Leaf vs Microswitch

[MattMaan]

Which do you prefer and why?  I know it's mostly personal opinion, but I wanna know peoples thoughts and experiences on switches, in joysticks and buttons.

Right now I'm leaning towards leaf joysticks (since they're easier to customize, for 4way-8way play.. or so I hear), and microswitch buttons (because the clicks help the kids know when to stop pushing harder... ).

Lemmie know what you think.

-MAtt

[Brunnen-G]

Leaf switch joysticks are a little harder to find, usually slightly more expensive, and not quite as sturdy as microswitch joysticks.  The benefit is that they have the "real" arcade feel that most people are familiar with from the 80s.

Microswitch joysticks are cheap, reliable, and easy to find.  The drawback is that some people can't stand the clicking sound they constantly make.

That's about it.

[Ledbetter]

 I think it really depends on which type of games you play. If you want the authentic feel of the 80's and don't mind a little adjusting of the leaf switches once in a while, go with leafs.

  If you play mostly later games or you want a button or stick you can just pop in and forget about, go with the microswitches.

  Leaf buttons have a more bouncy feel to them because they have in reality 2 springs- a spring in the button (like a microswitch button) and the leaf switch itself which acts as a spring. So on a game like Defender, using leafs on the thrust button, you can float your finger on the button alternating from on and off smoother. On microswitch it's either press button for on, release button for off.

   I'm sure there are many games where the action of microswitch buttons give you an advantage, so its all a personal preferance anyway.

  I'm not familiar with leaf joysticks being any easier to customize from 8-way to 4-way. Both leaf and microswitch that use that little plastic cylinder on the bottom of the stick to switch from 8-way to 4-way make a poor 4-way. The Japanese microswitch 8-ways with rotating plate on the bottom make the better 4-way switchable (but its still not perfect).

   I just read that you have small children. Your right microswitch buttons would be a better choice then.

[Sasquatch!]

Casting another vote for "It depends".

I prefer leaf-switched joysticks as my primary 8-ways.  They feel SO smooth.  Definitely more "80s authentic" too, IMHO.

[spidermonkey]

Microswitch joysticks use a spring for resistance. Leaf switch joysticks use a large rubber centering grommet. If you're buying the leaf sticks just because they don't click then you may be in for a suprise because thats not the only difference. More importantly the two sticks have two completely different feels.  Leaf switch sticks have that spongy feel to them like most early to mid 80s' games. If you're into late 80s' to 90s' games then microswitch sticks will feel more familiar to you. Personally I use and love Wico leaf switch sticks. I also went with leaf switch buttons for two reasons.   1)  I like the springy bouncy feel to them and 2) I wanted translucent  buttons found on games like Robotron and Q-bert  so I could light them up.  Microswitch buttons have never been produced using translucent plastic. You can still light them up but they just don't look as good as the translucent leaf switch buttons when lit up.

[Carsten Carlos]

I'm sure there are many games where the action of microswitch buttons give you an advantage

Yep, Gyruss was easier the days I had the microswitches in. Leafbuttons have a cooler feel in my opinion, but after 10 minutes hard shooting your hand might hurt! And although they do not klick, hard tackering them when in action doesn't make them less noisier either.

[Brax]

GO! LEAFS GO!



If you're Canadian, you'll get it.  

[Thenasty]

FOr Joysticks go with the 360 (opticals) No switch/click or Leaf, just pure AIR.

For Buttons, difinetly Leaf except for Player 1 and 2 starts and coins.

Pinball, it really really gonna have to LEAF.

[Carsten Carlos]

Pinball, it really really gonna have to LEAF.

Yeah, love to smash on them!  

[2slk]

Brax,

 You mean the Toronto Make Believes, right?