The NEW Build Your Own Arcade Controls

Main => Retail vendors => Topic started by: RandyT on November 08, 2010, 09:57:36 pm

Title: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: RandyT on November 08, 2010, 09:57:36 pm
I'm not going to put a big price list of parts in this post (the store (http://www.groovygamegear.com) is a better place to get that, and other, info about the items), but we have been expanding the catalog and will continue to do so over the next few months.  These items are tested and / or modified to meet my personal performance expectations.  Otherwise, they would not be part of our catalog.  These items are new to GroovyGameGear, but may not warrant announcement threads of their own.

But for those who haven't been by the site recently, we have recently added the following to our ever expanding catalog;

(http://groovygamegear.com/Store_Images/ChromaLite.jpg) (http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=73)
ChromaLite™ Chrome plated illuminated buttons with GGG's custom sub-20-gram actuation force Standard Soft Touch™ microswitch included at the base price of $2.35 each.  We have upgraded lighting (more output) for this style of button in stock, which will be put on the store shortly.


(http://groovygamegear.com/Store_Images/SpectraLite.jpg) (http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=73)
SpectraLite™ illuminated buttons with GGG's custom sub-20-gram actuation force Standard Soft Touch™ microswitch included at the base price of $2.15 each.  These are the better performing, re-engineered versions with the lighter spring, and new lower resistance "stepped" plunger leg design, which makes them more comfortable for extended play and eliminates the binding and "squeaking" of similar buttons.  The super-wide angle output (nearly hemispherical) LEDs are also ~4x brighter because the LEDs are half the distance from the diffuser (see: inverse square law).


(http://groovygamegear.com/Store_Images/Prime.jpg) (http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=73)
We have started offering our Arcade PRIME™ Pushbuttons as an alternative to the HAPP pushbuttons, which we still offer.  The Arcade PRIME pushbuttons are the same quality but offer a quicker switch engagement than the HAPP design.  Red button is shown, but they are also available in Black, White, Green, Yellow and Blue.  Our Sub-20-gram actuation force Standard Soft Touch™ microswitch is included at the base price of $1.20 each.


(http://groovygamegear.com/Store_Images/GGGSMOOTH.jpg) (http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=65&products_id=332)
The GGG SmoothStick™ is a pre-built, pre-adjusted HAPP Competition stick with our Versa-Micro™ adjustable switches built in.  Virtually silent operation once installed, providing smoother action, while retaining compatibility with other modifications intended for the HAPP Competition joystick.  $19.95


(http://groovygamegear.com/Store_Images/Pro_Wiring_Kit.jpg) (http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=76_80&products_id=303)
This is one that's been requested for a while now.  The Wiring Kits were made to our requirements (extra length for maximum controls / interface placement flexibility) and are available as an option for any of our screw terminal interfaces.  We will add them as an option to the Eco line shortly.  The kits are sold in 10 switch increments, up to 40.  The option price for these is up to 10 switches - $4.95, up to 20 switches - $9.75, up to 30 switches - $14.50, up to 40 switches - $19.00.


(http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/images/medium/BudgetPS3_MED.jpg) (http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=76_81&products_id=362)
This is a budget PS3/PC USB Gamepad Interface with wiring that folks have probably seen around.  We gave it longer wiring, dual ground chains with extra connectors, and uniform .187" insulated female QD's to make it easier to use with full size panels and standard controls.  $27.95


(http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/images/medium/GroovyTB_MED.jpg) (http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=74&products_id=363)
A true Opti-Wiz™ plug-in ready 3" arcade trackball available in basic form, or with a number of customizations like High-Res encoders, HQ oiled bearings and Diffused translucent color balls with Nova-TB™ high-output LED light units.  Base Price is $59.95.  Option prices can be viewed at the product listing (http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=74&products_id=363).


(http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/images/medium/4XPCBStandoffs_MED.jpg) (http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=70&products_id=367)_(http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/images/medium/PowerSupply15A_MED.jpg) (http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=93&products_id=364)
A couple more recently added accessory items.  A 4-Pack of Deluxe PCB Standoffs at a great price of only $1.39 per pack.  Also, a very nice 15 Amp, 110 watt power supply, with adjustable +5vDC, -5vDC and +12vDC output.  These are switchable between 110v and 220v and sell for only $18.95.


(http://groovygamegear.com/Store_Images/LeafPro250.jpg) (http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=65&products_id=365)_(http://groovygamegear.com/Store_Images/classxsmall.jpg) (http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=73&products_id=356)
Real arcade-quality True-Leaf Pro™ based leaf-switch controls.  The Leaf-Pro™ stick is available in both 8-way and 4-way versions, $17.95 and $18.95 respectively.  GGG's own CLASSX™ Pushbuttons are available with True-Leaf Pro™ leaf-switches to round out a fully leaf-switch-equipped control panel.


(http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/images/medium/RoundHouse_MED.jpg) (http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=366)_(http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/images/medium/Spitfire_MED.jpg) (http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=370)_(http://groovygamegear.com/Store_Images/HandCandysmall.jpg) (http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=368)
A couple of new joystick offerings.  The Roundhouse™ starts at $9.95, and the Spitfire™ starts at $8.95.  Both have options available, such as GGG's SmoothJoy™ quiet joystick switches and laser cut dust washers.  The Spitfire™ is the first joystick to be added to the GGG store which is compatible with, and offers as an option, our new HandCandy™ Premium Arcade Joystick Ball Tops.  The ball tops are seamless, perfectly round, precision ground and polished, and far more durable than anything else out there. They are compatible with any 6mm joystick shaft, but are available as reduced-price options on compatible sticks sold by GroovyGameGear.


(http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/images/medium/ZIPPYY_MED.jpg) (http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=65&products_id=371)
Another Hand-Candy™ Ball-Top compatible joystick.  This one has an installer selectable 2 / 4 / 8 way restriction, and comes in either short or long shaft configurations.  SmoothJoy™ switches and laser cut dust washers are also options with this stick.  Starts at $8.95


That should do it for now, but as usual, more good stuff is coming ;)  Check this post and/or drop by the store regularly for updates.  You can also click on the "New Products" category (Link (http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=products_new)) at the store to get a list of  the most recently added itens.

RandyT
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: RandyT on January 30, 2011, 02:50:04 pm

Updated main post with Groovy-TB 3" Trackball and XIN-MO Budget interface.  More coming soon!

RandyT
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: RandyT on February 02, 2011, 02:09:31 pm
Another quick update.  We have had some suggestions to include more economical, albeit slower, shipping methods for folks who just want to order a few small items.  Normally, we would make adjustments for these on a case by case basis and reduce shipping charges, but we have now added First-Class and Parcel Post shipping options to the store.  As First-Class is faster than Parcel Post, we will try to use First-Class whenever possible, even if the store only offers Parcel Post as an option for that particular order.  For large orders, or orders for heavy items, Parcel post can be considerably more economical than Priority, if you aren't in a hurry.  Priority and Express mail are still available options as well.

