Buy an EX2..

and then mod the buttons when (if?) they stop working? This seems to be my only choice really without spending loads of money (I'm in the UK)

Is it pretty much a given that the buttons will stop working after a while? I could just send the thing back and get it replaced when it does. Will probably buy from Amazon.

Hmm, decisions.

 

just play lei and smash ur face on ur controller till u win

but honestly vf without a stick sucks

 

From my personal interaction with a number of EX2s... yes, the buttons do seem to *eventually* all break. But, a big, big emphasis on eventually... mine lasted for ~9 months, and only one button broke, I just haven't fixed it yet. I have a few friends whose sticks broke down faster than that, but a larger group of friends whose sticks took even longer to break, or in some cases haven't broken yet at all.

Given that the EX2 is not a particularly expensive stick, I would definitely say the investment was worth it. It's harder to fix the buttons yourself than if you buy some of the alternatives (arcade in a box, HRAP)... but the alternatives all cost 2-4x as much, so w/e.

 

In my humble opinion, the EX2 isn't even worth half its money. The fact that the buttons refuse to work after a few weeks is unacceptable. Players are better off with a custom stick (Arcade-in-a-Box, Jester team), HRAP EX (though u gotta replace the buttons there as well), or a modded VSHG. All these mentioned sticks provide its user with longevity, and more comfortable features (decent rest place for your hands, decent stick unit, etc).

 

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The fact that the buttons refuse to work after a few weeks is unacceptable.</div></div>

I must have bought the most uber EX2, or you guys hit your buttons harder than average. I bought my EX2 in January, lugged it around in airports, car trunks, etc., and it still works great after all this time. The only "mod" of my EX2 is that I swapped the ball top from my VF4:FT machine when I went down to SoCal so that I could identify my EX2 quickly.

 

well I have been through 4 EX2's and I can't stand that sorry POS!!!! I refuse to buy another one!

 

mine kick button kinda failed, right after a week after I bought it. (it's like my friend triggered it coz he's kinda heavy-handed)

but when I changed the with the unused button, everything back to normal, including the failed one. So maybe the button just kind of saggy through the PCB.