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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. It rules

      It does what it's made for and does it great on Jun 26th 2017

    2. Much more accuracy!

      No dropped directional inputs with this. I had been debating weather to get this for months and Im so glad I did. I dont have to focus on perfect execution for wave dashing and such. Now it just comes out naturally. Regular qc and hc motions just fly out as I react. If you are thinling about getting this, just do it!!! on Jun 16th 2017

    3. Should really come standard with the JLF

      Huge improvement in every regard from the stock actuator, especially on diagonals and roll motions (QCF, HCF, etc). on May 6th 2017

    4. Increased sensitivity

      Im very happy with this piece. Such a simple solition with such a noticable difference. Think of this as what hori's short throw button do for your attack inputs but applied to your stick's movement inputs. Super easy to install. Immediate and obvious difference in how much physical movement is needed to pass a directional input. I personally ended up paring this with a higher tension spring to result in a stick that requires very deliberate and yet very sensitive motion to execute my inputs. Would recommend to anyone who feels they have to move the stick too drastically to get specific inputs for things like dashing or standing 360s or tiger knee motion or instant air yoga teleport. on May 2nd 2017

    5. Improves sensitivity

      As advertised, you need to move the stick less to get the inputs. Makes things quicker. on Apr 16th 2017

    6. Higlhly improve reaction time, but may not work so well for fighting games

      Recommended for SHMUP and whenever very short response time is desired.
      I found my vanilla Sanwa stick much too loose for playing SHMUP, and this actuator solved the problem for me giving very short reaction time necessary for tight situations. It is also good for playing PacMan when you have to quickly change direction.
      However it may not be so good for Figthing game where you might want more movement room to make half circle or the like. This actuator is very close to the microswitch, and you might break your combo inadvertently touching the wrong switch.       on Feb 9th 2017

    7. Ok

      Doesn't make much difference from stock still has a lot of slack. on Jan 4th 2017

    8. Decent Alternative to Seimitsu Sticks

      **UPDATE from FA **
      Please note that the product is for Sanwa JLF, designed for those who already own the JLF as most Fightsticks offer, or prefer it over Seimitsu.

      It does what it's supposed to do. Shortens the throw and decreases the dead zone. I installed these into two JLF's that already had 2 pound springs and octagonal gates. The actuators much like the other performance mods available for Sanwa JLF's basically make the joystick more seimitsu like so you can save yourself the money and just purchase a seimitsu stick from the start.       on Dec 8th 2016

    9. Huge improvement on JLF

      I built a custom fightstick using a JLF joystick and decided to try this actuator out after using the stock stick for a while, and have been very pleased with it. The stock stick has a large dead zone which makes the stick feel not very responsive, which this actuator is designed to eliminate. While it doesn't remove the neutral space (the small amount of wiggle room the stick has before it engages the switch), it does make the stick more responsive. Also, be aware that it brings your corners in much closer than they were previously, which makes your rolls faster but will take some getting used to. Installation was quick and easy, and it seems like it's made from quality materials. Would definitely recommend this to anyone looking to make their JLF stick a little more responsive. on Nov 25th 2016

    10. Quicker quarter circle response

      I got this because it is said that will give you a quicker respond to the direction you disire to input and to that it is correct, I would recommend it if your looking have your inputs done quicker, it is very simple to install as well, it only took me about 2 minutes once I opened my stick cover, btw, I'm using the Hori Real Arcade Pro, so it works on the Hayabusa sticks. on Sep 29th 2016

  • 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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