Author Topic: Translucent Microswitch Buttons www.fxbuttons.com (Read 93458 times)

cholin · « **Reply #280 on:** April 12, 2005, 03:01:59 pm »

I like them, I agree with the people who said that they look nice unlit, but they dont have to be crazy bright. As long as they're lit and noticable in light (which they are) its fantastic! It would be nice if you could take some pictures in the dark. If people can light a trackball off one LED, these buttons will go perfectly with them because they glow, rather than beam. FANTASTIC SHAWN -- LETS SEE THOSE NIGHT SHOTS!

Chris · « **Reply #281 on:** April 12, 2005, 03:25:28 pm »

Since the bezel really isn't lighting up at all, maybe a cheaper solution would be just to have the manufacturer make translucent plungers, and we can insert them into our own buttons...

--Chris

Flinkly · « **Reply #282 on:** April 12, 2005, 03:27:34 pm »

eh...colors would never match well. i think that would just be too juxtaposed for most people's taste.

oldsage · « **Reply #283 on:** April 12, 2005, 03:35:38 pm »

Quote from: Flinkly on April 12, 2005, 03:27:34 pm

eh...colors would never match well.

RayB · « **Reply #284 on:** April 12, 2005, 04:50:51 pm »

If buddabing can get his LED controller working in the way everyone dreams about, then I'd go go for a set or two of these...

Grasshopper · « **Reply #285 on:** April 12, 2005, 05:42:18 pm »

Quote from: Xiaou2 on April 12, 2005, 02:01:04 am

Gona have to say that Im not that thrilled at the translucency on the test sample.
Its almost opaque. I was so hoping for a duplicate look to the leaf style traslucents.

I have to say I disagree. Those buttons look fine to me. Unless I'm missing something from the pictures, I really don't see why IL (or whoever shawnzilla went to) was so reluctant to send samples.

I've got two types of leaf button in my possession bought from different sources. The better ones (bought from Suzo) are made from a similar nylon type plastic as the Happ/IL microswitch buttons and they feel great. But I've also got some that I bought from Video Connection made of a brittle (but not translucent) plastic and these buttons are very noisy. I also suspect they are less durable although I've had no breakages so far.

I'd rather have slightly less translucency if it means the buttons are made of a sturdier less noisy plastic.

gl.tter · « **Reply #286 on:** April 12, 2005, 05:44:36 pm »

Quote from: Grasshopper on April 12, 2005, 05:42:18 pm

I have to say I disagree. Those buttons look fine to me. Unless I'm missing something from the pictures, I really don't see why IL (or whoever shawnzilla went to) was so reluctant to send samples.

If you recall, they'd only produced the bezel, which as we can see isn't very translucent.

MrSaLTy · « **Reply #287 on:** April 12, 2005, 06:34:44 pm »

Quote from: gl.tter on April 12, 2005, 05:44:36 pm

Quote from: Grasshopper on April 12, 2005, 05:42:18 pm
I have to say I disagree. Those buttons look fine to me. Unless I'm missing something from the pictures, I really don't see why IL (or whoever shawnzilla went to) was so reluctant to send samples.

If you recall, they'd only produced the bezel, which as we can see isn't very translucent.

True but then again it does not have a LED directly behind it to lite it up. I bet that lights up ok with lighting behind it. Just place a few 3mm LEDs under that part.

Or not.... they look cool to me.. Lets see a night shot!

whammoed · « **Reply #288 on:** April 12, 2005, 07:50:58 pm »

Shawn, can you post a pic of a side by side comparison between the translucent blue button and a regular happ blue button both lit in the same way? I'm not sure I see a benefit of the translucent over the regular.

shawnzilla · « **Reply #289 on:** April 12, 2005, 09:55:34 pm »

Quote from: whammoed on April 12, 2005, 07:50:58 pm

Shawn, can you post a pic of a side by side comparison between the translucent blue button and a regular happ blue button both lit in the same way? I'm not sure I see a benefit of the translucent over the regular. Here are a couple pictures of a regular happ button I lit with one led:

thanks!

I will try to do that this week. As for a night shot, my camera keeps producing a blurry picture (I may need to set up a tripod to account for the long exposure time).

