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4-8 switchable joysticks
mgb:
The way I see it, for one stick to have smooth 8-way circular motion and be able to also have nice tight 4 way short throw restriction as needed, it would take an extended shaft with a separate plate of switches and restrictor that would be pulled in as needed.
dkersten:
I think an octagonal restrictor on a programmable stick like the u360 is the best compromise I have found so far..
RandyT:
--- Quote from: LightningBolt on October 17, 2014, 09:19:33 am ---Would you consider happy ms pacman reunion stick a true 4 way?
--- End quote ---
Yes. It is physically restricted to 4 directions, and can activate only one switch at a time. By virtue of the very short shaft, it's able to change directions fairly quickly. Using a longer than stock shaft would degrade this ability, as the throw at the knob end would increase relative to the length, so that is something to be aware of when considering longer versions of this particular stick.
--- Quote from: dkersten on October 17, 2014, 10:49:40 am ---I think an octagonal restrictor on a programmable stick like the u360 is the best compromise I have found so far..
--- End quote ---
Octagonal restriction seems to be one of those "love 'em or hate 'em" cases where user preference is concerned. If you "love 'em", then you'd view them as a way to help guide the stick into an intended direction, regardless of the type of game being played, and overlook the lack of smooth motion in 8-way games. If you "hate 'em", then you'd view them as being ineffective in 4-way, as they don't offer true, one-switch-at-a-time actuation, and be annoyed with the clunky 8-way motion. Digital restriction can help a bit with these in 4-way, but the typical octagonal restrictor would require an extended throw to engage, leaving a range in the center for mis-steps in the wrong direction. In the realm of 4/8-way switchables, it always comes down to the adage of "picking your poison".
Le Chuck:
Seems to me a circle to square rotation mechanism would offer a nice stick for those that need to be able to play Robotron on the same stick as Pac-man.
Something like a four leaf mechanical iris with limit stops so the leafs only make a square on closure.
Should only be like $100 a stick or so ;)
RandyT:
Definitely an interesting idea. My only concern with something like this would be that the forces exerted against the iris aperture by the stick, would be transferred in the opposite direction of the forces used to close it. In other words, a means to lock it in place once closed would probably be a necessity. This is something not usually of much concern with the rotating square approach, where a little friction is usually sufficient to keep things in the proper orientation.
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