4-way vs. 8-way

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Posted by bernard on 17, 2001 at 12:21 AM:

In Reply to: Re: 4-way joystick pictures (here) posted by RandyT on 16, 2001 at 11:15 PM:

I've got two WICO leaf switch joysticks in front of me, brand new, one is a 4-way, one is an 8-way. They are IDENTICAL except for the way the SWTICH ACTUATOR is positioned. A plastic sheath that covers the joystick's metal shaft and is the last piece from the bottom before the E-ring. It has a .600" diameter on one end of the actuator, and a .500" diameter on the other end.

FACT: A joystick must be pressed a further distance in a diagonal direction to actuate both switches, than the distance it takes to actuate a single switch in a sideways/up-down motion.

The plastic SWITCH ACTUATOR's orientation is what defines a joystick (mine anyways) as a 4-way or an 8-way. When the switch actuator is placed on with the smaller diameter first, the joystick is allowed more range of motion and enough to hit two swtiches at once. But when it's placed on with the larger diameter first, the joystick's range of motion is limited ever so slightly but enough that it cannot be pushed far enough to hit two switches at once.

Wish I could post pictures to describe it better, and before anyone attacks me, this is simply the way it works on MY joysticks. WICO leaf switch joysticks...honestly, I would use nothing else. Bernard no like microswitches.
-bernard

: Hate to burst your bubble, but the mere lack of levers on the microswitches does not a 4-way make.

: Both the "Competition" and the "Ultimate" from HAPP are 8-way sticks and have no levers on the switches.

: Now, that little round actuator on your Q-bert stick coupled with the lack of levers is probably part of it, but I suspect that the shape of the cutout on the control panel plays a more important role in limiting direction of movement.

: Randy

:
: : I have a picture on a new page describing joystick activation. Check out:

: : http://www.rentrondesign.homestead.com/JoyPrimer.html

: : : In the 4way -> 8way joystick debate Derrick Renaud mentioned this:

: : : "If you have ever seen a true 4-way jostick, it does not have metal levers on the switch. It just uses the small switch activator mounted so the activator is at the center of the direction."

: : : I'm having a hard time visuallizing this... anyone have clear pictures of a true 4way joystick so I can see what he means?

: : : Thanks.

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: I've got two WICO leaf switch joysticks in front of me, brand new, one is a 4-way, one is an 8-way. They are IDENTICAL except for the way the SWTICH ACTUATOR is positioned. A plastic sheath that covers the joystick's metal shaft and is the last piece from the bottom before the E-ring. It has a .600" diameter on one end of the actuator, and a .500" diameter on the other end. : FACT: A joystick must be pressed a further distance in a diagonal direction to actuate both switches, than the distance it takes to actuate a single switch in a sideways/up-down motion. : The plastic SWITCH ACTUATOR's orientation is what defines a joystick (mine anyways) as a 4-way or an 8-way. When the switch actuator is placed on with the smaller diameter first, the joystick is allowed more range of motion and enough to hit two swtiches at once. But when it's placed on with the larger diameter first, the joystick's range of motion is limited ever so slightly but enough that it cannot be pushed far enough to hit two switches at once. : Wish I could post pictures to describe it better, and before anyone attacks me, this is simply the way it works on MY joysticks. WICO leaf switch joysticks...honestly, I would use nothing else. Bernard no like microswitches. : -bernard : : : Hate to burst your bubble, but the mere lack of levers on the microswitches does not a 4-way make. : : Both the "Competition" and the "Ultimate" from HAPP are 8-way sticks and have no levers on the switches. : : Now, that little round actuator on your Q-bert stick coupled with the lack of levers is probably part of it, but I suspect that the shape of the cutout on the control panel plays a more important role in limiting direction of movement. : : Randy : : : : : I have a picture on a new page describing joystick activation. Check out: : : : http://www.rentrondesign.homestead.com/JoyPrimer.html : : : : In the 4way -> 8way joystick debate Derrick Renaud mentioned this: : : : : "If you have ever seen a true 4-way jostick, it does not have metal levers on the switch. It just uses the small switch activator mounted so the activator is at the center of the direction." : : : : I'm having a hard time visuallizing this... anyone have clear pictures of a true 4way joystick so I can see what he means? : : : : Thanks.

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