To MicroSwitch or Not to MicroSwitch -- That is the Question...

[d00dness]

As the topic states.... I'd like to get some pro's and cons on the microswitches and the Wico leaf buttons ..... I'd like to find out what is the better way to go and lest complicated to put together/build.... Thanks much ..

[BobA]

Microswitch buttons are definately less complicated.   You get one size and they fit metal and wood panels.   No adjustments necessary during operation.  Bit clicky action and sound.

Leaf buttons are harder to get the holder for and must be matched to your panel eg long or short buttons.   Adjustments to leafs is required as maintenance.  Some love the smooth action and some find it tiring as it can be set for too much movement.  The tabs on the leaf switches are very easy to break if you flex them.

[Malenko]

cherry switches are easy to come by and are less expensive, my only con with that is they are considerably noisier then leaf switches, but I still prefer cherries

[d00dness]

Thanks for the replies so far.......

What I'd like to do is get to a classic arcade as possible........... what about you guys who've had the leaf style for quit sometime?  Have you run into any problems?  Same goes for the microswitch guys...

Tks again..

[ArtMAME]

If you are looking for classic arcade feel and authenticity, go with the leaf switches... they are harder to install, but they feel great.

[d00dness]

Btw .. sorry for not asking this earlier, but can you refer me to some vendors for these switches?  Tks

[pmc]

I was originally worried about the performance of micro switches, but I'm very comfortable with them now. They are very precise and tactile. I think they provide excellent control. You don't really notice them "click" during gameplay.

Why not try both?

-pmc

[leapinlew]

I was originally worried about the performance of micro switches, but I'm very comfortable with them now. They are very precise and tactile. I think they provide excellent control. You don't really notice them "click" during gameplay.

Why not try both?

-pmc

I agree about disregarding the click during gameplay, but I wonder about precise and tactile. I can run faster in Track'n'field with leafs than microswitches.

[RandyT]

I agree about disregarding the click during gameplay, but I wonder about precise and tactile. I can run faster in Track'n'field with leafs than microswitches.

Heh.  T&F is always the title that pops up in this debate.  It's true though.  If T&F is important, the old style leaf-switches might be a consideration.  Titles like Asteroids can sometime benefit from them as well, making those 4 dots exit the ship as close together as possible.

However, one does get used to the microswitches.  The biggest difference is the resistance against the button and the travel required not only to engage the switch, but to disengage it afterward.  So the actual motion is different.  One would expect that the extra throw of the microswitch pushbutton might be more tiring, but the extra resistance of the leaf switch can actually make one work harder.

I have always suggested that those who want faster cycling with a microswitch try using the buttons without the springs inside.  This will cause the button plunger to sit a little lower, but it also means that there is no longer that extra distance between the pushbutton and the actuator on the microswitch.  This means that releasing the button plunger would then only raise it to the level of the microswitch actuator at rest, rather than the level of the internal spring as before, which overshoots what is really necessary to reset the internal actuating mechanism.  Games like T&F would benefit from the increased cycling speed.

Microswitches, or "snap" switches are generally regarded as an improvement in durability, user friendliness (because of that tactile feedback indicating an actuation), and performance (less bounce, etc)  In the end, however, it's purely a matter of personal taste. 

RandyT

[shardian]

There is a "flutter point", as I like to call it, in standard Happ microswitch buttons as Randy said. So in games like Galaga, you can depress the microswitch until you feel the switch resistance, then quickly flutter your finger to press the switch in a quick manner. Still, with a game like T&F, it would be difficult to hit multiple microswitch buttons in this manner. I'm a younger fellow and never played T&F in the wild, so I really don't mind.

IMO, it is more of a personal, or nostalgic, preference. If you grew up on leaf's, then you will never be comfortable on micro's. If you grew up in the fighter era, then leaf switches and joys will feel foreign.

I love the clickety clackety of micro controls, and hate the resistance of a wico leaf joystick grommet (though I am growing tolerant of it on my Top Gunner cab ).

[d00dness]

Ahhhh great discussion going on folks... a lot to consider.. plz keep it comming .... oh BTW I grew up with the leafs ... heck my first puter was a C=64 ....

[telengard]

I think a lot about what you should used is based on what games you like.  Are you into the classic games which most used leafs or are you into the newer stuff (yeah, they're new to me hehe) like fighters?  I personally don't like the feel or sound of microswitches so I use leafs for just about everything I can.

~telengard

[NoOne=NBA=]

With leafs you can get to a point where a minimal movement up and down will engage/disengage the switch, causing a faster rapid fire.

With micros you have to push hard enough to snap the switch, and then let off far enough to unsnap it.
That creates a larger overall travel to complete each button cycle, but isn't that big a deal if you're hammering the button and letting go all the way.

The noticeable difference comes when you get subtle with them, as described above.

[FrizzleFried]

...and what about the microswitch buttons that used 1/2 leaf style button but then the button pushes a lever that depresses the microswitch... ala Nintendo cabinets!  1980 is pretty "classic" and they were using microswitches then.

[leapinlew]

...and what about the microswitch buttons that used 1/2 leaf style button but then the button pushes a lever that depresses the microswitch... ala Nintendo cabinets!  1980 is pretty "classic" and they were using microswitches then.

Nintendo buttons suck because they break

[RayB]

Does PonyBoy still sell those leafswitches made for newer style buttons?