AmericanDemon · « **Reply #290 on:** April 12, 2005, 10:40:47 pm »

Those look awesome in the darker shots. I cannot wait. Someone could make a small bundle creating wiring harnesses prebuilt to light these with. Make a standard PC molex connector, wire up the entire series with LEDs and resisters. Basically plug and play. 3 led, 4led, 6, 7 or however many LEDs perharness, make that be custom for each customer.

Hmm. Wish I knew enough about them, I'd do it just so the service was available, but alas, I do not. If someone were to draw out the layout needed, I would be willing to do the labor and front the money for them. I just don't know how to do it mathematically.

cholin · « **Reply #291 on:** April 12, 2005, 11:20:14 pm »

Does anybody have the picture of the inside of a microswitch? Is there enough room to maybe add a LED right in the top of it if the LED were sanded down?

Kremmit · « **Reply #292 on:** April 12, 2005, 11:42:09 pm »

Quote from: cholin on April 12, 2005, 11:20:14 pm

Does anybody have the picture of the inside of a microswitch? Is there enough room to maybe add a LED right in the top of it if the LED were sanded down?

I never opened a microwsitch, but why not just get a surface mount LED and stick it to the top of the switch casing instead?

RandyT · « **Reply #293 on:** April 13, 2005, 11:06:09 am »

Shawn,

It appears that I'm still not clear on something.

Are you lighting the button via the normal method (drilling a hole the same size as the led in the bottom center of the shell and press-fitting the LED so it faces the back side of the plunger?)

Or are you lighting the whole shell from the outside?

Just curious as to what we are looking at.

Thanks,
RandyT

Tiger-Heli · « **Reply #294 on:** April 13, 2005, 11:11:40 am »

Quote from: RandyT on April 13, 2005, 11:06:09 am

Shawn,
It appears that I'm still not clear on something.
Are you lighting the button via the normal method (drilling a hole the same size as the led in the bottom center of the shell and press-fitting the LED so it faces the back side of the plunger?)
Or are you lighting the whole shell from the outside?
Just curious as to what we are looking at.

Thanks,
RandyT

I think he posted that he was just loose fitting the LED into the space behind the plunger.

shawnzilla · « **Reply #295 on:** April 13, 2005, 11:14:35 am »

Quote from: Tiger-Heli on April 13, 2005, 11:11:40 am

Quote from: RandyT on April 13, 2005, 11:06:09 am
Shawn,
It appears that I'm still not clear on something.
Are you lighting the button via the normal method (drilling a hole the same size as the led in the bottom center of the shell and press-fitting the LED so it faces the back side of the plunger?)
Or are you lighting the whole shell from the outside?
Just curious as to what we are looking at.

Thanks,
RandyT
I think he posted that he was just loose fitting the LED into the space behind the plunger.

Correct. I just did a quick and dirty lighting job, so that I could get a picture. I'm not anxious to drill on the only sample I have. Once I have a few more to work with, I'll experiment with lighting.

RandyT · « **Reply #296 on:** April 13, 2005, 11:24:40 am »

Quote from: shawnzilla on April 13, 2005, 11:14:35 am

Quote from: Tiger-Heli on April 13, 2005, 11:11:40 am
Quote from: RandyT on April 13, 2005, 11:06:09 am
Shawn,
It appears that I'm still not clear on something.
Are you lighting the button via the normal method (drilling a hole the same size as the led in the bottom center of the shell and press-fitting the LED so it faces the back side of the plunger?)
Or are you lighting the whole shell from the outside?
Just curious as to what we are looking at.

Thanks,
RandyT
I think he posted that he was just loose fitting the LED into the space behind the plunger.
Correct. I just did a quick and dirty lighting job, so that I could get a picture. I'm not anxious to drill on the only sample I have. Once I have a few more to work with, I'll experiment with lighting.

Can't make an omelet without breaking a few eggs

I understand your reluctance, but you might want to rig it up to be evaluated under "normal use" conditions before making the investment in stock. If the LED is just floating around in there, it's not going to have the same result, as LEDs have a "field-of-view" measured as an angle, and the effect will change based on the distance from and angle to the back of the plunger. Most of the high-intensity ones have narrow beams, so this should be considered as well.

