On the past few days I was researching about LS-40 joystick. I own two joysticks and both of them are “powered by JLF”, a custom (square gate and osbf) and a HRAP3 (octo gate and PS-14-kn). Although very precise, the octo gate, as aforementioned, makes the throw longer. After reading tons of stuff about LS-40 shorter throw I decided to invest on it.
As a friend of mine who ordered a few parts from Akihabara owed me some money I asked him to include a LS-40-01 on his order. I may replace it on my custom and if it fits me the way I believe it will, I may build a new custom for it and sell the JLF one.
I believe that most japonese cab use sanwa jlfs because they are more durable (good for cabs extensive/extreme use), thanks to its finer materials.
I finally received my LS-40 today and I must say, after trying out the JLF, LS-32, and LS-56, the LS-40 is hands down the best stick I’ve tried. Everything comes out silky smooth; you barely have to move the stick. It’s almost as if the stick itself does all the work for you.
If I had to compare it to the other JP sticks; it kind of feels like the JLF with it’s smooth motions and pivot, except with a slightly stiffer spring and much, much shorter engage and throw. If you like the JLF but can’t get used to it’s ‘loosey goosey’ feel, then I highly recommend you try out the LS-40.
I’m happy I ran across this thread, I’ll get the LS-40. I grew up on SNK fighters, and the long throw even with a square gate on a JLF is a bit wonky for SNK. games.
Man after playing with the Jlfs for some time now, switching to the LS 32 is like walking on clouds. The throws are soo good. I really think that ls32-01 is really good on shmups. Since I’ve played with my first seimitsu stick, I’m sticking to it, for good. Jlf’s are too loose for me to work with.
Why do people like the 32 over the 40? Seems like a similar stick, but the 40 doesn’t have the prob of jumping up when you hit the gate (stick feels like it moves up and out).
it has been mentioned in a lot of threads about the 32…kind of hard to explain at the moment…take the stick jam it in a corner…the stick will pull up…the ls-40 doesn’t pull up at all.
Out of the 3 models I’ve tested - Semitsu LS-32/LS-33 and Sanwa JLJ (not a typo, JLJ, arcadeshop.de has recently imported one of them on my request and has probably a few more available, check their website) - the JLJ has, by far, the shorter throw and the highest responsiveness.
Hitting the diagonals is also a lot easier on the JLJ which at the end of the day feels way more accurate than the Seimitsus counterparts, especially for those game whose gameplay requires quick and short movements such as shmups.
Just remove the plastic handle, cut the metal shaft shorter and put a balltop on it!
