Its something that the current vendors just do not seem to understand. They are trying to cater to people whom want to use leafs in fighting game control panels... Where extra throw is not desired. This is not what leafs should be used for. Microswitches are better in fighting games, period.
Steve, it's not that vendors do not "understand" what you are saying. We simply disagree with the assertion that it is a universal truth, when in reality it is something which is tied to your personal preference and playing style.
RE: CLASSX Leaf buttons
By simply adjusting the upper leaf, and optionally, stretching the spring a bit (if you really want more resistance), a very similar feel is achieved without the additional and useless extra plunger travel. You are simply pre-loading the action of the button, by pressing it to the point where you feel resistance. This excessive pre-loading action has no performance value whatsoever. On the other hand, preventing excessive over-travel of the actuation can greatly reduce the maintenance requirements and damage to leaf switch contacts.
With the CLASSX leaf buttons, I routinely use the method you describe to rip off shots in both Asteroids, and Defender, and shot frequency occurs at the capped level of the gamecode. I.e. the maximum possible. Please explain how this is possible, if performance is hampered, as you incessantly claim. I have also never had to clean the contacts, let alone replace the switches, in the many years they have been in use.
From your reply, you pretty much state your lack of comprehension.
Reducing travel distance, in its greatest negative impact... causes a person to bottom out the button, every time.
- Bottoming out a button creates a negative feeling, as well as strain and fatigue.
- Bouncing lightly on a trampoline, is far more enjoyable, has more conservation of energy, and is less straining.. than a jumping up and down on hard concrete.
- Trying to adjust the springs to compensate for minimized travel, could result in two possibilities:
1) The springs still are not heavy enough to support relaxed fingers dead weight, and cause accidental activation's.
2) The spring force will be too great, causing a lot more fatigue when trying to use them constantly.
- The longer travel solves this, allowing the spring force to be less strong.. yet still hold the mass of the loose fingers in a slightly sunken suspension.
- This longer travel furthermore aids the undesirable and accidental "Bottoming-out".
And finally... the typical home user will probably Never have to replace a brand new wico leaf set. Not only because they are getting the info on how to operate them as intended.. but also because the Arcades did not see them fail until maybe a decade of abuse... Daily abuse, over 8 hours a day, 7 days a week.
You think the fixes you made.. to make the things last longer, with less maintenance.. makes it a better design. When in fact... thats far from the truth. Happ made many generic controls after the big named game companies started to fall... and while the Happ versions are built like Tanks... they feel and control quite horribly. Especially when compared to the original elder designs that were made by the actual companies themselves.
The fire rate is only One factor in what makes a leaf special. The other part is the buttery silk feel. No loud and harsh impact thud.
Its the same reason why Wico 8 ways will still always be preferred as the best stick for Robotron (and many others). Heavy action, quick response, and buttery feel. No harsh impacts at the end of travel.
There are better ways to solve the leaf wear, without losing the advantages and feel of the travel.
Edit:
Im going to add something... Kevin from Retrogaming magazine described the Wico 8 ways as "Mushy" if I recall correctly. Stating that he didnt care for that aspect. However, when you are just moving the stick around.. and not actually playing a good game of Robotron, your obviously not going to understand the value in that "mushy" feel. (which if and when you do... you more appropriately call it "Buttery" instead)
The leafs on that stick will activate before the end of stroke.. and should you have one of those spastic super-powered hand responses.. your stick's shaft is slowed near the very end of stroke, and does not feel like you have slammed your hand into a brick, wall at full speed.
This type of stick isnt for every game. Its not one that you would want to play Street Fighter II. However, it IS what you would want to use.. to play a game of Robotron, and or one of the many hundreds or thousands?, of 80s classics.
Most people do not realize the magic of a real leaf button and wico 8 way leaf stick. There is a real brilliance in their design, one that lasted through the best years of the arcade industry... and continues to be used today, in modern Pinball machines.
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Topic: Convert microswitch to leaf? (Read 9225 times)