Just some well intentioned minutae. My apologies if you plan on lighting them other than the "normal" method.

RandyT

mark shaker · « **Reply #297 on:** May 08, 2005, 03:07:32 pm »

Shawnzilla;

Could you give us an update?

I'm about to start designing a few control panels, and I would like to know if I should wait until your buttons are available or look for another solution.

Thanks!

- Mark

psychlone78 · « **Reply #298 on:** May 08, 2005, 04:02:40 pm »

How about a translucent black/smoke?

shawnzilla · « **Reply #299 on:** May 08, 2005, 04:54:59 pm »

I'm still waiting on the manufacturer for pricing, and in turn, they are waiting for the raw materials to arrive before giving me pricing.

As always I will give updates as soon as I have them.

Quote from: mark shaker on May 08, 2005, 03:07:32 pm

Shawnzilla;

Could you give us an update?

I'm about to start designing a few control panels, and I would like to know if I should wait until your buttons are available or look for another solution.

Thanks!

- Mark

daywane · « **Reply #300 on:** May 09, 2005, 09:48:14 am »

wha hoo.

tetsujin · « **Reply #301 on:** May 09, 2005, 11:55:45 am »

Quote from: shawnzilla on April 12, 2005, 09:55:34 pm

Quote from: whammoed on April 12, 2005, 07:50:58 pm
Shawn, can you post a pic of a side by side comparison between the translucent blue button and a regular happ blue button both lit in the same way? I'm not sure I see a benefit of the translucent over the regular. Here are a couple pictures of a regular happ button I lit with one led:

thanks!
I will try to do that this week. As for a night shot, my camera keeps producing a blurry picture (I may need to set up a tripod to account for the long exposure time).

You might want to turn on the "timer" feature of the camera. When you press the button, you're moving the camera. But if you press the button, and then hold the camera still for a few seconds, the camera will be more still when the timer finally takes the picture.

I think it's kind of unfortunate that the first sample is blue. I'm sure it's a popular color, but it's a very dark color. Red, green, or orange might be better to get a feel for the translucency.

MrTroy · « **Reply #302 on:** May 09, 2005, 03:16:25 pm »

Am I the only one on the verg of hanging himself for one of these!?

shawnzilla · « **Reply #303 on:** May 12, 2005, 03:47:54 pm »

Good news on the translucent button front. While I still don't have pricing from the manufacturer, I did get confirmation today that they have completed the bezels of the new samples and will complete the plungers within the next couple of days. In the words of the manager that I have been working with..."they look really good!"

I'll post pics when I have them in hand.

tetsujin · « **Reply #304 on:** May 12, 2005, 05:59:25 pm »

Did they do something differently with the new samples? A change in the plastics, or a different color?

MrSaLTy · « **Reply #305 on:** May 12, 2005, 06:41:15 pm »

I didn't realize that they were also making new samples..... what is different about these? Man, I'm looking forward to these.

shawnzilla · « **Reply #306 on:** May 12, 2005, 06:44:35 pm »

Different colors. They didn't tell me which ones their trying, but I think it's a few different colors this time. I'm pretty happy with the blue, so I'm leaving it as is. I'm pretty psyched to see 'em.

Quote from: tetsujin on May 12, 2005, 05:59:25 pm

Did they do something differently with the new samples? A change in the plastics, or a different color?

Patent Doc · « **Reply #307 on:** May 12, 2005, 09:38:10 pm »

WOOOO HOOOOO

!!! I am so psyched about these.

shawnzilla · « **Reply #308 on:** May 13, 2005, 07:52:26 am »

Just got another email, the samples are headed my way!

UndeadMeat · « **Reply #309 on:** May 13, 2005, 11:40:11 am »

That blue buttons is quite possibly the most beautiful thing I have ever seen...

::looks over shoulder and sees wife entering room::

O.k. Second most beautiful, but still amazing!

