New Product: CLASSX™ Pushbuttons - Electric ICE 2 - GroovyGameGear.com

[Jakobud]

Looking forward to the NovaGem 2s.  I'll be ordering roughly 20ish when the time comes.  Cheers!

[Dazz]

Exactly a month after ordering; I received my EI2's with the True Leaf switch and RGB LED's today in the mail for my pincab.  I was able to get then wired up and lit, but have not had a chance to play using them yet.  I'll have more of a review of them as I get to really test them out later.

[RandyT]

Exactly a month after ordering; I received my EI2's with the True Leaf switch and RGB LED's today in the mail for my pincab.  I was able to get then wired up and lit, but have not had a chance to play using them yet.  I'll have more of a review of them as I get to really test them out later.

I'm really sorry it took so long, but it's been out of our control.  We now have about 2500 units in stock and have promises from the factory that delays like the ones we just experienced are "startup-related" and shouldn't happen in the future.  I guess we will see how true that ends up being.  There are still a couple of issues that need to be sorted before the NovaGem2's hit the streets, but we are hopeful that they won't be too long now.

RandyT

[RandyT]

First shipment of red NovaGem2's just rolled in the door.  And they look nice

That's a good sign....now waiting on the other colors.

RandyT

[kronic24601]

sweet! Come on BLUE!

[Dazz]

Well, I finally got my EI2 buttons, with True Leaf and RGB.  The button build is of nice quality and the springs give a nice feel.  The True Leaf switch is GREAT and feels much better than a microswitch.  The RGB LED's illuminate the buttons very nicely. 

The only issue that I have with the EI2 buttons is that they feel like there is too much concave on the button. These seem to work great as pinball flippers, but I think they would feel too deep for use on a MAME cab.

[RandyT]

The only issue that I have with the EI2 buttons is that they feel like there is too much concave on the button. These seem to work great as pinball flippers, but I think they would feel too deep for use on a MAME cab.

I think you may feel that way because the IL and HAPP buttons that most are used to (due primarily to the lack of other options) are more shallow than the original buttons used on real arcade machines "back in the day".  I have an original Galaxian and Twin Cobra conversion behind me with leaf switch buttons.  The depth is virtually identical, but the ridge on the CLASSX™ pushbutton plunger is a little more rounded for comfort.

These are actually more true to the buttons on the original machines than any microswitch compatible button on the market today.

RandyT

[dawolv]

First shipment of red NovaGem2's just rolled in the door.  And they look nice

That's a good sign....now waiting on the other colors.

RandyT

Are they in yet, Are they in yet? 

[kronic24601]

RandyT,

I have a question about how the RGB unit fits with the leaf switches. My assumption is that the RGB board comes out the same side as the leaf extends out yes? I just want to make sure everything will "fit" in my panel as my buttons are space 1.5" from each other.

What would be really helpful is if someone could post a picture of the RGB board/leaf switch combo (I'm a visual person). 

[RandyT]

Are they in yet, Are they in yet? 

Sorry, not yet.  More scheduling issues    At least the EI version made it through.  I have some solid black ones as well, for those just looking for the new styling and switch options, but not lighting.

I have a question about how the RGB unit fits with the leaf switches. My assumption is that the RGB board comes out the same side as the leaf extends out yes? I just want to make sure everything will "fit" in my panel as my buttons are space 1.5" from each other.

With the leaf-type switches (Micro and True) the RGB board extends on the long side of the holder.  With standard micro-switches, it can extend out either side.

RandyT

[Ginsu Victim]

I have some solid black ones as well, for those just looking for the new styling and switch options, but not lighting.

For sure. Been looking forward to a selection of solid colors. This is a good start.

[kronic24601]

RandyT

Perhaps you don't know/can't answer this yet, but I'm trying to calculate prices to see if I should wait for the NovaGems or go with the EI2's.

Can you let us know if there will be a price change in the NovaGems, and if so what?

Also, I'd like to buy the "true leafs" with them, on the EI2's they are 0.99 cents more, will they be the same on the NovaGems, or will they cost more/per button?

Getting a final cost per button (w/ and w/out leafs) would really help in making a decision.

Thanks!

[kronic24601]

First shipment of red NovaGem2's just rolled in the door.  And they look nice

That's a good sign....now waiting on the other colors.

RandyT

RandyT, I don't mean to pester or anything but I was hoping you could give us a status update on how things are going if possible. Clearly these buttons are not ready yet, so I'm not complaining about that or anything. I was just hoping you could give us a little idea on where things are at. (For example, bad batch of buttons/manufacturing problems, specific color problems, other product development taking up your time, etc...  ) I'd just like to stay in the loop so that we don't forget about this potentially really cool product. (Plus my wife is pestering me to finish my CP already)

Thanks!

[dawolv]

Are they in yet, Are they in yet?  

Sorry, not yet.  More scheduling issues    At least the EI version made it through.  I have some solid black ones as well, for those just looking for the new styling and switch options, but not lighting.

*Taps Foot*  
Any news on these beauts yet?

Cant wait try the new Marquee Lighting - Looks Bright and Looks Great!

[kronic24601]

ohhhh shiny ... my current Nova Matrix isn't bright enough for my cab so I was going to order a second, but maybe I should wait for this ... where did you get that photo?

[dawolv]

ohhhh shiny ... my current Nova Matrix isn't bright enough for my cab so I was going to order a second, but maybe I should wait for this ... where did you get that photo?