RandyT
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: RandyT on April 02, 2011, 01:55:46 am

Updated main post with new stuff.  We will have a couple more HandCandy™ compatible joysticks and more button options coming in the next update :).

RandyT
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: RandyT on April 30, 2011, 03:41:29 am
Small change to the options list for the optical-based controls and interfaces.  We were able to get a good price on having the Mouse Button Harnesses made (we used to do it ourselves), so we are passing it on.  We normally sell them for $9.95, but each optical control and interface now has an additional option called "Special Deal" where the harness can be added for only $3.95.

The harness is a 4 pin, straight connector with 3 ~24" wires and a ~34" groundchain, terminated with .187" fully-insulated female QD's.  This allows for three buttons to be hooked to the three mouse button inputs on our optical interfaces.

We had to have a lot of them made to get the cost down, so I'm going to offer this retroactively as well to anyone who has purchased an Electric ICE-T™ (http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=74&products_id=270), a Groovy-TB™ (http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=74&products_id=363), an Opti-Wiz™ (http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=76_85&products_id=260), or a TurboTwist™ Spinner (http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=86&products_id=268) in the past.  Just leave a note in the order comments that you have one of these controls, and we'll make sure you get the reduced price.

Also, Zippyy™ Joystick (http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=65&products_id=371) added to our catalog, long and short shaft versions.  First post modified to reflect the addition.

RandyT
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: leapinlew on May 09, 2011, 04:26:47 pm
Randy -

When will the Novagems be back in stock?
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: RandyT on May 10, 2011, 01:13:40 pm
When will the Novagems be back in stock?

I have been told that the mod we requested has been done to the mold, and the samples are supposed to be arriving today for my approval.  Haven't seen them yet, though.  If everything is ok, we should be able to get the production rolling very shortly thereafter.  I know, it's been a long road.  But the new buttons should be very nice when we finally get through it.

Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: mixelplick on June 03, 2011, 03:00:03 am
Did the samples look good? :notworthy:
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: yaksplat on November 15, 2011, 02:35:13 pm
I see the electric Ice are back in stock.  Are the Nova gems coming as well shortly?
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: RandyT on November 15, 2011, 02:53:35 pm
I see the electric Ice are back in stock.  Are the Nova gems coming as well shortly?

They are.  I have Green, Blue, Yellow and Orange in stock.  We are waiting on the purple, clear and updated red plungers.

Should be very soon now.

RandyT
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: yaksplat on November 15, 2011, 03:19:41 pm
Oh, are the purple new?  I'm doing a halloween themed cabinet and I'd be interested in seeing the orange and purple buttons. Can you post pictures on your site or here?

Thanks!
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: mixelplick on December 06, 2011, 03:02:57 pm
Glad to see you have some colors in. Did the red ones come in yet?
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: RandyT on December 06, 2011, 03:20:13 pm
Glad to see you have some colors in. Did the red ones come in yet?

They were supposed to be here any day.  I have a progress inquiry in.
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: mike96sc2 on December 06, 2011, 07:14:49 pm
I just ordered a J-Pac from you. Surprisingly your prices were even better than Ultimarc (at least when it came to shipping, that sealed the deal plus I wanted to support someone on the boards).

How is the feedback from the Spectralite buttons? I love the look and want to illuminate all my buttons but I'm apprehensive about buying a whole set of buttons and not being happy. Also are they just flat buttons or are they more concave like what most of us grew up with? I'm converting my Capcom cabinet now and I'm trying to really research all the parts to align to what I want / am accustomed to.

Thanks! -Mike
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: Nephasth on December 06, 2011, 08:25:58 pm
I just ordered a J-Pac from you.

 :laugh2:
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: RandyT on December 07, 2011, 02:33:46 am
I just ordered a J-Pac from you.

Nope, not from us.  But since we don't offer an alternative to that kind of device, that's ok ;)

Quote
How is the feedback from the Spectralite buttons? I love the look and want to illuminate all my buttons but I'm apprehensive about buying a whole set of buttons and not being happy. Also are they just flat buttons or are they more concave like what most of us grew up with? I'm converting my Capcom cabinet now and I'm trying to really research all the parts to align to what I want / am accustomed to.

Folks seem to really like them with switch options we offer with them.  We ship them every day and have not had complaints.  They are slightly convex, so quite different from the concave buttons you may be used to.  If the plunger shape is a deal breaker, you may want to keep looking.  If not, they are an attractive and affordable option.

RandyT
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: mike96sc2 on December 07, 2011, 08:00:16 pm
I just ordered a J-Pac from you.

Nope, not from us.  But since we don't offer an alternative to that kind of device, that's ok ;)

Quote
How is the feedback from the Spectralite buttons? I love the look and want to illuminate all my buttons but I'm apprehensive about buying a whole set of buttons and not being happy. Also are they just flat buttons or are they more concave like what most of us grew up with? I'm converting my Capcom cabinet now and I'm trying to really research all the parts to align to what I want / am accustomed to.

Folks seem to really like them with switch options we offer with them.  We ship them every day and have not had complaints.  They are slightly convex, so quite different from the concave buttons you may be used to.  If the plunger shape is a deal breaker, you may want to keep looking.  If not, they are an attractive and affordable option.

RandyT

You're right. Well whomever I did buy from is on the boards so at least someone is getting some support.

Once I'm ready to dig into the buttons I will certainly pick some up from you. I'm not sure if the shape is a big deal, just I don't recall every playing with anything otherwise. I'll have to get some and wire them in side by side, see if it's as big a deal as it is in my mind.

Many thanks!
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: LeedsFan on December 12, 2011, 10:28:11 am
A couple of quick questions Randy... (I'm having some trouble with emails right now for some reason)

When will you have any of the Leaf-Pro 4-way joysticks back in stock?
And what is the clearance depth needed for the ClassX buttons with leaf-pro switches fitted? Basically the length but not including the bezel.
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: elkameleon on March 08, 2012, 09:08:58 am
I just wanted to send out a huge thanks to Randy, I got my order of buttons super fast, and then the packaging... :o My buttons were shrink wrapped separately from the switches and lock nuts, this must take significant time if you have a lot of orders to fulfill. I was really wowed by this, maybe i'm just easy to please, but i've ordered parts from other places that just throw everything into a yellow bubble mailer and call it a day. Thanks again, and I look forward to ordering again from you in the future. :applaud:
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: GreenChemist on March 10, 2012, 11:00:24 am
I second what elkameleon said.  I'm building my second MAME cabinet and my order from GGG was packed to perfection.  I guess I've grown used to getting parts from other vendors just thrown in a mailer and sent on their way.  Pride in your work goes a long way.  I'm already a repeat GGG customer, and I'll keep coming back.
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: mixelplick on March 12, 2012, 06:36:24 pm
Hi Randy,

Any idea when the Illuminated buttons might be available? Been checking every day since your Nov post and I haven't seen any come up.

THanks!

Mike
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: RandyT on March 12, 2012, 07:20:47 pm
Any idea when the Illuminated buttons might be available? Been checking every day since your Nov post and I haven't seen any come up.

Should be very soon.  I'll try to remember to post an update to this thread when the next batch arrives.

