New Product: Spectra Eclipse™ Lighted Bezel Arcade Pushbutton - GroovyGameGear

[RandyT]

Here's a peek at another GroovyGameGear.com creation, the Spectra Eclipse™ Arcade Pushbuttons.  Great for that "High-Tech" look, or for those who are looking for more subtle lighting effects for their control panels.

Features:

• Custom made, glossy opaque black, slightly convex plunger, with transparent colored bezels.
• Special, High quality, color matched prismatic LED, which directs more light to the button bezel.
• Standard Soft Touch™ switches for smooth action.
• Installs easily in a standard 1 1/8" hole on wood or metal panels (adapter ring included for metal panels.)
• Lower cost than cobbling parts together from different buttons.
• Will work with any voltage between 5vDC and 12vDC (12vDC recommended for highest output. Requires 30ma @ 12vDC.)
• Easily wired for "constant on" lighting using our EZ-Lights™ wire harness, or for dynamic lighting effects with our LED-Wiz™ controller.

These will be available on the site by the end of the weekend.  A High-Output RGB option will be available as well, but will be more costly due to the parts and labor involved. 

Thanks for checking them out and a bigger thanks to all those who make new items like this one possible with your purchases from us 

RandyT

(edit: Available now on the store.  Click on the image to go there.)

[Sky25es]

Randy... you've surpassed yourself! 
Now we can really say that there's an option to suit everyone's taste. 
Just a question: will there be an option to have them with convex plungers instead the concave ones ?

[wp34]

Interesting.  Will these be compatible with my existing ClassX true-leaf switches?

[DeLuSioNal29]

Nice job Randy!  I'm so glad I waited before diving into LED buttons.  I'll need to upgrade to these as well once I re-do my CP (with Dominux Sticks).

DeLuSioNaL29

[wp34]

Any update on these Randy?

[Nephasth]

4 years too late...

[ChanceKJ]

4 years too late...

Agreed,

Well, we could always do a refit?

I had been thinking to grab a couple of these in the fall when Randy mentioned them. I was gonna put them on my flynns cp and run a little pinball. Ah well. My next project with lit buttons for sure.

[RandyT]

Too late for some, just in time for others 

For those who have been waiting since my last post (I know, the weekend came and went) I'll get the store listing for these done tonight.  Got swamped with orders over the weekend, and those took priority.

Will these be compatible with my existing ClassX true-leaf switches?

Sorry, no.  They are microswitch holders only.  However, they do work well with our MicroLeaf switches, which will be an option for the product.

will there be an option to have them with convex plungers instead the concave ones ?

Not sure if this is what you meant to ask.  They are slightly convex (i.e. a little rounded outward.)  Good those who prefer a flatter button over the dimpled ones, and for the fighters crowd.

[AzureKnight]

These are really slick Randy, nice work.

[ChanceKJ]

Randy,

Didn't you have a clear CLASSX version of these when we talked about them last?

[RandyT]

Ok, they are finally up on the store

Didn't you have a clear CLASSX version of these when we talked about them last?

I have the CLASSX in clear, so yes, one could buy those, and the matching black CLASSX button to get a similar effect.  But we can't offer them pre-configured that way at a reasonable price point, due to the parts waste.

[ChanceKJ]

So yeah, same as before, cool.

Are the clear CLASSX making their way online any time soon?

[Sky25es]

will there be an option to have them with convex plungers instead the concave ones ?

Not sure if this is what you meant to ask.  They are slightly convex (i.e. a little rounded outward.)  Good those who prefer a flatter button over the dimpled ones, and for the fighters crowd.

my bad, sorry. I wanted to ask the opposite: if we can have them with concave plungers

[Nephasth]

$6.60 for 1 RGB button... Ouch.

[RandyT]

$6.60 for 1 RGB button... Ouch.

The RGB version uses a Helio9 RGB lighting unit, and we do the labor to to build them into this type of button.  This makes them more costly than the normal lighting which goes in these, which is monochromatic. 

This is a high-end lighting option and the current requirements are higher than the low cost lighting controllers can handle, so the RGB version isn't an option for those with a tight budget for their build anyway.

Should I have not offered the option?

[Nephasth]

Should I have not offered the option?

Definitely should be an option, as I think most people prefer the flexibility of an RGB LED. Surely there has got to be a more affordable RGB solution for these buttons. At $6.60, that's just an $0.85 savings vs piecing together your own parts to make this look back in 2013. And $6.60 is more expensive than it was when I pieced together my own buttons in 2011. Yeah, this saves from having to piece them together, but you've got at least one competitor offering a convex button very similar to these Eclipse buttons for a much more reasonable price with RGB LEDs. Just saying, might be worth your while to look into finding a less expensive solution so you can remain competitive in the market. Not trying to knock your products Randy, but most BYOAC guys aren't Griff-richers, and I'm not sure how many robotics guys would be into these. I know I'm not the only one who looks for the best value when shopping online.

