@Kman_Sweden
You are coming from the same controller that I did. I had a Tankstick from X-Arcade and it has a very generous throw but as you know its pretty bad in 4 way unless you make manual adjustments by opening it up and even then you don't benefit from a true 4 way restrictor plate.
I will put up a Magstick review tonight but here are my initial impressions ( I will include side angles so you can see how much stick is above the CP based on a 1/2" mounting etc):
- Throw is shorter and takes some getting used to. However, no regrets on the purchase. You simply need to "re-learn" the feel of the shorter throw. It took me about a few hours to start getting used to the throw for diagonal jumps in games like Black Tiger for example.
- Games like Robotron 2084 (this was also mentioned in another review on I think Retroblast?) actually play "Better" with the Magstick Plus thanks to the shorter throw...way, way less arm movement on the left (my movement stick in Robotron 2084) and I am actually doing much better than I did with the X-Arcade controllers.
- As you mentioned the 4 way to 8 way really got me hooked as well...it works brilliantly. However, a word of caution. Ensure that when you are re-assembling your MagStick Plus in the CP that you fasten the nut tight and make sure you get all the parts in order (diagram on
www.ultimarc.com). If you fail to do this you won't get a smooth (or functioning at all) switch between 4 and 8 way.
All in all its a great stick and I do not regret the buy...this hobby is all about learning and I just chalked this stick up to being part of that process..."re-learning" with a shorter throw
Hope that helps...