How to make your joystick buttery smooth: Otto DIY V5 kit for fightsticks

Today we are tackling the Otto DIY V5 kit to enhance your joystick lever. I really like this kit and I feel it makes a big difference in regard to the overall feel and smoothness. If you are looking to upgrade your arcade stick lever, this is a definite option. It comes with three actuators and two gates to dial in the best feel for you. The best part is that it installs easily in a standard Sanwa JLF and a Hori Hayabousa. Enjoy the quick assembly and review!

And here are the steps for assembly if you'd rather just read:
1) Remove the balltop (if applicable)
2) Before going further, double-check you can actually get these mounting plate screws out without stripping them. If you don’t have faith you can, make sure you buy an extra mounting plate.
3) Remove the e-clip (spring loaded)
4) Take out the actuator and spring
5) Take out the shaft and pivot
6) Take off the gate
7) Then, the joystick PCB assembly (note that your 5-pin stubs out on the side, not the top or bottom) and the upper spring hat should dump right out
8) Now the mounting plate comes off- WARNING: Be super careful not to strip the screws (or just use a new mounting plate if you don’t want to drill out stripped screws)
9) Fit the brass nuts into the 4 holes
10) Install the new pivot seat—it can only be installed one way so you can be confident in your execution
11) Put the mounting plate back on and screw the brass screws in with your 2 mm Allen wrench
12) Put the pivot on the shaft
13) Grease the pivot and then insert the shaft
14) Put the upper spring hat back in and then install the spring (or a brand new one)
15) Pick your choice of actuator and push it down over the spring (keep applying the pressure)
16) Lock the e-clip back in place (I recommend needle nose pliers)
17) Drop the joystick PCB assembly back in. You’ll want to take note where the 5-pin connection stubs out so you won’t have reorient it in your stick.
18) Lock down the appropriate gate. Both are really solid.
19) Pop in a lower dust washer (if you want) and put the balltop back on.
20) Then, install it in your stick like you would normally, connect the 5-pin joystick harness, and enjoy!

Like the content? Subs and likes always appreciated!

Twitter: @AFightstick

[EricRShelton]

I don't know if I'll buy an Otto, but I've been looking for a detailed stick breakdown since I've been thinking of modding mine (first one) and this got right to the point! Fantastic video! Thank you!

[Ethrealwarrior]

I'm absolutely in love with my Otto V5 dyi! A must for Street Fighter and Shmups. I use a polished stainless steel pivot ball and molycoat silicone grease and it's frictionless.

[zakutenakazumiya]

I hope someone would do the same for Seimitsus. We LS32 enjoyers don't get a lot of love when it comes to modding.😢

[shiningce]

For step 2) I would add, get a JIS screwdriver to limit the chance of stripping the JIS screws on the mounting plate. I'd also add there are a few v5 upgrades to a stainless steel pivot seat or a stainless steel pivot. You don't want steel on steel, but it's nice not having to lube the pivot if you're using teflon + steel. Good stuff. I love my Otto DIY kits.

[GamingNightsNeoMasaki]

I’ve just installed this on my hayabusa stick just for experimenting. It actually makes the hayabusa a lot smoother.

[eraldylli]

Removing the stock screws is no joke. They are threadlocked in. If I knew how bad it was going to be (2 screws stripped and had to use a variety of methods and tool like angle grinder and vise to remove them, and I succeeded about 90 minutes later) I would have for sure ordered the metal plate, too. The mod is a marked improvement, definitely feel the difference. I'm not sure its worth 30+ usd, but it certainly makes it a little better.

[Kanoa]

I sourced the teflon spring base and stainless steel pivot just to make things extra smooth, no grease needed.

[ilypo]

aaaanndd I'm adding another thing to my wishlist. Thanks for the great video mate, guess I gotta save up some more money for my next upgrade ahaha

[DestroyForX]

Amazingly detailed vid my dude! Dying to see your SF6 gameplay!

[JLo_deepfriedsalad]

A tip for the people who stripped the 4 top screws:

If you have a soldering iron, you can solder your screw driver into the screw. The heat will also help soften up the Loctite material covering the screw tip.

I stripped all of mine and I was able to remove them with the lightest twist with this method.

[fiending]

if you have a chance, you should try the V2, it completely eliminates all the friction from the whole surface area of the round pivot because it's being held in place with a rubber grommet that's fixed horizontally, so when you move the lever, it's just bending the rubber that's wrapped around it to move around, no friction. the only friction you'll get is from the actuator touching the switch. I think it's really weird the actuators that come with this kit are so rough on the outside

[MichaelHarto]

you should get the buttercade stainless steel pivot to further smoothen the movement.

[deminator]

Interesting mod! Curious - do you prefer Square or Octag gates? When I use stick, I prefer Octag personally. Although these days im mostly just a stickless player hah.
Also been getting into Mortal Kombat - which is bizarre for me as a fighting game that is more geared towards Pad rather than an arcade stick!

[Wrekkshoppe]

Is that some kinda Mortal Kombat themed remix playing in the background? If so, what is the track from?

[KindKraken]

might have to try the Octogate one Us octousers are valid lol

[ZandoNoid]

Do you know if the otto v2 kit fits in a 2nd impact lever?? I've seen there is now a version for seimitsu levers as well, and i believe they're closer to the 2nd levers. Thanks in advance.

[chopstyx]

Which of the two gates that the v5 comes with do you prefer? I noticed the install had the square but the turtle stick had the rounded square.

[johnlund]

Great review as always 👏 👍 I don't really feel that it's a upgrade to the JLF more like a downgrade but that's only my opinion.

[fiending]

are you using the 13mm actuator and are you using the 1.5lb spring, and are you using the sanwa short shaft? and when you are blocking down-back on player 1 side and let go really quickly, does the stick bounce enough to trigger an opposite input? thanks.

[RollTide]

I just installed this and I'm noticing it's way too easy to accidentally get and up or down when just moving forwards or backwards. which actuator size would be best to use to get rid of this problem? I think I have the 12mm one in there based on the picture in the video.