[RandyT]

Surely there has got to be a more affordable RGB solution for these buttons.

You'll have to trust me when I say there's not.  If there was, there would be a lower cost option than the Helio9 that is being offered.  These buttons just aren't set up by default to accommodate an RGB LED, and the cost barely covers the parts and labor to modify each one.  I didn't set out to offer these as RGB buttons, and that is not the primary configuration.  The RGB is offered as a "if you want it, I will build it for you, it will look fantastic, and this is what it costs" option.

At $3.15 per button for the monochromatic version, with the upgraded prismatic LED and switch, these are great value and they look sharp. 

[Nephasth]

Surely there has got to be a more affordable RGB solution for these buttons.

You'll have to trust me when I say there's not. 

I don't trust you when you say that, because I know for a fact that 12V RGB LEDs can be had wholesale for a fraction of a dollar.

Not saying don't offer the "high end" LEDs. It's your ---steaming pile of meadow muffin---, handle it however you want, but don't spread lies.

[eds1275]

I think these will look great when I build my Ramp & Roll machine in the spring!

[RandyT]

I don't trust you when you say that, because I know for a fact that 12V RGB LEDs can be had wholesale for a fraction of a dollar.

Not saying don't offer the "high end" LEDs. It's your ---steaming pile of meadow muffin---, handle it however you want, but don't spread lies.

The Helio9's are a custom assembled circuit board, 24" wires x4, and 3 RGB LED with the proper resistors, and they cost a lot more than you think.

If the "Neph Rings" you were offering to folks included 4 of those "fraction of a dollar" RGB LED's and about 30 cents worth of acrylic.  Why did they cost $14?   The obvious answer is that the person (I'm assuming it was you) who actually assembled them has a right to be compensated for their time, as did the individual who invested in the laser to cut them for you.  Why do you seek to deprive others of the same consideration, when providing a service to the community which might otherwise not exist? 

In all honesty, I will make almost nothing on the RGB option as my time is more valuable elsewhere.  But I knew folks would want the option, so It was offered.  But Neph really has me seriously considering removing it.  So I'll ask the opinion of others here.  Is it valuable to you to have the option, or is it offending others as well?

[BorgDog]

Well I don't know either of you, and I'm pretty new to this hobby, so have no vested interest in this internet pissing match, but Nephasth, seriously if you don't want to pay that much spend your money elsewhere.

Personally I am constantly amazed at how cheap inexpensive everything in the buttons and joystick departments is. 

Randy, I'm always in favor of more options, I may not ever use them, but it's nice having the option.

[Nephasth]

I don't trust you when you say that, because I know for a fact that 12V RGB LEDs can be had wholesale for a fraction of a dollar.

Not saying don't offer the "high end" LEDs. It's your ---steaming pile of meadow muffin---, handle it however you want, but don't spread lies.

The Helio9's are a custom assembled circuit board, 24" wires x4, and 3 RGB LED with the proper resistors, and they cost a lot more than you think.

If the "Neph Rings" you were offering to folks included 4 of those "fraction of a dollar" RGB LED's and about 30 cents worth of acrylic.  Why did they cost $14?   The obvious answer is that the person (I'm assuming it was you) who actually assembled them has a right to be compensated for their time, as did the individual who invested in the laser to cut them for you.  Why do you seek to deprive others of the same consideration, when providing a service to the community which might otherwise not exist? 

In all honesty, I will make almost nothing on the RGB option as my time is more valuable elsewhere.  But I knew folks would want the option, so It was offered.  But Neph really has me seriously considering removing it.  So I'll ask the opinion of others here.  Is it valuable to you to have the option, or is it offending others as well?

A NephRing cost breakdown for you:
-Acrylic plate laser cut and etched: $6 (my cost)
-Each RGB LED: $0.20 (4 in each set)
-Resistors: $0.10-$0.20 each (12 in a set)
-Roughly 100" of wire: $0.35
-Micro-fit Molex connectors and pins: find the price online, I won't reveal my cost publically
-48 individual solder points and 16 pin crimps (takes me nearly an hour if I sat down to do one at a time)

So that's roughly $10 in parts. $14 price tag includes shipping. I view BYOAC as a community, not a source of income.

[Vigo]

I don't have a dog in this, but I do have to stand up for Neph Rings. Neph took the time to custom design plates to match the specifications of each person ordering from him. I'm sure he could have made some universal hack together kit that would have been a PITA, but everything was a perfect fit to my hardware, and it looked perfect as well.

Also, he custom changed out mine from RGB to 3x Red for me at no cost. He spread a lot of awesomeness at his personal expense, $14 was a steal.

