....is this just a clone of the Epyx J-500? It is pretty ergo-wise, and
feels good in the hand, but the button seems fairly cheap. The button
is on the right hand side, and for my hands, it is sort of a long
stretch to press the button comfortably. I wish they had placed the
button on the lefthand side.

Paul

<dunric@yahoo.com> wrote in message 
news:1141278517.951766.192970@e56g2000cwe.googlegroups.com...
> ...is this just a clone of the Epyx J-500? It is pretty ergo-wise, and
> feels good in the hand, but the button seems fairly cheap. The button
> is on the right hand side, and for my hands, it is sort of a long
> stretch to press the button comfortably. I wish they had placed the
> button on the lefthand side.
>

Set yourself on fire in protest or something... 

dunric@yahoo.com wrote:
> ...is this just a clone of the Epyx J-500? It is pretty ergo-wise, and

Nope. The Epyx J-500 is a licenced version of the original Konix Speed King.

Konix was (is?) a Welsh company. The Speed King was rated for over a 
million joystick movements, and won awards (either for design or for 
commercial success). The profits from the massive success of the Speed 
King helped finance the ill-fated Konix Multisystem games system.

> feels good in the hand, but the button seems fairly cheap. The button
> is on the right hand side, and for my hands, it is sort of a long
> stretch to press the button comfortably. I wish they had placed the
> button on the lefthand side.

Compared to other joysticks of a more conventional design, the Speed 
King does take a while to get used to. Maybe try shifting your grip, or 
  ensure your fingers are sited correctly in the smooth areas provided 
in the casing.


Marc Walters

Marc Walters wrote:


> Compared to other joysticks of a more conventional design, the Speed
> King does take a while to get used to. Maybe try shifting your grip, or
>   ensure your fingers are sited correctly in the smooth areas provided
> in the casing.
> 

Sure does, but once you get used to it you can become an awesome game player
like me :)

I love my Epyx 500XJs, wouldnt use anything else.

Oh, and hi Marc!

dunric@yahoo.com wrote:
> ...is this just a clone of the Epyx J-500? It is pretty ergo-wise, and
> feels good in the hand, but the button seems fairly cheap. The button
> is on the right hand side, and for my hands, it is sort of a long
> stretch to press the button comfortably. I wish they had placed the
> button on the lefthand side.
> 
> Paul
> 
If you really want a good, nigh-indestructible joystick, and aren't 
afraid of a little woodworking, build an Atari compatible stick from 
arcade parts-

Happ controls: (http://www.happcontrols.com) has pieces parts, and you 
can build a joystick with as many buttons as you like for about $20.

(Check for a minimum order, first..)

-Urson Bear

PS: The switch mechanisms in the hardware have already been torture 
tested. There is no need to run failure mode tests on these unless 
you're really really into putting your joystick in the freezer. Me, I 
prefer somewhere warmer.

Papabear wrote:

> dunric@yahoo.com wrote:
>> ...is this just a clone of the Epyx J-500? It is pretty ergo-wise, and
>> feels good in the hand, but the button seems fairly cheap. The button
>> is on the right hand side, and for my hands, it is sort of a long
>> stretch to press the button comfortably. I wish they had placed the
>> button on the lefthand side.
>> 
>> Paul
>> 
> If you really want a good, nigh-indestructible joystick, and aren't
> afraid of a little woodworking, build an Atari compatible stick from
> arcade parts-
> 
> Happ controls: (http://www.happcontrols.com) has pieces parts, and you
> can build a joystick with as many buttons as you like for about $20.
> 
> (Check for a minimum order, first..)
> 
> -Urson Bear
> 
> PS: The switch mechanisms in the hardware have already been torture
> tested. There is no need to run failure mode tests on these unless
> you're really really into putting your joystick in the freezer. Me, I
> prefer somewhere warmer.

I recently built an arcade joystick into an MDF box for use with my arcade
supergun. It sucks, the stick has way too much travel and bounce.... it is
a cheap stick tho....

Simon Scott wrote:
> Papabear wrote:
> 
>> dunric@yahoo.com wrote:
>>> ...is this just a clone of the Epyx J-500? It is pretty ergo-wise, and
>>> feels good in the hand, but the button seems fairly cheap. The button
>>> is on the right hand side, and for my hands, it is sort of a long
>>> stretch to press the button comfortably. I wish they had placed the
>>> button on the lefthand side.
>>>
>>> Paul
>>>
>> If you really want a good, nigh-indestructible joystick, and aren't
>> afraid of a little woodworking, build an Atari compatible stick from
>> arcade parts-

(etc)
>> -Urson Bear
>>
(etc)

> I recently built an arcade joystick into an MDF box for use with my arcade
> supergun. It sucks, the stick has way too much travel and bounce.... it is
> a cheap stick tho....
   ---------------------

Last line says it all. Fortunately, you should be able to put another 
stick in where the current one is now- the hole size shouldn't change, 
and MDF takes screws nicely.

....Although, due to weight issues, I'd have used a good plywood. Your 
box must be HEAVY...

-Urson Bear

Papabear wrote:

> 
>> I recently built an arcade joystick into an MDF box for use with my
>> arcade supergun. It sucks, the stick has way too much travel and
>> bounce.... it is a cheap stick tho....
>    ---------------------
> 
> Last line says it all. Fortunately, you should be able to put another
> stick in where the current one is now- the hole size shouldn't change,
> and MDF takes screws nicely.
> 
> ...Although, due to weight issues, I'd have used a good plywood. Your
> box must be HEAVY...

9mm MDF - not particularly heavy, but enough weight so it doesnt flop around
in my lap. Its only really for testing PCBs anyway, so Im not too fussed
about the quality of the stick....