Fire Buttons

[Searcher7]

Is there a common consensus on the best low maintenance buttons for use on a control panel?

Obviously leaf switches are out of the question even though they feel better to me, so I was wondering if there was an accepted brand I should go with that do not have a "loose" and "cheap" feel to them.

Any thoughts on "Micro-Leaf" buttons?

Thanks a lot.

Darren Harris
Staten Island, New York.

[Ginsu Victim]

The micro-leafs aren't buttons, they're switches.

The standard around here is Happ concave buttons with cherry microswitches. Just about any US vendor you buy from will have these and they won't break the bank. www.Groovygamegear.com has, to my knowledge, the best price on these.

[genesim]

I second that.   Suzo are fine, and the Ultimarc's Ultralux are ok...Happs is the best I have tested..

Cherry with Happs like peanutbutter and jelly.

[Searcher7]

The micro-leafs aren't buttons, they're switches.

The standard around here is Happ concave buttons with cherry microswitches. Just about any US vendor you buy from will have these and they won't break the bank. www.Groovygamegear.com has, to my knowledge, the best price on these.

Are these the buttons you are referring to?: http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=73&sort=20a&page=2

Thanks.

Darren Harris
Staten Island, New York.

[Ginsu Victim]

Those are correct.

[Searcher7]

Those are correct.

Ok. It gives "Cherry" and the more expensive "Micro-Leaf" options and I wanted to make sure I got the best one.

Thanks.

Darren Harris
Staten Island, New York.

[Ginsu Victim]

The micro-leaf are supposedly good, but the overwhelming majority of us use the cherries and love them.

[Searcher7]

Well, my issue is that the two friends I'm making these control panels for want the original arcade feel, but I want to make it low maintenance because if leaf-switch adjustment becomes necessary it becomes a service problem for me, since I don't even know if these two own a decent set of tools.

That is why I was looking for feedback from those with experience with the Micro-Leafs.

Darren Harris
Staten Island, New York.

[Ginsu Victim]

We do have an entire section devoted to reviews and on the very first page, you can find this topic:
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=77688.0

[Searcher7]

Thanks.

That thread covers the feel of the buttons, but now that they have been out a while I am wondering about maintenance issues.

Are they more reliable and consistent than regular leaf switches?

Darren Harris
Staten Island, New York.

[garnerb350]

Deciding between leaf and cherry switches, is like trying to choose Coke over Pepsi, Pepsi over Coke...yada ,yada,yada...

Happs would be better as for "maintaince free"...less parts, if it breaks, its easy to replace...
Most arcade cabs ( from what ive seen ) have Happs pushbuttons with cherry switches...

In fact if you look at a cherry switch, and place it beside a micro-leaf switch, you notice that a Leaf switch has the metal bar that presses the switch ( hence the name leaf switch)...its just a cherry switch with a metal bar on it...

( older joysticks uses leaf switches, and if the metal bar is bent, it can screw up sensitivitry.)

My suggestion: if you want a cab to be close to the classic way arcade was ( before PONG)  , yeah pay the higher amount and go leaf...if you want the common ( 1984- on up ) hard as nails reliable ...go Happs...

Happs are also better on space issues also compared to a leaf switch

Hell, Hospitals use cherry switches...

Found this also ( after I wrote down everything) hope it helps...
http://arcadecontrols.com/arcade_wiring.shtml#Wiring

[severdhed]

happ buttons are great.  unless your friends are some kind of leaf switch nazis, they should be perfectly happy with the happs

[Jack Burton]

additionally, not all microswitches are made equally.

Cherry switches are very soft and easy to engage.  They are usually the most expensive too.  They are preferred by most players who use switches. 

Generic arcade microswitches are usually much stiffer and harder to engage.  A good example of these would be the switches from X-arcade.

Micro-leaf switches with actuators are very stiff and I don't recommend them for buttons.  They are designed for joysticks.  They are extremely long lasting though.  Try taking apart a sanwa joystick and comparing the switches in the stick to a cherry switch and you will see a dramatic difference.  Also take not that if you feel a joystick is too stiff you can replace the originals with cherries.  A good example is Omron switches.

Industrial microswitches are not made for arcade parts at all.  You might come across them in an electrical shop or find them on farm equipment.  They are usually extremely stiff and I do not recommend them at all.   An example manufacturer would be Zippy.

AND, there are more types of switches than just microswitch, leaf, and microleaf!

Try some Japanese buttons.  They have a completely different feel and design when it comes to buttons and switches.

Sanwa buttons are very soft and responsive, but do not last long.  They are preferred by fighting gamers.  There is a stiffer version offered though.

Seimitsu buttons are very responsive too, but last longer.  They are preferred by people who play shoot em ups.


EDITED: Thanks bender.

[Bender]

Micro-leaf switches are very stiff and I don't recommend them for buttons.  They are designed for joysticks. 

I think there is some misunderstanding here so I want to clear things up. I think what Jack Buton is refering to are "Switches with Actuators"

The Micro-Leaf buttons made by GGG ARE made exclusivly for buttons and DON'T work in joysticks
in fact the full name of the product is "Micro-Leaf Arcade Pushbutton Switches"

Thanks.

That thread covers the feel of the buttons, but now that they have been out a while I am wondering about maintenance issues.

Are they more reliable and consistent than regular leaf switches?

Darren Harris
Staten Island, New York.

They are essentially the same type of switch (microswitches) as the cherry switches but ate quieter and have a softer feel. To me the feel is right between microswiches and leafs.

You shouldn't have to do any maintenance on them at all
They were made for exactly your situation, and GGG makes quality products and has good customer service so just go ahead and order them

[Ginsu Victim]

I think there is some misunderstanding here so I want to clear things up.

I was noticing the same thing.