First Arcade Controller Purchase

phiggs · Post by **phiggs** » Sun Jan 06, 2008 5:49 am

Hey. I've finally decided to open the wallet and buy an arcade style controller for my PC. I was just wondering if their are any brands I should avoid because of low quality? I've been through countless gamepads.. many of which have broken fairly quickly, and I don't even really abuse them much.

I'm thinking of buying one of the products I see listed on www.play-asia.com as they seem to be the most affordable. This one looks acceptable: http://www.play-asia.com/paOS-13-71-1i- ... -2byy.html ... but I sort of want to hear a customer review first.. Because usually these kind of things cost upwards of $100 but this is only $30 O_o

There's also these ones:

http://www.play-asia.com/paOS-13-71-1i- ... -22b8.html
http://www.play-asia.com/paOS-13-71-1i- ... 0-7gj.html
http://www.play-asia.com/paOS-13-71-1i- ... -16qr.html

They all look good too, and only cost a little bit more.. However that first $30 option is compatible with PS2, PS3 AND PC! None of the other options are. Does anyone own that Mayflash Fighting stick that could shed some light on how good / crappy the stick is?

KBZ · Post by **KBZ** » Sun Jan 06, 2008 8:30 am

they all look pretty cheesy to me. The korean one is alright.

If you're going to the trouble of getting a stick, and then the long process of learning how to use one, then it'd make sense to get something more high end.

Lynx Winters · Post by **Lynx Winters** » Sun Jan 06, 2008 9:38 am

All three are Korean, actually. A haven't heard anything about Saulabi sticks, but they don't look all that great.

If you're going for a stick that's around $50 and works with your PC, go find a Hori EX2 stick. It's a 360 controller, which means it works on PCs. Just to let you know, though, the standard MS drivers for it are awful. Thankfully, there's a guide on the SRK forums with a link to a different and much better driver. The stick itself is great, though, especially for the price.

Another option, if you feel up to it, is making your own. Buy a few good parts, build a simple case, wire everything to an Ultimarc I-Pac if you only want it for PC, or to a Dual Shock PCB and get a good converter if you want both PC and PS2. It ends up being pretty affordable, and as long as you don't go dropping soldering irons all over your fingers it's not a hard project. Still, if you're looking to just grab a stick and play some games this may not be the right option for now.

phiggs · Post by **phiggs** » Sat Jan 12, 2008 11:06 am

Well I was thinking of getting one of those huge X-Arcade unit's, but I just read they were crappy so scratch that. The Hori Xbox controller looks okay, can anybody tell me how well it holds onto a surface? Like how good the suction cups or pads or w/e it has on the bottom are? I prefer to play on a counter rather than on my lap I think, so this is important.

I've heard really good things about these Hori Real Arcade Pro controllers but it seems they only work on Playstation consoles. Its too bad, they looks awesome.. But this XBOX thing is close enough I guess :) Maybe I can try some sort of mod, but I am afraid I am too much of a newb at these kind of things.

ReKleSS · Post by **ReKleSS** » Sat Jan 12, 2008 1:25 pm

Being PSX exclusive isn't a problem, just grab a PSX->USB adapter. If your wallet can take it, grab the HRAP. It's got good stock parts, you can change them out easily, and it's very, very solid. Just beware of the huge shipping costs.

phiggs · Post by **phiggs** » Sun Jan 13, 2008 3:24 am

Alright, looks like I'm going to get a HRAP 2 off ebay for $100.. seems like the best option, thanks for the help guys. I don't suppose I need to be aware of anything when buying a USB Adapter? The cheap $3 blue things I see all over ebay should do the job, yea?

ReKleSS · Post by **ReKleSS** » Sun Jan 13, 2008 5:27 am

Probably. Some of them can lag a bit, which is a problem. The stepmania site has a database of converters with comments. One of mine (titanium s-joy) also has a weird problem where PS1 pads have a very low update rate, meaning the autofire doesn't work right.

Lynx Winters · Post by **Lynx Winters** » Sun Jan 13, 2008 6:42 am

The two best converters I've used are the EMS2 and the Pelican converter. I've heard good things about the Super Joybox converters, but stay the hell away from the four-player version. That one drops inputs like crazy.

Cyarc · Post by **Cyarc** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 9:11 am

I bought this http://www.play-asia.com/paOS-13-71-1i- ... -2byy.html

I like it alot, then again I have not had any other experience with arcade sticks. You get what you pay for, and for that price I'm happy. My only complaint is that it makes a clicking noise when you move.

ReKleSS · Post by **ReKleSS** » Mon Jan 14, 2008 9:34 am

All Japanese sticks click. I'm guessing the Sanwa Flash may not, but it's not likely you'll be able to buy one.

Square King · Post by **Square King** » Mon Mar 03, 2008 3:06 am

Cyarc wrote:I bought this http://www.play-asia.com/paOS-13-71-1i- ... -2byy.html

I like it alot, then again I have not had any other experience with arcade sticks. You get what you pay for, and for that price I'm happy. My only complaint is that it makes a clicking noise when you move.

I'm curious about this one...how are the buttons?

Stormwatch · Post by **Stormwatch** » Mon May 19, 2008 6:29 am

I'm tempted to get one of those Mayflash sticks as well...

Damocles · Post by **Damocles** » Mon May 19, 2008 8:15 am

Stormwatch wrote:I'm tempted to get one of those Mayflash sticks as well...

If you do, crack it open. I'd love to see if it's easily mod-able.

MX7 · Post by **MX7** » Mon May 19, 2008 10:23 am

Got the Mayflash through the post. I was a bit pissed off, mainly because the heft of the thing meant I had to pay the guy who delivered it another £20 before he gave it to me. Lol, Hong Kong.