Also, a "Thank You" to the folks who commented above.  Our philosophy is that proper always trumps fast.  Glad to hear that the extra efforts are being appreciated :).

RandyT
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: mixelplick on March 12, 2012, 10:50:53 pm
Thanks Randy! :cheers:
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: nraupach on March 15, 2012, 08:12:48 pm

Should be very soon.  I'll try to remember to post an update to this thread when the next batch arrives.

Also, a "Thank You" to the folks who commented above.  Our philosophy is that proper always trumps fast.  Glad to hear that the extra efforts are being appreciated :).

RandyT

Glad to hear they'll be back in stock soon!  I just signed-up for notifications to this thread so I hope you'll remember to post. :)  We're waiting to give you some $$$
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: mcseforsale on March 17, 2012, 11:44:05 pm
Yes.  subscribing...I also dropped a note at the site for a quote.  Can't wait@@@

 :applaud: :applaud: :applaud:

AJ
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: RandyT on March 22, 2012, 02:40:17 pm

As promised, here's the notification that the latest batch of Electric ICE 2 buttons are in.  Don't say I didn't tell you  ;D

Thanks for hanging in there.  I'll try to keep pushing for more.

RandyT
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: mixelplick on March 22, 2012, 02:42:22 pm
Great News Randy, thanks!!!

Any idea when some Novagems will be coming in?
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: RandyT on March 22, 2012, 02:58:08 pm
Great News Randy, thanks!!!

Any idea when some Novagems will be coming in?

Some are already here.  I'm hoping this latest shipment is signaling the beginning of the rest of the colors to start showing up.  At the moment, we have Clear, Orange, Yellow, Green and Blue.  We are waiting on Red and Purple.

RandyT
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: mcseforsale on March 22, 2012, 03:21:32 pm
Awesome.  Do you have more information on the EI trackballs?  You mentioned that you have black ones.  Is that a ball and light kit for existing Happ trackballs, or an entire trackball assembly?  If the former, do you have any pics of it lit up?


Also, would it make more sense to use blue novagems if I'm only going to be lighting them up in blue, rather than the EI2s with the RGB drive(I dont' think and LED-wiz is in my future)?  If so, how do I put them in my cart?


Thanks!
AJ (shopping cart filling up...)
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: mixelplick on March 22, 2012, 04:15:37 pm
Randy, can we order the colors your currently have in or will the ability to order from your site come in to play when you get the rest of the colors in?

Thanks!

Mie
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: yaksplat on March 23, 2012, 01:34:38 pm
Funny seeing how fast the EI button stock dropped since you posted yesterday.  Congrats  :applaud:
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: RandyT on March 23, 2012, 02:00:12 pm
Funny seeing how fast the EI button stock dropped since you posted yesterday.  Congrats  :applaud:

Thanks! :)  That's what happens when folks are waiting for them to show on the site, and I send out emails to let them know they are there.  We wait and wait for the next shipment, and then when they arrive, we get a month+ worth of orders for them in one day.  We have more on order, and hopefully we can get the factory to be a little more consistent in their deliveries to prevent this.

No pics yet for the "black" trackballs.  We're working on getting that project together.  But I will offer them to folks who are interested, either in the full trackball configuration, or as an upgrade.  In answer to the EI2 or NG2, when using a solid color, I would recommend the NG2, as long as one is certain that RGB won't be desired down the road.  The NG2's are made from the same mold as the EI2's, so all of the other features and options are the same.

Anyone interested in pre-release sales of either of the two items above can email me for ordering instructions.

RandyT
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: mcseforsale on March 23, 2012, 02:48:02 pm
Just placed my order for the EI2 buttons (x16).  I'd love to see a pic of the trackball, and a price as an upgrade for a Happ 3".  I couldn't swing the VersaBall2s and the trackball yet...probably next week.  But, I'd love to see it...

Thanks!
AJ
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: nraupach on March 28, 2012, 12:16:11 am
Hi Randy,

Do you have any guides on how to use your LEDs with the Electric Ice 2 buttons?  I'm a little apprehensive because I'm not skilled at this stuff and I don't see how to insert the ButtonBlaster LEDs into the button body, and then how to wire them up to the LED-WIZ.

The NovaGems seem to have the LEDs pre-installed.  Maybe that is a better option for me.
Title: A note from Randy...
Post by: mcseforsale on March 30, 2012, 12:09:09 pm
I got an update email pretty quick after ordering my buttons, then it didn't change for a few days, so I pinged him and here's what he had to say...

"When we put the last shipment on the store, we nearly sold out of over 600 of these buttons in 1 day.  We need to make the lighting units for them, so they can take a little bit of time to get done.  We are working on it, so it shouldn't be much longer. "

1.) Pretty cool to let me know..
2.) WOW..that's a log of fugging buttons!  Congratulations!

So, give Randy some time to get the PCBs done for them.  I bet it looked like a movie when he checked the web site..." Wow!  Very cool! good order!"....."wow, that's a lot of buttons to ship"...."holy crap...they're selling out!!!"...."oh, my...we have to make PCBs....STAT!"

hahahaha.

Thanks Randy...take your time.   :applaud:

AJ
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: RandyT on March 30, 2012, 12:42:19 pm
Hi Randy,

Do you have any guides on how to use your LEDs with the Electric Ice 2 buttons?  I'm a little apprehensive because I'm not skilled at this stuff and I don't see how to insert the ButtonBlaster LEDs into the button body, and then how to wire them up to the LED-WIZ.

The NovaGems seem to have the LEDs pre-installed.  Maybe that is a better option for me.


The NG2's are definitely an easier option.  But a dab of hot melt is plenty to hold a standard LED in the EI2 buttons.  But this is a DIY approach, which also means soldering wires and resistors.  It's easier to use the lighting units where we do all that.

I bet it looked like a movie when he checked the web site..." Wow!  Very cool! good order!"....."wow, that's a lot of buttons to ship"...."holy crap...they're selling out!!!"...."oh, my...we have to make PCBs....STAT!"

That's the problem when we go OOS for a while, and we can't get regular deliveries from the factory.  We never know the demand that is waiting, and then we get bogged down when it's higher than expected.  Hopefully, we can get the factory to get us more regular shipments and we won't end up with a month+ of orders for these hitting us all at once.  I'm almost scared to put the NG2's online when they arrive.  ;D

RandyT
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: Trip on March 30, 2012, 12:49:57 pm
Any word yet on the regular translucent 3" trackball upgrade kits?
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: yaksplat on March 30, 2012, 12:58:57 pm
I'm almost scared to put the NG2's online when they arrive.  ;D

I'll be glad to tell you my order right now :)
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: mcseforsale on March 30, 2012, 01:58:34 pm
Yeah... +1.  I'm in need of an illuminated trackball (upgrade for HAPP).  The black one sounds interesting.  It'd be going on this:

(http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p191/mcseforsale/MAME_CAB/CP_FINAL_NO_BUTTONS.png)

Randy, I'd still be interested in this, along with the 3 versa-ball 2 sticks I'm going to be ordering. 

