Advice on U-360's

[BadBoyBill]

Anyone have em, what do you think of em?, Considering getting some. Pro's - Con's?

[The Loafer]

I don't have them but I've research them and WILL have them on my next CP.

pro's:
- can be configured as a true 2/4/8/360/analogue joystick
- can also be configured as a rotated 4 way, perfect for Q-Bert
- above is done through config files, which you can configure to load prior to running specific games so it's all automatic.
- USB

con's:
- expensive :)
- doesn't presently work in HyperSpin ;)
- some have complained about centering for analog games.

There is an excellent thread on byoac on this stick, not a lot of negative can be said. You need to read up on it and decide for yourself which spring/restrictor you want with it, if you even want to use a restrictor. This is a personal thing, we all have different taste as to throw type, etc.

edit: updated my comments

[The Loafer]

Here's an in-depth review of these sticks; dates back a few years.

http://www.retroblast.com/20060917213/Hardware/The-Ultimarc-UltraStik-360-Joystick.php

[Captain Flint]

I bought one for player 1 and I have JLF's for the other three only because they are pretty expensive. I have played around with it a bit (Have not installed it yet), and if the front end is able to help load custom maps to specific games, it's a really nice joystick. The 4 way mode is perfect you will not find any better. The eight way mode is nice, but you have to make sure that you have the restrictor and the hard spring, otherwise it won't feel right. I upgraded mine and it cost close to $90, so it's definitely a great stick, it's just a really really expensive one.

Eventually when I have the funds I will purchase another for player 2.


Oh and I heard that these sticks are excellent while playing games like robotron and smash tv, because they are so responsive.

[BadBoyBill]

Thanks man , good read, I think I will get em, now is the product the same as the time of the article where you have to purchase extra stuff to do certain things like the restictor kit and springs?

[The Loafer]

I'm not sure, but you can send Andy (Ultimarc) an email and the guy is awesome at answering any and all questions. I had an issue with the Ipac controller when I bought my cab off some guy; the ipac controller was defective, had a short. Andy was a great help with trying ideas out through several emails and finally I ordered a replacement chip needed to resolve the issue (basically just paid for the shipping, considering I didn't buy the Ipac from a dealer and it was a few years old, I had no problem with paying shipping).

http://www.ultimarc.com

[Captain Flint]

Yes... you have to buy all of the extras...

[RetroBorg]

I'm definately going to buy U360's for my new cab.

Doesn't the latest versions of MAME support these sticks as far as maps go?

[Captain Flint]

I don't know how it works, I thought it was the front end that uploads the maps to the specific games... is it mame?

[thatitalian]

I have got them and they are the best joys you will ever play with. The functionality is fantastic!

[Visitor Q]

I have two of these going into my new control panel as well as a dedicated 4 way, read a lot about them, mostly good.

I am pretty sure they will work with HS or anything else for that matter with joy2key.

I think you should get them Bill, I am pulling out no stops when it comes to my new CP and I am not one to cut corners, this is what is going into my setup.

[The Loafer]

VQ: Look into this before committing either way but from what I hear, there really is no point in a dedicated 4way if you're using a U360, unless the 4 way feel you prefer needs a restrictor plate for that great 4way feel, then yeah you'd want one then.

Dedicated 4way's are cool though, I have one on my cab's CP :).

[Visitor Q]

I already have but appericate any and all opinions.

That is the exact reason I am getting a true 4 way, because I have room and I want the true feel of a 4 way.

http://www.mameroom.com/ClassicController.asp

I mean I guess I could stick something else in it's place.

[Visitor Q]

I was thinking, maybe I should just get three U 360s but have a restrictor plate install in the top one for dedicated 4 way instead of a true 4 way... Thoughts?

[The Loafer]

Well, if you're looking for a perfect 4 way feel, then don't bother buying a 3rd U360, that's more $$$ and overkill since you'll never use the advantages the 3rd 360 provides so stick with the dedicated 4 way then imho.

Do you know what type of spinners and trackball they're using at mameroom for their CP builds?