The stick is alright. The square restictor plate was annoying at 1st, but i'm getting used to it. Even though it feels a bit weird, I can see it helping me loads in the long run. For example, managed to double my Mushi arrange mode score on my 1st go with it

. Also, even though I'm way out of practice with ESPGaluda, I managed to get up to 5-2, loosing 4 lives on the 5-1 boss because I forgot which button was which (I'm really hungover).

It feels a bit cheap, but it's big, it's fun to use, and it's especially good with Street Fighter 3.3. I think I'll be ripping out the stick and replacing it when I've done a bit of research though.

Zebra Airforce · Post by **Zebra Airforce** » Mon May 19, 2008 10:53 am

Damocles wrote: If you do, crack it open. I'd love to see if it's easily mod-able.

Well, from the comments on play-asia it sounds like it's pretty easy. One person said they bought it specifically to mod, 5 stars

Square King · Post by **Square King** » Mon May 19, 2008 3:00 pm

Here's a decent photoessay of a Mayflash mod: http://www.ozhadou.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2976

Paik4Life · Post by **Paik4Life** » Mon May 19, 2008 4:07 pm

A much better mayflash mod.

http://forums.shoryuken.com/showpost.ph ... count=4327

~Paik

Stormwatch · Post by **Stormwatch** » Mon May 19, 2008 9:28 pm

Forget it... taking in account the shipping costs, Brazil's insane import tariffs, and overall product quality, I think a better option for me would be this.

Hand-assembled, wood, formica coating, acrylic buttons (lettering optional), around $90. Looks pretty sweet.

Hewitson · Post by **Hewitson** » Tue May 20, 2008 3:50 am

Are you serious? The button layout is absolutely horrible.

Stormwatch · Post by **Stormwatch** » Tue May 20, 2008 4:45 am

Hm? What's so bad about it?

Think this would be better? (for the size, I guess it'd be better to put on one's lap)

Hewitson · Post by **Hewitson** » Tue May 20, 2008 8:07 am

Wouldn't go for either of them to be honest. Its very easy to build a controller far superior to either of those yourself, and for a fraction of the cost.

Stormwatch · Post by **Stormwatch** » Tue May 20, 2008 8:36 am

If I knew how to work with wood, or had ever soldered a wire...

Hewitson · Post by **Hewitson** » Tue May 20, 2008 9:46 am

This is a perfect opportunity for you to learn then

Got a father/friend that could give you a hand in either of those areas?

Post by **Shatterhand** » Tue May 20, 2008 1:03 pm

Stormwatch wrote:Forget it... taking in account the shipping costs, Brazil's insane import tariffs, and overall product quality, I think a better option for me would be this.

Hand-assembled, wood, formica coating, acrylic buttons (lettering optional), around $90. Looks pretty sweet.

I've two of those. They are pretty good, and very easy to maintain in case one of them break or something.... bought them from mercado livre, from the same guy you are looking forward to buy. The buttons could be a little more closer to each other... but you get used with it fast. I've them for like 2 years, and I love them.

Post by **spadgy** » Tue May 20, 2008 3:57 pm

I love my Sega Virtua Stick High Grade for my Mac, but it works with PC too (Apparently, Windows users will need to re-map the joystick before it can be used properly) It's actually a PS3 stick.

The stick in as standard is Sanwa, but is a really loose, wobbly, long-throw model. I switched mine easily with a Seimitsu LS-56-01, with no soldering to do.

The buttons are Sanwa too... not sure but I guess they are OBSF-30s as they are so sensitive you breath on 'em and they engage.

Nice and heavy too... great for laps!

EDIT: VSHG comes with Sanwa JLF-TP8Y-SK arcade stick and Sanwa OBSF-30 snap in buttons/OBSF-24 for Start

Stormwatch · Post by **Stormwatch** » Tue May 20, 2008 6:46 pm

Shatterhand wrote:I've two of those. They are pretty good, and very easy to maintain in case one of them break or something.... bought them from mercado livre, from the same guy you are looking forward to buy. The buttons could be a little more closer to each other... but you get used with it fast. I've them for like 2 years, and I love them.

Nice. Could you take a pic of yours straight from above, and the bottom? Is it comfortable to put those on your lap? How much does it weight?

Post by **Shatterhand** » Tue May 20, 2008 7:01 pm

I don't have a digital cam, just a webcam... its quality is kinda bad, but I can take pictures with it if you want to.

They are kinda big to use on your lap, but it's doable. I usually play with it on the top of a table or on the floor.

They are not very heavy, but heavy enough to give it a sturdy feel. The woodwork on it is also perfect.. the soldering is done very well too, but the wires are very short, so if you ever need to re-solder something you'll probably need to get new wires. (THat's probably the best way to do it though, I don't understand much about electronics other than know how to solder

)

I'll probably get home very late today, I'll probably will just go for a shower and go to sleep... but tomorrow I can take pictures and tell you the exact measurements of the controller if you want to.

Stormwatch · Post by **Stormwatch** » Tue May 20, 2008 7:27 pm

Thanks, that'd be nice. (take a pic from the side as well)

About the measurements, the auction gives it: 36cm wide, 25cm long, 10cm tall.

Ozymandiaz1260 · Post by **Ozymandiaz1260** » Tue May 20, 2008 8:19 pm

phiggs wrote:I've finally decided to open the wallet and buy an arcade style controller for my PC.

I use the XBOX 360 hori on my pc and it's absolutely awesome. It stays firmly grounded wherever you put it also, I've never had it slip once. It's very comfortable in your lap, too.

MajorZ · Post by **MajorZ** » Wed May 21, 2008 2:51 pm

does anyone know where to source the HRAP3 from in the uk? Is that even possible?

shmups.system11.org

First Arcade Controller Purchase

First Arcade Controller Purchase

Re: First Arcade Controller Purchase