+jmazzy Posted May 1, 2019 Share Posted May 1, 2019 I was elated to begin using Stuart's Internet Browser last month, and although I'm getting used to navigating the pointer via keyboard, I was hoping to use a joystick or trackball instead. To that end, I dug out my original Atari 2600 joystick + joystick adapter. It worked but not well at all. After seeing a few pieces of plastic fall out of the joystick's base, I'm reasonably sure it's shot. So I'm in the market for a new joystick. I know Wico was popular, and they seem to be plentiful on eBay. But I'm curious to know what everyone else genuinely likes. Ideally, I'm looking for something that's very smooth/fluid; the original Atari 2600 joystick feels like a rock! Any recommendations? 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+adamantyr Posted May 1, 2019 Share Posted May 1, 2019 My favorite is the Epyx 500XJ. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+OLD CS1 Posted May 1, 2019 Share Posted May 1, 2019 My favorite is the Epyx 500XJ. Second. Next is the Suncom Tac2 (the one I have is only a single button, though,) followed by the good old Atari CX-40s. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pixelpedant Posted May 1, 2019 Share Posted May 1, 2019 I've got a *lot* of joysticks, about half of them Atari (and thus TI 99/4A + Wico Adapter) compatible. And I generally prefer to use my Wico Command Control bat handle stick. For 9 games out of 10, anyways. In some rare circumstances (for Dragon's Lair, actually, for example), I'll use a Genesis 3 button controller I modded for use with my (controller-modded) Sega Game Gear, which is as a result and mostly by accident also fully Atari compatible (not in the backwards pseudo-compatible way that the Genesis controllers conventionally are - the mux has been completely removed, and the contacts wired directly). A gamepad can be nice for games featuring rapid momentary inputs in the cardinal directions (hence Dragon's Lair). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Omega-TI Posted May 1, 2019 Share Posted May 1, 2019 Which version of Stuarts Browser are you using? The older version 9.2 with a UDS-10 works great with a trackball, but if you are using the TIPI 9.3 version, I'd recommend a cheap wireless mouse. I'm using a cheap Logitech M310 on my TIPI you can pick one up for under $20.00, plug it in and you're off to the races. The color styling matches the TI too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+OLD CS1 Posted May 1, 2019 Share Posted May 1, 2019 BTW, speaking of failing Atari 2600 joysticks, none of my originals have failed but I have three repros which are not faring well. One of them straight-up broke. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LASooner Posted May 1, 2019 Share Posted May 1, 2019 BTW, speaking of failing Atari 2600 joysticks, none of my originals have failed but I have three repros which are not faring well. One of them straight-up broke. The ones I got with my Flashback feel very cheap. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrhodes Posted May 1, 2019 Share Posted May 1, 2019 Wico, ball top. Or the wico slick stick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Omega-TI Posted May 1, 2019 Share Posted May 1, 2019 Wico, ball top. Or the wico slick stick. I prefer the Wico ball myself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+arcadeshopper Posted May 1, 2019 Share Posted May 1, 2019 I really like the wico bat handles as they have buttons on top and base. And leaf-switches.I happen to have NOS ones in stock at arcadeshopper.com (new in box) https://www.arcadeshopper.com/wp/?page_id=11#!/Wico-Command-Control-joystick-New-Old-Stock/p/122038778/category=21773047 Also like the monster joystick's retro joystick kits https://monsterjoysticks.com/retro-gaming-joystick-kits and @benjedwards off twitter's hand made joysticks but they are both pretty pricey.. but super nice https://twitter.com/arcadeshopper/status/1106716513166217216 Greg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john_q_atari Posted May 1, 2019 Share Posted May 1, 2019 (edited) Second. Next is the Suncom Tac2 (the one I have is only a single button, though,) followed by the good old Atari CX-40s. Interesting. I have both that I bought new back in the day from ToysRUs. I think they were recommended by the ToysRUs game sales people. I never really cared for either of them. Maybe I'm just not a microswitch guy or just got too used to the original atari joysticks that came with my 2600 Vader system. I kinda like the slik stik though. Never had any of the other Wico's to try though. I ordered 2 just now to try them out. Followup edit: I realized I never did have the tac 2. I have something that looks more like a tac3 or a tac5. it has a white plastic handle and I don't much care for it, whatever it is. Edited May 1, 2019 by john_q_atari 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+OLD CS1 Posted May 1, 2019 Share Posted May 1, 2019 The Tac joystick I have is a giant metal ball between four metal plates. I need to find it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+jmazzy Posted May 1, 2019 Author Share Posted May 1, 2019 Thank you all for the feedback. Based on what you've told me and other reading I've done, I'm leaning toward getting the Wico ball top joystick. I notice eBay lists quite a few Wico 'The Boss' joysticks. Were these any good? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+jmazzy Posted May 2, 2019 Author Share Posted May 2, 2019 Which version of Stuarts Browser are you using? The older version 9.2 with a UDS-10 works great with a trackball, but if you are using the TIPI 9.3 version, I'd recommend a cheap wireless mouse. I'm using a cheap Logitech M310 on my TIPI you can pick one up for under $20.00, plug it in and you're off to the races. The color styling matches the TI too! I'm using v9.2 of the browser with a UDS-10. And even though I haven't yet tried it, I like the idea of using a trackball with Stuart's browser. That said, I'm guessing I'd prefer the feel of a joystick for various games, even though I don't play them often. With that in mind, and since my space is limited, I'm leaning toward getting the Wico ball top joystick. I'm guessing it would be the most comfortable fit for me for both the browser and most games. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrhodes Posted May 2, 2019 Share Posted May 2, 2019 Wico's the boss is OK, but prefer the ball tops myself. I keep one as a spare, for use in 2 player games and to take to my C64 when i don't feel like unplugging the ball top from the TI. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
digdugnate Posted May 2, 2019 Share Posted May 2, 2019 the only solution are the TI-provided PainSticks! Just kidding. My preference just depends on how my hands feel- I have a Best Electronics-refurbed CX40 (with new switches!) and a homebrew NES-style controller that I alternate between with a Wico adapter. I like either one, really. The Slik Stik is super nice, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Omega-TI Posted May 2, 2019 Share Posted May 2, 2019 @jrhodes - Interesting ICON you have, must be a TIPI user! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Omega-TI Posted May 2, 2019 Share Posted May 2, 2019 With that in mind, and since my space is limited, I'm leaning toward getting the Wico ball top joystick. I'm guessing it would be the most comfortable fit for me for both the browser and most games. When I used 9.2 the the Wico trackball seemed to give me greatest control, but with limited space, yes, a joystick sounds like the logical way to go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fimbulvetr Posted May 2, 2019 Share Posted May 2, 2019 I actually prefer the pain sticks for a lot of ti games. They have a nice short throw and are a decent size in my hand. But you cant go wrong with a Suncom Tac2 or a Competition Pro, which are my go-to joysticks. I have several Wico sticks, and while the leaf switches are nice I find the throw too long so dont use them much. The Suncom Starfighter is also nice. It is smaller than the Tac2, but has pretty similar performance and you can pick one up much cheaper. One of these days I have to get around to making a real arcade stick setup for my ti, as that would by far be better than any of the commercial options. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+jmazzy Posted May 26, 2019 Author Share Posted May 26, 2019 I finally picked up a Wico Red Ball joystick on eBay. It came with the original box, and aside from a little rust on the handle, it's in near perfect condition. I used it at length a couple of weeks ago during the May monthly MYTI99.COM group chat. Very comfortable to use and worked just fine with Stuart's browser. (So much easier to navigate with it!) Thanks again, everyone, for the feedback and recommendations. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Omega-TI Posted May 26, 2019 Share Posted May 26, 2019 It came with the original box, and aside from a little rust on the handle, it's in near perfect condition. A little rust is no issue at all, get some cheap CHROME TAPE off of ebay and you'll be all set and it'll look like NEW! Congrat's on the joystick! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+jmazzy Posted May 26, 2019 Author Share Posted May 26, 2019 A little rust is no issue at all, get some cheap CHROME TAPE off of ebay and you'll be all set and it'll look like NEW! Congrat's on the joystick! Good suggestion. I actually have some foil tape I've used for duct work so that may be an option, too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Opry99er Posted May 26, 2019 Share Posted May 26, 2019 Genesis controller. There is no other way to fly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Omega-TI Posted May 26, 2019 Share Posted May 26, 2019 I actually have some foil tape I've used for duct work so that may be an option, too. It is! That stuff is tough and will hold up quite well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OX. Posted May 26, 2019 Share Posted May 26, 2019 Suncom Tac-2 or Competition Pro 5000 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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