Here are the Novagems 2 that I want:


But the LINX are already on his site -- LINKY --  

I would like to get my NovaGems 2 at the same time and perhaps some other goodies he has 

[kronic24601]

sweet ... purchased !!

[dawolv]

sweet ... purchased !!

Sweet! I look forward to your review, tips, and pics.   

[GameTech]

Damnit!   Everything is out of stock again.  Randy barely answers Emails now on these things.


 

[RandyT]

Damnit!   Everything is out of stock again.  Randy barely answers Emails now on these things.

The mold has had some final adjustments, and it looks like actual production can start soon.  You wouldn't believe what it has been like to get this project off of the ground.

RandyT

[EvilNuff]

Looking on the site I see NovaGem's listed here: http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=281

Are these in fact the NovaGem 2's?  I assume so but not sure...  A suggestion if I may Randy, could you put the pic of all the colors of the buttons on the item page?  Look forward to them getting in stock so I can check them out.

[wweumina]

Are the solid colours still going to be an option or is it all too much of a PITA?

[ivwshane]

I'm sorry if this was asked already or answered already but do you have any video or pictures comparing the new and old electric ices with an rgb lit up?

Even if the pics don't do it justice a side by side of the lit buttons would be nice.

[RandyT]

Are the solid colours still going to be an option or is it all too much of a PITA?

The mold has been a PITA.  The colors, not so much.  There will be solid colors available, but the initial focus is on the lighted buttons.  That being said, I have been pursuing at least one special item related to these, which should come about at roughly the same time.  So the wait will not be totally in vain.  Plus, we are working on a unique twist that I hope will address a number of desires related to this product.

Just a note about the delays.  Dealing with bigger companies who view you as a "small fry" can be like "pushing a rope".  If my personality was any less tenacious, this project would likely have withered on the vine.  We'll get there eventually, as hard to believe as that sounds, based on the delays.  I'm not especially pleased with how this has progressed either, as I have literally lost count of the hours, and cash, I have invested in this project at this point.  But I think it will be worthwhile in the end.  Thanks again to all of you who have been waiting patiently for these to become available.

RandyT

[Gatt]

Are the solid colours still going to be an option or is it all too much of a PITA?

The mold has been a PITA.  The colors, not so much.  There will be solid colors available, but the initial focus is on the lighted buttons.  That being said, I have been pursuing at least one special item related to these, which should come about at roughly the same time.  So the wait will not be totally in vain.  Plus, we are working on a unique twist that I hope will address a number of desires related to this product.

Just a note about the delays.  Dealing with bigger companies who view you as a "small fry" can be like "pushing a rope".  If my personality was any less tenacious, this project would likely have withered on the vine.  We'll get there eventually, as hard to believe as that sounds, based on the delays.  I'm not especially pleased with how this has progressed either, as I have literally lost count of the hours, and cash, I have invested in this project at this point.  But I think it will be worthwhile in the end.  Thanks again to all of you who have been waiting patiently for these to become available.

RandyT

No sir,  Thank you for everything you invested in this.  You and a few others make this hobby incredible and satisfying.  I know you probably get frustrated as heck,  but seriously,  I for one look at my GGG(Ultimarc,  Ramcontrols) products and am thrilled to have them!

[RandyT]

No sir,  Thank you for everything you invested in this.  You and a few others make this hobby incredible and satisfying.  

Thank you for saying so, but without the support of folks like you, I couldn't do this full-time, and many of the things I have been able to bring to the community would not exist without that support.

For those who have been watching, here's an update on the current situation with these.  I think it's a big one for those who understand the differences.

While waiting for the production issues to get ironed out, I decided to spend some time researching the leaf switch situation.  The economy grade leaf switches work ok, but they are an inexpensive import offering designed for consumer grade items.  And that's fine for a lot of folks, but I also wanted to offer a higher end leaf-switch which delivers the true 80's feel with the commercial / industrial durability these were known for.  It seemed impossible at first, but with the help of some industry insiders from back in the day, I was able to locate the manufacturer used by the arcade manufacturing community for these parts.  I had to purchase a huge quantity to get them produced (see the part above about how the patronage of the community affects what I can get done ) but we should have enough to keep folks happy for quite some time.

Additionally, I managed to get a custom version made which improves on the original design.  The switch I designed will help to drastically reduce the maintenance these types of switches have been known to require, and I have specifically tuned them for feel when used in our CLASSX™ pushbuttons.  They are smooth and have just the right amount of light resistance, almost identical to the ones in the Galaxian machine sitting behind me, and far better than the stiff feeling leaf buttons in the Twin Cobra conversion I also own.

And believe it or not, I was able to negotiate a price that will allow GroovyGameGear to offer these premium leaf-switches, which we will be calling our True-Leaf Pro™, for only 50 cents more per unit than what we have been offering the economy version for.  And being "Made in USA" is just icing on the proverbial cake.

Our first shipment of these switches should be leaving the factory tomorrow, for mid-next-week delivery, so to those who have ordered and are waiting for buttons to ship with larger quantities of the economy version, please be patient.  I have decided to fill these orders with the premium version at no extra cost, as we are discontinuing the economy switches.  With such a small difference in price, I can't justify stocking the economy version, and I don't want folks who ordered at the cusp of the change to be upset.

As for the buttons, the production issues have been addressed and once the press is put back into production (currently down for routine maintenance) we should start seeing some of the new parts.  Thanks again for everyone's patience.  I believe it will be rewarded in the end.

RandyT

[ntk]

any update on when the ice 2 will be available again ?