[Nephasth]

Nephasth, seriously if you don't want to pay that much spend your money elsewhere.

Thank you captain obvious.

I don't have a dog in this, but I do have to stand up for Neph Rings. Neph took the time to custom design plates to match the specifications of each person ordering from him. I'm sure he could have made some universal hack together kit that would have been a PITA, but everything was a perfect fit to my hardware, and it looked perfect as well.

Also, he custom changed out mine from RGB to 3x Red for me at no cost. He spread a lot of awesomeness at his personal expense, $14 was a steal.

Just trying to help out my BYOAC brothers. Thanks for the compliments and glad you dig the custom work. 

[RandyT]

-Acrylic plate laser cut and etched: $6 (my cost)

That's a great example.  You paid $6 for just a piece of acrylic.  A nice, fully assembled pushbutton with a high-end RGB lighting unit, 96" of wire and a switch, for just 60 cents more, seems like quite a bargain by comparison.   

I don't have a dog in this, but I do have to stand up for Neph Rings. Neph took the time to custom design plates to match the specifications of each person ordering from him. I'm sure he could have made some universal hack together kit that would have been a PITA, but everything was a perfect fit to my hardware, and it looked perfect as well.

Also, he custom changed out mine from RGB to 3x Red for me at no cost. He spread a lot of awesomeness at his personal expense, $14 was a steal.

You misunderstand.  I was defending his price, and he has every right to charge it.  It's a fair price.  It was used only as an example I thought he might better understand, than one which he was not intimately familiar with.

[Nephasth]

It was used only as an example I thought he might better understand, than one which he was not intimately familiar with.

Post some "under the hood" pics of these Eclipse buttons to help this simpleton understand, please.

[bfauska]

I think more options are always better.
I am as cheap or cheaper than "the next guy" so I'll probably use a different solution if I go transparent bezel with RGB but that's no reason for me to say it shouldn't be available to others if they want a product that, with Randy's previous products as a track record, may be the Cadillac that it claims.

[RandyT]

Post some "under the hood" pics of these Eclipse buttons to help this simpleton understand, please.

Buy a monochromatic one, and an RGB one to compare.  It will be quite obvious, with the exception of the initial de-soldering the Helio9 base. 

[Nephasth]

Post some "under the hood" pics of these Eclipse buttons to help this simpleton understand, please.

Buy a monochromatic one, and an RGB one to compare.  It will be quite obvious, with the exception of the initial de-soldering the Helio9 base. 

I don't buy anything without seeing it first. Right now I can even tell these buttons are convex in the pics you posted.

[Vigo]

I don't have a dog in this, but I do have to stand up for Neph Rings. Neph took the time to custom design plates to match the specifications of each person ordering from him. I'm sure he could have made some universal hack together kit that would have been a PITA, but everything was a perfect fit to my hardware, and it looked perfect as well.

Also, he custom changed out mine from RGB to 3x Red for me at no cost. He spread a lot of awesomeness at his personal expense, $14 was a steal.

You misunderstand.  I was defending his price, and he has every right to charge it.  It's a fair price.  It was used only as an example I thought he might better understand, than one which he was not intimately familiar with.

I get your point, and I don't mind you charging what you want as well for your products. From your post you were making it sound like Nephasth was able to churn out Neph Rings for a less than a dollar each in materials and profiting $13 on every order for his effort. I am merely standing up for him doing his work as a genuine service that quite obviously did not pad his wallet.

[RandyT]

I am merely standing up for him doing his work as a genuine service that quite obviously did not pad his wallet.

The comment, which I directly after demonstrated as being an unreasonable position, simply used the same type of logic which was already being thrown in my direction. 

As I stated, the RGB option does not pad mine either.  It's offered as a service that I knew folks would ask for.  Once the time is considered to build the RGB assemblies, I'll probably make less than the small profit I make (once my large initial investment is covered) on the monochromatic ones.  I could charge less and just throw the parts in a box, leaving it up to the end user to do all of the modifications to make them work.  But it's not a reasonable thing to do in this instance, and I'd rather have them not be sold, than to have unhappy customers thinking they received an incomplete solution. 

[Nephasth]

I could charge less and just throw the parts in a box, leaving it up to the end user to do all of the modifications to make them work.  But it's not a reasonable thing to do in this instance, and I'd rather have them not be sold, than to have unhappy customers thinking they received an incomplete solution.

Totally not reasonable considering this is BYOAC.

[DietCoke]

I appreciate any additions in choice that are available, regardless of the vendor.

In my opinion it is poor form for one vendor to go onto another's product announcement and unload on it.  In my view it is better to wait for someone to ask for feedback or something in their own post, then give your input.  When I have to choose between vendors on a similar product I often base my decision on my impression of the vendor, and based on the posts I've seen here that business would go to Randy.

