LOL, damn MarkMan, thought it was 6. Gotta say you have one of the coolest jobs out there.
I think MadCatz should put out an unlicensed “Ultra TE” dual-modded version for 360/PS3… with a 6 button layout. See if Sega will do a joint collaboration… I am already reaching for the button plugs, but am sad that the controller won’t look as pretty with them on.
i have a vlx and i got to say it feels much better than a TE.
Hey, I just noticed something. It seems as though the button plugs supplied are not genuine Sanwa… they are flatter and much rougher to the touch. Not that most people would care, but I think the rough texture on these button plugs suck. Thankfully I had a spare set of Sanwa plugs.
Edit: Here’s what I’m talking about
http://img25.imageshack.us/img25/9983/img2019lm.jpg
Also, after fiddling with the controller more, I do have yet one more complaint - the black back edge that is made of plastic. The left side is nice and solid, but the right side is all wiggly, like it has nothing holding it tightly in place. Is everyone’s like that or am I just unlucky?
Interesting. Thanks for mentioning. Even though I don’t like the rough surface because it looks cheap, I prefer the flat top, rather than a non-functional round one which kind of gets in the way.
One other thing worth noting is the button plug edge is thinner on the Sanwa as well, so if your fingers graze the edges of the plugs it’s not as jarring.
I have a question. I’m thinking of buying vlx soon and wondering version would be better for dual modding and how easy is it to dual mod the stick? Also what is the template for the front panel on the vlx. I might want to create my own artwork. thanks
et the 360 version as for the template idk
Just wanted to get everyone’s opinions on the recent mod I did on the inside of my stick. I cleaned up a bit after JSpot taught me how to solder wires, and did some after work on top of what he did. There’s so much space now (lol)! I still wish it looked as clean as B15’s stuff, but oh well. Don’t know what else to add in there, anyways.
Thought I’d Share some info here
I was (am still?) working on a post related to Hori, as I have been a fan of the products they produce for many, many years now (old-er gamer), and thought I would share with my brothers and sisters here my responded to email (following my intro.).
I initially planned to order the VLX 360 version with intent to dual mod it, then, after careful consideration, some deep thought and self meditation, I realized I have enough 360 sticks (two TEs: Marvel VS and Femme Fatale), and a Hori RAP EX, and again, realized that deep, deep, down I :badboy:HATE the MS machine and all it stands for.
So, again, I pondered and I looked deep, deep into my very being, and at my PS game hoard / stash, where I have been using a TE original SFIV, and, (for fun in 2 player games) a two player X-Arcade, and realized that I have enough PS1, PS2, and now PS3 games to warrant a straight up, no mod small island archipelago red, shiny behemoth NEW VLX, kept in a “pure” PS3 collector-nut (me) state.
I can’t wait now to play some Shumps, Bubble Bobble (I love this freaking game), and of course some old skool/new skool fighters.
Peace all!
______________ (emailed to me response here)__________
History:
HORI was founded in 1969 and initially manufactured car audio parts and other electronic parts. HORI initially entered the gaming market as a parts and small accessories manufacturer for the Nintendo FAMICOM console and for the past 20 years have been designing innovative and quality accessory products. Today, HORI is one of the premier gaming accessories manufacturer in Japan and have continued to expand with the opening of the USA branch and the UK branch.
Real Arcade Pro. and out Premium VLX:
The Real Arcade Pro Line was initially released on the PlayStation console and was designed to bring the arcade experience home. Since the release of the very first HRAP, HORI has become synonymous with the “Real Arcade Pro.” brand name, especially among the fighting game fans. With every new release, we have tried to accommodate user feedback to better reflect their request and the Real Arcade Pro. Premium VLX is the pinnacle of this release.
The VLX Stick, designed in collaboration with TAITO, has unique features that are not featured in any other controller:
First, the sheer size and weight of the controller alone differentiates it from any other stick in the market (Dimension: 22.4 x 10.2 x 5.5 in. / 12.1 lbs).
It is designed after the classic TAITO VEWLIX Cabinet. It uses metal parts and the internals of the controller can be easily accessed for maintenance as was the case with the cabinets.
Provides maximum stability with the entire bottom of the controller featuring a non-slip surface along with an mountable option board for additional stability.
Finally, the controller features turbo functions with different turbo speeds, The stick function can be toggled to different stick functions for the PS3 version, a expansion port for your headset on the 360 version, and the 3 meter cable can be stored neatly in the cable storage box.
Although we cannot reveal the exact quantity that have been made available here in the US, we can assure you that these are highly limited in quantity (true to its “Premium” name). It is also a must have item for the hardcore fighting game gamer as this is true to the arcade experience as one can get without actually going to the arcade.
Our Future plan:
In regards to where we are going with our future releases, we put in a lot of time and effort into R&D to come up with a unique stick that is still true to the authentic arcade experience. As always, HORI will continue to use high quality parts which are smooth to operate and yet durable at the same time. We also will continue to put in alot of effort to listen to what our fans have to think about the controller and try to accommodate those feedback in our controller. Also, our controller have often been designed to meet the Japanese market but we have been doing more and more research into accommodating the US market demand. Although there is nothing as of yet, we hope to be releasing sticks that will be more to the liking of the US gamers in the future.
Thank You Very Much,
HORI USA
They forgot to add.
We had to change our designs because Mad Catz went crazy and owned up the market share. 
I thought (almost) the exact same words as you MarkMan about 5 minutes after posting:rofl:.They are sweet sticks though, so far my favorite of all I own (and that would be many, for many platforms).
Hehe. Competition is good for consumers right? I’m glad that MC went crazy so Hori had to setup their game.
I just wish HORI releases a stick with the Astro City layout with a better wrist-rest area in the future (probably not considering how popular the Viewlix cabinet is nowadays).
I was also wondering if you would be able to put a paewag pcb easily in it with aslittle soldering as possible. thx
After dreaming of this stick for SO LONG, I finally broke down and ordered one. 30% off was too good to pass up.
…and now Hori’s homepage says that the 20% code was for the VLX, and if you used the 30% they are going to cancel the order. Super-bummer.
Does anyone know how long this promo is going on for? 20% off of a VLX comes out to $260 according to my math. That is the best deal I have seen on a VLX.
isn’t it $240? 20% of 300 is 60
Yeah, I said according to “my” math. Your math is indeed correct and looking at that $240 price tag makes me want it even more.
So I just purchased one, thanks to the promo. And I hopefully will get a ps360 pcb from akihabarashop, anyone have any ideas how simple/hard its going to be to basically disconnect the old pcb, but leave it in place and hopefully use the new one? Only thing that seems like it might be trouble is getting access the the home,turbo,so on and so forth wires… I guess you could run those off the original board but I don’t want to sodder on the og board and hopefully avoid need ot drill any holes in the stick. Any thoughts on that?
Coming from the PS3 version, it’s not hard to completely ignore the stock PCB altogether. If you want to leave all of the stock parts alone, you’ll need to buy your own wires and quick disconnects for the buttons and for the daughter board.
You’ll have to solder points onto the daughter PCB if you want to leave that alone too. If you don’t, you won’t be able to use Select or Home. IIRC, that new PS360 PCB can also handle Turbo, but I don’t know how to help you with that.
For my stick, I popped off the warranty seal and took apart the wires that connect to the stock PCB. I then used a needle, lifted up the tab, pulled the wire out and connected them one by one to an MC Cthulhu. Much easier than cutting new wires and connecting them, imo.
Where’s more info on this promo? I just went to their website after reading your post to see it. How long is it good for? Thx!
