Competition Pro USB

Npl · 26 August 2005, 17:19

After seriously trying to play few games on WinUAE last week, I went out and got myself a Competition Pro USB, since a PS2 Pad wont cut it for many games.
Now Im quite a bit underwhelmed on what I got, first I was really surprised how small it is - cant grab the stick without one or 2 of my fingers beeing somehow in the way. From my memories the original was 25% bigger, cant imagine how small a Competition Pro Mini wouldve been like?
Second, I have trouble doing diagonal moves. The horiz./vert. is incredibly easy to trigger, diagonals need alot more strength and I have trouble doing that if it has to be done quick. Again, my memories tell me that that wasnt the case back then (did need a bit more strength, but all direction could be reached with the some amount of power).

Unfortunately my original "Competition Pro" is nowhere to be found, so I cant really tell if its just my imagination or not. Only thing im certain is that the cheap clumsy amiga-joystick I still have is better than that( and I found it to be way worse than the Competition Pro I had ). Any other first-hand experiences with the new model?

FromWithin · 26 August 2005, 17:55

I know what you mean, especially with the diagonals, but it's still an excellent joystick. I think your hands have just got bigger since you last used the real thing.

I scoured eBay for ages to get myself one of
these. A Gravis PC Pro. It's the best joystick I've ever used. I used to have the digital version for my Amiga at Psygnosis, and have wanted another one ever since it strangely disappeared one day. The PC Pro one is the analog one. I got it mostly for use with Outrun on MAME.

Highly recommended, although it needs a Gameport. There's not USB version.

Npl · 26 August 2005, 18:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by FromWithin

I know what you mean, especially with the diagonals, but it's still an excellent joystick. I think your hands have just got bigger since you last used the real thing.

Hmm.. I definitly had my CompPro until I moved away from my parents.. at that time I was 19 and still played a few games on the Amiga. Since then I got fatter, but not bigger

I havent given it much time and it seems WinUAE does introduce an "input lag" for me, played a short game of T4( turrican-clone ) and it went alot better than the emulated games - gonna mess around with a few options to see if I can fix it. (my points still stand though)

I still have a strong desire to get a original CompPro and compare it to the USB rehash. My Miggy is still in good shape, so it wouldnt be a loss either way

Quote:

Originally Posted by FromWithin

I scoured eBay for ages to get myself one of
these. A Gravis PC Pro. It's the best joystick I've ever used. I used to have the digital version for my Amiga at Psygnosis, and have wanted another one ever since it strangely disappeared one day. The PC Pro one is the analog one. I got it mostly for use with Outrun on MAME.

Highly recommended, although it needs a Gameport. There's not USB version.

Might have a look at it, thanks.

Shrub · 26 August 2005, 20:31

I quite liked the Bug, but I never really was a fan of joysticks - I think Sega Master System pads are perfect for the Amiga.

Figi · 28 August 2005, 13:29

I have both the Competition Pro USB and a lot of old "original" Competition Pros for my Amigas... They are of the same size. The diagonals of the USB version can be triggered just as easy as the horizontals/verticals. I think memory plays a trick on you, at least when it comes to the size.

28 August 2005, 13:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shrub

I think Sega Master System pads are perfect for the Amiga.

YES! Another one!

MSC · 28 August 2005, 18:17

I too have a couple of USB Comp Pro sticks. The problem lies in the "weak" microswitches used in the stick. Find an electronics outlet and swap them for some better ones. You will be glad you did.

Titler · 29 August 2005, 01:47

Add me that SMS list, although I used the SMS Joystick with my Amiga; it lasted 3 years on the Sega, another 5 on the Amiga... and still works to this day!

kriz · 29 August 2005, 17:07

another SMS joypad user (as well as competition pro) !!.. i really like the SMS pad, nice and easy

It still works after 10+ years i think..

StarEye · 29 August 2005, 18:57

I prefer the superb six button megadrive/genesis pad... nothing can compare to that one, best controller ever. Thanks to the perfection that is the d-pad.

Fenrir · 29 August 2005, 19:28

Quote:

Originally Posted by StarEye

I prefer the superb Albatross stick... nothing can compare to that one, best joystick ever. Thanks to the perfection that is the microswitch stick.

fixed

StarEye · 29 August 2005, 22:53

What's an albatross stick?

29 August 2005, 23:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by kriz

another SMS joypad user (as well as competition pro) !!.. i really like the SMS pad, nice and easy

It still works after 10+ years i think..

The hardware simply failed on me due to age but it used to work great. I'm lucky to have acquired a new sms joystick a couple of years ago (was new back then) but it doesn't look durable to me so I don't use it much. The design is great, so 80s and "sega".

Fenrir · 29 August 2005, 23:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by StarEye

What's an albatross stick?

Simply the best amiga joystick ever created

StarEye · 30 August 2005, 23:53

Heh, I've just lost the feel of joysticks a long time ago after many years playing exclusively with gamepads. I even have trouble getting used to the zip-stick. I used to love the maverick, and it's still a decent arcade controller, but for absolute control I prefer one of my megadrive pads. The CD32 pad feels too stiff (the Competition Pro CD32 pad) to take over the throne just yet. Maybe after a little excessive use.

Would've been nice to try out that albatross stick though.

Jope · 05 September 2005, 12:04

The USB comp pro is indeed 1:1 the same size as the original, but the microswitches and return spring are a lot looser than on the originals.

Also the fire buttons go inside the case, where in the original they were level with the edge when pressed.

I like the USB version, though, very nice stick and the best part is that you don't have to scourge eBay to get one!