I know y'all are super busy, but if you put up some pics of the trackball, I might be able to swing the order to correspond with the shipping of the buttons.  I've been putting in mad hours at work this past week and have the hall-pass for this.  :afro:

AJ
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: mcseforsale on May 28, 2012, 04:24:19 pm
Any pics of that black trackball upgrade?  I need to place a pretty big order...basically an entire new 2P CP worth of stuff.  I need 6 buttons per player, plus 2 competition joys, 1 super joy (for 4 way) with 2 buttons, a trackball (usb) and an encoder...plus I *MIGHT* sneak in some stuff for my CP.  >:D.

AJ



Yeah... +1.  I'm in need of an illuminated trackball (upgrade for HAPP).  The black one sounds interesting.  It'd be going on this:

(http://i128.photobucket.com/albums/p191/mcseforsale/MAME_CAB/CP_FINAL_NO_BUTTONS.png)

Randy, I'd still be interested in this, along with the 3 versa-ball 2 sticks I'm going to be ordering. 

I know y'all are super busy, but if you put up some pics of the trackball, I might be able to swing the order to correspond with the shipping of the buttons.  I've been putting in mad hours at work this past week and have the hall-pass for this.  :afro:

AJ
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: yaksplat on July 10, 2012, 11:25:08 am
Any news on the NG2 availability?
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: RandyT on July 10, 2012, 11:32:15 am
Any news on the NG2 availability?

They are available by special order.  We have all colors except Purple in stock.

RandyT
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: yaksplat on July 10, 2012, 05:03:22 pm
Any ETA on purple?  That happens to be the one that I'm waiting on.
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: KDOG on August 08, 2012, 10:18:52 pm
Randy,
Is the leaf-pro joystick's ball tops replaceable?
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: RandyT on August 08, 2012, 11:29:59 pm
Any ETA on purple?  That happens to be the one that I'm waiting on.

Not yet.  I'm still pushing for them. 

The good news for folks who have been waiting is that the next shipment of  EI2 buttons have left the factory and should be here by weeks end.

Is the leaf-pro joystick's ball tops replaceable?

No, they are fixed ball unit.  I have some plans for leaf switch sticks with changeable ball tops for the near future... but they will carry a higher price tag.

RandyT
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: hypernova on August 17, 2012, 07:12:49 pm
Just sent you an email Randy yesterday, and I'm somewhat surprised you hadn't replied yet.  In case you haven't received it or something, I'll repost here:

I'm interested in a few of your zippyy sticks.  I'm mostly curious about the amber top versus the ruby top.  Amber is generally a yellowish color, but it also tends to have a bit of orange in it.  I just got some orange long leaf pushbuttons from bob roberts, and was wondering which color ball top would go best with the orange buttons.  Which would you suggest?  The amber on your site definitely looks almost completely yellow, but I'm wondering if that's just me.
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: RandyT on August 18, 2012, 12:14:10 pm
I'm interested in a few of your zippyy sticks.  I'm mostly curious about the amber top versus the ruby top.  Amber is generally a yellowish color, but it also tends to have a bit of orange in it.  I just got some orange long leaf pushbuttons from bob roberts, and was wondering which color ball top would go best with the orange buttons.  Which would you suggest?  The amber on your site definitely looks almost completely yellow, but I'm wondering if that's just me.


The use of the word "amber" to describe these, is in the context of the stone color, rather than a specific color designation.  Amber gemstones have a large gamut which goes from light-medium yellow to almost brown.

The Amber Gemstone HandCandy tops are a yellow which leans to the warmer side.  If you are looking for a match to orange buttons, the amber probably won't do it for you.

RandyT
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: hypernova on August 19, 2012, 06:07:10 pm
Thanks.  Will be putting in an order, and I guess I'll be opting for red instead (along with a green).
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: mixelplick on September 11, 2012, 02:52:56 pm
Are the nova gems available? I have been wanting to get some for over a year but it always says sold out.
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: RandyT on September 11, 2012, 03:32:25 pm
Are the nova gems available? I have been wanting to get some for over a year but it always says sold out.

They will be up soon.

Send me an email with what you are looking for.  We have most colors in stock now.

RandyT
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: yaksplat on December 10, 2012, 03:03:03 pm
They are.  I have Green, Blue, Yellow and Orange in stock.  We are waiting on the purple, clear and updated red plungers.
Should be very soon now.

RandyT

Any news on the purple ones?
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: Jumpman64 on January 07, 2013, 10:53:22 am
Randy -- any word on when the Omni-stick Basic will be back in stock?
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: atog on January 08, 2013, 02:24:18 pm
All Novagems out of stock?  Any ETA? 
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: bison3 on January 18, 2013, 12:31:55 pm
Randy- I was too wondering when the ETA would be for the novagem purple pushbuttons. I plan on creating a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles control panel using the exact colors as the original cabinet. I was originally thinking of using the EI buttons and using the RGB LED's to create the purple, but the work involved in doing those is kinda out of my league. So now I have decided on the novagem pushbuttons being more of my style and I know will look amazing.
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: RandyT on January 18, 2013, 01:11:56 pm
Randy- I was too wondering when the ETA would be for the novagem purple pushbuttons. I plan on creating a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles control panel using the exact colors as the original cabinet. I was originally thinking of using the EI buttons and using the RGB LED's to create the purple, but the work involved in doing those is kinda out of my league. So now I have decided on the novagem pushbuttons being more of my style and I know will look amazing.

These are reported to be in production now.  We have most colors already in.  When we get the rest of the colors, which includes the purple ones, they will all be on the store.

Those who don't wish to wait for the other colors can email me to get what we have.

Thanks for hanging in there ;).

RandyT
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: mcseforsale on January 18, 2013, 01:14:51 pm
RANDY!! :applaud: RANDY!! :applaud: RANDY!! :applaud:
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: kuchta on January 18, 2013, 03:07:16 pm
Since we're asking -- Randy, do you expect an white CLASSX buttons anytime soon?
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: RandyT on January 18, 2013, 03:09:22 pm
Since we're asking -- Randy, do you expect an white CLASSX buttons anytime soon?

We are hoping that these are being made at the same time.  The factory is very good at making parts, but they don't keep us as informed on their progress as we would like.
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: kuchta on January 18, 2013, 03:48:02 pm
Since we're asking -- Randy, do you expect an white CLASSX buttons anytime soon?

We are hoping that these are being made at the same time.  The factory is very good at making parts, but they don't keep us as informed on their progress as we would like.

Great. I'll keep an eye on them.

Thanks,
Steve
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: jimmer on January 22, 2013, 10:01:33 am
Randy, any chance you will get a European distributor for your buttons ?

UK Import charges are a killer for small orders.
They charge $13 for charging you the tax. And charge you tax on the $13 charge.  :cry:

eg 6 CLASSX trueleaf, will cost me about $56 after charges.

edit:
actually 6 CLASSX trueleaf should just get in under the cut-off (£15), and cost me $34 total.

