Differences in Cherry Microswitches

[toffee]

I recently replaced the old second hand switches on my cab with brand new ones from Ultimarc, but I am not 100% happy with the results.

The old switches were filthy and worn (and in two cases totally broken) so figured they needed to be replaced, but the new ones feel a little "spongy" and don't have the "clickiness" of the old buttons. I tried stretching the spring in the new buttons, but I don't think this is the problem.

The "new" buttons use Cherry switches model D42 whereas the "old" switches used model D44. I understand that HAPP ship D44 switches with their buttons. Putting an old D44 switch in the new buttons certianly gave the "clickiness" and better return of the button I was looking for, but at least two of the "old" switches are broken and a couple have seen better days, so dont really want to put them back in. They are also around 10 years old, so it could be the model has changed slightly in that time...

Any idea where I can get new D44 switches from cheaply (in the UK)? Can anyone who has some new HAPP buttons tell me the exact model number D44 used? A look at Cherrys site show a hundred different options for every microswitch!!!

Anyone else noticed a different feel between the D42 and the D44??


thanks in advance.

[RayB]

Despite less clicky, are you sure the D42's don't play better?

[toffee]

i guess I dont like the lack of tactile feedback from them. im not sure ive pressed the button. I knew damn well with the D44's. Maybe i'll get used to the change and prefer them....

[Tiger-Heli]

i guess I dont like the lack of tactile feedback from them. im not sure ive pressed the button. I knew damn well with the D44's. Maybe i'll get used to the change and prefer them....

Happ sells D44's as P/N 95-0733-01, not sure about in Europe, though.

I also found this in an old thread by OSCAR on the competitions:

OSCAR - "An old time tech that I know told me that the Comp?s are even better if you set them up modified as Midway used to have Happ do them.  I tried this, and I agree that this makes the Comp even better!  Midway spec'd the heavy duty spring and D41 type microswitches [available through Happ].  The big difference with the D41 switches is that they activate about 0.025" lower than the standard switch Happ uses, and besides the D41?s are higher quality switches.  This makes the overall stick favor the 0, 90, 180 and 270 degree positions where most 8-way sticks tend to favor the diagonals.  The net result is that they are decent with 8-way games and 4-way stick games, too."
Tiger-Heli - I did some research and found the standard Comp joystick comes with 95-0733-01 switches (4) - $0.89 each and a 95-1309-00 Spring - $0.29. The D41 switches are P/N 95-4114-00 - $3.05 and the H/D spring is 95-1309-01 - $0.42.  Happ sells a Comp with the H/D spring and D41 switches for $17.70 P/N 50-6071-1X (X is again color code).

FWIW!

[Minwah]

I couldn't give your part no's, but I noticed a big difference between the Cherry switches on my old HotRod (the more clicky type), and some I have more recently got with pushbuttons from Ultimarc (spongier type).

Personally while I don't mind the feel of either, the type on my HotRod seemed prone to failing, or just being crap (sometimes even though you could hear them click, the contact would not be made until pressing further).  So far the ones from Ultimarc are fine, and I think now I prefer the feel to my other Honeywell microswitches (firm, clicky switches).

Edit: Incidently, I seem to recall Andy mentioning that the newer type Cherry switches are in fact more reliable, which may explain the problems I described with mine.

[RayB]

i guess I dont like the lack of tactile feedback from them. im not sure ive pressed the button. I knew damn well with the D44's. Maybe i'll get used to the change and prefer them....

Yes but that is only true if you are testing the button blindly. If you have a game running, your "feedback" is what happens on-screen along with a sound effect. (not tactile, but then games mostly didn't use clicky buttons at all pre mid-80's)

~RB

[toffee]

rayb: i know what you are saying.

it's possible that I just need to "get used" to the different feel.

I think, even whilst playing, that I don't like them as much, because (possible overcompensating for the spongier feel) I seem to be putting MORE pressure on the buttons....

i'll give it another week and see what I think. Thanks to everyone for the part nos - if anyone can look at their D44 switches and get me a full cherry part no (e.g. D44Yxxxxxx or something) that may help, cause I may go to cherry direct and see if I can buy some......