@TKR if you want smaller and more precise movements without hitting the gate then you don’t want something like a Kowal or anything that shortens the throw. The shorter the throw the more likely you’ll ride the gate. You could try one of the gate haters by PAS that actually increase the throw range while keeping the engage stock or making the engage faster using and oversized bell.
A spring is still not going to stop you from hitting the gate. Most every spring is weak enough that anyone can have it hit the gate. The benefits to a stronger spring are not about stopping you from hitting the gate or forcing your movements to be smaller, but rather snapping back to neutral faster. That’s where a stronger spring comes into play and the main reason to use one. Of course if you get a strong enough spring you can make it difficult to hit the gate, but then you also make it difficult to move the lever to hit directions. PAS sells a 6 and 9 lb spring set which makes playing on your lever difficult. These are outrageous mods that are there just because, and tend to make the parts feel like they’re grinding from all the extra tension. Of course, that doesn’t stop people from buying them.
My bad. I thought it was the shaft hitting the gate not the actuator. That changes everything then. I don’t mind hitting the gate. And I know the spring would never stop me from hitting it. I just prefer to play with limited gate interaction. The idea i had behind the stronger spring is that the response I get from it would be tighter. Making me fell a little more resistance. Which makes it make comfortable to play off the gate. I guess its something I cant actually explain. Do some short circles with your stick and stay off the gate. you will see in the beginning it requires more resistance in your hand and arm to get it comfortable. Until you learn to play that way and just naturally make shorter movements. When you start making smaller movements and relax your arm and hand, it starts to feel a little loose. I don’t ever miss a switch. But it simply feels like the JLF is cheap crap. Not that it is. Just that it feels sloppy like a cheap stick. So more resistance just makes it feel like a more solid unit.
So I don’t imagine any real benefit to having a heavier spring. Other than the comfort and feel.
I thought the JLF had leaf switches. If not are they easy to install.
Are you doing the Dragon punch by starting from the offensive crouch (down forwards towards the right) position, that is, holding the joystick down+forwards and then executing the motion?
@TKR yeah a stronger spring definitely makes the response of a stick tighter. The faster neutral means better inputs, dashes, running, stuff like that. JLF definitely feels sloppy when stock if you’re used to playing on a tighter spring.