Hori Fighting Stick EX2 Review!

My only qualm with 'macros' is when you have 5 people that have 5 different controller layouts.

 

I really have no idea on how to switch controllers on the 360 so it's going to be all stick, all the time for the peeps that play on my console.

 

Some people said that changing to sanwa parts is a bit tough.
Is there a guide or sth or even a thread here or in any other forum like SRK?

The buttons are above average but I don't like the stick that much for some reason.
Should i change the stick or the gate (does it have a square one or sth?)

Edit:

I have the VF4E Hori PS2 stick and it seems to me that it's a bit better. At least I can pull off buffered double palms much easier.
Does anyone know the difference between those 2 sticks?

P.S.

Yeah I know im a noob on everything regarding arc sticks etc.

 

I just got the stick last night. I think I can see what people are saying but for a beginner like me, its awesome.

 

I got my stick today. I am not a massive stick player but have bought two HRAP1s for PS2 in the past to hone my arcade fighting skills with various games.

My impressions are quite brief, as a stick novice:

- Stick is quite small and sleek. Much smaller, shorter (height wise) and slimmer than I expected, about 60-70% of the size of a HRAP1. Obviously less buttons on the face make this possible.
- Build quality is fair. Stick nob seems sturdy, buttons have some movement like the HRAPs, but overall considering the stick is also a rare find in the UK, it's quite an acomplished piece for 360 fight fans.
- It does make some commands easier in the -> -> (double tap forward and other directions), but if you're used to finger dexterity with a control pad, from that perspective it's still quite a challenge and A LOT of practise is needed to adjust, re-learning basic moves & combos. Same issue with all sticks for "pad players".
- It doesn't have an "official" Xbox guide button, it has like an imitation one that is smaller BUT is perfectly functional never the less.
- Came only with a sticker sheet. I intend on keeping mine clean and unmodded though.

Q: Did anyone's come with a paper instruction manual? I realise game sticks don't really need one, but I thought it was odd, as my package was a bit beat up around the edges, almost like it had been opened, So would like know.

 

Mine didnt come with instructions either, and the box was a bit beat up. I thought it was used/display/returned also ><

My question is should the stick "wiggle" a bit before it processes the input?

This is first time I have played on a stick in like 10 yrs

Are they designed with a "deadzone" like a steering wheel would have or....Did I break the thing already??

 

Small deadzone (mm or two at the ball) is normal.

 

Can you tell me what's the difference between VF4E stick and X360 stick apart from the buttons?

I prefer the VF4 stick, i feel that it is more accurate.
Should I change something to make the VF5 stick have the same feel?

Im having a hard time in pulling of e.g. buffered double palms with Akira... While playing VF4E with the PS2 stick I never had a problem with it and now it suddenly became a pain in the ass.

That's how it seems to me at least.

 

I really like this Hori stick quite a bit. I just seem to have one, rather glaring issue.

Sometimes pressing up on the joystick flat out does not register. This isn't some BS, in my head, I'm getting the timing wrong on certain move thing either. Sometimes, I'll press up on the stick in a menu and it just cursor just won't go up. But, if I shake the stick wildly, it will fix the issue for a while until up on the joystick will randomly start not working again.

Any idea what the issue might be and how I can fix it?

 

i already mentioned this on another thread but i find this stick (ex2) plays better than the old hori vf4 ones i owned. whether that's just a quality control issue i'm not sure but i find the stick itself more responsive.

overall, it's a really good stick for the price. i was considering modding something better but now that i have the ex2 i'm happy to save myself some cash and time.

 

I'm with you on the menu issue. I've noticed that too. It's either up or down or both - in the menu it registers like only the 2nd press direction (every other press) so don't panic as I think that's deliberate. When i go into Dojo and have the input data on screen, everything seems to respond as it should.. I think.


After only just a weekend with the stick, the stick part does seem looser now. It's like the dead zone (by this i mean the zone around neutral) has increased and is looser now so it can be prodded around the middle and lean. I noticed my HRAP1s are pretty much sturdy here, but the EX2 seems fainter.

it was either like this to start, or this is wear and i wouldn't say i'm excessively thrashing it around.

 

Actually, my issue is even worse. When I go into the Dojo and I press up about 90% of the time the input data shows absolutely nothing.

It works some of the time, and I hear the stick clicking every time I press up, which makes me think some wiring must be really lose or something. But, I was wondering if any of you guys with more joystick knowledge could grant me a more concrete answer.

 

Does anyone know if the 2 sticks (Hori x360 / Hori VF4E ps2) have the same restrictor?

Im still trying to figure what's the difference between them.

 

Outside of the VFHG stick, there are no other sticks that would make me want to buy 5 of besides the Sega Fighting stick. Those. kick. ass. period.

 

Never mind, I fixed it. Just had to open it up and squeeze the wires to make sure they were firmly attached to the switch contact points.

Actually being able to do /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/uf.gif /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/p.gif + /forums/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/k.gif makes playing Blaze more fun.

 

I know some of you say the Hori stick isn't that great, but I just found a store near me with one left, and I am getting it. I am a casual player more than anything, and I think it will be a much better option than the standard controller, especially for the price. Thanks for all the input though, it did help my decision after hearing that it was at least a good upgrade over the normal pad.

 

Is it still the same in the menus, missing every other up command?

 

Nah, the menus work flawlessly for now. Perhaps your's might be loose too? It was a pretty easy fix, just unscrewed the bottom and just squeezed the wires tightly to the contact for the joysticks switches for a few good seconds.

If it stops working again though, I might have to bust out the the soldering iron.