Randy, can you confirm the customs value will be marked accurately as $21.54 (or $22) ?
because if you carelessly put it as $25 or $30 that will cost me an extra $22 in charges.


Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: RandyT on January 22, 2013, 11:20:06 am
Randy, any chance you will get a European distributor for your buttons ?

Unfortunately, distributors have to pay shipping and import duties as well, which they, of course, have to tack onto the price of the product, along with their margins, when they sell it. 

Quote
Randy, can you confirm the customs value will be marked accurately as $21.54 (or $22) ?
because if you carelessly put it as $25 or $30 that will cost me an extra $22 in charges.

We don't do anything carelessly :).   Whatever the total of your order is before shipping, that will be the amount declared on the package for import duties.  I understand UK to be a stickler on collection, but many countries don't bother with import duties on small orders.  I guess it costs them too much in overhead to collect a small amount.  Sounds like the UK gets around this by charging you a fee to collect the fee. :P
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: jimmer on January 22, 2013, 12:50:51 pm
Got stung once, won some snowboard boots on eBay for $80 and the shopowner kindly marked the value as $250 on the customs declaration   :angry:

Anyway for the sake of UK peoples I'll let you know if the package slips thorugh customs as it should with no charges or duty.



Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: Jumpman64 on January 23, 2013, 01:24:44 pm
Randy -- any update on the OmniStick Basic?  Thanks!
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: jimmer on January 30, 2013, 10:50:04 am
update:
5x CLASSX true-leafs arrived today. Package sailed through customs as it should have with no charges.

I'm very happy with the product.
The feel is very nice, although I don't have any othe switches here to compare to yet.


I can't help the nagging feeling that I would prefer convex buttons though, so I'd suggest/request to Randy that he adds that option.

edit: hmmm I wonder.....  Randy, Did you make your plunger 'very compatible' with the Happ Competition convex?








 
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: RandyT on January 30, 2013, 05:13:32 pm
Randy -- any update on the OmniStick Basic?  Thanks!

They have been on order for a while, so we are hoping to see them soon.  They come from the EU, so it can take a while.  They aren't the most commonly ordered, and our cost to stock them is pretty high, so when someone comes along and takes what we have left, we end up short for while.

update:
5x CLASSX true-leafs arrived today. Package sailed through customs as it should have with no charges.

I'm very happy with the product.

Glad to hear it!

Quote
I can't help the nagging feeling that I would prefer convex buttons though, so I'd suggest/request to Randy that he adds that option.

edit: hmmm I wonder.....  Randy, Did you make your plunger 'very compatible' with the Happ Competition convex?

No, and we did that for a few reasons.  But even if it was, the colors would never match.  On the convex front, we ponied up a good chunk of money for tooling a while back and have yet to see any samples.  I will continue to push it with the factory, but I'm not expecting anything in the near term.  The good news is, they seem to have overcome a few of the difficulties they had in producing this button style, so a more stable supply is going to be more likely as we continue, including the EI2's and NovaGem2's.

On that same note, we just got the last of the colors in for the NovaGem2's, including purple.  The challenge with purple, for those who were waiting for them, is the lack of a high-output purple LED to illuminate them well.  I will be recommending an RGB drive for this purpose, which, while not as bright as the NovaGem lights, looks great with them.

I will be putting them on the store very soon.

RandyT
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: mcseforsale on January 30, 2013, 10:54:24 pm
Hey Randy,
Any way to make my EI2's more responsive?  I just installed CLASSX white in my father in law's arcade and they are right.  The EI2's seem a bit light...with the same switches (standard switches..).

Thanks!
AJ
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: Gray_Area on January 31, 2013, 01:18:22 am
Randy -- any update on the OmniStick Basic?  Thanks!

They have been on order for a while, so we are hoping to see them soon.  They come from the EU, so it can take a while.  They aren't the most commonly ordered, and our cost to stock them is pretty high, so when someone comes along and takes what we have left, we end up short for while.

I thought you made those. I guess you wouldn't want to say whom you get them from....
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: RandyT on January 31, 2013, 01:45:06 am
I thought you made those. I guess you wouldn't want to say whom you get them from....

They are a Suzo stick.  We tweak them a bit, and we are probably the only source for the colors at this point (and we're running low on those) as they stopped making anything but black.  But we had a cache of spare shafts from when we used to sell a "retro" edition.

The OMNI-Stik PRODIGY is based on the same unit, but with a lot of custom parts we build around it.
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: yaksplat on January 31, 2013, 11:01:38 am
The challenge with purple, for those who were waiting for them, is the lack of a high-output purple LED to illuminate them well.  I will be recommending an RGB drive for this purpose, which, while not as bright as the NovaGem lights, looks great with them.

Do you know what the brightness of the led's used in the other NovaGems?  I don't have space on my led-wiz to populate 7 RGBs. 
I see some 2200mcd purple LEDs at digikey, Newark and mouser, but without knowing the current brightness it's a crap shoot.
PN: SSL-LX5093VC
3.2V 20mA
requires a 91 ohm, 1/8 watt resistor on 5VDC
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: RandyT on January 31, 2013, 02:10:06 pm
Do you know what the brightness of the led's used in the other NovaGems?  I don't have space on my led-wiz to populate 7 RGBs. 
I see some 2200mcd purple LEDs at digikey, Newark and mouser, but without knowing the current brightness it's a crap shoot.
PN: SSL-LX5093VC
3.2V 20mA
requires a 91 ohm, 1/8 watt resistor on 5VDC

These would work, but the NovaGems LED's put out about 5x what that LED does. 

You wouldn't need to run all three colors, and there would be no need to control the R and B channels separately, so you would still only need 1 channel on the LED-Wiz per button.  Worst case would be to add a small resistor  on either the Red or Blue line to tune the shade of Purple you are looking for.  But if you can spare two channels for each button, I noticed something very interesting about the purple buttons.  They are fairly dark when unlit, but are a very nice shade of purple when lit with the proper LED colors.    But the interesting part is that they pass other colors very well.  In my testing with our currently top-secret High-Output RGB lighting modules, they do a great job with all but two colors; White and Green.   Even Green light passes through the Purple button, but not as well.  The biggest surprise was the quality of Orange with this button.  This makes them a pretty good candidate for an RGB set up, where a dark appearance is desired when the buttons are unlit, but still is able to show a large part of the color spectrum when connected to an LED-Wiz.

The new RGB lighting module, when I get it released, will be comparable to the NovaGEM LED's when 2 or more colors are being mixed.  I'm currently awaiting samples for the diffuser.

RandyT
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: Jumpman64 on February 10, 2013, 10:19:45 am
GGG's webhost is currently returning an "account suspended" page :(  Hopefully just a glitch/oversight that will soon be fixed!