I understand that this is not always the case here and vendors do go back and forth, but it is a shame and should be done differently in my view. 

[Nephasth]

I'm not a vendor, nor have I mentioned another vendor in this thread. I'm a potential customer. Try to keep up.

[DietCoke]

You're selling things, regardless of profit margin.  Try not to be unpleasant.

[Nephasth]

Really? What am I selling? Nothing. Try to keep up.

[wp34]

Did somebody shoot someone's dog?  I feel like I missed something.

[WindDrake]

Lot of vitriol in here. Holy ---fudgesicle---.

Who shot who's dog?

[eds1275]

Did somebody shoot someone's dog?  I feel like I missed something.

Yeah really. Don't like it? Think it's over priced? Can do it better yourself? Don't buy it.

[Nephasth]

Heaven forbid someone post an opinion on an open forum...

FYI - quickest way to get me to STFU... Don't quote my posts or talk about me.

[wp34]

Did somebody shoot someone's dog?  I feel like I missed something.

Yeah really. Don't like it? Think it's over priced? Can do it better yourself? Don't buy it.

That wasn't my point.  It seemed like there was a lot of sniping going on and I didn't understand why.  I see now that my comment did not help matters.

[DietCoke]

Really? What am I selling? Nothing. Try to keep up.

I'm caught up.

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,132983.msg1368093.html#msg1368093

Have a wonderful day.

[Nephasth]

Really? What am I selling? Nothing. Try to keep up.

I'm caught up.

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,132983.msg1368093.html#msg1368093

Have a wonderful day.

Did you read the thread? I stopped taking orders 11 months ago. I don't think you're caught up yet...

[DietCoke]

You're missing the point, but that's ok. 

Best of luck in your future endeavors.

[Nephasth]

What's the point? You said I was a vendor. I'm not. You said I'm selling stuff. I'm not. I just bought a coin door from Jasonbar. Does that make him a vendor? No it does not. More than 10% of your posts are trying to argue with me. Your time would be better spent reading threads and learning from other people's projects and talents. Good luck, you'll probably need it.

[PL1]

FYI - quickest way to get me to STFU... Don't quote my posts or talk about me.

FYI - there is one quicker way . . .  Are you lobbying for the mods to exercise that option?   

Keep it on-topic and civil, everyone.


Scott

P.S. If you did another run of Neph-rings, you would fall under the current BYOAC definition of "vendor" and the thread would be moved to "Retail Vendors", same as the rablack97, SlammedNiss, and ponyboy threads.   

[yotsuya]

Don't worry folks,  there won't be another run, so you can stop calling people vendors. Put the gun away, Barney Fife.

[Nephasth]

P.S. If you did another run of Neph-rings, you would fall under the current BYOAC definition of "vendor" and the thread would be moved to "Retail Vendors", same as the rablack97, SlammedNiss, and ponyboy threads.   

Never going to happen, Bucko.

But I will say this, if this product announcement was in the Vendor forum, I would have never posted in it. Main forum is fair game for opinions.

[HaRuMaN]

Don't worry folks,  there won't be another run, so you can stop calling people vendors. Put the gun away, Barney Fife.

What about those harurings we've been talking about... 

[wp34]

Ok, they are finally up on the store

Didn't you have a clear CLASSX version of these when we talked about them last?

I have the CLASSX in clear, so yes, one could buy those, and the matching black CLASSX button to get a similar effect.  But we can't offer them pre-configured that way at a reasonable price point, due to the parts waste.

I may go this route if I decide to do LED's.  I really like my True-Leafs.     

[ark_ader]

P.S. If you did another run of Neph-rings, you would fall under the current BYOAC definition of "vendor" and the thread would be moved to "Retail Vendors", same as the rablack97, SlammedNiss, and ponyboy threads.   

Never going to happen, Bucko.

But I will say this, if this product announcement was in the Vendor forum, I would have never posted in it. Main forum is fair game for opinions.

Civil opinions.  Not the opinions that are irrelevant and rude. You know the difference. 





Randy:  again you have made an awesome product. Kudos. Those buttons look lovely.   

[leapinlew]

Has anyone done a review of these, or used on a project? I'd like to see how they look in different lighting conditions.

[CheffoJeffo]

Has anyone done a review of these, or used on a project? I'd like to see how they look in different lighting conditions.

+1

Hadn't seen these before.

[Frank Drebin]

I'm using them in my current build.  Waiting on some harnesses for the RGB lighting but I will post some pics when complete.

http://s459.photobucket.com/user/internetpicslol/media/Mobile%20Uploads/IMG_20151202_204511486_zpssmbzhu53.jpg.html

http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php/topic,147297.50.html