recommended <$25 4-way?

[jmohr1]

Hey there, building my first machine soon and still need to pick up a 4-way. I'm using 2 happ competition 8-ways (I know they aren't viewed as the best, even by me, but they feel the way I remember) and of course would love a real pac-man stick, but can't justify the cost. Can anybody recommend a 4-way that even comes close in feel on the cheap? Preferably one I could get with or replace with a white ball top? Thanks for any recommendations 8^]

edit: Forgot to mention it will be mounted in a wood panel 3/4"

[VanillaGorilla]

ggg true-4

[RandyT]

The True4™ is good, but if you want a more "Pac-Like" experience, I think the 4-way version of the Leaf-Pro™ could be closer fit.  Pretty much everything else will have a longer throw that some will object to.  If ball color is more important than feel, there are a couple of other options not yet on the store which will get you 4-way restriction, and that white ball you are looking for.

RandyT

[severdhed]

Sanwa jlw-tm-8 makes an awesome 4 way stick, comes in many different colors, and will run you right around $25 shipped from lizardlick.com, depending on where you need it shipped to.

[pinballwizard79]

[Necro]

Tornado Terry's is quite possibly the worst website I've ever seen...or close to it.  Are they still in business and selling things?

[pinballwizard79]

It is a really bad website indeed

He still sells, yes.

[jmohr1]

...I think the 4-way version of the Leaf-Pro could be closer fit...

Thanks, that looks to be what I'm in the market for. Just a couple ?'s
1. Would I be able to comfortably bottom mount this under 3/4"?
2. Can the ball top be changed (and if so what size/thread are we looking at)?
3. If no to either 1 or 2, any other recommendations?

Thanks again to everyone for the responses.

[CheffoJeffo]

It is a really bad website indeed

He still sells, yes.

Bob's is worse and, just to be fair, both are good sellers.

 

[RandyT]

...I think the 4-way version of the Leaf-Pro could be closer fit...

Thanks, that looks to be what I'm in the market for. Just a couple ?'s
1. Would I be able to comfortably bottom mount this under 3/4"?

The only sticks which one can mount "comfortably" in a 3/4" panel are going to be those with long shafts.  Long shafts usually mean long throws, which many tend not to associate with a good 4-way.  You would need to pocket out the underside to give you the length you want, unless you don't mind a short stick. The Pac-Man stick was pretty short, so you might be ok with it as is.

2. Can the ball top be changed (and if so what size/thread are we looking at)?

Not on these.  The Leaf-Pros are currently red only.

3. If no to either 1 or 2, any other recommendations?

Not if the Leaf Pro is the kind of stick you are looking for.  There are pretty limited choices in that type of stick, but I do have some of the Zippyy and sanwa-inspired sticks, including an below-panel-switchable design, which can be configured for 4-way operation and have white balls as options.  But they play quite a bit differently.  Shoot me an email if you want one before I manage to get them on the store.

RandyT

[Ginsu Victim]

Avoid the Tornado Terry's Ms Pac 4-way. Go with one of GroovyGameGear's offerings.

[jmohr1]

Freakin' 'bout time someone made a 4-way/joystick joke 8^]

And Randy, thanks for the help. I ended up going with the leaf-pro and will just figure out a way to make it work in my panel.

Also while poking around picked up the PS3 XIN-MO encoder. My plan was to use the brains of 2 SF IV fight-sticks for ps3 and Mame compatibility, but this should give similar results with less work and let me keep the fight-sticks intact for p3/4 games. Wish I would've poked around your site when I picked up my other sticks and buttons, could've just gotten everything there; oh well, lesson learned for next time.