Looks like it's back to normal  :applaud:
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: RandyT on February 13, 2013, 02:31:45 pm

Sorry about that.  The webhost had old payment information.  I never seem to get the important notices from them, but the advertisements they send show up in my email like clockwork  :P
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: RandyT on February 18, 2013, 05:03:03 pm
Just a quick note to let folks know that ElectricICE 2 Buttons are now back in stock.  We have also finally received our shipment of BLACK CLASSX buttons for those who have been waiting for those to show up.  I'll also mention, if I haven't already, that thanks to some negotiations with a large LED manufacturer, the EI2 buttons are now being shipped with the RGB-Drive 2.  Not only is it less expensive than the original, without sacrificing any of the original quality, but it also has larger gauge, color coded wiring, and we can ship quicker because we don't have to build each one as required in the past.   All of the above are now on the store and ready to order.

All NovaGem2 button colors are in, and we will be getting these on the store in the next few days.  Thanks again for the patience folks have shown in waiting for all of these parts.  It looks like the factory has finally gotten past the manufacturing challenges which have been causing the trickle of parts.  They know what a stickler I am for quality, and it has taken them a while to bring their game up to our expectations. :)

I also want to throw out a teaser note that we are working on something pretty cool in the way of "all-the frills" USB encoders for the budget minded.  I've been putting in about 80 hours a week between this new project and the onslaught of orders we have been receiving lately, and we are doing our best to juggle everything, including maintaining a high-level of support communications.    Thank you all again for the support and patience you have been showing!

RandyT
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: nedley09 on February 21, 2013, 10:25:21 am
Randy,

How simple is your controller to set up compared to the ipac2?
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: RandyT on February 21, 2013, 12:51:12 pm
Randy,

How simple is your controller to set up compared to the ipac2?

They are pretty much all simple to set up.  The easiest way to set up a controller is to look at the documentation and connect the inputs to the recommended controls.   Then just go into MAME, or whichever app you will be using, and tune the control mapping to account for any differences.  If you do things this way, you'll not even need to be concerned about programming the unit nor running any other software.
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: Dekieon on February 26, 2013, 06:36:55 am
Randy, does your store accept Paypal?
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: jimmer on March 21, 2013, 02:40:25 pm
Randy,

Any chance of a dimension drawing of the Leaf-Pro joystick? 
How long is the shaft? and is there a short option?
Also, photo of bottom with/without restrictor?
Also, is all the centre return force supplied by the leaf spring?

I'm think of using it for switchable 4way and 2way, plus I need to get my Defender reverse button close to it (shame the leafs aren't mounted in the opposite sense)
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: RandyT on March 21, 2013, 04:41:06 pm
Any chance of a dimension drawing of the Leaf-Pro joystick? 
How long is the shaft? and is there a short option?
Also, photo of bottom with/without restrictor?
Also, is all the centre return force supplied by the leaf spring?

I'm think of using it for switchable 4way and 2way, plus I need to get my Defender reverse button close to it (shame the leafs aren't mounted in the opposite sense)

The mounting holes are 60mm on center, square pattern.  The stick is short by default.  The restrictor is top mounted, not bottom, so switchable restriction isn't really an option.  Centering mechanism is a spring.  The leaf switches provide no centering assistance, nor is it necessary for them to.

I can make a special 2-way version which would work very well for Defender.   However, you still have the challenge of getting the button close to the stick.  It could be done, but would require cutting out a section of the base.  It's not a practical exercise to make a 2-4-8 way stick where a Defender stick is concerned, due to the reverse button position requirements.
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: jimmer on March 21, 2013, 07:59:10 pm
Do you think think the plastic actuator sleeve is man enough to be used in a restrictor? I've found pictures of similar sticks showing the actuator is an open cylinder at the bottom end.

What I'm thinking is I could cut off the 4 pillars and attach 4 new solid blocks where I want them (using the inner set of holes). And fix restrictors onto those.

like this:
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: RandyT on March 21, 2013, 10:51:32 pm
Do you think think the plastic actuator sleeve is man enough to be used in a restrictor? I've found pictures of similar sticks showing the actuator is an open cylinder at the bottom end.

What I'm thinking is I could cut off the 4 pillars and attach 4 new solid blocks where I want them (using the inner set of holes). And fix restrictors onto those.

like this:

That would be a lot of modification.  It can be done the way you show, but you would be hard pressed to make a restrictor which would work properly based on the diameter of the actuator.  The larger the diameter of actuator, the less likely that good restriction is possible using it.  If you replace the actuator, it's possible.
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: jimmer on March 22, 2013, 10:55:20 am
Yes it's a lot of modification, but still easier than building from scratch.

I can turn a new actuator, and drill and tap the shaft to hold it on.

It would be nice to know the dimensions of the current actuator and shaft so i can work out if I can make an actuator that works.
Does your shaft extend approx 10mm below the leafs like this one?

Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: wp34 on April 01, 2013, 09:25:19 pm
Any word on the white CLASSX?
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: jimmer on April 08, 2013, 12:04:27 pm
hmmm scratch my previous scheme, the leaf-pro looks like it will work for Defender as is (minus a bit of plastic). Definitely OK for a short button in a wood panel like I use, long button may work depending on exact stick dimensions.

And my experiment with my 2way leaf switch zippyy has confirmed the expected benefit of leaf switch joystick. 

So, when are you expecting stock again? 

Also, you said the stick is short by default. Is there then a longer option? How much longer?





Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: RandyT on April 08, 2013, 12:44:39 pm
Any word on the white CLASSX?

These actually should have been here by now.  I will be checking again today.

hmmm scratch my previous scheme, the leaf-pro looks like it will work for Defender as is (minus a bit of plastic). Definitely OK for a short button in a wood panel like I use, long button may work depending on exact stick dimensions.

So, when are you expecting stock again? 

Also, you said the stick is short by default. Is there then a longer option? How much longer?

That's actually what I had in mind with my first post on the subject.  The Leaf-Pro doesn't use the plastic parts, so immediate actuation, with very little resistance is simple to achieve.   Unfortunately (?), we have had a high demand for these lately, including from installers/resellers who cleaned us out of stock.  We have a decent quantity on order, but it looks like they are going to be about 2 weeks out.

Currently, the only shaft for these is the short one.  While a longer one can be made, it would likely create unreasonable stress on the assembly, due to the increased leverage which could be applied with it.

RandyT
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: jimmer on April 08, 2013, 06:25:04 pm
I'm not in a hurry so a few weeks wait is no problem.

What do the restrictors look like for 8way and 4way?
Is it an upstanding part like on the dimension diagram I posted?

I will probably do my own thing anyway to build 2way/4way switchable restriction into the panel.
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: jimmer on April 08, 2013, 06:30:30 pm
Also, something to think about: if you replace the centre block in the leaf sandwich with a medium rubber the switch becomes precisely tunable with a screwdriver rather than pliers.
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: RandyT on April 09, 2013, 10:27:14 am
Also, something to think about: if you replace the centre block in the leaf sandwich with a medium rubber the switch becomes precisely tunable with a screwdriver rather than pliers.

This really isn't a good solution.  The leaves of the switch have a small amount of lateral play, which allows for precise positioning of the contact points.  Once adjusted, and tightened, the alignment is held.  With any sort of flexible material in the stack, it will be impossible to hold this alignment properly.
Title: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: wp34 on April 09, 2013, 10:49:37 am
Thanks for the update Randy.


