Translucent Microswitch button thoughts.

[BillyJack]

Well, I got translucent microswitch buttons for my birthday.  They came from centsible amusements.  I don't know if anyone else has "reviewed" them, but I had some initial thoughts on mine.


1)  You thought X-arcade buttons were short?  These are shorter.  I had to turn the nut over on every button.  I have 3/4" particle board w/formica laminate for my control panel.

2)  They are the convex style, and I was brought up on concave buttons.  They have a very low profile as opposed to the old-style buttons.  I actually like the feel quite a bit, but i do seem to miss a button press every now and then.

3)  I think something is messed up with the mold.  The blue buttons had a misshaped piece where the microswitch attaches.  More of a "crushed" looking part on the very bottom of the button.  This does not effect anything btw, i just noticed it.


As far as "lightability" goes, the whole assembly is translucent.  I have not yet tried backlighting them in my arcade, but they glow "real purty" with a flashlight.  My first thought as far as lighting them is to use a pair of white cold-cathodes.   It also looks very possible to illuminate each one by installing an LED in the button (above the microswitch.)  I'll need to make sure on that one though, I haven't really looked at the clearance with the microswitch in place.


If you've been thinking about getting these buttons, and have any questions, I'll be glad to try to answer them.  Just PM me.  

(Sorry if someone has already posted a lot about these, I just thought i'd share.  I'm no Kev Steele by any means.)




BillyJack

[NIVO]

i respectfully request a picture of one being held up with a flaslight shining through it!! lol

[spidermonkey]

I flipped when I saw those because space under my cp is at a premium and I managed to shoehorn all leafswitch translucent buttons in there but it wasn't easy. These would have claimed less space but I must say I do like my concave leaf buttons. Got em at the same place. I may have to get a batch of these for my next project though. Let us know how they are once you get em all installed and purdied up with back lighting.

[Stingray]

I'll throw in my vote for pictures.

-S

[BillyJack]

Pictures, eh?

Internet, eh?

Sorry.

Um, i'll have to get to work then, cause i'm so poor i can't afford the backlighting.  As far as using a flashlight, i'm sure i can figure out how to use one again and then take a picture of it.  

It might take me a whole day, as I found a frozen Pentium 2 computer in a dumpster and it's taking up all my time right now.  Everything but the power supply works... and I had an extra.  So, I've been putting this little system back together with other spare parts for a couple of days.  When I pry myself away from it I'll get the pictures taken.



BillyJack

(Glad someone decided to reply, I was afraid no one was interested.    )

[RetroBorg]

I would be interested in these buttons except I hate convex buttons, I wish they made concave buttons in transluscent colours especially now DinoRoger has his LED button project.

[BillyJack]

I figured that I would hate them too.  But I don't.  For me, though, it's not as "authentic" anymore with the new-style buttons, but I couldn't resist the translucent action!

[LoRDDeVO]

Picture of the translucent buttons now this would make that Led light thingie that DinoRoger is creating workwhile

[spidermonkey]

Yep those are the ones I have but the leaf switches do hog up alot of space. I used two large flourecent lights to light em up instead of individual leds but if Dino does release that software then I'll be forced to put a led next to each and every button. Thats the other thing that sucks with leaf switch buttons as they are designed in such a way that it would be a real pain in the --I'm attempting to get by the auto-censor and should be beaten after I re-read the rules-- to put a led or miniature lamp inside the button. I've looked at them a thousand times and tried to figure out an easy way to insert a led but the wires from the led get in the way of the leafswitch itself or the spring inside the plunger and eventually the wires would wear through. On the other hand microswitch buttons have tons of space inside for leds. I'll just have to be satisfied with mounting the leds next to the button as close as I can. Thats the way Williams and other companies did it anyway. They just don't glow that bright when the led is mounted next to them. Especially the green ones. Even though they're translucent the light has a hard time getting through just because the shade of green that is used is so dark. Same with the dark blue ones.  Orange,red,light blue and white let much more light through. If the room is dark enough all colors light up okay but some better then others.