New Arcade Stick: worth it?

[Exarion]

Okay, I got an EX-SE after having to deal with 5 frames of input lag and 70% response rates. It's much better, thank you.

I previously asked whether or not an arcade stick would help, and got a distinct yes. I was thinking about the EX2 cheap stick, and got a few recomendations for it if I was unsure, but what I mostly received was a mix of recommendations for the EX-SE and SFIV TE. I first got a SFIV TE, which broke in 5 minutes of use. I then found that a local store had the EX2 on sale, so I bought that along with a copy of Raiden Fighters Aces. Skip to today, where I have just got ESPGaluda 2, cannot possibly go back to shmupping on a standard 360 controller, and my EX2 is failing. The B button that I use for fire has begun sticking down. Supposedly, the PCB dies about a weak after this. The stick currently has gained an extra frame of input lag on all actions, sometimes more. I have a workaround by putting a small bit of paper around the pushbutton, but it won't keep it alive forever, and it doesn't make it register faster. Now, I'm wondering which stick to get when this one fails, or sooner. I'm currently looking at 5 sticks. I've made a brief summary of each, in no order at all:

Super Street Fight IV Tournament Edition S - SSFIV TE-S
Price: $132
The new and supposedly improved version of the existing TE, branded for super street fight IV. Sanwa parts, made by madcatz

pros:
all-sanwa out of the box.
warranty
wide
heavy
supposedly improved design

Cons:
weird button layout
its made by madcatz
I've had the normal TE fail on me before


Street Fighter IV Tournament Edition - SFIV TE
Price: $130
The older edition of the TE, branded for street fighter IV. Sanwa parts, made by madcatz

pros:
all-sanwa out of the box.
warranty
wide
heavy

Cons:
weird button layout
its made by madcatz
about 20% failure rate


Real Arcade Pro EX - HRAP EX
price: $124
The HRAP, no branding. Hori parts, made by hori

pros:
cheapest 8 button stick
low failure rate

cons:
hori parts


Real Arcade Pro EX-SE - HRAP EX-SE
price: $140

pros:
seimitsu parts
low failure rate
best customer reviews

cons:
most expensive


Fighting Stick EX2 - EX2
price:$50

pros:
cheapest

cons:
low grade hori parts
low durability
small

When responding to the poll, please select one answer as to which stick to get, and one answer as to when to get that stick.

Here is what this post originally was, so the that things make sense:

My current keyboard, while just fine for typing, is currently breaking in an odd manner. Currently, I cannot move down and right at the same time, and if I hold shift, I cannot move up and right. Holding the right key will prevent the other key from registering, nor can the keyboard recognize more than 3 keys held at once. I have never experienced problems with either of these limitations, or even noticed their existence, until I began playing shmups. I have another keyboard in my closet that works very well for typing, but it is almost completely unsuitable for gaming, and I bought this keyboard a while ago so I could use it for PC gaming, before I got into shmups. I was wondering if getting a cheap arcade stick would be worth the cost, especially since I know a lot of fighting game fans and I am frequently asked for battles by them.

I'm not going to need a top quality arcade stick, and was looking at this stick in particular. Its cheap, and it looks like it would work well for both shmups, which are my main interest, and fighting games, which I will almost certainly have to play occasionally. Though it is only a 6 button stick as opposed to an 8 button, and I've heard that the buttons and stick are a bit too sensitive for most people, and I've heard of some people even ordering special parts because the ones it came with weren't good enough, it looks like what I want as is.

Poll question: Should I get this arcade stick?

Results for that poll:
No, just get a new keyboard 9% 9% [ 2 ]
No, get a different stick (please say which) 52% 52% [ 12 ]
Yes, that one will work 39% 39% [ 9 ] x

[Damocles]

It all depends on you. The EX2 is fine as long as you're not expecting super quality. That being said, if you stay with a stick long enough and enjoy it, you'll eventually want to get a better one. If you're serious, you might as well get one with the best parts.


...although some love keyboards to death...

[speedlolita]

Get one with proper arcade parts or don't both at all is my advice.

False economy to buy a regular Hori stick.

[Exarion]

I see this stick is not well liked. Can anyone tell me what's wrong with it?

[Damocles]

It uses a Hori stick and buttons, which are generally sub-par. The stick isn't as smooth as a Sanwa or Seimitsu, and the buttons tend to feel rougher than those brands as well.

[Kyle]

Get one with proper arcade parts or don't both at all is my advice.

Do yourself a favor and put the $50 toward an EX-SE.

That EX2 will have mediocre stock parts that aren't well suited for shmups.

[Exarion]

Can you please explain exactly how hori parts are bad? is the reception off? do the buttons occasionally not register, or does the stick register the wrong direction? is it super fragile? is it too sensitive? I also noticed that some of the reviews said that this would be better. I notice it uses sanwa parts, so can you explain what I can expect from all three manufacturers, when compared to a US arcade cab (i've had a chance to try those)?

