I have two questions. Which stick should I buy. (I have $170 to spend) and how long is the wire? Because my 360 is pretty far away from my couch.

I think wire is like 4 meters. Any version of the MadCatz TE stick is good imo.

" I think wire is like 4 meters. Any version of the MadCatz TE stick is good imo. "

If I were you I would go with the Hori Pro-EX. I have I PS3 so I went with the Real Arcade Pro 3 but the Pro-EX looks pretty similar and I love mine. As far as cable length mine is 9 feet long.  
http://vpgames.com/p-3548-hori-xbox-360-pro-ex-real-fight-stick-arcade-fighting-joystick.aspx    

Just get a TE. Don't get no hori poop.

" Just get a TE. Don't get no hori poop. "

Here are your options:
 

• Madcatz SE Stick - If you want to pay $60 then pay another 60$ ordering parts to mod it because the stock parts are ass.
• Madcatz TE Stick - To just have the stick work right out of the box.
• Hori Sticks - To be a fighting game elitest and go to tournies and say "Well Hori is a japanese make so obviously they are better than that american Madcatz garbage lolololololol". (Downside to this option is that you look like a douche)
• Any other stick - If you're just getting into fighting games and don't know if a stick is for you. You just grabbed some random stick at a best buy because it worked on your system and it was under $50. (Downside to this is that you have to listen to the elitest Hori stick people make fun of you because of your stick)
  

Yea if are actually going to use the stick and not regret the purchase get the TE imo.  Its a pretty great stick.  Also I wouldnt get the SE and mod it.  I havent used one, but the weight and size of the TE is perfect, I wouldnt give it up to save some money modding the SE.  

" Here are your options:
 

• Madcatz SE Stick - If you want to pay $60 then pay another 60$ ordering parts to mod it because the stock parts are ass.
• Madcatz TE Stick - To just have the stick work right out of the box.
• Hori Sticks - To be a fighting game elitest and go to tournies and say "Well Hori is a japanese make so obviously they are better than that american Madcatz garbage lolololololol". (Downside to this option is that you look like a douche)
• Any other stick - If you're just getting into fighting games and don't know if a stick is for you. You just grabbed some random stick at a best buy because it worked on your system and it was under $50. (Downside to this is that you have to listen to the elitest Hori stick people make fun of you because of your stick)
  

"

Get a MadCatz TE or TE S.

I love my TE, it has served me wonderfully, and I have had a blast customizing it too! The TE S doesnt have the side bezels that the TE does (the white parts that stick out), but other than that, I am pretty sure they are similar (besides button colors).  But if you think that you want to really get into SSFIV (or any other fighting game for that matter), the TE is Definitely worth it

I have a SE stick that I modded myself.  If you've got the money the just go ahead and jump up to the TE stick.  Their very easily modded and feel great.  If you REALLY get into the genre then you can customize it even more (plexi glass change, button color, etc).

" Here are your options:
 

• Madcatz SE Stick - If you want to pay $60 then pay another 60$ ordering parts to mod it because the stock parts are ass.
• Madcatz TE Stick - To just have the stick work right out of the box.
• Hori Sticks - To be a fighting game elitest and go to tournies and say "Well Hori is a japanese make so obviously they are better than that american Madcatz garbage lolololololol". (Downside to this option is that you look like a douche)
• Any other stick - If you're just getting into fighting games and don't know if a stick is for you. You just grabbed some random stick at a best buy because it worked on your system and it was under $50. (Downside to this is that you have to listen to the elitest Hori stick people make fun of you because of your stick)
  

"

Got an SE myself. Got some sanwa parts (stick and buttons) and now I can mash 360 all day!
I haven't touched a TE, but the Hori sticks are allright also. Just prefer my Madcatz SE since I know and trust the feel of it.

Can't you get a TE for like $99 now? Yeah, get that.

" Can't you get a TE for like $99 now? Yeah, get that. "

The TE sticks are only $119.99 at gamestop according to gamestop.ca.

" The TE sticks are only $119.99 at gamestop according to gamestop.ca. "

Yeah just get any TE, they're all basically the same with minor differences. They're ALWAYS on sale online somewhere it seems, so don't buy it in store. Just wait for a good deal, check eventhubs and the like.

Also, is there any specific type of gate I should use? Or does that matter?

" Also, is there any specific type of gate I should use? Or does that matter? "

" Also, is there any specific type of gate I should use? Or does that matter? "

I have a TE. I'd recommend waiting for an online sale on one of the TE sticks. They occasionally sell for $100 I think.

Well I ordered a TE. I'm too impatient to wait for a sale.

Should I jump into training to familiarize myself with the stick when it arrives?

" Well I ordered a TE. I'm too impatient to wait for a sale. "

" @CL60 said:

" Well I ordered a TE. I'm too impatient to wait for a sale. "

Vindicated "

Yeah but still you could have 2! Anyway but fucking YAY!!! New Bezel!!! Finally! I messed mine up while messing trying to paint it.. 

It's taking forever to get it :'( I don't think they've even sent it yet.

"Calm yourself" - Dhalsim.

i too was a stick noob, but i only had $50 to spend. so, i bought a Madcatz SE Stick and it's the freaking bomb! i had always considered myself to be a d-pad fighter (that's just how i learned on the SNES), and i even tried the Hori Soul Calibur IV stick, found it to be junk and hocked it on ebay. when SSFIV came out, i decided to give sticks another shot and picked the SE stick and now i wouldn't play Street Fighter any other way! you'll feel like you're playing with your feet at first, but once you realize that there is no spoon and get used to the stick, you'll never go back.  
 
about the buttons, i'm not a stick expert by any means, but i found the buttons/joystick on the Mascatz SE to be FAR superior to those in the Hori stick i tried. they just feel SO much more responsive. i'm sure that the Sanwa parts are even better, but as a fellow beginner, i am very satisfied with them. i do plan on upgrading soon though - just for kicks.

What the hell. Checked the order status and it says "Not yet shipped."

" @CL60: Where'd you order it from? "

Oh, I ordered mine from Amazon.  If you got the regular TE, it's great.  I like mine a lot.

" What the hell. Checked the order status and it says "Not yet shipped." "

" @CL60 said:

" What the hell. Checked the order status and it says "Not yet shipped." "

Really makes you think about kicking yourself huh? Since you couldn't wait til evo (had a big online sale) and the route you went, you are still waiting for a stick to come.  "

Get the TE. 
It's stupendous. 

" @Skytylz said:

" @CL60: Where'd you order it from? "

Tigerdirect "

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Just ordered a TE, please convince me that I didn't just make a huge mistake.

I just picked up a Hori Arcade Stick, only thing i could afford because in the UK sticks are double the price (and then then add £40 postage to Spain) 
It's replacing my screwed up fightpad, so hopefully it's a worthwhile investment. If I enjoy it, I may upgrade when i get the cash...