Sent from my Atari 800 mobile device using Tapatalk
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: chopperthedog on April 16, 2013, 06:23:33 pm
When do you anticipate the restocking of Leaf-Pro joysticks?


good day.
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: RandyT on April 20, 2013, 01:48:56 am
When do you anticipate the restocking of Leaf-Pro joysticks?

More in stock now!

And speaking of "in stock", thanks to the prodding from a few good folks, we have decided to once again offer the classic GP-Wiz49™ (http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=76_81&products_id=233) Interface with the Digital Restrictor Selection Technology™ we pioneered.  It's now based on our new board design, and we have updated the documentation for it (but not the photos yet...it looks like the GP-Wiz PCBs.)  If anyone has either style of the classic 49-ways, you are fortunate, as they are, IMHO, the best feeling and performing sticks out there.  The GP-Wiz49 with DRS, makes them great for arcade gaming.  I have all options available to me and I use them on my setup.  That says something.

Unfortunately, the new ones being sold by HAPP are expensive and suffer from a grommet issue (wrong kind of rubber) which makes them mostly unsuitable for use with the GP-Wiz49, due to slow/poor centering.  It's correctable, but that drives the cost further.  I have a stash of high-end units, modified with proper natural-rubber grommets, stainless shafts and Hand-Candy balltops.  They are the "Mercedes" of joysticks, and they are pricey.  But if anyone is interested, let me know and I'll try to figure out what I need to let them go for.

RandyT
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: Brian74 on April 20, 2013, 04:39:24 am
Im interested!

Sent from my SGH-T989 using Tapatalk 2

Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: darkSSide on April 26, 2013, 01:55:36 pm
What happened to the True4way? And can you change out the ball on the Leaf Pro or True4way?
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: KevinFlynn on May 13, 2013, 09:30:48 am
Randy,
Is there a problem with the GGG question submission form on the website? I submitted a question 2 months ago, another about a month ago and one more last Friday but have never received a response. I even had a friend send one but to no avail.

First, I want to make sure the Turbo Twist 2 spinner will fit in the control board on my cab. What is the measurement of the spinner below the board...how far does it hang down?
Thanks!
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: benll64 on May 13, 2013, 09:46:21 am
I've had the same problem lately. RandyT is usually very responsive, so I'm not sure what's up.
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: RandyT on May 13, 2013, 11:45:34 am
Sometimes, E-mail is not as reliable as people assume it to be.  In the past, I have responded to folks, only to find that they ask the same questions a couple of days later, while lamenting a lack of response.  I have also heard complaints about no answers when emails are not received by us at all, as well as spent much time composing emails to people who give me non-functional return addresses, either due to typos in the address, or simply non-functional accounts.  Things like this are bad for all involved.

Sometimes the problem is with our provider, and is usually very temporary.  Other times, it is due to a flaky email service being used by the sender.  Hotmail is terrible.  For some reason, our emails to this address have the poorest chances of being received, without us even knowing until the complaints come in.

The other thing to keep in mind is that we are a small company.  There are no dedicated staff to perform these peripheral functions and our highest priorities are to get parts to folks who order, and to help resolve issues on the rare occasions when they occur.  Technical support and pre-sales inquiries are next, and folks who ask very general questions, sometimes not even related specifically to our products, are a little lower on the priorities list.

That being said, I try to answer all emails we receive.  How quickly that happens is unfortunately based on our current order load, the number of inquiries we received that day (usually many) and the nature of the inquiry.  As many can attest, It's not uncommon for a someone who sends us an e-mail at 3 am our time on a weekend to receive a response within a few minutes, but that's not something which I can always do.

If you don't receive a response,  make sure that the return address provided is correct.  Also, be persistent, in case there is a temporary issue somewhere.  If that doesn't work, try sending from a different e-mail service.  But above all, please try to make questions specific enough, and with enough information for me to actually answer the questions being asked.  This includes the order number (where applicable) so I can see what parts were ordered to help determine what is tripping up the user.  Questions which have simple answers, but require multiple emails to figure things out, are a time drain which isn't fair to others who are waiting.

In the case of Flynn's query, while it may have been sent on Friday, this is when the email actually made it to our server;

Sun, 12 May 2013 09:11:19

which is Sunday morning, the day we traveled 4 hours south to visit parents on Mother's Day :).  And I'm not picking on Flynn, but that is the only e-mail we have received from that address.

Which is one more thing to keep in mind;  Don't assume that emails are transmitted instantaneously.  There can be many relay points, spam filters, etc.  between your servers and ours, and any glitch, overloaded server, etc. in-between can cause these delays, or even lack of receipt on our end.  Due to the holiday weekend, it's not much of a leap to assume that the internet's mail systems got bogged down with more e-mailed greeting card and large photo attachments than usual.

This went long, but hopefully this will provide some insight into the issues we deal with daily and help folks to better get the answers they need.

RandyT

Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: jrose78 on May 13, 2013, 01:44:20 pm
and you wonder why it takes so long to respond. Just look at the size of that reply  ;D .
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: RandyT on May 13, 2013, 01:54:27 pm
Trust me, that's not nearly typical for an email reply.  But I have learned over time that to not cover something in either an e-mail, or informational post such as that one, usually leads to a second, third, fourth, etc...

There are no shortcuts. :)
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: darkSSide on May 13, 2013, 02:07:01 pm
And the answer to my questions about 4 posts before?::)

Sent from my Atari 2600

Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: RandyT on May 13, 2013, 02:16:52 pm
And the answer to my questions about 4 posts before?::)

Sent from my Atari 2600

No longer being produced (it's absence from the catalog indicates this).  And no, it cannot.  Any sticks in our catalog which have removable tops, also have options on our site for alternatives.
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: darkSSide on May 13, 2013, 02:40:42 pm
Thanx for the response. Might I suggest you removing the True 4way from the first page on this thread,unless they will be available later on?

Sent from my Atari 2600

Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: RandyT on May 13, 2013, 02:51:01 pm
Thanx for the response. Might I suggest you removing the True 4way from the first page on this thread,unless they will be available later on?

Done.  Thank you for pointing that out.  We did find a small cache of these when they went discontinued previously, but the factory has halted production.  It's too bad too, as they were a nicely built unit, and a great foundation for building upon.
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: KevinFlynn on May 13, 2013, 03:21:52 pm
And I'm not picking on Flynn, but that is the only e-mail we have received from that address.

Yes, I was asking for a friend who had, again, not received a response on several emails...But no worries.  As a business owner of over 15 years, I completely respect what you do for your customers on all levels.  Personally, I'm sorry you have so many problems with emails...I'm sure that's frustrating.

After spending coutless hours building my cab from the ground up, after spending endless hours configuring my emulators to work with Hyperspin  :banghead: and after having to send back several items I ordered over the last year due to ordering the wrong thing, I can say, Randy, you represent the experts.  Without your help, us Noobs would have one heck of a time and, if you're me, would probably give up or end up going postal. 
So I personally have the upmost respect for you and I'd like to give you a great big 'shout out'  :applaud: because it's through your help that a LOT of stuff comes together.

