Best Reproduction of Atari 2600 CX40 Controller?

[thetallguy24]

I'd like to find a good quality, new reproduction (not refurbished or used originals) of the CX40. Does anybody have any suggestions, or all of the repros just bad news?

[Master Phruby]

All bad news. Suggest finding a third party joystick or Sega Genesis controller instead.

[bikeguychicago]

I have an Atari Flashback 2 console and find that the joysticks that came with that unit work admirably well with my7800 (better than the 7800 joysticks for one-button games, especially). I don't have an original CX40 to compare it against, however, so I can't say if the Flashback sticks are better or worse than the originals.

Edited June 8, 2015 by bikeguychicago

[jaybird3rd]

I agree, most CX-40 reproductions are of low quality. The only one that stands out in my experience is the Flashback 2 joysticks, but even with those, there were sporadic reports of handles snapping off during moderate use.

 

Is there a reason the OP is specifically looking for reproductions, instead of refurbished originals? When I use the CX-40, I use originals with Best's gold PCB upgrade, and they're still good controllers.

[+save2600]

^ right on. Simply no substitute for the real thing!

[AceHart]

I agree, most CX-40 reproductions are of low quality. The only one that stands out in my experience is the Flashback 2 joysticks, but even with those, there were sporadic reports of handles snapping off during moderate use.

 

Is there a reason the OP is specifically looking for reproductions, instead of refurbished originals? When I use the CX-40, I use originals with Best's gold PCB upgrade, and they're still good controllers.

 

I agree with all comments about three repros

 

But I do have a tuppence to add:

 

(1) FB2

For the FB2, there is a solution to the "handles snapping off" The handle has two components: The screw base and the handle itself. The failure mode is that the internals of the screw base may fail such that the handle comes off. Here's the solution: (1) unscrew the screw base from the joystick base, (2) put a fairly large bolt (just for support - threads don't matter) inside the handle where it connects to the screw base, (3) fill interface of the screw base, the handle, and your newly added bolt with JB weld, (4) allow to set, (5) re-screw onto the joystick base. Works great! [The second, and more minor failure mode is that it just unscrews from the joystick base without really breaking. A little cyanoacrylate will do the trick for that.]

 

What's great about the FB2 joysticks is that the five switches are piezoelectrics instead of snap domes - thus higher reliability than the originals on that score.

 

(2) Best Elecronics

I agree 100% about using the Best Electronics gold PCB upgrade. Well made and reliable - and you get to use original joystick hardware.

[thetallguy24]

I agree, most CX-40 reproductions are of low quality. The only one that stands out in my experience is the Flashback 2 joysticks, but even with those, there were sporadic reports of handles snapping off during moderate use.

 

Is there a reason the OP is specifically looking for reproductions, instead of refurbished originals? When I use the CX-40, I use originals with Best's gold PCB upgrade, and they're still good controllers.

 

Well I've seen in my experience used CX-40s are hit or miss. The Best's are awfully expensive, although I agree on the quality.

[+sramirez2008]

This is shaping up to be a great weekend. I just received a pair of Best Electronics CX-40s with gold PCB upgrade. Can't wait to try them out.

 

[+adamchevy]

Im having that experience today as well. I had to find a way to get better scores on my VCS!

 

 

 

I know this is topic is about the CX40. I have been comparing the two controllers and I think they are both great , but have different feels and style of play. For me the microswitches and the sounds they make go together when I'm playing to create a different experience . The same could be said about the cx40, but it feels more absolute and less forgiving. Ive been comparing scores in a few different games alternating back and forth between them and my scores stay about the same. I think the Microswitched Suzo is a little more comfortable, but the absolute precision of the two I think is equal. These are the two best manufactured joysticks that I have ever used. I think the Edladdin controllers are a step up, but they are also more expensive. I think building your own joystick may be the best of both worlds if you have the skills and time.

Edited August 20, 2016 by adamchevy

[+sramirez2008]

Played Oli's Well last night with my new "Best" CX-40s. Overall, they have the tight control I was looking for. Much better than my old CX-40's. They Kind of sound and feel, like CX-10s. Kind of.

 

Very happy with the purchase so far, but will need more time to properly break them in.

[BassGuitari]

Im having that experience today as well. I had to find a way to get better scores on my VCS!

 

Hall of Frame?

[hizzy]

Played Oli's Well last night with my new "Best" CX-40s. Overall, they have the tight control I was looking for. Much better than my old CX-40's. They Kind of sound and feel, like CX-10s. Kind of.

 

Very happy with the purchase so far, but will need more time to properly break them in.

 

How would you say the best cx-40 differs from the og cx-40? Are they more stiff? Thanks!

[+adamchevy]

 

How would you say the best cx-40 differs from the og cx-40? Are they more stiff? Thanks!

I would say they are less stiff and have more range of motion . More like a CX10 or heavy sixer Atari joystick as has been mentioned. I really think there a huge improvement. I have the Atari Flashback controllers as well. They feel like a higher quality version of those. The new rubber grip is quite comfortable as well. Like I said above, they are in my opinion amongst the best joysticks that I have ever used. Even when compared to the fully Microswitched Suzo Arcade Joystick and a real arcade joystick that's in the Edladdin controllers. For the price, I'm not sure that Best Electronics Gold pcb cx40 joysticks could be beat. Using a cheap arcade joystick and a cheap button wouldn't come close. Maybe a Sanwa JLF or comparable joystick with a quality button and great enclosure for them would be a bit better, but then your talking about $40-$50 and a lot of time that you could have spent playing Atari! Edited August 20, 2016 by adamchevy

[+sramirez2008]

Definetly more range and like the CX-10s, you need to depress the fire button quite a bit more before it registers. I also agree with adamchevy's assesment of the new rubber grip. Very, very comfortable.

[+adamchevy]

Hall of Frame?

I'm not sure what Hall of Frame is either. Maybe a typo? But then it continues in the parentheses below so I don't think so. It's probably just a phrase they like at Best Electronics.

[+sramirez2008]

Hall of Fame? Sounds like something Marketing came up with.

[Video]

I like the fb. Controllers. I bought several. My favorite though is a clear variant I bought from retrothing a few years back however it is a usb controller and not stock compatible with the 2600 though easily convertible. Mine has a db9 port added so I can use it on atari or Pc.

 

Oh I don't know if its still available or not and the site while an interesting read is now defunct unfortunately.

 

http://www.retrothing.com/2012/06/only-a-few-dozen-clear-classic-usb-joysticks-left.html#comment-6a00d83452989a69e201b7c889bc4c970b

Edited August 21, 2016 by Video

[+sramirez2008]

My favorite though is a clear variant I bought from retrothing a few years back however it is a usb controller and not stock compatible with the 2600 though easily convertible. Mine has a db9 port added so I can use it on atari or Pc.

 

Oh I don't know if its still available or not and the site while an interesting read is now defunct unfortunately.

 

http://www.retrothing.com/2012/06/only-a-few-dozen-clear-classic-usb-joysticks-left.html#comment-6a00d83452989a69e201b7c889bc4c970b

 

Really like the translucent blue joystick. Very Tron like.

[SSG]

I have been using Atari Flashback controllers.

[FifthPlayer]

I haven't tried the Best upgrade joysticks, but I also use the Atari Flashback controllers and I think they're superior to the original CX-40s in both feel and durability.