Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!uwm.edu!ux1.cso.uiuc.edu!tmkk
From: tmkk@ux1.cso.uiuc.edu (Scott Coleman)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc.hardware
Subject: Re: Joysticks, Game Controllers -- What's Good?
Summary: What about the Epyx 500 XJ?
Message-ID: <1991Jan29.152358.21991@ux1.cso.uiuc.edu>
Date: 29 Jan 91 15:23:58 GMT
References: <3370011@hpsgwp.sgp.hp.com> <1991Jan28.164543.21942@d.cs.okstate.edu>
Organization: University of Illinois at Urbana
Lines: 29

In article <1991Jan28.164543.21942@d.cs.okstate.edu> ong@d.cs.okstate.edu (ONG ENG TENG) writes:
>From article <3370011@hpsgwp.sgp.hp.com>, by plim@hpsgwp.sgp.hp.com (Peter Lim):
>> As for joystick, I use a "made in China" -- SuperShot joystick. Paid about
>> US$12 for it.  Suprisingly, it handles a lot better than all other sticks
>> I tried, including the Yoke (sp ??). Both buttons one the stick; very
>> easy for single hand operation. The other hand can work the keyboard for
>> more game control.
>
>Yes, I couldn't agree more.  I have the "QuickShot" which I think is
>the same as the "SuperShot" (sold under different name), Made in China,
>bought in Soft Warehouse for about $9.  

I was "bred and buttered" on Atari joysticks (first for the VCS, and later
for the 400 and 800 computers). I've always loved the response characteristics
of these digital joysticks. The analog types IBMs use always felt mushy and
were slow to respond. I also dislike the enormous aircraft-lookalike type
joystick - I prefer something small which I hold in my left hand comfortably
and use my left fingers to fire, while moving the stick with my right hand.
I'm seeing ads for an Epyx 500 XJ and something called the Ergostick which
seem to fit the bill. They work with IBMs, so they must be analog, but how
firm/response is the stick action? How durable are they? They're available 
mail order for $10 - $12, and I'm thinking of getting one, but would like to
hear from people who have used them.

-- 
Scott Coleman                                                    tmkk@uiuc.edu

"Unisys has demonstrated the power of two. That's their stock price today."
       - Scott McNealy on the history of mergers in the computer industry.