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Kowal 1mm Oversize Actuator for Sanwa JLF Series Joystick

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Rating
(91)
Price:
$4.25 (USD)
Brand
KOWAL
SKU
KOWAL-1MMOVERSIZE-ACTUATOR
Weight
0.04 Ounces
Availability
Ships within 2-3 business days
Shipping
Calculated at checkout
Max Qty
8 unit(s)

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  • Product Description

    The KOWAL™ 1mm oversize actuator is a simple, economical, and non-invasive performance modification for Sanwa JLF joysticks.  It replaces the original Sanwa JLF-Series actuator, offering a shorter throw (-1mm), plus faster engage and diagonal (+1.5mm), while retaining the original neutral zone - a critical area that allows the joystick to properly return to center and set up the next direction.  

    Moves such as Mortal Kombat 9's "Instant Air Gas Blast" for Kabal, or Guilty Gear's X's "In Air Dash" are greatly improved.  Other moves such as jump cancel specials (canceling the pre-jump frames of a super jump into a special attack, common with UMVC3) are easier to perform.

    Actuators, zones, throws, and engage distance explained

    kowal-actuator-area.png

    In the diagram above: Neutral Zone (area where actuator doesn't touch switches) is indicated in BLUE; Dead Zone (area where actuator presses begins pressing switch) is BLACK; Activation (are where switch is pressing down) is RED. KOWAL™ actuator retains the neutral zone.  This allows switches to perform normally.

    Beware of actuators that decrease the neutral zone by simply making the entire actuator larger.

    • Neutral Zone is area in which the actuator does not touch the switches.
    • Dead Zone is the area that the actuator begins pressing the switch.
    • Activation Zone is the area where the switch is pressing down.
    • Throw is the maximum distance/angle the shaft can be moved in a particular direction.  Longer throw means that it takes longer to return to neutral for the next move.
    • Engage Distance is the distance or angle between neutral and the engagement of a given switch or set of switches.


    It's important to remember that Dead Zone and Neutral Zone are not the same.  Actuators cannot use the neutral zone for faster engage because the switch must have this area in order to function properly. The KOWAL™ actuator factors in the neutral zone so that it doesn't block the switches' own plungers. This allows the switches to function normally, enabling the actuator to correctly bounce back to the center upon release, ready for the next directional move.

    Size Matters

    There are other oversize actuators on the market.  However, many of them do not properly factor in the Neutral Zone.  Instead, they simply enlarge the entire actuator, cutting off the Neutral Zone and affecting the proper activation of the switches.  This messes up the Activation Zone as well, and works against the intended goal of speeding up engage and shortening throw.  If you see 1.5mm actuators or larger, keep this in mind -- anything larger than 1mm starts to mess up the proper function of the standard 200gf (operating force) JLF switches.  Anything less than 1mm won't shorten engage distance effectively.

    Compatibility, Design and Origin of the KOWAL™ Actuator

    The KOWAL™ 1mm actuator is tested on both square and octagonal gates and best used with the stock Omron 200gf switches that come with the Sanwa JLF. It is designed in a lightweight nylon material, and its non-tapered shape allows the actuator to engage switches consistently. 

    Kowal is the name of a well-respected member on Shoryuken.com forums and elsewhere in the arcade community.  He has extensive knowledge of the inner workings of many control devices.  Kowal originally introduced the oversized actuator as a performance enhancement for SHMUPs (horizontal or vertical space shooters like Gradius, DoDonPachi, etc.) but was later found to work great with many fighting game titles.  With his permission, we introduce the KOWAL™ brand of performance solutions that highlight accuracy and compatibility above all else. 

    Bundle and Save

    Option bundle the KOWAL™ 1mm oversize actuator with a Sanwa JLF-TP-8YT Joystick, or Sanwa JLF-TP-8Y-SK Joystick (No Plate Installed) for just $3.95!

     

  • Product Reviews

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    1. Never Use A Stick Without It.