[Visitor Q]

Well, if you're looking for a perfect 4 way feel, then don't bother buying a 3rd U360, that's more $$$ and overkill since you'll never use the advantages the 3rd 360 provides so stick with the dedicated 4 way then imho.

Do you know what type of spinners and trackball they're using at mameroom for their CP builds?

Makes sence, what 4 way do you recommend?

I do know the trackball but not the spinner. Let me see if I can find that info. for you.

Pretty sure this is the trackball...

http://www.happcontrols.com/trackballs/56010011.htm

[The Loafer]

I don't really know myself but perhaps a good idea to ensure for you they are using a high resolution spinner. I have an older generation Tornado spinner, does the job but at byoac, I've read many users who have the hi-res spinners (like the GGG spinner) mention some games like arkanoid control way better, like night and day compared to older spinners. I can't remember if it's arkanoid specifically, best to take a look, search for "high resolution spinners" at byoac.

The 4 way I have was a "gift" from the guy who worked on my CP :), not really sure where he dug it up. It's kind of clunky (might just need a new restrictor plate) but it does work perfectly and games like pacman/DK just play better. Some will say an 8 way can do those games justice, I sure as heck disagree!!!


edit: We've gone real off-topic here, let's continue this via a different thread or PM.

[Visitor Q]

PM Sent

[Captain Flint]

The four way mode on the U360's cant be beat... it is the best feeling 4 way out there.... I have messed with restrictor plates for other sticks, and they still don't seem right.

[Visitor Q]

The four way mode on the U360's cant be beat... it is the best feeling 4 way out there.... I have messed with restrictor plates for other sticks, and they still don't seem right.

Yeah but isn't there true 4 way sticks or do they all have plates?

[Visitor Q]

The eight way mode is nice, but you have to make sure that you have the restrictor and the hard spring, otherwise it won't feel right. I upgraded mine and it cost close to $90, so it's definitely a great stick, it's just a really really expensive one.

Would you really want to add that plate though if you plan on using this for emualtion like N64?

[The Loafer]

AFAIK, the point behind a restrictor plate is so it's physically impossible to either go in a certain direction (diags) or at the very least "limit" how far you can go. But also AFAIK, it's more down to a field, a lack of restrictor on the U360 in 4 way mode, or a dedicated 4way, shouldn't make you all of a sudden hit diags, you just can't. I do recognize the "feel" of a joystick can be just as important to some as accuracy.

[The Loafer]

Would you really want to add that plate though if you plan on using this for emualtion like N64?


This is where I am very ignorant on these sticks. I thought because of how it works that adding the restrictor could limit you in analog mode??? Obviously not if people are using them I guess. Can someone clarify?

[Visitor Q]

AFAIK, the point behind a restrictor plate is so it's physically impossible to either go in a certain direction (diags) or at the very least "limit" how far you can go. But also AFAIK, it's more down to a field, a lack of restrictor on the U360 in 4 way mode, or a dedicated 4way, shouldn't make you all of a sudden hit diags, you just can't. I do recognize the "feel" of a joystick can be just as important to some as accuracy.

Right... So with out any plate install in the 360, it is still going to be able to move into the corners, a joystick with a plate would not allow you to do this which is why I want to install a joystick with a plate for my 4 way along with two 360s with out plates. I feel that this will give me the best overal "true" feel.

[Captain Flint]

The throw of the actual stick is really really far, and it almost feels unnatural. For restrictor plates as far as anolog mode goes there is a circular plate that is perfect for anolog.

The stick is extremely responisve, it's just the long throw.

[BadBoyBill]

Any chance anyone here that has 360's and HS fully setup want to help me for an hour or two on getting HS working with them? I can write support in but I can test since I dont have my CP yet.

[The Loafer]

The throw of the actual stick is really really far, and it almost feels unnatural. For restrictor plates as far as anolog mode goes there is a circular plate that is perfect for anolog.

The stick is extremely responisve, it's just the long throw.

Apologize for the newbie type questions:
That's cool, but when using the circular restrictor plate, how the other setups like 4way and 8way work? ie: do you have to constantly change plates or is the circular plate a good fit for all???

