Competition Pro joystick: origional vs reproduction?

rwv01 · Post by **rwv01** » Sat Jan 24, 2009 3:12 pm

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)

ral-clan · Post by **ral-clan** » Sat Jan 24, 2009 4:08 pm

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)

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.

The Suncom Sliksticks are pretty good too. Not as well made, but close.

Mikam73 · Post by **Mikam73** » Sat Jan 24, 2009 4:32 pm

Orginal. Reproduction version buttons feel different, I can feel edges of ring around buttons.

rwv01 · Post by **rwv01** » Sun Jan 25, 2009 7:53 pm

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.

ral-clan · Post by **ral-clan** » Sun Jan 25, 2009 8:58 pm

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.

Mikam73 · Post by **Mikam73** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 12:15 am

Many people also like Tac2 and Terminator joystic

I wouldnt dare buy Terminator from other country with airmail etc..

carlsson · Post by **carlsson** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 2:14 am

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.

Post by **Jeff-20** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 3:35 am

I have an arcade with leaf switches, and I owned one with micro switches before (now sold). I had expected to like the micro switch, but I really prefer the feel of the leaf. Micro starts off feeling accurate, but after a while the click noise bugs me.

Pedro Lambrini · Post by **Pedro Lambrini** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 2:42 pm

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.

nbla000 · Post by **nbla000** » Mon Jan 26, 2009 4:45 pm

rwv01 wrote:Hi folks.
I'm looking for a new joystick that is very reliable and very playable.

Do you like this, it's mine, tested with all Mega-Cart games, 100% satisfied for both Joystick and Mega-Cart

rwv01 · Post by **rwv01** » Tue Jan 27, 2009 6:00 am

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.

carlsson · Post by **carlsson** » Tue Jan 27, 2009 6:35 am

Cool, I was not aware of TAC-3 and TAC-5 before now. I see TAC-5 even is micro switched. However I can't find anything about TAC-4 but perhaps one never was made. Obviously the vast majority of hits relate to the TAC-2 though.

Boray · Post by **Boray** » Tue Jan 27, 2009 6:36 am

Tac-2 has always been my favorite.

rwv01 · Post by **rwv01** » Tue Jan 27, 2009 10:13 am

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.

Denial

Competition Pro joystick: origional vs reproduction?

Competition Pro joystick: origional vs reproduction?

Re: Competition Pro joystick: origional vs reproduction?

Re: Competition Pro joystick: origional vs reproduction?