Two VX’s back in stock at amiami and 9 V3’s in stock.
So I got around to throwing some arcade parts in my Fighting Stick VX.
http://img684.imageshack.us/img684/2893/vxmod1.jpg
Really simple mod. Each button wire is clearly marked on the PCB. You’ll have to remove the button daughterboard and bend prongs so that everything fits in the (very shallow) case.
Using the existing mounting holes HORI so kindly provided and M4 metric screws, LS-55 and LS-56 mount at the correct height. This is an LS-55. JLFs and LS-32s will mount, too, but will be too short (and might even require you to cut a hole in the bottom of the case for the shaft). The pinouts for the joystick on the right side of the PCB are, from top to bottom: Ground, ground, ground, up, down, left, right, ground. I ghetto spliced the LS-55 harness into the existing harness.
Also, adding an LS-55 or -56 will demand that you gouge out a significant chunk of plastic from the bottom of the case, otherwise the shaft will grind:
http://img600.imageshack.us/img600/3396/vxmod2.jpg
At least you don’t have to cut an actual hole, but you have to go so thin that light shines through 
http://img530.imageshack.us/img530/5963/vxmod3.jpg
This is all temp, I’ll eventually get buttons that match whatever theme I go with for the artwork.
Also, I’ll be making an art template for the Fighting Stick VX/V3 to complete my mod soon. I’ll post it here for people to use.
That stick is so clean looking. If a JLf could fit at the proper height I’d have to get one.
JLF should fit at proper height just fine, and it’s what I plan to do with mine. You can’t tell from the pictures so far, but there is a few millimeters of gap between the top of the metal panel and the bottom of the plastic part underneath. Add in the 4-5mm thickness from the plastic, and a JLF should have the proper 9mm between mounting plate and where it comes out the panel. My only complaint so far about the stick is the off-white coloring of the control panel, right next to the bright white plastic case.
NRX, where’d you get the snazzy Seimitsu buttons? LizardLick’s color stock of PS-14-G’s doesn’t have most of those.
I actually like the off white. It’s nice to have a very subtle bit of contrast. I’ll hold out until someone puts a JLF in successfully and hope for a price drop.
i’m guessing spare buttons off an EX-SE? LL used to have more colors than their current stock. Aki-shop has a bunch of colors of the PS-14-G’s though =)
It’s allegedly “one or two” mm too short (although I did not try myself): ???VX???: FAF???5???
Of course, you could just skip the mounting plate: ???V3(FSV3)??? ???
But maybe I shouldn’t trust EVERYTHING J-blogs have to say
I’d never tried an LS-55 anyway, wanted to give one a whirl.
I have to agree with this. It looks even worse in person. Well, that’s what custom art is for…
Whoa, I don’t even remember! I just had 'em laying around…I may have got them in Japan. But Akiba Shop does have the black-rimmed PS-14-Gs.
Here’s my V3, picked it up over half a year ago in an Akihabara Trader. Best lap stick ever.
-Light and compact.
-6 Button Vewlix layout.
-Compatible with Sanwa parts without need for modification to the case.
-Plastic bottom so it feels comfortable on your lap.
-The PCB registers as a Hori Pro (or something similar) in Windows.
I feel like hoarding a dozen of them, but 3’s enough :wgrin:
very nice mod NRX!
They’re pretty freakin’ great, aren’t they? My new favorite stick, for sure. Looking forward to art- and dual-modding it. The black case is slick too, I’ll have to get a V3 in Osaka.
Ha ha, thx! It’s about as ghetto as you can get, but all that matters is function :bgrin:
Yeah, the V3 and VX are pretty much the best kept secret since they weren’t released outside of Japan. The design of the case is immaculate. All that’s missing from mine is a sweet Vewlix L overlay. And to figure out how to utilize the 7 turbo switches in a different way (maybe an LED mod or something) since I don’t use turbos.
Fighting Stick VX/V3 template. This should be plenty accurate for art. Surprisingly, it’s not a true Viewlix layout…it’s a little compressed.
http://img827.imageshack.us/img827/1175/fightingstickv3vxtempla.jpg
Click on image to download .psd. Includes vector path and rasterized guide layer. Enjoy!
Hows the weight of the stick?
Agetec-ish. Maybe a hair lighter because there’s no bottom metal plate.
Can anyone confirm if VX is common ground?
EDIT: Slagcoin says the LS-55 is longer than the JLF by 1.5mm handle to plate and longer on the plate to base too by 1mm.
It’s common ground.
Ah, that must be why the J-blogs claim JLF mounts too short…LS-56 is even longer than LS-55, right?
Nope, LS-56 is shorter than the JLF by .5mm handle to plate.
So LS-55 has the longest shaft? Dang. I guess that’s why the J-modders advocate LS-55 so strongly for this stick.
Thanks for sharing your template NRX. I DL’d it, it will def come in handy.
Just the insides of my V3
Is that JLF mounted at the proper height? (24mm from bottom of balltop to panel) If so, did you have to cut a hole in the bottom of the case or do anything crazy?