leaf switches/best for Track and Field?

[rchadd]

Assume Leaf Switch buttons are best choice over microswithed buttons?

Are new leafswitches available these days?

Anyone know a good supplier of leaf switches full assembly (preferable in UK)?

Are there microswitches available that have soft action and no click that could be used as alternative to leaf switches?

[RayB]

Assume Leaf Switch buttons are best choice over microswithed buttons?

Yes.

Are new leafswitches available these days?

Yes.

Anyone know a good supplier of leaf switches full assembly (preferable in UK)?

?

Are there microswitches available that have soft action and no click that could be used as alternative to leaf switches?

No. Leaf is best.

[HyperHautian]

I too would love to know where to get some leafs.. I'm gonna make sure that I have a 2player Track and Field setup on my F-panel.

[spriggy]

I too would love to know where to get some leafs.. I'm gonna make sure that I have a 2player Track and Field setup on my F-panel.

Bob Roberts...http://www.therealbobroberts.com/

[rchadd]

a handy link about leaf switches

http://www.homearcade.org/BBBB/leafsw.html

[Q*Bert_OP]

Wico has 'em.

www.wicothesource.com

[NoOne=NBA=]

Don't EVER, EVER buy from Wico.

Do a quick search here, and you'll see nothing but horror stories.

[monkeybomb]

Wait, I'm late on this thread, but why are leaf better for track and field.  It seems like competition would be the best. 

[markrvp]

Wait, I'm late on this thread, but why are leaf better for track and field.

[rchadd]

plus no annoying clicks - pretty important with t and f

imagine it would get quite noisy!

[SOAPboy]

Wait, I'm late on this thread, but why are leaf better for track and field.

[NoOne=NBA=]

There is alot of dead zone at the top of a micro that can't be adjusted out.
Micros don't like to sit in the sweet spot like a leafswitch does.

You can adjust the leafswitches so that they contact at the exact point of travel that you want, and you don't need to travel as far back to release the switch.
This is because the micros use those little snap switches.
You have to press harder to activate them, than you do to keep them there because of that.
Likewise, you have to back off past the point where it contacted to get the switch to separate.

This little difference in distance is barely noticable until you play something like T&F, where you have to push the buttons repeatedly, and quickly.
The combination of those two features cause properly adjusted, and properly used, leafswitches to outperform micros.

Normally I'm a "button is a button" kind of guy in discussions, but this is one case where the type of button, and the maintenance of them, does actually affect playability.

[HyperHautian]

I am really after the leafs for T & F... I want it to be as authentic as possible, not to mention, breaking records requires the best "shoes".

[RayB]

With leafs, you can basically "bounce" the button so it's moving barely a millimeter to make contact... I used to get amazing scores with this technique. There's no way any microswitch can get the same speed of action.

[NoOne=NBA=]

I am really after the leafs for T & F... I want it to be as authentic as possible, not to mention, breaking records requires the best "shoes".

If you want authentic, you better go get yourself one of those great big 80's combs to use on the buttons.

[Fat_Trucker]

You could try Swallow Amusements here who stocks a selection of leafs and switches, although I don't think they are new but should be in good condition. I've bought from here a couple of times and never had a problem.

Failing that use the excuse to have a wander around whichever coastal arcades are closest to you and have a chat with them to see if they have any old/dead machines that are sitting rotting in a shed somewhere.

[HyperHautian]

If you want authentic, you better go get yourself one of those great big 80's combs to use on the buttons.

Hehe.. I was never a platic comb guy.. two fingers per button for me.. I could whip those guys (hmmm braggin eh!).

Pencils were also big as I remember.. I'll let people try those if they like, but no big button slappers aloud!

[HyperHautian]

You could try Swallow Amusements here who stocks a selection of leafs and switches, although I don't think they are new but should be in good condition. I've bought from here a couple of times and never had a problem.

Failing that use the excuse to have a wander around whichever coastal arcades are closest to you and have a chat with them to see if they have any old/dead machines that are sitting rotting in a shed somewhere.

Thanks for the info!  We have one amusement place here... they have gotten rid of all the old machines   but, I had not thought about buying some used buttons off them..

Can they be repaired if need be?

Thanks for all the help guys