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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. This help improve my stick work much better

      First off I didn't think that this was worth the price but just the other day I got my 1mm oversize actuator along with 4lb spring and the kowal hayabusa octopus for my rap4 keep in I'm an old school arcade player and didn't really enjoy my stick at all it felt too loose plus that square gate I had my rap4 since March never used it having problems doing moves but now I'm loving it my execution with my stick is precise I been playing with a controller for years now my problem is getting better with my stick but that's not an big issue just keep putting in work have to use to it again.
       on Jul 30th 2016

    2. No Difference

      ** UPDATE BY FA ** Can you confirm that you are not installing the actuator or spring in the Q1's original joystick, as neither part in question was designed for that model?

      I took out the original actuator from my Qanba Q1, put them side-by-side, and it was the same size as the Kowal!

      WTF? I wasted 4 bucks on a PIECE OF PLASTIC that i already had!!

      When I installed it with a heavier tension spring, I could tell it (or the spring) was putting heavy wear on everything in my stick which is no bueno...

      Because who wants to pay outrageous prices for plastic that costs pennies to make.       on Jul 26th 2016

    3. Great improvement!

      I used the Kowal 1mm oversize actuator along with a 4lbs tension spring to tighten up my Qanba Q1. The Kowal is a huge improvement as I had trouble getting consistent dashes in SFV. I would highly recommend this actuator if you want to tighten up and reduce the amount of movement needed to perform actions with your stick.

      It fits the stock stick in the Qanba Q1 perfectly.       on Jun 22nd 2016

    4. It really works!

      One of the best piece of mod everyone should use. I "gate ride" a lot this helps a ton in my gameplay. on Jun 4th 2016

    5. A MUST FOR ANY SEROUS GAMER

      This nifty actuator, is the perfect kit for any fight game fan. It decrease the distance between the micro-switch and the shaft-end of your fightstick.

      MUST HAVE FOR FIGHTING GAMES

       on May 9th 2016

    6. Shorter Throw Improves My Execution

      I was hesitant that this would change the throw much at all but am very happy that it improves my execution. Recommended for anyone that wants to shorten their throw. on May 2nd 2016

    7. Everything I expected

      The install was tricky but when I installed it top my hori I immediately felt a change for the greatest on Apr 28th 2016

    8. Great product!

      This thing works wonders. It activates my movements way faster than before. Would recommend to anyone. on Apr 27th 2016

    9. Fantastic!

      This actuator has helped with improving dashing and jump canceling. I highly recommend this for anyone who is interested! on Apr 12th 2016

    10. Increase Precision

      If you, like me, were not a fan of how much movement you had to do on a JLF to activate a movement, I highly suggest that you add this to your stick to reduce the motion needed to get inputs. This helps you keep things more precise than ever on your joystick. You can combine this with a higher tension spring to get even more precision. I highly recommend this. on Apr 8th 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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