[linko9]

I'm extremely happy with my EX-SE. If you want to use a stick, I think you owe it to yourself to get one of the best ones around. I know many people will say that using a stick can't really make you better at shmups, but using a sub-par stick can probably make you worse.

[speedlolita]

Yeah, Hori buttons and stick are rubbish, you'd be better off using a keyboard.

Also NO games use 8 buttons, but it's down to preference. I prefer a 6 button layout.

The EX-SE would be my choice in your position for sure.

[Lok]

I can't particularly comment on the Hori Joystick as I've never had experience with it but the buttons I can as I used them on the Hori HRAP-EX before I switched out the buttons for Seimitsu. After spending time with the buttons, they start to feel flimsy and fragile. It was a rare occurrence for me but sometimes the button press was a bit delayed. I used it for SFIV so I definitely put alot of wear on them. The Seimitsu buttons by contrast feel alot more sturdier. Sanwa buttons are more sensitive in that you don't need to put alot of pressure on the button to make them register.

The SFIV TE stick is definitely a good stick as the Hori HRAP EX-SE. Neither are incredibly expensive now either.

[Exarion]

So Hori parts are fragile? How long will they normally last? If it's too short, i'll get a different stick, but I don't want to spend $130 on a top quality product when I can get a ok quality product for $50, because I'll only notice a medium difference in score for a large difference in price.

[Damocles]

Do you like using joysticks? If so, then you might as well get something of quality. If you're not sure, then it's a tougher decision.

[Warp_Rattler]

Upside: If you're handy with a soldering iron, the Fighting Stick EX can be a good starting shell for the Sanwa/Seimitsu stick of your dreams.

Downside: By the time you're finished modding it, you might as well have just sprung for a HRAP EX/EX-SE, since the total cost will be about even.

[AraraSPAMWitch]

Though I own and use high-quality sticks, to be honest, if you are a pretty casual player or have never owned an arcade stick before the cheapo hori sticks are usable. One of my friends owns an EX2, and he forces me to use it when we play co-op and it's really not that terrible. The buttons are not as responsive as Sanwa or Seimitsu, and the stick doesn't move smoothly and is slightly inaccurate, and I would never, ever, use it for fighting games, but for dicking around in shooters it works fine. I definitely would not pay fifty dollars for it, though, so check auctions sites or forums to see if you can get it under thirty. If you're willing to drop fifty bucks on the EX2, you might as well spend the little bit extra for an HRAP SE edition, a nice stick that uses arcade standard parts. If you want to step your shit up, go that route.

Moral is, if you aren't really looking to immerse yourself in the games, and aren't looking to play fighting games on any more than a basic level, the EX2 is fine but don't spend full price on it. The other 360 options, however, are more accurate, feel nicer, and, this is kind of important, are larger and heavier. Heavier sticks will shift around in your lap or on a table much less than smaller ones, so keep that in mind. Despite all that, I'd still rather use an EX2 than a stock 360 pad or even the Madcatz fight pads. It's passable.

[Voxbox]

Upside: If you're handy with a soldering iron, the Fighting Stick EX can be a good starting shell for the Sanwa/Seimitsu stick of your dreams.

Downside: By the time you're finished modding it, you might as well have just sprung for a HRAP EX/EX-SE, since the total cost will be about even.

This says it best. Don't be cheap, man up and do some soldering

I've got a Hori Fighting Stick 3, which is probably the PS3 equivalent of the stick in question, and you'll want to switch the buttons for seimitsus I you're gonna do some serious mashing. The stock stick is actually decent, but the spring can go out if you play some voilent street fighter on it, so yeah, switch that into a seimitsu too. Though the low height of the case could make it hard to fit another stick into it.

[t0yrobo]

I'd say a good stick is totally worth it. But if you aren't that interested in spending around $100 you could always get a nice usb pad.

[ChurchOfSolipsism]

WHat the other guys said, find out if you're really into sticks by getting a cheap (cheap) EX2, and if/ when it breaks, invest some money into an EX-SE. Regarding modding, well, although stick-building is an awesome hobby for me, I don't expect anyone to derive the same kind of pleasure from fucking around with electronics. ALso, you have to read a bit about it before you start hankering with sticks this way. If you don't wanna make a hobby out of it, then frankly I don't think it's worth it. AGain, simply get an EX-SE if you want quality parts.

[cul]

Yeah, Hori buttons and stick are rubbish, you'd be better off using a keyboard.

Hori sticks might not be the best sticks you can buy, but saying that you're better off using a keyboard is complete BS.

To anwser the question, I've got an EX 2, it's decent for its price, just don't expect something awesome, that's it.

[Smraedis]

The EX2 doesn't leave much room to rest your hands on it, apart from that, the stick should be good enough.

[agustusx]

The EX-SE is my preferred stick right now, but the HRAP EX is better than the EX2 for shmups.

I never liked the stick in the EX2 for shooters, but its ok for fighting games. The problem is the buttons broke after about 3 months of light use. While the EX still has the cheap buttons it at least and a solid Sanwa stick. the SE has both good stick and good buttons.

