GGG Micro-Leaf actuators vs. Leaf Switch Bracket actuators

[EddieArcadian]

Was wondering if you've used either of these products, and what your preference was?  Which felt better.  I'm not necessarily going for 100% leaf authenticity, just overall playability, but I do not want microswitches - No click!

I've read a couple reviews, and performed a search.

One of the main concerns I have about the micro-leaf switches, is that they will be a bit too sensitive.  I don't want my hand to bump a button and set it off.  I want the pressure/feel of a leaf.  This is discussed in this thread: http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=77688.0

For other interested BYOCer's, here's the retroblast review:
http://www.retroblast.com/20060731283/Hardware/Review-Leaf-Switch-Brackets-for-Micro-Switch-Pushbuttons.php

Here's the retroblast link to the GGG's: http://www.retroblast.com/20070925121/Latest/New-Product-Micro-Leaf-Arcade-Pushbutton-Switches.php


Also, if I do decide on the leaf brackets, can someone please mention some links/stores/contacts to purchase these?  I really don't even know who makes these... I only know of 1 vendor here on the site, and he's out of stock.

Thanks for the opinions, and info!!!

Eddie

[RayB]

For other interested BYOCer's, here's the retroblast review:
http://www.retroblast.com/20060731283/Hardware/Review-Leaf-Switch-Brackets-for-Micro-Switch-Pushbuttons.php

Here's the retroblast link to the GGG's: http://www.retroblast.com/20070925121/Latest/New-Product-Micro-Leaf-Arcade-Pushbutton-Switches.php

Also, if I do decide on the leaf brackets, can someone please mention some links/stores/contacts to purchase these?  I really don't even know who makes these... I only know of 1 vendor here on the site, and he's out of stock.

AFAIK, those were a 1-batch deal and they are gone, sold out... no one else has them. SORRY!

[BASS!]

Yeah it is a pitty too. I don't see why anyone has picked up making these. The construction is really simple.

[Level42]

I'm lucky, I have experience with both.

Let me say that per definition I'm a leaf man.

The best playing leafs I've encountered so far are the 27 year old one's on my Galaxian cab.
The newer one's are OK, but not as nice as those Midway one's.

Anyway, since I wanted to use the Electric Ice button on my Centipede cab, I thought I would go with the leaf-brackets. I installed one and played. I felt they gave too much resistance for my taste. So I tweaked about everything about them, including clipping out the white plastic supports.
Whatever I did, I did not get the feeling that I wanted. It cost too much energy to push the button down and the feeling was just not right.

Well, I had ordered a Micro-leaf because I was already ordering stuff from Randy just to give it a try and see what it's like.
So I installed it on my Centipede Electric ICE button and I played. And played, and played and it was very hard for me but I had to admit I liked it a lot better than the bracket-leaf. It's much smoother to push. The click sound is absolutely minimal and not annoying at all during game play. The click feeling is absolutely minimal too. In practice you won't notice it. Maybe with games that need very high repetitive shooting you'd notice it, but Centipede is a game where you often also hold the fire button and then let go for the individual (aimed) shots.

So the micro-leaf stayed in my Centipede.


The only thing better would be an old-fashioned button plus big leaf, but I wanted the ICE button to be able to light it.

In general I'd say the micro-leaf is the best microswitch you can get for this application.

Why not order a couple and try them ?

[Blanka]

Clicks? With a 18mm thick CP and games with sound, I do not hear clicks from my microswitches. And without sound, it is only the slightest hint of a click. The button itself makes more noise. I think it is splitting hairs.

[EddieArcadian]

Thanks for the posts and info.  Blanka - more concerned with the click feel than the sound.

Level42 & Others - what about the GGG micro leafs being TOO sensitive?  On a previous post a user had to modify their button springs b/c of accidentally bumping the wrong button and having it actuate.

Finally, can anyone shed additional light on switches/leafs that are compatible with either the nova gems or Electric Ice buttons?  I'll be using those on my cab, hopefully with full RGB colors on each button...
- - dumb question but would it not work to use a bunch of old real leaf actuators and use them with those pushbuttons?  I assume they are totally different, and will not be compatible?  (which is probably why you had to use the fake leafs/leaf switches level42???)

I only have limited experience with newer happ buttons and cherry microswitches (I do have a galaga, but no CP), so I apologize for the elementary question.  Thanks!

[Level42]

Clicks? With a 18mm thick CP and games with sound, I do not hear clicks from my microswitches. And without sound, it is only the slightest hint of a click. The button itself makes more noise. I think it is splitting hairs.

Not on a metal CP ! Centipede has a metal CP

But I did say it was minimal...

[Level42]

Thanks for the posts and info.  Blanka - more concerned with the click feel than the sound.

Level42 & Others - what about the GGG micro leafs being TOO sensitive?  On a previous post a user had to modify their button springs b/c of accidentally bumping the wrong button and having it actuate.

Finally, can anyone shed additional light on switches/leafs that are compatible with either the nova gems or Electric Ice buttons?  I'll be using those on my cab, hopefully with full RGB colors on each button...
- - dumb question but would it not work to use a bunch of old real leaf actuators and use them with those pushbuttons?  I assume they are totally different, and will not be compatible?  (which is probably why you had to use the fake leafs/leaf switches level42???)

I only have limited experience with newer happ buttons and cherry microswitches (I do have a galaga, but no CP), so I apologize for the elementary question.  Thanks!

I personally don't think they are too sensitive. However, Centipede of course only uses one fire button. I can't speak for a multi button set-up. However, i think the sensitivity of a leaf would be equal or more sensitive. Of course, that depends on how you adjust your leafs. I like them to be "itchy". But then, I rarely play(ed) multi-button games on my Mame cab.

There are two types of push buttons:
1) Leaf buttons (in either short or long form)


2) Micro Switch buttons (always long)


As you can see the MS button has some "holders" for the micro-switch to click in. Without modding it (you could , in theory, cut off the holders and see if you can actuate a leaf with the end that gets pushed down with the button, but that is a clumsy mod I guess.)


Here's some more info about short and long leaf buttons:
http://homearcade.org/BBBB/metal.html

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

[Ummon]

I'm using some micro-leafs and they are almost silent. The regular cherries are terribly loud, and I have a wood panel. The micros are a little easy to push, and I'd wish the travel a lot less because the resistance is so little (vs cherries) that in shooters, etc, I'm kinda mashing the button down a little hard. I like 'em though.