Absolute Question and Answer Thread (ASK YOUR QUESTIONS HERE!)

ExtremeYoshiFan · 2011-11-06T01:24:39.000Z

Couldn’t find an answer anywhere, so I guess I have to ask here. I’ve got some spare change and want a Decent PS2 stick(and I may purchase an adapter/MC Ctulhu so my younger brother can use it on PS3), so what parts are in the Namco PS1 Stick? I’m thinking they’re Seimitsu clones due to the button shape, but I could be wrong. If they’re clones I’ll probably replace them with Sanwa parts, is this wise?

If the Namco would be a bad choice or I can’t locate one, what is another reasonable priced PS2 stick with a similar layout?

MetaMeeks · 2011-11-08T02:59:05.000Z

This is probably a super noob question but is there a difference in usb cable brands? Like to the point where it will affect your gameplay? I’m looking at the startech cables that seem to be more expensive and harder to come by, and then there’s the belkin branded cable that is cheaper and more available. Will the belkin one cause lag or anything if I use it for an arcade stick? Hah, WILL it even work for an arcade stick with a neutrik nausb?

Toodles · 2011-11-08T03:07:37.000Z

Zx-tole:

I have a question about CPS-2 boards. For the mother board (A) is it preferred to have a USA, Japan, ASIA, or Europe one? or does it depends on what region the B board is from?

Japanese and US ‘A’ boards are interchangable. I do not know about EU boards.

ExtremeYoshiFan:

Couldn’t find an answer anywhere, so I guess I have to ask here. I’ve got some spare change and want a Decent PS2 stick(and I may purchase an adapter/MC Ctulhu so my younger brother can use it on PS3), so what parts are in the Namco PS1 Stick? I’m thinking they’re Seimitsu clones due to the button shape, but I could be wrong. If they’re clones I’ll probably replace them with Sanwa parts, is this wise?

If the Namco would be a bad choice or I can’t locate one, what is another reasonable priced PS2 stick with a similar layout?

The parts in the Namco are Hori made, and my recommendation is to not mod them. If you have to replace the buttons because they dont work anymore, Seimitsu G’s are a good replacement with similar feel. The stick should NOT be modded; the hackery needed to get a ‘real’ joystick in isn’t worth the hassle, and you have to deal with shaft length problems. Just dont do it.
If you want a good PS2 stick that you can freely swap buttons and stick around, get an HRAP2. Layout and top panel material is better than HRAP1, and the hackery needed to mod a T5 stick just isn’t worth it.

MetaMeeks:

This is probably a super noob question but is there a difference in usb cable brands? Like to the point where it will affect your gameplay? I’m looking at the startech cables that seem to be more expensive and harder to come by, and then there’s the belkin branded cable that is cheaper and more available. Will the belkin one cause lag or anything if I use it for an arcade stick? Hah, WILL it even work for an arcade stick with a neutrik nausb?

If it works, it works. Cables dont introduce lag, and signal errors in USB cables are beyond rare unless the cable has been beaten and twisted and cut.

ExtremeYoshiFan · 2011-11-08T04:12:01.000Z

Toodles:

JIf you want a good PS2 stick that you can freely swap buttons and stick around, get an HRAP2. Layout and top panel material is better than HRAP1, and the hackery needed to mod a T5 stick just isn’t worth it.

How much should I pay for one? All the ones I’ve found are at least $150(which I don’t have at the moment, but I’m willing to wait if that is a reasonable price).

It’s looking to me like I should just swap the PCB in my TE for an PC Cthulhu to save me some cash, although I really wanted a second stick.

Zx-tole · 2011-11-08T05:36:02.000Z

so I can use a US A board with Japanese B board?

Toodles · 2011-11-08T05:59:20.000Z

ExtremeYoshiFan:

How much should I pay for one? All the ones I’ve found are at least $150(which I don’t have at the moment, but I’m willing to wait if that is a reasonable price).

It’s looking to me like I should just swap the PCB in my TE for an PC Cthulhu to save me some cash, although I really wanted a second stick.

Im not sure on an HRAP 2 price, but they were seriously awesome sticks. Just make sure to know there is a difference between HRAP2, the HRAP2 SE and the the HRAP2 SA. HRAP2 uses Hori buttons and sanwa stick, SA uses all Sanwa parts, SE uses all Seimitsu parts. SA and SE models will definitely go for more since they were limited runs.

Zx-tole:

so I can use a US A board with Japanese B board?

http://cps2shock.emu-france.info/techinfo.html
Yup.

Zx-tole · 2011-11-08T06:18:24.000Z

Thanks toodles. another bookmark for me!

rtdzign · 2011-11-08T09:19:53.000Z

shin_neferio:

best place to get plexis cut? lowes? home depot?