[Visitor Q]

Any chance anyone here that has 360's and HS fully setup want to help me for an hour or two on getting HS working with them? I can write support in but I can test since I dont have my CP yet.

I would be more than glad to help but don't have my setup as of yet... Sorry.

[Captain Flint]

Well you can use the circular plate for 8 way mode, and you really do not need the 4-way restrictor as you can set up the inputs to only read 4-way.

So the only reason you would want the 4-way restrictor is if you want to actually feel the physical resistence a 4-way restrictor plate would provide.

I do not have it set up yet, but I have tested it and if you program your stick to do 4-way mode, it is perfect and incredibly responsive, I never played pac-man like that.

So really if you don't really need the feel of a 4-way restrictor, all you would then need is the circle.

for further reading...
http://www.retroblast.com/20060917213/Hardware/The-Ultimarc-UltraStik-360-Joystick/pg2.php

http://www.ultimarc.com/ultrastik_inst.html

[Captain Flint]

Any chance anyone here that has 360's and HS fully setup want to help me for an hour or two on getting HS working with them? I can write support in but I can test since I dont have my CP yet.

I could.... possibly. I don't have them hooked up, but that takes two seconds.

[Visitor Q]

Apologize for the newbie type questions:
That's cool, but when using the circular restrictor plate, how the other setups like 4way and 8way work? ie: do you have to constantly change plates or is the circular plate a good fit for all???

Once a plate is installed, it is dedicated to what is installed unless you change it or rotate in the case of some.

The U360s are like the joysticks on a playstation controller. They know how far they are being pressed in one direction and have no restrictor plates install. If you are a modern video game player you will understand what I am referring to as to sneaking or running in some games. The harder or the move you press to one side depends on the difference between walking in running (in some games).

[The Loafer]

Yeah, I understand the logic behind analog control, I'm just flabergasted by some of the people who've bought multiple restrictor plates and experiment with them all the time. One my sucker is installed, I don't have the time to mess with it anymore (though I acknowledge respect for their effort towards the perfect joystick).

From everything I've read, when I do order my 2 U360's, I'm 99.9% sure I'll order the circular restrictor; sounds like a safe bet that will allow me to enjoy the largest variety of games at a pretty high percent accurate control.

[Visitor Q]

From everything I've read, when I do order my 2 U360's, I'm 99.9% sure I'll order the circular restrictor; sounds like a safe bet that will allow me to enjoy the largest variety of games at a pretty high percent accurate control.

That that will shorten the throw and keep the full range intacted which would seem like the best bet. Considering the same myself...

[EvilDindon]

Just to say I wanted one, too, for my planned mamecab.

But I didn't know we "had" to change the spring, the plate, etc...

[Visitor Q]

You don't have too...

[Captain Flint]

You guys are forgetting one important thing... they come in two packs.

Pack 1 contains a circular restrictor plate, and the 4-8 way plate

Pack 2 contains the octagonal restrictor plate.

[EvilDindon]

So, what's the best choice for an "all in one - all ways joysyick" solution ? Pack 1 or 2 ?

[Visitor Q]

These plates are not really made to be switched in and out on a daily basis, so you more less pick one and stick with it.

[The Loafer]

Almost every message I've read on byoac have said "circular restrictor plate and the hard spring" is the best.

[Twin-X]

Almost every message I've read on byoac have said "circular restrictor plate and the hard spring" is the best.

Yes i have this setup and i can assure you thisis the best setup.

Travel without restrictor is too far and affects gameplay in my opinion especially on figting and shumps.

The soft spring sucks big time you do not get the feeling that the stick is actually positioning back. So hard spring reccomended.

What i do not understand is why this is not sold this way. I guess it is a marketing trick. At least the hardspring should be added by default and the soft should be optional.

A big plus is that if arzoo has finished his mapping feature for 360 on HS you will get a very good feel. Mappings are actually essential on a lot of games. 4 way and 8 ways must have good mappings or they wil play very bad.

Very verstatile stick but still nothing beats the real thing.