Hori EX2 initial impressions

[Square King]

Disclaimer: So far, I've only played a few rounds of Mushi Futari on 360 with the EX2. I'll update this thread accordingly once I've tried other games like Raiden IV/Aces, Ikaruga, R-Type, etc.

Bottom line: Give the choice between this stick and a regular 360 pad, I'd choose the EX2.

After using (and getting fed up with) a pad for all of my 360 shmups, I decided to try out an EX2 when one came up on ebay for a hair over $20. The heft and overall feel of the stick is great. I'm comfortable with it resting on my lap or on a table. Precision movement and tapping is miles beyond what the 360 pad can do, unless you've cut your teeth on the damn thing or haven't used an arcade stick before. The stock buttons, however, are a mushy nightmare. I have a DIY stick with Seimitsu parts I use with mame and there's no contest between it and the EX2 -- the Seim stick is much more substantial and the buttons respond perfectly with just the right amount of give and pop.

All in all, I'd grab an EX2 if a) no other choice is available, monetarily or otherwise and/or b) you can find one under $35. Otherwise, I assume you're better off with the EX-SE. The EX2 is fairly moddable, too. The buttons should take priority over the stick in that case.

http://pineconeattack.com/2008/12/07/ho ... 0-version/

[StarCreator]

I'm not sure what you mean near the end there... the EX2 is quite possibly the most mod-unfriendly stick you could ever buy. Anything breaks in it (and break it will) and you're pretty much screwed unless you're a soldering wizard.

[Square King]

I'm not sure what you mean near the end there... the EX2 is quite possibly the most mod-unfriendly stick you could ever buy. Anything breaks in it (and break it will) and you're pretty much screwed unless you're a soldering wizard.

It's more mod-unfriendly than many sticks out there, yeah, but with a little solder know-how, it's not that bad. I've modded guitar effects pedals and stuff like that, so I'm familiar with soldering. I should clarify that if you can get an EX2 cheap and aren't afraid of taking electronics apart/soldering, you should be able to make something decent out of it. I'm no wizard, but I'm confident I could get some better parts in there.

Or just get the EX-SE and be done.

[Damocles]

You could always do what I did.

1.) Tear out everything and use the case for a custom stick.

2.) Use the internals for another new custom stick.

[StarCreator]

I acknowledge that for someone experienced with modding things other than arcade sticks, it's a relatively simple job to desolder the buttons and solder in wires for new ones. But, as far as modding retail sticks goes, this is the hardest job you could ever ask someone to do - there is no stick in the market I can think of with a higher degree of difficulty (assuming starting with a microswitched stick).

My biggest issue with the casing is that the height is just barely too shallow to properly accomodate a proper JLF or LS-32 - both of these require either modifying the base plate or mounting the lever at an incorrect height (thus making the shaft length above the surface an incorrect length). There are smaller levers you can use instead of the big two, but they just don't feel the same.

In all, with things like the MadCatz FightStick SE on the market, where switching to all Sanwa or Seimitsu parts is as simple as owning a screwdriver, I just don't see why it's even worth owning an EX2 unless you want something cheap that you'll throw away when it breaks. IMO, the effort to make it passable just isn't worth it.

[Elixir]

Stopped reading after you started sanding stuff down. It's not really accessible to viewers at all, unless they specifically wish to mod an EX2. For the time and hassle it takes, you're better off getting an EX-SE. It might help others who don't have access to buying the EX-SE though (like me), but even I wouldn't bother with something like this.

I would actually advise people to wait for Hori's new VX for the 360, which is much like the EX2 but in a much better case, and comes with Sanwa parts. Not much info on it so far, but chances of it replacing the EX2 are high.

[StarCreator]

I would actually advise people to wait for Hori's new VX for the 360, which is much like the EX2 but in a much better case, and comes with Sanwa parts. Not much info on it so far, but chances of it replacing the EX2 are high.

When was it announced the VX would use Sanwa parts stock? I totally missed this.

[Damocles]

...and why pick out the VLX as a replacement for the EX2 when there are much cheaper sticks using the same hardware? Hell, the standard SF4 stick is much closer to that price range and is incredibly easy to mod.