Methanoid · 05 September 2005, 12:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by MSC

I too have a couple of USB Comp Pro sticks. The problem lies in the "weak" microswitches used in the stick. Find an electronics outlet and swap them for some better ones. You will be glad you did.

LAMER MODE ENGAGED~

Can you provide a little more detail or better yet an idiot guide with pix? I was a little disappointed with the response on mine and would like it improved!

Please?

MSC · 05 September 2005, 13:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Methanoid

LAMER MODE ENGAGED~

Can you provide a little more detail or better yet an idiot guide with pix? I was a little disappointed with the response on mine and would like it improved!

Please?

Once you take the stick apart, it really is quite straightforward. I am at work at the mo so i cannot take any pics, but attached is a pic of the switches used. I see you are in the UK. Try Maplins or a local electronics dealer. I have found the litle corner shop type places are the best for this kind of stuff.

Npl · 10 September 2005, 00:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by MSC

Once you take the stick apart, it really is quite straightforward. I am at work at the mo so i cannot take any pics, but attached is a pic of the switches used. I see you are in the UK. Try Maplins or a local electronics dealer. I have found the litle corner shop type places are the best for this kind of stuff.

Seems like something Im gonna do pretty soon.

Besides, if I turn the stick 90degrees to the left, its much better to handle for me

26 August 2005, 17:19	#1
Npl Registered User Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Vienna / Austria Age: 44 Posts: 257	Competition Pro USB After seriously trying to play few games on WinUAE last week, I went out and got myself a Competition Pro USB, since a PS2 Pad wont cut it for many games. Now Im quite a bit underwhelmed on what I got, first I was really surprised how small it is - cant grab the stick without one or 2 of my fingers beeing somehow in the way. From my memories the original was 25% bigger, cant imagine how small a Competition Pro Mini wouldve been like? Second, I have trouble doing diagonal moves. The horiz./vert. is incredibly easy to trigger, diagonals need alot more strength and I have trouble doing that if it has to be done quick. Again, my memories tell me that that wasnt the case back then (did need a bit more strength, but all direction could be reached with the some amount of power). Unfortunately my original "Competition Pro" is nowhere to be found, so I cant really tell if its just my imagination or not. Only thing im certain is that the cheap clumsy amiga-joystick I still have is better than that( and I found it to be way worse than the Competition Pro I had ). Any other first-hand experiences with the new model?

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26 August 2005, 17:55	#2
FromWithin Music lord Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Liverpool, UK Age: 50 Posts: 630	I know what you mean, especially with the diagonals, but it's still an excellent joystick. I think your hands have just got bigger since you last used the real thing. I scoured eBay for ages to get myself one of these. A Gravis PC Pro. It's the best joystick I've ever used. I used to have the digital version for my Amiga at Psygnosis, and have wanted another one ever since it strangely disappeared one day. The PC Pro one is the analog one. I got it mostly for use with Outrun on MAME. Highly recommended, although it needs a Gameport. There's not USB version.

26 August 2005, 20:31	#4
Shrub Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: England Age: 43 Posts: 238	I quite liked the Bug, but I never really was a fan of joysticks - I think Sega Master System pads are perfect for the Amiga.

28 August 2005, 13:29	#5
Figi Registered User Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Germany Posts: 133	I have both the Competition Pro USB and a lot of old "original" Competition Pros for my Amigas... They are of the same size. The diagonals of the USB version can be triggered just as easy as the horizontals/verticals. I think memory plays a trick on you, at least when it comes to the size.

28 August 2005, 18:17	#7
MSC Zone Friend Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: UK Age: 52 Posts: 137	I too have a couple of USB Comp Pro sticks. The problem lies in the "weak" microswitches used in the stick. Find an electronics outlet and swap them for some better ones. You will be glad you did.

29 August 2005, 01:47	#8
Titler Zone Friend Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: UK Posts: 303	Add me that SMS list, although I used the SMS Joystick with my Amiga; it lasted 3 years on the Sega, another 5 on the Amiga... and still works to this day!

29 August 2005, 17:07	#9
kriz Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: No(R)Way Age: 42 Posts: 3,210	another SMS joypad user (as well as competition pro) !!.. i really like the SMS pad, nice and easy It still works after 10+ years i think..

29 August 2005, 18:57	#10
StarEye Zone Friend Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Norway Age: 46 Posts: 987	I prefer the superb six button megadrive/genesis pad... nothing can compare to that one, best controller ever. Thanks to the perfection that is the d-pad.

29 August 2005, 22:53	#12
StarEye Zone Friend Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Norway Age: 46 Posts: 987	What's an albatross stick?

30 August 2005, 23:53	#15
StarEye Zone Friend Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Norway Age: 46 Posts: 987	Heh, I've just lost the feel of joysticks a long time ago after many years playing exclusively with gamepads. I even have trouble getting used to the zip-stick. I used to love the maverick, and it's still a decent arcade controller, but for absolute control I prefer one of my megadrive pads. The CD32 pad feels too stiff (the Competition Pro CD32 pad) to take over the throne just yet. Maybe after a little excessive use. Would've been nice to try out that albatross stick though.

05 September 2005, 12:04	#16
Jope - Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Helsinki / Finland Age: 43 Posts: 9,869	The USB comp pro is indeed 1:1 the same size as the original, but the microswitches and return spring are a lot looser than on the originals. Also the fire buttons go inside the case, where in the original they were level with the edge when pressed. I like the USB version, though, very nice stick and the best part is that you don't have to scourge eBay to get one!

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