Where to find Clear translucent IL/NovaGem buttons?

[modemman]

Hi,

Does anybody have a current source of buttons like the IL PSL-L or the NovaGem? RandyT@GGG seems to be out of NovaGems and Paradise Arcade seems to be out of the clear PSL-Ls. Someone in the forum mentioned Happ has a similar one (I'm aware IL is or used to be the source of this particular model, I'm mostly asking where to find them), but I got completely lost inside their large selection - looks like most of their illuminated buttons are flat for industrial purposes, I really don't like flat buttons (sorry).

Basically I got these very nice small diameter inserts from RandyT that fit inside the plunger of a translucent 1-1/8 button. They are already diffused, so none of that blinding should occur, even if you put an LED facing straight up. I know there are colored versions all over the place (might do that as a temp solution), but I would really like to get the clear ones, with concave plunger, for looks consistency (and because the more I add to my panel, the more stressful it becomes to get in there to make changes - lol).

Much prefer the NovaGems (I hear they are already modded with 5V RGB option and the quality is awesome), but any ideas/info would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks.

[BadMouth]

http://www.paradisearcadeshop.com/324-il-translucent-buttons

[modemman]

Just came from there. Clear ones are sold out.

[PL1]

Have you e-mailed/PM'd Randy?

Any word on NovaGems, NovaGem 2s, or Electric Ice 2s being back in stock?

All colors NovaGem2's are in stock...  email me if you need some.  I had hoped to get these on the store by now, but I can't seem to catch a break with the recent order volume and all of the projects I have been working on.

Scott

[modemman]

Just did. Will wait for answer, much prefer to buy from him.

Thanks.

[RandyT]

We don't carry the IL buttons.  These are better (but I'm admittedly biased,  since I designed them )

We have stock in Red, Blue, Green, Clear, Yellow, Orange and Violet.  They are now standard with the Helio9 RGB lighting units, which provide the high-output and ability to tweak the color (especially useful for the colors where high output LED's don't exist to match.)  This also allows for limited color changing capabilities, which have a range that most probably wouldn't expect for a colored button.  Diffusers are included.

Special order for now.  Switch options and cost are the same as the Electric ICE 2 with the Helio9 lighting option.  Can be ordered by adding a note in the comments section at checkout until I can find a break in the activity to get them on the store (hopefully over the holidays)

RandyT

[modemman]

Dude, you really rock!!!!!!

(back to work, must stop obsessing, then heading to your site to order)

Thanks!

[WindDrake]

Hey Randy, quick question before I put an order in. Will these mount Rollie leaf switches? I know you guys have the True-Leaf Pro's, but I've got one of those standing in for my Millipede's fire button, and the tactile response is different from the Rollies, and these would be going onto a panel with Rollie switches. Gotta keep 'em all the same.

It looks like they would, but I figured I'd ask.

[RandyT]

I'm afraid I don't have any way to answer that question, other than to say that if they are intended as drop in replacements for micros, they will physically fit and likely operate.  How they will feel with these buttons is anyone's guess, as the CLASSX switch holder was designed for optimal operation specifically with the types of switches it supports.  It's something that you would need to try in order to know for certain.  Personally, I'd go for the True Leaf switches.  Just the added ability to adjust for feel and action could be worth the extra expense.

[kiwasabi]

I got the Novagem 2 buttons last year when they were first released. They were the worst buttons I've ever used. They literally started getting stuck down the first weekend they were in my cabinet. I told this to Randy and he didn't even apologize or attempt to replace them. Honestly I wouldn't recommend ordering from Groovygamegear if you can help it.

[Slippyblade]

Wow, kiwasabi.  I have to say that is the first negative thing I've heard about GGG or Randy.  Ever.  Sorry you had a bad experience, but from what I've read and my personal experience with GGG, I'd have to assume you are in the fringe minority with your situation.

[RandyT]

Wow...Adam is an individual I have been bending over backwards for in order to help him with getting the right parts for his "commercial" arcade cabinet venture, including making a custom version of the TT2 spinner for him, and providing no-cost guidance as to how to go about getting the controls he needed , so he wouldn't have any problems with installation or on location.  In my sent folder, I have 38 responses to his queries.  To see a post like this one in a public forum, over an issue that very likely has everything to do with the installation of the product, given that they are meticulously tested before shipping, and that there have been no other complaints from others who are using the very same buttons, is very distressing.  Unfortunately, the old adage about no good deed going unpunished really does seem to hold true with some.

In any case, pushbuttons, no matter what the type or manufacturer, need room in the mounting holes to expand when temperatures inside the housing increase.  This is especially important in upright cabinets where temperatures can change.  Tight holes, or very tight nuts, can constrict the body of the button, and cause binding when this temperature increase occurs.  In the less likely case that the legs of the plunger somehow became splayed enough to create resistance on the inner wall of the body, this can be permanently rectified (again, with any button) by simply giving the legs a good squeeze at the top near the plunger.