RayB · « **Reply #310 on:** May 13, 2005, 12:39:07 pm »

Quote from: UndeadMeat on May 13, 2005, 11:40:11 am

::looks over shoulder and sees wife entering room::

O.k. Second most beautiful, but still amazing!

Oh you're getting some tonight!

shawnzilla · « **Reply #311 on:** May 13, 2005, 12:56:46 pm »

Hmm...maybe I should take the next round of button pictures with a beautiful model standing next to them.

Quote from: RayB on May 13, 2005, 12:39:07 pm

Quote from: UndeadMeat on May 13, 2005, 11:40:11 am
::looks over shoulder and sees wife entering room::

O.k. Second most beautiful, but still amazing!

Oh you're getting some tonight!

cholin · « **Reply #312 on:** May 13, 2005, 05:42:57 pm »

I think were all okay with that...get some of the chicks from the grid girls thread

Do you know which colors theyre sending you?

AmericanDemon · « **Reply #313 on:** May 13, 2005, 06:03:50 pm »

Quote from: cholin on May 13, 2005, 05:42:57 pm

I think were all okay with that...get some of the chicks from the grid girls thread Do you know which colors theyre sending you?

I'm hoping for a redhead, a blonde, and a brunette personally.

shawnzilla · « **Reply #314 on:** May 13, 2005, 06:04:49 pm »

Nope, no idea. I gave them a long list of colors, and I get the impression that they made at least a few of them. Red, Clear and Green are all likely candadites.

Quote from: cholin on May 13, 2005, 05:42:57 pm

I think were all okay with that...get some of the chicks from the grid girls thread Do you know which colors theyre sending you?

Tahnok · « **Reply #315 on:** May 14, 2005, 04:56:26 pm »

Quote from: shawnzilla on May 13, 2005, 06:04:49 pm

Nope, no idea. I gave them a long list of colors, and I get the impression that they made at least a few of them. Red, Clear and Green are all likely candadites.

No blue!? If you get clear though, that can easily be fixed with the right colored LED.

cholin · « **Reply #316 on:** May 14, 2005, 05:14:31 pm »

No it cant, I NEED BLUEEEEEE!!!! Seriously though, I think theyll send him blue considerring thats the one they sent as a test...and since he approved it...

shawnzilla · « **Reply #317 on:** May 14, 2005, 08:00:31 pm »

I already have a blue sample. The blue is already a yes. The new samples will be different colors.

Quote from: tahnok100 on May 14, 2005, 04:56:26 pm

Quote from: shawnzilla on May 13, 2005, 06:04:49 pm
Nope, no idea. I gave them a long list of colors, and I get the impression that they made at least a few of them. Red, Clear and Green are all likely candadites.

No blue!? If you get clear though, that can easily be fixed with the right colored LED.

Thndrbug · « **Reply #318 on:** May 14, 2005, 09:40:55 pm »

Greetings,

at least 2 dozen crystal clear ones would be great?

Thndrbug

oldsage · « **Reply #319 on:** May 15, 2005, 09:33:43 pm »

Oh man! Awesome! Does this mean we might actually get them by the end of 2005?!?!?
j/k...

I'm still in for a few when you get 'em...

I do hope it'll be in less then a few years though...

lol... Mean-lil' me...


Main	Restorations	Software	Audio/Jukebox/MP3	Everything Else	Buy/Sell/Trade
Project Announcements	Monitor/Video	GroovyMAME	Merit/JVL Touchscreen	Meet Up	Retail Vendors
Driving & Racing	Woodworking	Software Support Forums	Consoles	Project Arcade	Reviews
Automated Projects	Artwork	Frontend Support Forums	Pinball	Forum Discussion	Old Boards
Raspberry Pi & Dev Board	controls.dat	Linux	Miscellaneous Arcade	Wiki Discussion	Old Archives
Lightguns	Arcade1Up	Try the site in https mode		Site News


Unread posts \| New Replies \| Recent posts \| Rules \| Chatroom \| Wiki \| File Repository \| RSS \| Submit news

Author Topic: Translucent Microswitch Buttons **www.fxbuttons.com** (Read 93458 times)

Author Topic: Translucent Microswitch Buttons www.fxbuttons.com (Read 93458 times)