrictor kit.
I was wondering if anyone has tried these sticks with microswitches installed to add clickiness to them.
The microswitches wouldn't be connected to anything and I guess the feel and action of the sticks would change,
but would they effect control functionallity in any way?

I just woke up, so my question may not be totally understandable.
Title: Re: Adding microswitches to U360's ?
Post by: Ginsu Victim on August 21, 2008, 04:53:17 pm
It's just the whole concept that doesn't compute.

One of the main things I love about my U360s is the LACK of clicks.

I grew up on leaf joysticks, so I'm not keen on microswitch joysticks.
Title: Re: Adding microswitches to U360's ?
Post by: fatfingers on August 21, 2008, 05:25:50 pm

 :dizzy:

I guess I'm just too old.  *sigh*

Title: Re: Adding microswitches to U360's ?
Post by: Visitor Q on August 21, 2008, 06:12:01 pm
Do the 360 seem that unresponsive or sloppy?
Title: Re: Adding microswitches to U360's ?
Post by: CheffoJeffo on August 21, 2008, 06:15:34 pm
That's definitely an original question ... I know that I'm too old, but adding clickiness ... wow!

 :dunno
Title: Re: Adding microswitches to U360's ?
Post by: Turnarcades on August 21, 2008, 06:28:50 pm
Kind of defeats the point of using 360's doesn't it? An analogue stick shouldn't feel clicky as the space it passes through triggers optical sensors. You risk losing functionality by hacking in switches. If responsiveness is a problem, try using stiffer springs.
Title: Re: Adding microswitches to U360's ?
Post by: Franco B on August 21, 2008, 06:40:22 pm
It's just the whole concept that doesn't compute.

Same here. If you want a U360 that clicks (without the 360 functions) buy a Sanwa JLW, (they are the same).
Title: Re: Adding microswitches to U360's ?
Post by: Ginsu Victim on August 21, 2008, 06:45:04 pm
Visitor Q:
Quit freaking out!

They're great sticks ;D
Title: Re: Adding microswitches to U360's ?
Post by: NickG on August 21, 2008, 08:57:02 pm
I may add switches to mine later, but I am planning to actually wire them up, if I do.  IIRC, you would also need to add an actuator to the shaft which will strike the switches.  This would change the feeling, but only partially - the return-to-center action remains unchanged.  If you are really just adding them to attain a certain feeling, you may enjoy better results by attaching the U360's magnet and PCB to a joystick which already has that particular feeling.  This of course, limits the functionality of the controller similarly to using a restrictor plate.
 
Title: Re: Adding microswitches to U360's ?
Post by: Timstuff on August 21, 2008, 09:04:40 pm
err... got my U360s mixed up with my P360s... But still, this seems like a pretty pointless idea.
Title: Re: Adding microswitches to U360's ?
Post by: M.Lanza on August 22, 2008, 08:06:24 am
Huh, I guess that makes me the first.  :)

Anyway, I installed the microswitches along with the circular restrictor plate
and now it feels just like the jlw's that i'm used to.
The still have the full range of motion, so they don't seem to hamper functionallity at all.
I'll have to try it without the restrictor plate to see if that changes.

Do the 360 seem that unresponsive or sloppy?

These sticks are very responsive, there's no problem with that.
The sticks I had before were sanwa JLW's which the U360's are based on.
When I mounted these sticks, it was kind of a shock to me how different they feel with the stock spring.
It's not that their sloppy, because they are well built, it's just that these sticks feels like they have no resistance.

While the stock sticks arn't right for me, they may be perfect for someone else.
Just about every aspect of these sticks is customizable. It's like a joystick that you can talior to your needs.


I was just wanting to try this out and see if anyone else has.
I will get some stiffer springs though.
Title: Re: Adding microswitches to U360's ?
Post by: Visitor Q on August 22, 2008, 08:29:32 am
Visitor Q:
Quit freaking out!

They're great sticks ;D

I'm in overload mode with all this information!  :P
Title: Re: Adding microswitches to U360's ?
Post by: Blanka on August 22, 2008, 08:49:24 am
An analogue stick shouldn't feel clicky as the space it passes through triggers optical sensors. You risk losing functionality by hacking in switches.
Optical? U360s work by utilizing the Hall effect (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hall_effect). Even works through some cheese, hairballs or other puzz.
Title: Re: Adding microswitches to U360's ?
Post by: Ginsu Victim on August 22, 2008, 09:42:18 am
gimp_hand:

The stiffer springs will make a huge difference. I don't recommend anyone using the stock spring.
Title: Re: Adding microswitches to U360's ?
Post by: FrizzleFried on August 22, 2008, 10:08:23 am
Yup...a first.  I've heard of many people bitching about the clickiness but no one complaining about the LACK of clickiness of a stick....


...until now!   ;D
Title: Re: Adding microswitches to U360's ?
Post by: cadmium on August 28, 2008, 06:26:23 pm
I'm curious what kind of microswitches you used? I assume you just added them back where the original switches went? Would cherry switches fit?
Title: Re: Adding microswitches to U360's ?
Post by: Ummon on August 28, 2008, 09:10:45 pm
Yup...a first.  I've heard of many people bitching about the clickiness but no one complaining about the LACK of clickiness of a stick....


...until now!   ;D

Kids. Actually, we have seen a few here and there say they preferred micro-switches because they grew up with SF, etc. I don't even remember a micro-switch stick in the 80s or early 90s, but I didn't play fighters. (I didn't often play video games after high school.)
Title: Re: Adding microswitches to U360's ?
Post by: M.Lanza on August 29, 2008, 12:11:31 am
I'm curious what kind of microswitches you used? I assume you just added them back where the original switches went? Would cherry switches fit?

I used the microswitches that came with my sanwa jlw's.

You can use any microswitch as long as they have the metal arms that protrude from them.
Title: Re: Adding microswitches to U360's ?
Post by: Ginsu Victim on August 29, 2008, 08:28:20 am
Not to sound rude, but this is ---smurf-poop---. I don't see the point in putting microswitches on such an expensive stick. Go with the JLWs instead.

Modding the U360 is a great ability, but not in this way.