Q4 RAF modding question

[Relysis]

Hi all, new to the forums.

I've amassed a sizeable shmup collection, and decided to join the stick owning ranks. I've read through as much material as I can, and have basically decided on a Qanba Q4 RAF stick. From what I've gathered, Seimitsu hardware is generally better than Sanwa for Shmups, correct? I have no shop where I can physically compare the difference.

I have also read about Suzo 500 and Virtsticks being superior. Can the Q4 be modded with these sticks, or is there a major design/size difference? I'm having a hard time even finding where to buy them if so. Moving backwards a bit, does anybody have any comments on using this stick with stock parts for Shmups?

Thank you

[emphatic]

Hi all, new to the forums.

I've amassed a sizeable shmup collection, and decided to join the stick owning ranks. I've read through as much material as I can, and have basically decided on a Qanba Q4 RAF stick. From what I've gathered, Seimitsu hardware is generally better than Sanwa for Shmups, correct? I have no shop where I can physically compare the difference.

I have also read about Suzo 500 and Virtsticks being superior. Can the Q4 be modded with these sticks, or is there a major design/size difference? I'm having a hard time even finding where to buy them if so. Moving backwards a bit, does anybody have any comments on using this stick with stock parts for Shmups?

Thank you

Hey, as a lover of arcade hardware, I've looked long and hard at most sticks available, modded and "out of the box". My favourite stick for shmups is a modded SUZO 500, but those are very big and have various issues.

I say go with either a Seimitsu LS-58-01 (new model from Seimitsu, has very short throw/engage and is supposedly easy to mount in any Qanba, Mad Catz or proper HORI stick without any modification. If you can't find the LS-58, go with the LS-56 instead. I also suggest you get the "round" 8-way restrictor for it (costs very little and if you don't like it just put the one that came with the stick back on). The Seimitsu sticks however has a slight "wobble" in it's dead zone that I personally find very annoying.

The SANWA JLW is apparently very good for shmups, in fact it has the shortest throw/engage of any brand stick from Japan. I haven't tried this myself though. Doesn't have the annoying Seimitsu "wobble", or at least not as noticeable. Another thing is to just get one of kowal's custom actuators for your JLF (there's a thread here in Hardware to order one) as I figure it's the easiest upgrade you can do and way better than an LS-32.

[Relysis]

Thanks for your reply. I had to look up actuators... but I think I get it. The Q4 comes with a Sanwa (JLF? can't find part numbers for it anywhere) stick, so getting the custom actuator from kowal would just require me to replace that part. There seem to be glowing reviews of his work at Shoryuken, so I'm very interested in that, thanks for the tip. I want to have a minimal dead zone, and that sounds like a winner.

Apparently the new Q4 SE sticks at arcadeshock have Seimitsu parts out of the box, but again I can't find the part numbers to know if it's an LS-58-01 or not. I think I would rather go with stock Sanwa and try kowal's upgrade before maybe buying a JLW.

It also sounds like the circular restrictor is a good idea regardless the stick.

Thanks for all your input, this is all very new to me but I'd rather spend some money on quality hardware than get a cheap TE that feels worse than a controller.

[emphatic]

I'm getting one of these actuators myself (I have a brand new SANWA JLF to fit it to) as soon as kowal stocks them again. His first batch is out IIRC. It's a very easy mod to do with huge payoff, perfect way to "get your feet wet".