You live in Washington?
try finding a local tap plastics.
http://www.tapplastics.com

They can cut your acrylic rectangular in size using a table saw. I was thinking of getting the fine tooth table saw blade they use for cutting acrylic, but it isn’t cheap.

dako · 2011-11-08T13:10:15.000Z

I need NES reset switch replacemnt switch/button/mechanical part. Name or Digikey or farnel code would be ideal because of shipping. I cant google it.

Here is picture of reset/power button combo.

Darksakul · 2011-11-09T01:01:52.000Z

I have a spare salvaged from a old NES, confirmed working
PM me if your interested.

ExtremeYoshiFan · 2011-11-09T05:18:33.000Z

Toodles:

Im not sure on an HRAP 2 price, but they were seriously awesome sticks. Just make sure to know there is a difference between HRAP2, the HRAP2 SE and the the HRAP2 SA. HRAP2 uses Hori buttons and sanwa stick, SA uses all Sanwa parts, SE uses all Seimitsu parts. SA and SE models will definitely go for more since they were limited runs.
.

I knew of the differences. Thanks for the help. Now I just have to see if I can score one from somewhere.

dako · 2011-11-09T12:32:30.000Z

Darksakul:

I have a spare salvaged from a old NES, confirmed working
PM me if your interested.

Thanks Darksakul. I shall contact you if I dont find this somewhere closer.

nars · 2011-11-09T17:15:34.000Z

I remember reading somewhere about another type of sanwa button?

What was the name of that? I hope I’m making sense. It isn’t the OBSF or OBSN. It was something else and I tried google and found nothing

gahrling · 2011-11-09T17:29:14.000Z

nars:

I remember reading somewhere about another type of sanwa button?

You could be referring to any of 15+ different Sanwa buttons.

Look through this catalogue:

http://www.akihabarashop.jp/catalogs/Sanwa1112.pdf

nars · 2011-11-09T17:46:15.000Z

gahrling:

You could be referring to any of 15+ different Sanwa buttons.

Look through this catalogue:

http://www.akihabarashop.jp/catalogs/Sanwa1112.pdf

Thanks for that gahrling. Maybe it was the OBSA’s or something. Or maybe it wasn’t Sanwa to begin with. lol. I’ll be looking @ this for a while! Thanks again man

Dwight_Siyluy · 2011-11-10T05:03:12.000Z

I don’t know if this was already answered, I couldn’t find it in the first place, but what is padhacking and is there some kind of tutorial that there is that I can use to learn how? I know that it has to do something with a fightpad, but I don’t know the rest of it.

gahrling · 2011-11-10T05:20:13.000Z

Dwight_Siyluy:

I don’t know if this was already answered, I couldn’t find it in the first place, but what is padhacking and is there some kind of tutorial that there is that I can use to learn how? I know that it has to do something with a fightpad, but I don’t know the rest of it.

http://slagcoin.com/joystick/pcb_wiring.html

OlDirtyBastard · 2011-11-10T08:10:51.000Z

So I was about to throw away these rock band guitar controllers that I have and thought that maybe I could use their pcbs for a stick. Ive opened the thing up and I think there are only 5 buttons that I can connect but I know little about the process. Has anyone heard of these pcbs being used? Its an xbox rock band 1 guitar if that makes any difference.

Toodles · 2011-11-10T09:19:58.000Z

OlDirtyBastard:

So I was about to throw away these rock band guitar controllers that I have and thought that maybe I could use their pcbs for a stick. Ive opened the thing up and I think there are only 5 buttons that I can connect but I know little about the process. Has anyone heard of these pcbs being used? Its an xbox rock band 1 guitar if that makes any difference.

Im pretty sure you can use them, but there is the 5 button limitation you’ve already mentioned. So, not so suitable for arcade sticks.
But, please, if you’re gonna toss them, gut the pcb and stash it somewhere. If that’s too much room, take a dremel and just keep the 8 pin ‘XBOX’ chip on it. Keeping the USB cables might not be a bad idea, but definitely keep the XBOX security chip. It might be a few years, but if Im right, you’ll be happy you did when the day comes.

OlDirtyBastard · 2011-11-10T12:15:49.000Z

Thanks for the reply, I took it apart more and on the pcb the button connections are labelled 1st to 10th and then there is a ground. Since it is for rock band there are 5 buttons for the top of the neck and another 5 on the bottom that serve the same function as the top 5. After thinking about it, even though both sets do the same thing, the bottom set acts slightly different(wont bore you with how the game works.) Would I be able to just hook up the buttons to the first 6 on the pcb or am I in way over my head? If pictures are needed I could probably borrow a camera from my neighbor.