Competition Pro joystick: origional vs reproduction?
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Competition Pro joystick: origional vs reproduction?
Hi folks.
I'm looking for a new joystick that is very reliable and very playable.
I have a reproduction Competition Pro from Speed Link.
The switches are failing inside. Plus the large buttons tend to come out of the base.
I've had it for about a year or so and don't think I've
put an extraordinary amount of ware on it. Is this common with this the repro?
What has your experience been with the Speed Link version?
How does this one compare with the original?
What is the best stick you've used? (any make)
I'm looking for a new joystick that is very reliable and very playable.
I have a reproduction Competition Pro from Speed Link.
The switches are failing inside. Plus the large buttons tend to come out of the base.
I've had it for about a year or so and don't think I've
put an extraordinary amount of ware on it. Is this common with this the repro?
What has your experience been with the Speed Link version?
How does this one compare with the original?
What is the best stick you've used? (any make)
Re: Competition Pro joystick: origional vs reproduction?
WICO bat (or any other WICO). Absolutely the best. Hands down. All my Wicos are still working after 20 years. They make joysticks for arcade machines and industrial use.rwv01 wrote:Hi folks.
I'm looking for a new joystick that is very reliable and very playable.
I have a reproduction Competition Pro from Speed Link.
The switches are failing inside. Plus the large buttons tend to come out of the base.
I've had it for about a year or so and don't think I've
put an extraordinary amount of ware on it. Is this common with this the repro?
What has your experience been with the Speed Link version?
How does this one compare with the original?
What is the best stick you've used? (any make)
The Suncom Sliksticks are pretty good too. Not as well made, but close.
Well I just bought a Wico Command Control (Red Ball)
on ebay. The Listing says it's got the original box, is working and
has a "100% money back guarantee for any reason".
I may get an original Competition Pro at some point to see how it compares to the repro.
Thanks both for your input.
on ebay. The Listing says it's got the original box, is working and
has a "100% money back guarantee for any reason".
I may get an original Competition Pro at some point to see how it compares to the repro.
Thanks both for your input.
Last edited by rwv01 on Mon Jan 26, 2009 1:45 am, edited 1 time in total.
The only thing about the Wico joysticks is that they are very tall - some people don't like that. For this reason I prefer the "bat" style, because you can hold it down low near the base.
In any regard, you have an exceptionally high build-quality joystick there. It will probably last you for your lifetime.
In any regard, you have an exceptionally high build-quality joystick there. It will probably last you for your lifetime.
The main difference is that Wico joysticks use leaf switches while Competition Pro has micro switches. Which lasts the longer, I don't know but many people think micro switches are even more exact than leaf ones, see also arcade games. Earlier joysticks like Quickshot, Tac-2 and all the others use simpler contact technology. I found Slik Stik to be a great disappointment, but that Tac-2 tend to work for quite a long time.
Anders Carlsson
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I've tried quite a few stick over the years and I prefer the lighter feel of microswitches. However, I do find that they break easier - I put that down to my playing style more than anything...
The joystick I always come back to is the Quickshot Python (137-F). It's not the most comfortable and isn't entirely suitable to arcade style games but it ahs never broken on me and is always responsive.
As for the reissue of the Competition Pro, I haven't tried it but I don't remember anyone saying anything great about it. Judging from what I've heard it seems to be just a cheaper 'clone' of the original.
The joystick I always come back to is the Quickshot Python (137-F). It's not the most comfortable and isn't entirely suitable to arcade style games but it ahs never broken on me and is always responsive.
As for the reissue of the Competition Pro, I haven't tried it but I don't remember anyone saying anything great about it. Judging from what I've heard it seems to be just a cheaper 'clone' of the original.
Re: Competition Pro joystick: origional vs reproduction?
Do you like this, it's mine, tested with all Mega-Cart games, 100% satisfied for both Joystick and Mega-Cartrwv01 wrote:Hi folks.
I'm looking for a new joystick that is very reliable and very playable.
Mega-Cart: the cartridge you plug in once and for all.
That's really nice! Is it custom?
I had replaced the plug on my TAC-3 which got it working again after 20 years, but then one of the directional switches broke. It must have been weakened from past abuse. I imagine that weather leaf springs or micro switches are better depends a lot on the design of the joy stick.
I had replaced the plug on my TAC-3 which got it working again after 20 years, but then one of the directional switches broke. It must have been weakened from past abuse. I imagine that weather leaf springs or micro switches are better depends a lot on the design of the joy stick.
Tac-2 has always been my favorite.
PRG Starter - a VICE helper / Vic Software (Boray Gammon, SD2IEC music player, Vic Disk Menu, Tribbles, Mega Omega, How Many 8K etc.)
Well, here are the Suncom TAC models I have recently become aware of:
referenced from:
http://www.4jays.com/J1.JPG
I think the TAC-2 probably belongs in a different family from the others here.
The TAC-3, (bottom left) which I have, has a plastic shaft. It also has a
bit of play in the center. The top button is responsive; the bottom ones
not so much. They press down on either side of a spring-loaded metal
plate which has a single electrical contact in the center.
referenced from:
http://www.4jays.com/J1.JPG
I think the TAC-2 probably belongs in a different family from the others here.
The TAC-3, (bottom left) which I have, has a plastic shaft. It also has a
bit of play in the center. The top button is responsive; the bottom ones
not so much. They press down on either side of a spring-loaded metal
plate which has a single electrical contact in the center.