USB Competition Pro Stick Compatability

[spadgy]

So, will this fruity little tart work with other games (those not included in the package) through USB? The idea of using a Competition Pro with my computer frankly excites me greatly.

It says no drivers are needed, so I guess it might, but I'm not technically minded enough to know.

If it does work with other games, such as emulated ones and MAME etc. then being driver free will it work with Macs as well as PCs, in the way something like a Virtua Stick High Grade does?

[cools]

http://www.speed-link.com/?p=2&cat=313&pid=18089&paus=1 is cheaper as it doesn't come with a book.

I'd guess that driver free means it appears as a HID joystick - so it'll work with pretty much anything.

[spadgy]

Thanks cools.

I actually found a UK seller doing the one you pointed me to for £13, which seems a worthwhile purchase.

[Obiwanshinobi]

How's that Competition Pro stick by Speedlink, anybody? Their cheap DS-alike joypad was the best USB joypad I've owned to date (even its d-pad didn't suck and the lot was bigger than actual Sony ones). Now I'm tempted to pick up that arcade stick.

[neorichieb1971]

Where are the prices? I just see pictures.

[Obiwanshinobi]

I have bumped the topic. Those sticks still can be found cheap if you dig around.
P.S. Done some research and while there seems to be consensus that the appearance, sound and physical response are just like in people's memories, two testers reported that down-right diagonal is not always recognised. Moreover, some other (than Speed Link) manufacturer released a similar USB controller infamous for faulty diagonals and crappy build quality.
The most alarming notion comes from the German Wikipedia article (quoting Google translation):

The current PC version is up to date on the USB interface connected. Much to the annoyance of many users are, however, the electronics of the Competition Pro USB only 12.5 times per second, the direction and fire button status to the computer on (are common for USB HID devices 100 queries / second). Based on a survey by the computer at a frequency of 50 queries per second, it is a result in errors and sometimes be fire button presses or very fast change of direction is not detected. The joystick is therefore very responsive games less suitable.

...

Huh?
Scan frequency 12.5 Hz?! If so, forget the diagonals - input lag alone would be so horrible that I can't believe nobody else mentioned it. Every game would play like at 12.5 fps at best with it, no matter the actual framerate.
I know you can't expect wonders at these prices, but this just doesn't sound verly likely. That Speed Link joypad I used to own certainly didn't have slow response. My buddy keeps playing modded F1 from EA with it.
I almost want to buy that stick just to check out by myself. Almost.

[Arcade Legends 3]

Today I bought "Speedlink Competition Pro", the old blue version, and tried it out. The controller is on sale in Bulgaria - it is disontinued by manufacturer and brand new costs 4,5 euros. The cable length is 1,5 metres. The stick is 7 centimeters high, in other grip - 9. I hate that Hori, Sanwa and Seimitsu stuff, because the joystick is 5 cm. Still, Sanwa also has higher sticks. My pennis is 11, but sometimes I lose the grip.
Do not buy any stick at less than 7! I recommend 8,5 (or more).
The stick is good - fast response, no problems with diagonals. The big/normal buttons are loose, but are not bad. The problem is in the weight of the controller - forget about games, which require more than two buttons. One can play only just 30 minutes continuesly - because of the tension on the hands, holding stable the controller. I played 3 coins at Zed Blade, using keyboard, and after that - another 3 coins, using the blue thing; I bettered my score. Zed Blade requires the least memorization possible and has 1 FPS of lag in any newer version of MAME.
If one plays 60-90 minutes a day, paying 10-15 euros for "Competition Pro" is good; the thing will last at least few months. Keyboards and joypads are bad - stick brings a whole new attitude towards the gameplay; if one has not used a stick - or has been forgot about it, like me, he must buy "Competition Pro" solely to try out the right attitude. Thus convincing himself of buying a solide controller for 120 euros. There are premade controllers of Suzo-Happ, sold in Europe. There are also Sanwa controllers, but the pricing is a bit higher.
I am thinking of buying a multi-game machine for 2,000 euros, not Arcade Legends 3, but that is a different story.

[shmuppyLove]

My pennis is 11, but sometimes I lose the grip.