edladdin Posted September 14, 2014 Share Posted September 14, 2014 Oh heavens! This is a great example of why I have always been a lurker. I usually manage to put my foot in my mouth in these situations. What I was trying to convey was that I have been working on these controllers for months and had already decided to launch when UberArcade's post went up. This made me feel very badly because there is this obvious overlap in projects. But even at that time I was already in too deep to abandon my own project. So I didn't jump in because I wanted to cut his grass, I jumped in because I had spent too much money getting ready to jump in myself. Since then I've been agonizing about when to jump because I was afraid that we would end up having the exact discussion we are having now. I'm not trying to step on anyone's toes or take anything away from anybody. I just want to make some cool controllers and get them out in the world. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UberArcade Posted September 14, 2014 Author Share Posted September 14, 2014 Well this has gotten weird. I feel like a Wal-Mart just opened up next door to undercut my price. This has definitely killed my buzz. I was excited to make these and had plans to make a Robotron one and so on if these were a hit. I'll just have to see how it goes. My intention is to make the ultimate 7800 joystick using the best parts out there. As somebody who has restored arcade games for about 17 years I know the difference in playing Robotron with an original wico stick and a cheap microswitch stick. If you aren't going to use great parts then why bother making one of these joysticks in the first place. Here is a picture of the overlays I picked up on Friday. I was going to assemble one to show, but I have a question about the black level on these and just in case the printer agrees to run some replacements I didn't want to use any yet. I'll talk to them on Monday. Going in the case will be a black ball top stick with red leaf switch buttons. The price I am looking at is between $175-$200. The parts I am using actually cost me around $120. It is an aluminum case. True short leaf swtich buttons with button holders. An awesome joystick that costs about $40. 9 foot replaceable cord. Wiring harness soldered to a 9 pin connector and that has a little pcb holding the resistors and diode. And of course the vinyl overlays which have a minimum print quantity. Even polished black joystick bolts aren't cheap ($2+shipping for 4). That may seem like it leaves a lot of profit, but it takes me a while to solder the wiring harness, drill the cases, test them (the fun part), eventually deal with payments, box them up, drive to the post office. I love the hobby, but it also needs to make sense for me to do them. I guess these will be for somebody who wants the best. You can make one cheaper. You can get an ABS plastic case pretty cheap. You can use scrap wood. Zippy joysticks are about $10, etc. I am not going to try to compete on price or try to beat the other guy to market. These are almost ready, but I can't make the joysticks show up any faster. I will build these bad ass joysticks when I get all the parts and I will gladly sell them to whoever is still interested. I'll keep you posted. Thanks, 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rhomaios Posted September 14, 2014 Share Posted September 14, 2014 I'm sure there's room in the market for both. Eagerly waiting both still. Thanks for getting a price out, Uber. I can't wait to see how it comes along. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edladdin Posted September 14, 2014 Share Posted September 14, 2014 UberArcade, that looks fantastic! If your controller had been available six months ago I would have bought one and called it a day. Your post is a huge relief to me, as its plain we really arent going to be competing for the same sales at all. Yours is a super premium product with that perfect, singular Atari 7800 artwork and the craftsmanship of all that arcade experience behind it. No one should expect to pay less if they want the best! I had no idea what your prices were going to be when I posted and it stings to be compared to Wal-Mart, but there is some real truth in what you say. A key design objective for the Super 78 was for it to be as affordable as possible so the most # of players could get their hands on them, which definitely meant not using the most expensive joystick. That's going to be a solution that is great for some people but totally unappealing to others. I think its great there will be something for everyone. I hope the weird feeling blows over quickly and you get your buzz back, because that is going to be a really great looking controller! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trebor Posted September 14, 2014 Share Posted September 14, 2014 WOW...Overlay/artwork looks stunning and the breakdown along with price range is very much appreciated, UberArcade. Appears this will be the UberJoystick for the 7800. A lot of care and thought went into this project and looking forward to seeing the controller finished. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PacManPlus Posted September 14, 2014 Share Posted September 14, 2014 Looks awesome - can't wait to see the finished product. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jinks Posted September 14, 2014 Share Posted September 14, 2014 Wow! Very nice!! Ya think in time for christmas? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AtariBrian Posted September 14, 2014 Share Posted September 14, 2014 Looks great and I may have to be in for one of these ! So for people that don't solder , will buttons and stick be replaceable without soldering ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jinks Posted September 14, 2014 Share Posted September 14, 2014 Soldering is better as provides a better connection with less resistance than any plug connector and less chance of coming unconnected. