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
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!
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KOWAL
Kowal 1mm Oversize Actuator for Sanwa JLF Series Joystick
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A solid upgrade
Not a bad upgrade, it made stick movement feel smoother for me. Unknown on Apr 27th 2018
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Excellent Product
Great product! Reduces the throw of the stick by a significant amount, making execution feel tighter while not losing any feel from the controls or placement of the stick. I have one in all of my active sticks. Brian Luger on Apr 18th 2018
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No gripes only a plus
Helps with precision so much. Cleans up unwanted jumps from crouches so much. Dashing feels so much more smooth. Unknown on Apr 6th 2018
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Subtle but worth it.
I thought Id give it a try and it really did work out. I really do like it and a good deal. Unknown on Mar 31st 2018
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Works
First time installing. Sure learned a lot from my mistakes lol. The product works as intended. Unknown on Mar 30th 2018
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Wish I could do it justice
Unfortunately for me im using an off brand joystick which is decent but really not designed for competitive play. With this the stick certainly feels a little more responsive. Just wish I could use this on a sanwa joystick Unknown on Mar 18th 2018
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improved my game
I have a sanwa JLF and for my personal style of play the improvement was noticeable within about a week not a magic get good quick fix but really makes it easier to pull off small quarter circles and srk Unknown on Mar 16th 2018
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Kowal for the epic win!
I just received my 1mm actuator today in the mail. installed it and all I have to say is, WOW!! This actuator is incredible! I also purchased the 2lb spring and I could not be happier with my fightstick pro. As a veteran of mvc2 and cvs2, I look forward to getting back into my fighting games. RepDaHardest on Mar 16th 2018
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It's amazing
You can hear how different it is from the stock. It makes the stick feel more secure which is awesome. I'm using a octagonal gate with this I love it ! Unknown on Feb 23rd 2018
