Best ball-top??


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Posted by Michael Bobroski on 10, 2000 at 7:45 AM:

Ah... It's been a very long while since I've been back here. I still read, but don't have as much to offer as my building knowledge is somewhat 'dated', and not fresh in the mind for all of the current builders. Still love the subject, though, and will by all means will definitely contribute when I see that I have info that others don't.

Anyway, back to the point of the message. It seems that I decided to do some updating to my current cab. I have 2 joys, 6 buttons each, a trackball, and a spinner. However, I've been somewhat disappointed w/ playing pacman/amidar-like games with the modern 'bat' style joysticks since I've built it. Not to mention, it is very awkward having to be shifted to either the right or left of a machine, when we all grew up playing pac with a perfectly centered ball-top.

It's time to update, and I'm curious as far as which ball-top should I go with? I see that Wico (The only distributor for ball tops, AFAIK) carries a couple different different types. Which is the right one to go with?

Let's Review:
1 is a microswitch model -- This is the only one I've heard anyone speak bad of. Out of the questoin (was looking for leaf anyway)

Another has an extra long shaft -- Again, out of the question. If anything, I would believe pacman would have a shorter than standard shaft.

This leaves us with two models. One of which is only available as an 8 way, another that is available in 2, 4, or 8-way.

First: 8-Way Positive Detent Feel Joystick. This one goes for about $19.95, and seems to be the joy that they 'play up' the most. It's 'exclusive' and has 'improved control' :) I'd love to hear input on this one, if anyone has any info to offer.

Second: The other is simply listed as a 2, 4, or 8 position long handled joystick. This goes for about $9.95. Any experience, guys?

I'm not at all concerned with using the 8-Ways, btw. I've had absolutely none of the 8-way problems discussed when playing 4-ways, did not have to change the way I play, etc, and still personally believe that the problem is a hardware problem (on the motherboard/keyboard controller side), and not a joystick/arcade hardware problem. I am interested, however, if anyone has expereinced 8-Way problems on Leaf Ball-tops, when they do not experience 8-Way problems on the Happ Super Microswitch joysticks.

I've also seen some short-shaft ball tops listed on Ebay. Did Pacman indeed use short shafts? Can't remember! Played a real machine only about a week ago and still can't remember! :)

Of course, if worse comes to worse and I cannot find any info, I'll be sure to pick up both joysticks being considered, and will have a review posted here.


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