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UberArcade Posted September 15, 2014 Author Share Posted September 15, 2014 I plan to have the first batch ready by the end of October at the latest. I solder the wires to the 9 pin connector that the joystick cable goes to, but the buttons and joystick have crimp connectors on the switches. Almost all arcade machines have crimp connectors on the control panel so you can easily change those out. They are tight though. You can disconnect them by hand if you use enough force. Usually helps to use pliers. They won't come loose. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gambler172 Posted September 17, 2014 Share Posted September 17, 2014 (edited) As a collector,i will buy the joystick from Uber and Ed I submit every new 7800 project greetings Walter Edited September 17, 2014 by gambler172 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7800 Posted September 19, 2014 Share Posted September 19, 2014 (edited) So... is there an official list of people who have dibs on one of these? I just might be interested in one of these. Also, any chance of offering these in two different styles... one with the "fuji" logo and one without? I gotta admit, I'm not crazy about the huge fuji logo in the middle of the stick... but I like the rest of the retro look. I would even pay a few bucks more for a stick without the fuji logo. Edited September 19, 2014 by 7800 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UberArcade Posted September 19, 2014 Author Share Posted September 19, 2014 I haven't made an official list. I was going to announce when I had some ready to ship and let people claim them at that time. I plan to make enough so people shouldn't worry about missing out. The first batch will be 10 just to get them out quicker. I'll do some right and left oriented ones. I'll see if the printer can do some non Fuji ones in the batch. It is only about a 10% black difference so it is more of a watermark kind of thing. Not very prominent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
7800 Posted September 21, 2014 Share Posted September 21, 2014 Awesome! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SoundGammon Posted September 22, 2014 Share Posted September 22, 2014 Here's some pictures of a controller I bought years ago that's designed for both the 2600 and ColecoVision. It has a switch to change it to left or right handed play! Auto-Fire for the 2600 mode and a joystick port to plug another controller onto it, for the ColecoVision controller to use the keypad. Nice idea! Model HS-20 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGameCollector Posted September 23, 2014 Share Posted September 23, 2014 My question a few posts back went unanswered. I am interested in both peoples' controllers now so I can have different kinds. Both of your guys' controllers work with the 2-button required Atari 7800 games such as Asteroids, right? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jinks Posted September 23, 2014 Share Posted September 23, 2014 My question a few posts back went unanswered. I am interested in both peoples' controllers now so I can have different kinds. Both of your guys' controllers work with the 2-button required Atari 7800 games such as Asteroids, right?I am positive they will. It is the one of main reasons to make one. It wouldnt be a 7800 controller if it didnt. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGameCollector Posted September 23, 2014 Share Posted September 23, 2014 I am positive they will. It is the one of main reasons to make one. It wouldnt be a 7800 controller if it didnt. Gotcha. I just know on ebay they advertise knockoff controllers as being 7800 compatible but they never work on those games even if they have 2 buttons on them. It usually turns out the 2 buttons perform the Atari button 1 action. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edladdin Posted September 23, 2014 Share Posted September 23, 2014 Yes, full-fledged two-button controls just like a Pro Line joystick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UberArcade Posted September 30, 2014 Author Share Posted September 30, 2014 My question a few posts back went unanswered. I am interested in both peoples' controllers now so I can have different kinds. Both of your guys' controllers work with the 2-button required Atari 7800 games such as Asteroids, right? Yep, they work with 2-button 7800 games. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lynxpro Posted October 1, 2014 Share Posted October 1, 2014 Wow! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UberArcade Posted October 13, 2014 Author Share Posted October 13, 2014 Quick update: I am still hoping to have some ready by the end of October. I am getting overlays printed at a new place and we are working out the kinks. Almost there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
+grips03 Posted October 18, 2014 Share Posted October 18, 2014 Quick update: I am still hoping to have some ready by the end of October. I am getting overlays printed at a new place and we are working out the kinks. Almost there. what are case dimentions? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cimerians Posted October 18, 2014 Share Posted October 18, 2014 I think I want one too.....playing Asteroids on the original stick, my hand cramps up a bit. Looks great! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UberArcade Posted October 22, 2014 Author Share Posted October 22, 2014 The printing issues have been straightened out and the overlays have been ordered. The leaf switch joystick didn't work out. Too hard to reliably source them and not many options. A lot of the ones you can get are not good. I am going with a modified Sanwa. It has quiet switches and other mods. Very different than a stock one. Plays great. Still going with leaf switch buttons. I already have them. I should be assembling everything soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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