[SGGG2]

Although, not good, the Hori is perfectly serviceable. I'd rather use an okay pad than any stick with Hori stick/buttons. They feel like crap. I recommend a USB Saturn pad over a mediocre stick. You can get them for cheap off ebay and they're fantastic. Make sure it has a SLS sticker on back and the SEGA logo on front.

[keyofnight]

Just to corroborate:

Someone gave me a Fighting Stick 3 (again, the same as the EX2 for the most part) for my birthday last year, and it's a decent stick. All of the components are cheap knockoffs of their Sanwa and Seimitsu counterparts, but they get the job done. There are people who reach a high tier in Street Fighter 4 using sticks like the EX2. I'm not sure what the shmup experience of it is. I know that I've heard at least 5 people say that their buttons die within 6 months—this has not been my experience.

If you found a cheap EX2, it would also be cheap to mod it. Since the stick and buttons are knockoff Sanwas, all the parts are easily interchangeable. The switches in the joystick can be swapped for switches from a reputable company (Cherry or Omcron), the spring in the stick can be swapped for a stiffer one, and the buttons can be replaced. Hell, even the switches in the hori buttons themselves can be replaced for Sanwa equivalents.

With that said, modding a Fighting Stick 3 or an EX2 is a long and arduous process. Replacing the buttons means desoldering, modding the new buttons to fit the board, sanding down (or cutting) tabs in the case's button holes, and so on. That's not to say it's an impossible or even difficult process. I've done it successfully, but it was a pain in the ass. If I can do it, anyone can do it. It is just a lot of work, and you might not have the time. (I, needless to say, think it's worth it.)

[apple arcade]

So Hori parts are fragile? How long will they normally last? If it's too short, i'll get a different stick, but I don't want to spend $130 on a top quality product when I can get a ok quality product for $50, because I'll only notice a medium difference in score for a large difference in price.

yea, your mind state might make sense to people who don't play shmups and only button mash fighters who also think buying a cheap stick is going to make them a pro at arcade hero ...but those who play arcade games will all tell you it's not the case.

personally the classic semitsu joystick with sanwa buttons combination is the best there is.

sanwa buttons are soft and springy, you barely have to put any pressure on them.

personally I even prefer hori's joysticks over sanwa ones. I feel they just have too much of a throw, where as the semitsu ones are a bit tighter to give you more accurate inputs faster.

[Exarion]

Okay, I bought the Street Fighter 4 Tournament Edition stick (Sanwa parts ). Apparently, the Sanwa parts only extended to the stick and buttons rather than the entire unit, which meant that the baseboard was made by Madcatz . It did not last even one stage before the stick and two buttons stopped working . I could recover the stick by changing which control part it was supposed to be, but it would frequently cause me to continue moving after i moved the stick back to the center. I could not recover the buttons. I returned the thing, but haven't bought anything else.

[speedlolita]

Yeah, that's why I wouldn't go with a TE - poor PCB.

Dunno about the sanwa dying though...

[Exarion]

I think it was an error in the Madcatz PCB, not the Sanwa parts. I could press the buttons, and nothing would happen. The stick would not work if I had it set to be anything other than d-pad. I could hear them click, but nothing happened. When I could get the stick working again, It would often continue moving me for about 30 frames after I returned the stick to the center. I am apparently not the only person to have this problem, and it looks like the TE has a 30% failure rate: it should be far less than that for something that expensive (apparently, the normal edition has about a 30% working rate). I'll see about a hori stick.

[speedlolita]

EX-SE.

[brokenhalo]

i've had a TE since launch, and it's become my favorite stick. sucks that you had a problem with yours, but i'd exchange it for another one. they have a good reputation for quality (the TE sticks, not necessarily madcatz as a whole). the normal street fighter 4 stick was problematic, but that was mainly a problem with a piece in the knockoff sanwa stick coming loose and rubbing against the pcb.

if you get a hori, avoid that $50 stick like the plague. that pcb is pretty much guaranteed to die on you. one button will start to work intermittently, and then the whole board will die. i've got one that's been collecting dust for about 6 months waiting for me to hack a pad and bring it back to life. and the parts do suck. i swapped the stock stuff with sanwa parts and it was a cool little stick when there was literally nothing else for the 360, but all the real estate the TE gives you is just soooo comfortable to play on.

Yeah, that's why I wouldn't go with a TE - poor PCB.

say what?

[Exarion]

Also a problem with the TE stick is that my PC would not recognize the stick motion at all, under any setting. It did not even work as d-pad, allowing me to shoot and bomb but not move. Can anyone confirm if this was just my stick or is typical of the TE?

[Square King]

I grabbed a Hori EX2 on the cheap recently just to try it out. The USB stick I've hobbled together has Seimitsu parts and I love it, but I can't use it on the 360. I'll be able to use the EX2 on MAME, though, so I'll try to do a comparison once it comes in. I have a feeling I'll end up flipping it for about what I paid and eventually pony up for the EX-SE.

And FWIW: I felt as if I had much better control with a stick vs. keyboard.