      The oversize actuator is perfect for quicker responses and fast inputs. My Dp's are cleaner and my IAD's are lighting fast. If you have a Japanese stick you should pick this up. on Jul 1st 2019

    2. Great Alternative for Shorter Throw

      Originally, I was going to buy a Seimitsu stick because my Sanwa’s throw distance was waaaaayyyy to long. Finding this was the best thing that happened to me because I spent a little more than $4, as oppose to $20. This is better for Americans used to the Il/Happ sticks or even Korean sticks with shorter throw, but still with that Sanwa feel. If you’re a Tekken player, buy this with either a 2lb or 4lb spring. Trust me, the difference is night and day! on Jun 30th 2019

    3. No More Loose Sticks

      I've bought two of these and as far as I'm concerned, they are a must. They make sticks feel so much more responsive which helps most notably with movement (dashing, backdashing) but also with the speed at which you can pull of circular motions like QCF.

      I have one on a Sanwa lever and the other on a Hori Hayabusa, with octagonal gates. They are essential in my opinion.       on Jun 29th 2019

    4. Play Tekken? You need this!

      So for me Japanese sticks always felt weird getting into the neutral position and then snapping to forward. You do this a lot for wave dashing, electrics, and while running moves. This gets rid of all that dead zone and makes these things feel so much more natural. Definitely recommend. on Jun 17th 2019

    5. More responsive stick

      I'm using this actuator with both a Sanwa JLF and Hori Hayabusa joystick paired this with an an octogonal gate and it feels a lot better imo, specially in the Hori since it was a little more loose than the Sanwa and now it feels great. I recommed this product 100%. on Apr 17th 2019

    6. Smooth Moves! My Stick Has Shifted up a Gear!

      For such a simple and cheap component, it makes such a difference! Installed in my Hori Rap 4 Kai along with the Kowal Hayabusa Octagonal Gate from 2016, a 2lb spring, a smoke coloured bat-top, and I get what feels like a brand-new and better stick and playing experience.

      Tried it against the original actuator along with the other new parts I installed and there is no question that this 1 mm actuator makes a massive difference. Now I feel a lot more in control, have noticed far fewer input mistakes, and some techniques requiring high execution feel far easier to achieve.

      Can't recommend it enough.


       on Feb 20th 2019

    7. Just works

      I should note first that the factory square gate on my HRAP 5 is not compatible with this actuator. The fat part of the actuator rides rubs against the gate and while it might be fixable with some washers, I don't use that gate normally and can't be bothered.

      OTOH, the KOWAL octo gate I bought here works fine with the actuator and just as advertised. My default JLF took just a little too much movement to activate and this solves that problem, allowing for quick and precise inputs instead of always feeling like I need to ride the gate.

      Thanks, FA.       on Sep 27th 2018

    8. 4 way games ?

      From FA: Kowal Oversized actuator was not designed for 4-way control. Slight movements by the user towards diagonal directions will be emphasized because the actuator will hit those switches sooner than a normal-sized actuator.

      ---

      I don't think this works well with 4-way setups...

      I was seeing diagonal movement when I shouldn't have... maybe it was me but I pulled it out to be safe...       on Aug 20th 2018

    9. Made my JLF feel more like an LS-40

      I love the Seimitsu LS-40, but it doesn't have an easy octagonal gate option. The stock JLF is too loose and unresponsive for me. Adding the Kowal 1mm actuator and a 2lb spring to a JLF has given me the best of both worlds. Instant activate, quick return, and sweet diagonals. Very happy. on Jul 7th 2018

    10. Helped a lot with Octagonal Gate

      Helped with the Hori RAP 4 Octagonal Gate. Didn't have to shove the stick to the edge of gate with this. on Jun 29th 2018

  • Product Videos

    • FocusAttack.com - KOWAL Oversized Actuators for Sanwa JLF Joysticks
      A step-by-step video detailing the installation of the new ove...
    • Tech Corner: Sanwa JLF Maintenance
      Episode 1 of Tech Corner features the the Sanwa JLF-TP-8YT joy...

    FocusAttack.com - KOWAL Oversized Actuators for Sanwa JLF Joysticks

    A step-by-step video detailing the installation of the new oversized joystick actuators designed by KOWAL, brought to you by FocusAttack.com. Check out the video for more details. For more custom joystick parts and fighting game related products please check out: http://www.focusattack.com http://twitter.com/focusattack Follow me: http://twitter.com/lowfierce Thanks for watching and happy modding!

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