Ultimate vs Competion joystick

[bigbadmiker]

What's the difference between these 2 joysticks? Ultimate and Competition joystick. (sorry for the typo in the title)

Is one better than the other?

The ultimate is a couple bucks cheaper. I'm replacing the joysticks on my MK2. If there's no big difference, I'll pick up the ultimate to save $$.

 

[norton9478]

Supposedly the competition joysticks have gone to shit.
http://www.neo-geo.com/forums/showthread.php?t=208221

 

[R3LL1K]

Supposedly the competition joysticks have gone to shit.
http://www.neo-geo.com/forums/showthread.php?t=208221

As shitty as the new Competition sticks might be they're still a hell of a lot better than Ultimates. Buy some IL Competition sticks from Lizardlick. They're about $8 and you used to be able to have two of tehm shipped for $7.

 

[bigbadmiker]

Thanks, yeah, I think I'll go with the competition.

 

[TK_Monkey]

I picked up 2 of these for a cabinet:

http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=65&products_id=287

and they work great. The big problem w/ the competition sticks these days seems to be the actuator and ggg has them with replacement actuators that pretty much solve the issues. I was going to say they'd ship a hell of a lot faster too, but looks like LL finally caught up on their shipping time. Looks like the IL's on LL have the same actuator as the ggg ones, but ggg is like $1.50 cheaper.

 

[bigbadmiker]

I picked up 2 of these for a cabinet:

http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=65&products_id=287

and they work great. The big problem w/ the competition sticks these days seems to be the actuator and ggg has them with replacement actuators that pretty much solve the issues. I was going to say they'd ship a hell of a lot faster too, but looks like LL finally caught up on their shipping time. Looks like the IL's on LL have the same actuator as the ggg ones, but ggg is like $1.50 cheaper.

I don't see anything on groovy's site that says anything about using the same actuator. It might look the same, but I don't think it is.

I've bought a couple sets of these same joysticks from tornadoterrys. One set works great, the other set is not so great.

I might have to try those ILs from lizardlick just to compare.

 

[FrizzleFried]

I got some Il's from LL... like `em... even come with colored dust covers.

I have a green IL, brand new, if anyone wants one.

 

[TK_Monkey]

I don't see anything on groovy's site that says anything about using the same actuator. It might look the same, but I don't think it is.

I've bought a couple sets of these same joysticks from tornadoterrys. One set works great, the other set is not so great.

I might have to try those ILs from lizardlick just to compare.

You're right and I worded my original statement poorly. The IL's look similar to the ggg ones in that there's more beveling going on than the stock Happ comp stick. On a second look at my ggg actuator, like the IL's there's beveling going from top to bottom (relative to a side view) instead of just a straight line, but further there aren't any "sharp" edges on it like there are at the top and bottom, they're rounded off. At the time I picked mine up, groovy had a bit about the actuator in the stock happ sticks vs theirs, something about the hard edges causing some issues with function, looks like that's been taken off the description at this point tho.

 

[bigbadmiker]

You're right and I worded my original statement poorly. The IL's look similar to the ggg ones in that there's more beveling going on than the stock Happ comp stick. On a second look at my ggg actuator, like the IL's there's beveling going from top to bottom (relative to a side view) instead of just a straight line, but further there aren't any "sharp" edges on it like there are at the top and bottom, they're rounded off. At the time I picked mine up, groovy had a bit about the actuator in the stock happ sticks vs theirs, something about the hard edges causing some issues with function, looks like that's been taken off the description at this point tho.

Okay, well, I did see a note about the spare parts being made by IL. I'm going to pick up a few of those actuators and give it a shot. Also, going to pick up 2 of the euro sticks. Thanks for the info.

 

[TK_Monkey]

Okay, well, I did see a note about the spare parts being made by IL. I'm going to pick up a few of those actuators and give it a shot. Also, going to pick up 2 of the euro sticks. Thanks for the info.

It looks like both the ggg ones and the IL ones are major improvements over the stock ones, you'll probably be very happy with either of those. If you get the IL ones, post a trip report when you get them tried out.

 

[bigbadmiker]

It looks like both the ggg ones and the IL ones are major improvements over the stock ones, you'll probably be very happy with either of those. If you get the IL ones, post a trip report when you get them tried out.

Will do. I ordered today, should ship tomorrow. I'm hoping to see them show up on Saturday.

 

[bigbadmiker]

As promised, I'm reporting back on the IL Eurojoystick. I received them from Lizardlick in just 2 days, which is awesome.

Unfortunately, I'm dissapointed with them 'cause I thought they would be different than the Happ Competition joysticks. Nope, they are exactly the same, except for the cherry switches instead of e-switch. They don't feel or play any differently than the Happs do and they were $2 more a piece.

Actuators are exactly the same and the spring feels the same. The big reason I'm dissapointed is because I ordered the red joysticks and they aren't red. They're faded red or rose or pink crap. These are now installed on my dedicated MK2 cab and just don't really match that well. The new t-molding I installed really makes the joysticks look downright UGLY!

So. don't waste your time or the extra $$, just stick with the Happ Competition joysticks.

 

[TK_Monkey]

Weird that though the square bit on the bottom of the shaft looks different in pictures that it's not actually that way when recieved. Sucks about the color, rose just wouldn't look right on an MK2. I'm sure Phet would buy them off you tho. Hopefully other than the color they're playing well, I haven't done enough side by side to know exactly how much difference the bit on the bottom makes, but the ones I got from ggg feel fantastic.

 

[Kid Dynamite]

Yeah, I've had kinda weird experiences with Comp sticks because of the difference in parts. I've had different action between sticks with different parts, and even some that were mismatched (stick shaft fit too snug in actuator). Wish I woulda seen this sooner so I could tell you to just stick with US comp sticks for MK, especially because of the color difference. It's what I ultimately used for my KI, though I remember the KI sticks being a little lighter in color. I also remember a smoother texture on MK and KI machines. Could just be because of heavy use though.

 

[bigbadmiker]

The joysticks work well enough. I just wouldn't spend the extra money ever again on a eurojoystick because it feels the same and the color looks off. I put black dustwashers on instead of the color matching ones to give it the authenic original look. After a while, it doesn't seem too bad. Eventually, I plan to sell the cab, so I'll live with it, for now.

Does anyones know if you can buy just the Happ comp sticks (not the whole joystick) from somewhere? They are interchangeable fortunately. I do have old ones, but would like brand new ones.