Panzer Fight Stick 5

The Panzer Fight Stick 5 is the natural iteration of a separate plan starting back in 2016 while floating around the Pacific Ocean on deployment... build a complete Panzer Fight Stick machined out of solid blocks of aluminum and anodize it. There have been a few false starts on this plan that included:

• The Panzer Fight Stick M: A a 6 piece Panzer that was huge and weighed way too much money. Prototypes were around $1000 each at the time and only 3 were made. A few lucky Panzer enthusiasts have them now but they all agree they are way too heavy and impractical.
• In about 2021(?) The unnamed Panzer out of machined aluminum was designed and a few were made. They were more practical and closer to ready for prime time, but Panzer 4 made a lot more sense to move forward with. A couple enthusiasts have them and I do have a few on my shelf - but they were never produced for sale.
• In early 2024 a uni-chassis design was completed and a limited run of 10x All Button Controllers were made and instantly sold out. This showed that the community was ready for this design. It was adapted and morphed into the Panzer Fight Stick 5.

Overall Dimensions: 14.5 x 8.5 x 2.5" (height with bottom panel installed)

Chassis and Bottom Panel weight: 3lbs.

Overview

The front has 6x 24mm holes for the Start, Select, Home, L3, R3, and TP Click buttons. Additionally, the USB passthrough section has #4-40 threads cut into the case and the entire housing for the USB passthrough is recessed into the case for a clean final look. No surround is necessary; and it won't fit regardless.

What's Included

• Chassis
• Bottom Panel
• Assembly Hardware
• 4x Feet
• 2x Rubber Pads with pressure sensitive adhesive
• Main EZ Wiring PCB, Fight Board connection wires, and interconnect Ribbon Cable for MX Panels

What You Need to Provide

• Panzer Fight Stick 5 Top Panel'
• Plexi Overlay
• USB Passthrough
• Internal USB Cable
• Fighting Board
• 6x 24mm screw in buttons
• External USB Cable

Construction

The Panzer Fight Stick 5 at its core is three pieces of fully machined aluminum that fit together like an ice cream sandwich. These include the main chassis (frame), the top panel (layouts are swappable, sold separately), and the bottom. This allows for a strong and robust design that doesn't require additional internal supports common plastic fight sticks, usually in the shape of large hollow circles.

Top Panel Specifics

The top panel, combined bezel is not included and sold separately so you buy what you need and nothing more.

The top panel has 4x mounting points (internally) for standard sized PCBs (PS360+, Brook PCBs, IPFB, etc.). The included #4-40 screws hold it in place and lever mounting points when required (lever based panels).

The plexi overlay, which is required can be printed plexi (highly recommended and $20 off when coupled with the chassis) or cut on demand plexi, fits into the panel for a nearly seamless fit with the panel (all plexi has some tolerances associated for thickness).

Bottom Panel Specifics

The bottom has 4x rubber feet and 2x 1/4" pads that fit recessed into the bottom panel. The feet can be omitted, but the screws that hold them in are also assembly points for the bottom. Do not omit them.

The panel is held in using the included 6x M4 screws (silver stainless steel).

Wiring

The base chassis comes with the base EZ WIRING hat and interconnect wires to the MX panel and base fighting board used. Your MX Panel will come with wiring to connect the panel EZ BUILD PCB to the front buttons.

Buttons

I recommend SCREW IN buttons for the Panzer Fight Stick 5. The overall thickness of the chassis is a bit extreme for snap in buttons. You will need 6x 24mm buttons in total.