It's things like this that make me wonder why I chose this line of work...but I'll get over it

[opt2not]

Don't fret it Randy, some people have a hard time blaming themselves before blaming others for their problems.
Sounds like you did all you could to help the guy, but this negativity towards you seems over-dramatized.  Are people going to stop buying from you because of one noobie that can't install a push button?  Not likely.

For anyone else reading, Randy (GGG), Andy (Ultimarc), Gary (divemaster127), and Bryan & Susan (Paradise) have all been great at providing products and service to this community. I have ordered from all of them multiple times, and I haven't had any problems with their service. Also I should mention I'm in Canada, so their international support has been excellent!   

[kiwasabi]

Randy's customer service is weak. He will either respond same day or never. Actually I met someone the other day who had said he'd heard bad things about GGG's customer service as well too, so it's not just me. That's some nice guilt tripping all of arcadecontrols.com though, Randy. And also very mature of you to put commercial in quotes. This is what I'm talking about folks, his attitude is the problem.

And his buttons were mounted absolutely correctly. They were just extremely terribly designed and built. Unless of course his buttons don't use the industry standard 1 1/8" holes.

[tron84]

Randy's customer service is weak. He will either respond same day or never. Actually I met someone the other day who had said he'd heard bad things about GGG's customer service as well too, so it's not just me. That's some nice guilt tripping all of arcadecontrols.com though, Randy. And also very mature of you to put commercial in quotes. This is what I'm talking about folks, his attitude is the problem.

And his buttons were mounted absolutely correctly. They were just extremely terribly designed and built. Unless of course his buttons don't use the industry standard 1 1/8" holes.

Bwahahahaha   That has to be one of the funniest things I have seen here.
Randy from GGG has some of, if not the best customer service there is hands down. He also has GREAT products too.
Of the vast array of products I have ordered from him over the years.  All of them have exceeded my expectations. I also have never ever had one single problem out of his stuff.  From buttons, Key Wiz & GP Wiz interfaces, spinner knobs, joys, Tron handles etc…..
When he CNC cut a panel for me, his response’s to emails were fast & courteous.  He just is a Great guy all around.  Then his packing of his products is A++++++.  You can see he takes his time & cares about the shipment to arrive safely. The best packing I have even seen from a company. So don’t worry Randy, I don’t think you did.   The people who know you & order from you, know better than to believe nonsense , Doo Doo & CACA. 

[Nephasth]

This is what I'm talking about folks, his attitude is the problem.

I can't disagree with this statement.

[opt2not]

Randy's customer service is weak. He will either respond same day or never. Actually I met someone the other day who had said he'd heard bad things about GGG's customer service as well too, so it's not just me. That's some nice guilt tripping all of arcadecontrols.com though, Randy. And also very mature of you to put commercial in quotes. This is what I'm talking about folks, his attitude is the problem.

And his buttons were mounted absolutely correctly. They were just extremely terribly designed and built. Unless of course his buttons don't use the industry standard 1 1/8" holes.

That's so weird. I must be in the same-day service group...

[WindDrake]

Weird. Never had any problems with GGG myself, and I've got a ton of his gear.

[RandyT]

And his buttons were mounted absolutely correctly. They were just extremely terribly designed and built. Unless of course his buttons don't use the industry standard 1 1/8" holes.

The buttons shipped to Adam are exactly the same as the Electric ICE 2 buttons used daily by many members here, with several thousand having been shipped over the last couple of years.  I'm not sure what to say, other than what I wrote above.  If the buttons were part of a public installation, as it was indicated they were at some point, anything could have occurred which may have been responsible.

Adam's email from last October indicated quite simply that he had ordered new buttons because one of the four was "sticking".  There was no request for any assistance in figuring out what the issue could be, as he had obviously decided that he wanted a different style button for his project (i.e. non-illuminated convex buttons).   There was little for me to do at that point, other than re-check all of my stock to make sure there were no issues like the one indicated, which I did and could find nothing but perfectly functional buttons.

When we are approached by a customer looking for custom parts and quantity pricing, as a matter of good business practices we do a little background research to see if the extra time spent away from our normal daily activities is justified.  After seeing this website, and against my better judgment, I decided to try to help Adam with his project, as anyone can have a bad day on the internet.  I have spent many hours doing research and corresponding, at no cost, including offering assistance with items which are not our own and providing special consideration in putting his orders out ahead of others so he could meet his deadlines.  My apologies to Adam if he felt that he was not getting the attention he deserved, but there is a limit to what we can do when it takes away from servicing other customers.  I wish him well with his project.

[kiwasabi]

Hey, Randy learned some respect. I like how he still resorts to ad hominem against me to divert attention away from his poor customer service (and shoddy product).

Honestly it probably wouldn't have hurt for you to even acknowledge what I had said about your malfunctioning buttons. You went and checked every single button in your stock but couldn't be bothered to even acknowledge my issue with your product? That's some pretty indirect conflict resolution I'd say.

[RandyT]

If anyone is interested in seeing what these new buttons look like on an actual panel, Yaksplat made a couple of nice videos of his, which show the brightness and color range of the violet buttons with the new lighting units.