Input on the Ultimarc Mag-Stik

Liteyear98

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I have a few of these and rather than wait for feedback from the user I thought I would ask for input from those who might have already had some experience with them.

Pro's and Con's and any other information you might be willing to provide would be great.

Thanks

Michael
 
I have one in my 60:1 Pac-Man restoration. I got it for the easy switching between 4 and 8 way. I'm no expert with it, because I've probably spent less than 30 minutes playing the machine since I built it. I mainly did it to have a "classics" machines for friends. That being said, I think the throws are short and stunted and I still haven't figured out how to switch it reliably...but that's my fault for really not looking into it and figuring it out. I don't think it's really a "player's" stick and it isn't really inexpensive, so I say the only plus to it is the easier switchability.
 
I like them.

Sure, the throw is short but I still get to enjoy 8-way 1942 as well as 4-way Ms Pac without any hassle.

+1 I like it too. It's not the same as original but one of the best options for this board.
I have a couple of the groovy game gear switchable 4/8way's that I haven't had the opportunity to use yet, they seem like they will be better than the mag stik plus (just how it feels and looks)
 
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Thank you All for the Feedback

I did a write-up on this stick...
http://www.togeo.com/togeo/wordpress/?p=67

Overall, I like it... Especially so after the microswitch modification.

Based on the EagleGT Write up (Awesome Work) I decided to do the mod on the Mag-Stik Plus and found some time today to do it. It indeed makes the Joystick feel much more responsive. Before the Mod the Joystick felt weak. After the mod you could feel the difference as it felt much much stronger and seemed to jump back to its magnetic center quicker. This could be due to the stronger (250 Gram) actuation force on the Microswitch pushing it back faster and harder. Of not the Microswitch had to be mounted face down, but that does not really matter. I did not have a machine to put it in, but I did hook it up to my test bench and I like it.

I didn't do any cutting on the microswitch arms. Since most microswithces are designed to have an expanded purpose, I just used the actuation levers from the original microswitches from the Joystick and placed them into the ACEMAKE Microswitches I had. I had tried the levers on a different brand, but there was an actuation issue where one of the switches seemed to have a "Low Button", causing it to be too far away from the shaft to actuate. The end result can be seen here.

There is a service alert concerning the fork that actuates the 4/8 way movement. It is a common sense thing to me, but good information nonetheless.

Thanks again to all

Michael
 
Like Jedidentist I started off with one of these in my 60-1.

I absolutely hated it. The feel is completely off, and it constantly clicked...clicked...clicked. I worke on it a bit to try and improve it, but eventually pulled it out and put in a regular leaf style stick. It has the exact feel I'm used to, and is perfectly silent.

I detailed my problems with the 4/8 switcher and eventual replacement here: http://forums.arcade-museum.com/showthread.php?t=184254
 
the one i got was a piece of shit. screw holes stripped right out of the box, and i also ordered an ipac and the software disc was broken, i emailed my concerns and was told the software was available online, no link, no comment on the shitty fucked up joystick which sucked at its best and lasted less than a year before i switched it out with a happ ultimate, which is a decent cheap stick, but eventually i ended up getting an old 80s wico leaf switch stick and havent looked back since.
 
Looks like a split so far

Three for - Three against.

Did anyone in the against group try any mods?
I realize that if the Joystick was stripped out there isn't much you can do.

I do agree the throw is short, and if you are a purist looking for the original feel this isn't the stick you want. The Microswitch mod does make the Joystick feel a little tighter, maybe that would address some of the issues that some had?
 
Short throw, fatiguing stiffness, hurts to play for more than a few minutes and WHEN you can get the switching to 4 way to work, it still doesn't work right.

I replaced mine with standard Happ (edit - might be Wico) leaf sticks when people who came over played Ms Pac and could not reliably turn corners in 4 way OR 8 way mode. I get a lot less complaints now even though the current sticks have a learning curve for 4 way games.

I am 100% against these sticks but that's evident from my other replies on the same question in these forums. Admittedly I am subjectively biased.
 
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Has anyone ordered one recently? The reason I ask... In May of 2011, Andy from Ultimarc posted over at BYOAC about the switch issue...

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=106319.0

I was curious if the newer Mag Stik's are running anything different in the way of switches.

Andy brought up a good point about return to center on looser switches... I haven't had any issues with mine, but I never installed the "really light" switches... I stuck with the "standard issue" Acemakes that were in my original modification guide. Andy also nailed the description of the SAIA switches... "Spongy" is a perfect word for them, and exactly describes the issue I had. They just didn't have a positive actuation at all.

It's funny, I loved the Sanwa JLF until I tried the Mag Stik... the short throw is really addicting, and especially-so when you have a better switch installed.
 
Microswitches

Has anyone ordered one recently?........... the short throw is really addicting, and especially-so when you have a better switch installed.

I have ordered some and before the mod was semi impressed. After your mod I liked the stick much more. The short throw does take some time to get used to, but in the end character movement is much faster and accurate.

To each their own
 
I got one a couple of months ago. It works pretty well. The main problem that I see is that the pieces that come together to switch from 4 to 8 are metal/plastic. The plastic piece is already worn out, making it difficult to switch from the top. Seems like a design flaw to have 2 gear like parts made from different materials.
 
I agree

I got one a couple of months ago. It works pretty well. The main problem that I see is that the pieces that come together to switch from 4 to 8 are metal/plastic. The plastic piece is already worn out, making it difficult to switch from the top. Seems like a design flaw to have 2 gear like parts made from different materials.

I was wondering if the material was some sort of hardened plastic. If it were a machines piece of steel / aluminum it would definitely be more durable.

There was also a service bulletin out on these which you may or may not have seen. It basically closes that gap between the teeth and the gear when you pull up on the handle. This makes sure there is a tighter fit and less chance of stripping. I recommend contacting the manufacturer to see if you might be able to get a replacement piece. I can help out if you need it.

Michael
 
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