Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum
Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: severdhed on December 03, 2008, 09:53:05 am
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well guys, i hate to do this, but i need help selecting a joystick.
i currently have a control panel that is 12" x 30". this is a 2 player panel with 6 buttons each. i currently have x-arcade sticks, buttons and encoder in a custom panel. in the center between the two players, i have a 4way stick and 2 buttons that are wired in parallel to player 1's controls. the problem is, the 4 way stick i have, i dont like. the ball top is too small, the shaft is too short, and the spring tension is too stiff.
i like having a 4way stick, because i enjoy playing alot of classics...however the experience isn't as good as i would like. I also have a 3" trackball that I am dying to install, because i want to play centipede. i had a frankenpanel a while back with everything in it, inlcuding a spinner..but i removed the trackball and spinner because i didn't use them much....but shortly there after, a friend introduced me to centipede and i have regretted removing the trackball ever since....i really won't miss the spinner much at all, so i dont need that in there
i was hoping to get away with just 2 sticks and the trackball, but i dont want to give up my 4 way games. so from what i have seen, i have 3 options:
omnistick prodigy
magstik plus
ultrastik 360
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the magstik is the lest expensive, but i am worried that the throw may be too short. i like the feel of my x-arcade sticks, they work just fine for me.
the omnistick is cool, but i'm not a big fan of the mounting plate, or the tapered shaft/ball top hybrid...it just doesn't look like anything i remember from the arcades.
the ultrastik seems like the best option, but they aren't exactly cheap. i would like to eventually get rid fo the x-arcade encoder, because the wiring is a nithtmare, and the ultrastick would allow me to connect my buttons to that. but then i'm looking at $120. and that only gives me 8 buttons each...not really enough. i realy like having dedicated exit and pause buttons. i guess i could use my mouse hack trackball interface, and make player 1 buttons 5 and 6 be wired to mouse 1 and 2. that would free up teh two buttons i need for exit and pause.
here is my concern. a friend built a cabinet, 4 player panel using happ competition sticks. he got an ultimar J-stick balltop, that he uses as a dedicated 4 way stick. it has a nice throw to it, similar to his happ sticks and my x-arcade sticks. however, the entire shaft rotates very freely. i find it quite distracting to have the shaft rotate while i'm playing. so my question is, are teh magstik or ultrastick the same way?
my xarcade shafts rotate, but you have to really try to turn them..they dont just spin while you are trying to play, neither do his happ sticks.
i dont' want to drop $60 on a stick only to find that it feels loose like that and spins....cause that will be to annoying to overcome.
can anyone provide some feedback on this?
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u360 spins, Magstick does not spin
the spinning doesn't bother me and if you use the shift function with the u360 you'll get 7 more buttons for each stick for admin functions
the other advantage besides the mapping function on the 360 is the choice of restrictors to customise the throw that you like best
if you can get past the spinning then invest in the 360's their definitely worth the price
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I don't like the word "spins" as it gives the wrong idea about the U360. Sure, it can rotate, but "spins" sounds like spinner. I like the rotation myself. Great for fighting games and shmups.
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I don't like the word "spins" as it gives the wrong idea about the U360. Sure, it can rotate, but "spins" sounds like spinner. I like the rotation myself. Great for fighting games and shmups.
good call, rotates if you try
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I went with two ultrastik 360s myself but am still waiting on all the parts to complete my CP so I can't really comment on them anymore at this time other than I did a lot of reading before I picked what to go with.
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I went with two ultrastik 360s myself but am still waiting on all the parts to complete my CP so I can't really comment on them anymore at this time other than I did a lot of reading before I picked what to go with.
I can vouch for ya. You were very informed before making your purchase. It was smart of you to ask as many questions as you did.
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Here's the review on Retroblast that made me go with the Mag Stik Plus'.
http://www.retroblast.com/20041231275/Hardware/Review-Ultimarc-Mag-Stik-Plus-Joystick.php (http://www.retroblast.com/20041231275/Hardware/Review-Ultimarc-Mag-Stik-Plus-Joystick.php)
He talks about the throw and switch-ability, (especially for games like Robotron) which really sold me.
Good luck with your choice!
:cheers: