T-Stick

[crashwg]

If anyone has used these please let me know what you think.

I like what I've read about the t-stick (especialy 8-4 way switching with that new dohicky they have) but I haven't read anywhere of anyone acctually using them so other than what I've read on their site I don't know much.

[SpamMe]

I use them and love them, but I don't have a lot of experience with the offerings of other companies really. I don't have the new dewhicky, but 4-way/8-way switching is easy.
The sticks have a very short throw, and are very clicky, which I've heard other people say is good for fighter games, but not so good for other games(again, tho, I like them a LOT, and not just for fighters).

[Sam66]

Yep, what he said.  Short throw, loud click and more positive action than the supers.

Seem to be a good solid stick, but the mounting holes are in a different place to supers.

[AndyWarne]

I'll use this chance to say a bit more about our T-stick. We have been offering a version of this stick which can be switched from 4 to 8 way without diving under the panel, for a while (ie just pull the stick outwards and turn). We are awaiting a new supply of the parts after a CNC produced batch were incorrectly made.
Another enhancement will shortly (mid-January) be an alternative micro-switch for the stick which will be retro-fittable as an option, and make the action lighter and quieter for those that prefer this.
A T-Stik Plus mark II is also on the way which has the 4-8 way "above panel" switching without using the large bracket mounted on the stick under the panel. This will simplify wiring as it will eliminate the need to dress the wires clear of the rotating bracket.

[Cameronj]

Cool! I just got a T stick last week and I like it. I didn't use it in my small control panel because the action was pretty stiff and would have made the unit move around too much. I did use an E stick for the second joystick and I like the way it switches between 4 and 8 position Mounting was super easy on that one! I have to say that I wish they had a lower spring pressure all around though. I do like them a lot however. I am probably going to do another mini control panel with the T-stick in the next couple of weeks. That would be great if I could get some of those retrofit kits that Andy mentioned!

Cameron

[Serpent]

In my opinion, the T-Stick, aka Industrias Lorenzo's Joystick (4 - 8 W) Spring Action,  is the best Arcade stick ever made. The E-stik is also very very good. Both models are very precisse and confortable. They're ages ahead in this sense from other models such as Happ Supers or Ultimates. I love T-stik's very short throw and the way it feels, very stiff and strong. It's perfect for all the games I've tried, mainly shmups.

[RetroBorg]

I'll use this chance to say a bit more about our T-stick. We have been offering a version of this stick which can be switched from 4 to 8 way without diving under the panel, for a while (ie just pull the stick outwards and turn). We are awaiting a new supply of the parts after a CNC produced batch were incorrectly made.
Another enhancement will shortly (mid-January) be an alternative micro-switch for the stick which will be retro-fittable as an option, and make the action lighter and quieter for those that prefer this.
A T-Stik Plus mark II is also on the way which has the 4-8 way "above panel" switching without using the large bracket mounted on the stick under the panel. This will simplify wiring as it will eliminate the need to dress the wires clear of the rotating bracket.

Andy, any chance the J-Stik will have the same above panel switching as the T-Stik, this hobby is just crying out for a good looking ball-top stick that could do this.

[Jakobud]

We have been offering a version of this stick which can be switched from 4 to 8 way without diving under the panel, for a while (ie just pull the stick outwards and turn).

whoa i wasn't aware you offered such a thing... is that on your website? or do you have to specifically request a special t-stick that does this?  I've heard great things about the t-stick and i think its just about the best 4/8 way switchable stick out there, but I just hated the idea of having to go under the cp to switch them.  This idea you mentioned above sounds amazingly perfect though, as long as its difficult for the player to switch on accident.  

Also, regarding the newer microswitches you talked about, will these be something that can be ordered later and installed on our own?

Anyways, i think its time for me to put in an order

[Sam66]

Andy, are the 4/8 way switch mods available separately?  They seem to be listed on your site but they're not on the order form.

If they are, or will be available then how much

[Grasshopper]

Hmm, Interesting. I'd definitely by interested in buying some of the lighter microswitches to fit to my T-Stik, and possibly also one of the T-Stik+ brackets. However I'm a bit concerned about postage costs. Correct me if I'm wrong, but the minimum seems to be

[BLACK KNIGHT]

Added T-stik to my Christmas list...

[RetroBorg]

Does anybody own both the T-Stik and J-Stik? If so, is the feel between the 2 sticks very different?

[microwrx]

I have T-Sticks in my 2 player cab and didn't realise how good they were till I got my new 4 player cab which has Australian MCA stick's in it.  It isn't till you use something else that you really appreciate the T-Sticks.  I'll be getting another couple of T-Sticks for my 4 player cab and a J-Stick for my future micro replica Gyruss dedicated cab.

As for using Airborne Express.  My first delivery to Australia from Andy was with AE and it arrived within a few days.  The second delivery was with a different carrier and took 6 weeks (it was supposed to be air freight so why 6 weeks we don't know).  He has since decided going back to AE will be the better option and personally I'd rather pay the extra.

[RetroBorg]

I have T-Sticks in my 2 player cab and didn't realise how good they were till I got my new 4 player cab which has Australian MCA stick's in it.  It isn't till you use something else that you really appreciate the T-Sticks.  I'll be getting another couple of T-Sticks for my 4 player cab and a J-Stick for my future micro replica Gyruss dedicated cab.

As for using Airborne Express.  My first delivery to Australia from Andy was with AE and it arrived within a few days.  The second delivery was with a different carrier and took 6 weeks (it was supposed to be air freight so why 6 weeks we don't know).  He has since decided going back to AE will be the better option and personally I'd rather pay the extra.

My cab has MCA joysticks too, I reallly hate how ugly they are, I think MCA's are Suzo series 500 (someone will correct me if I'm wrong). I was disappointed to see the Omni-Stik Pro was based on these as I am really looking for a ball top joystick that has 4-8 way switching ability from the top of the control panel with a choice of different colour balls.

By the way microwrx, what state are you in? I'm in Adelaide.

[RandyT]

My cab has MCA joysticks too, I reallly hate how ugly they are, I think MCA's are Suzo series 500 (someone will correct me if I'm wrong). I was disappointed to see the Omni-Stik Pro was based on these as I am really looking for a ball top joystick that has 4-8 way switching ability from the top of the control panel with a choice of different colour balls.

You are wrong.

The MCA Sticks are NOT the same as the OMNI-Stik line.  The base is completely different and the taper of the shaft is different as well.  Heck, even the texture of the handle doesn't appear to be the same.

Just because a stick has a tapered shaft, the standard in Europe,  it doesn't mean they are all made by the same manufacturer.

RandyT

[Grasshopper]

As for using Airborne Express.  My first delivery to Australia from Andy was with AE and it arrived within a few days.  The second delivery was with a different carrier and took 6 weeks (it was supposed to be air freight so why 6 weeks we don't know).  He has since decided going back to AE will be the better option and personally I'd rather pay the extra.

That's fair enough. However you have to bear in mind that I only live about 30 miles or so from Ultimarc's headquarters, whereas you live on the other side of the planet!

Ultimarc's shipping options seem to be optimised for customers who live outside the UK.

A small package sent 1st class (next day) recorded delivery by Royal Mail only costs about

[RetroBorg]

You are wrong.

The MCA Sticks are NOT the same as the OMNI-Stik line.  The base is completely different and the taper of the shaft is different as well.  Heck, even the texture of the handle doesn't appear to be the same.

Just because a stick has a tapered shaft, the standard in Europe,  it doesn't mean they are all made by the same manufacturer.

RandyT

I wasn't saying the MCA's are the same as the OMNI-Stik Pro, I was saying that I think the MCA's are Suzo series 500 (correct me if I'm wrong) and the OMNI-Stik Pro is based on the Suzo series 500 (again I may be wrong), anyway my MCA's that I have on my cabinet looks the same as your OMNI-Stik Pro does as far as the joystick handle bit goes (can't see any difference in taper and texture, but are willing to take your word they are different). Personally I think it is an ugly looking stick as are the MCA's I have in my cabinet and would rather have a ball top with steel shaft style looking stick that has above panel 4-8way switch (which at the moment doesn't exist). This is just a personal taste and I hope for you that most people don't feel this way as I think it's great you have put the time and effort into your sticks to come up with a unique solution to solve the problem people have with changing their joystick from 4-way to 8-way without having to open their control panels. Who knows I may even order a couple of your joysticks of you, if I can't find what I'm after by the time I start my next project.

[RandyT]

I wasn't saying the MCA's are the same as the OMNI-Stik Pro, I was saying that I think the MCA's are Suzo series 500 (correct me if I'm wrong) and the OMNI-Stik Pro is based on the Suzo series 500 (again I may be wrong)

The OMNI's are based on the Suzo sticks, and the MCA's look quite different to me.   But I am using photos from the Internet as a reference.

Not taking offense, just trying to keep things straight.  I don't want performance issues with an unrelated stick being confused with the product I am offering, just because the stick has a similar taper.

Would you mind posting or sending me a decent photo of one of your sticks?   I'd really like to see one "up close" for comparison purposes.

Thanks,
RandyT

[microwrx]

The MCA's are made in Australia.  Don't know what they're based on but they have "Made in Australia" stickers on them when new.  Don't even know who MCA are.

I'm in (or close enough to) Sydney.

[AndyWarne]

About our shipping: We used to use Airborne Express for Australian orders (as we do for all other orders) but had to switch to air mail because of big problems with Australian Customs, which all seemed to happen after the Bali bomb and they decided that they didn't want any overseas packages arriving. We might try to go back to Airborne for Oz order now to see if things have improved. But even with air mail the normal arrival time to Oz is not 6 weeks!
I do wish we could send UK orders via registered mail but unfortunately good ol Royal Mail don't offer a registered service to small businesses and queuing up at the Post Office is not an option unfortunately. But I will try to find some way aroung this.

[AndyWarne]

The T-Stik plus was removed from the order page when I reverted to an older version to re-instate another item which was out of stock. I then decided not to add it back because I wanted to get some better photos and also it was out of stock until today anyway.
Note the current T-Stik plus will shortly be replaced by a MK 2 version which has a different (better) 4-8 way switch which does not use the large bracket, and also a choice of microswitch pressure and handle types.

[SpamMe]

Will the new version work the same way (pull up, turn, release)? When do you expect to stock those, and will there be a price difference between the two versions?

[microwrx]

About our shipping: We used to use Airborne Express for Australian orders (as we do for all other orders) but had to switch to air mail because of big problems with Australian Customs, which all seemed to happen after the Bali bomb and they decided that they didn't want any overseas packages arriving. We might try to go back to Airborne for Oz order now to see if things have improved. But even with air mail the normal arrival time to Oz is not 6 weeks!
I do wish we could send UK orders via registered mail but unfortunately good ol Royal Mail don't offer a registered service to small businesses and queuing up at the Post Office is not an option unfortunately. But I will try to find some way aroung this.

Sorry Andy, didn't mean to make it sound as though it was 'meant' to take 6 weeks but that mine did for reasons that had nothing to do with yourself.  I'll be sending through an order in the new year.

[slicer_d]

So when are you guys getting the T-stik+ back in?  I was planning on ordering one within a month or 2.

[b3atmania]

Does anybody own both the T-Stik and J-Stik? If so, is the feel between the 2 sticks very different?

I own both and can tell you they are different indeed. The T-Stik has a heavy spring and short throw. The J-Stik is very loose moving and has a longer throw. The longer throw makes it somewhat easier to perform those mad half circle, Z, Z, quarter circle sequences they have in modern fighters...