SO -- please have some patience with us, the serious ones who do benefit from your help and products.  You're awesome!
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: RandyT on May 13, 2013, 04:25:55 pm
Thank you.  Glad to help.
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: happyfunball on May 14, 2013, 10:19:15 am
any chance the white leaf switch buttons will be back in stock sometime soon?
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: wp34 on May 14, 2013, 10:45:24 am
any chance the white leaf switch buttons will be back in stock sometime soon?

I am also curious.
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: RandyT on May 14, 2013, 11:04:03 am
any chance the white leaf switch buttons will be back in stock sometime soon?

I sent off an inquiry to the factory earlier this morning.  These should have been done several weeks ago, but I'm guessing they never produced them (about par for the course with that company...if my molds weren't made to be mated to their setup, I would have moved on).  Fortunately, they make nice parts when they do decide to make them.

I also inquired about our tooling for a convex version of those buttons, which they have indicated is nearing completion.  We should be seeing samples of this soon as well, but it's hard to tell with these folks.
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: RandyT on May 14, 2013, 07:43:19 pm
I've been kicking around the idea of offering a simple CNC service and am looking for opinions.  While I might consider something more in the future, I think this is all I have time for at the moment.

What are the thoughts on custom, unfinished MDF, control panel tops (i.e. just the 3/4" top panel), any size up to 12" wide and 26" long for $34.95+shipping?  You supply the DXF file, along with depth information for any pockets,  and you get a panel top made on our CNC to those specs.  With the customer's permission, we could also add the design to a library of designs for others to choose from as well.

Should I bother to offer this service?
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: darkSSide on May 14, 2013, 07:48:20 pm
Sounds like a great idea!

Sent from my Atari 2600

Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: happyfunball on May 15, 2013, 09:09:57 am
I would totally do that.
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: lordnacho on May 15, 2013, 09:48:55 am
Plexi?
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: happyfunball on May 15, 2013, 03:30:34 pm
although woudl this be a customer support nightmare? how many people know how to set up CAD files for CNC?
I've been a 3d modeler for 20 years, I used Autocad for a long time, but that was many years ago, and even I'm not exactly sure how simple a process it would be. I assume basically a vector outline of the cuts and some way to flag depth?
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: RandyT on May 17, 2013, 02:13:41 pm
Plexi?

That could be a possibility down the road.   But flame polishing and finishing would be up to the user.

I assume basically a vector outline of the cuts and some way to flag depth?

Doesn't have to be anything too crazy for 2.5D machining.  Just about any modern vector program can export to a decent DXF (R12 is the best version for compatibility)  Corel X4 and prior is also fine.  Could use colors and a simple legend to flag depths.  But obviously, aside from anything that is outright screwy in the drawing, it would just be cut as provided.
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: ramos8414 on May 22, 2013, 09:38:47 pm
Can I mount the Leaf pro 4 way on a wood panel?
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: happyfunball on May 24, 2013, 12:20:04 pm
Can I mount the Leaf pro 4 way on a wood panel?

if you mean this one:

http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=65&products_id=365 (http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=65&products_id=365)

yes. I have 3 of these and they install just fine on a wood panel. I have it screwed in from the bottom so you dont' even have any hardware showing.
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: RandyT on May 24, 2013, 12:48:55 pm
A 12mm thick or less panel should be ok.  3/4 and you will want to recess the underside, or top mount, unless you like a very short shaft protrusion.

In reality, there's no stick which can't be mounted in a wood panel.  It all hinges on the methodology.
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: cavepainter on June 02, 2013, 04:31:32 pm
Any word on NovaGems, NovaGem 2s, or Electric Ice 2s being back in stock?
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: RandyT on June 02, 2013, 05:56:45 pm
Any word on NovaGems, NovaGem 2s, or Electric Ice 2s being back in stock?

All colors NovaGem2's are in stock...  email me if you need some.  I had hoped to get these on the store by now, but I can't seem to catch a break with the recent order volume and all of the projects I have been working on.

We are going through inventory to see if we actually have any EI2's left, while we wait for more from the factory.  I will press them to try to get some more soon.
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: hyper x on June 03, 2013, 11:40:15 am
Hi Randy,

Just placed my 3rd order and wanted to say thanks for the last minute add on the second order.

Also was wondering if you ever will get transparent purple chromolites or novagems to order?
Saw a youtube video of purple novagems but can't seem to find anyone that carry purple led buttons minus rgb controllers.

I have a one color setup per player and have no need for rgb leds.

Thanks again.

Mike
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: tron84 on June 03, 2013, 12:20:56 pm
I've been kicking around the idea of offering a simple CNC service and am looking for opinions.  While I might consider something more in the future, I think this is all I have time for at the moment.

What are the thoughts on custom, unfinished MDF, control panel tops (i.e. just the 3/4" top panel), any size up to 12" wide and 26" long for $34.95+shipping?  You supply the DXF file, along with depth information for any pockets,  and you get a panel top made on our CNC to those specs.  With the customer's permission, we could also add the design to a library of designs for others to choose from as well.

Should I bother to offer this service?

I think that would be great to offer Randy. I think it would do well at GGG.
I was the person who ordered last night & sent an email also saying that would be a great item to have at GGG :)
I also asked on the 49way.  I know you are a busy person man.  Just when ever you can let me know .
Thanks again Randy.
Your products & service is always top notch.....
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: RandyT on June 04, 2013, 12:52:36 am

I think that would be great to offer Randy. I think it would do well at GGG.
I was the person who ordered last night & sent an email also saying that would be a great item to have at GGG :)
I also asked on the 49way.  I know you are a busy person man.  Just when ever you can let me know .
Thanks again Randy.
Your products & service is always top notch.....

Thanks for the kind words.  Please do me a favor and resend your email.  I don't see any in my inbox which make reference to those items.

On the control panel service project, I spent the last few days installing breaker boxes, a variable frequency drive and a 220v 5HP (real) Colombo spindle on, and making modifications to, my 4x8 router table.  What a difference compared to the 110v 3.5HP(fake) Milwaukee router body.  Once I get some free time, I will be doing some cutting tests to make sure things are tuned in, and we'll take it from there.  Should be able to cut faster, cleaner and be easier on the bits.  I have high hopes :)

Thanks again for the feedback.


Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: tron84 on June 04, 2013, 02:18:10 am

I think that would be great to offer Randy. I think it would do well at GGG.
I was the person who ordered last night & sent an email also saying that would be a great item to have at GGG :)
I also asked on the 49way.  I know you are a busy person man.  Just when ever you can let me know .
Thanks again Randy.
Your products & service is always top notch.....

Thanks for the kind words.  Please do me a favor and resend your email.  I don't see any in my inbox which make reference to those items.

On the control panel service project, I spent the last few days installing breaker boxes, a variable frequency drive and a 220v 5HP (real) Colombo spindle on, and making modifications to, my 4x8 router table.  What a difference compared to the 110v 3.5HP(fake) Milwaukee router body.  Once I get some free time, I will be doing some cutting tests to make sure things are tuned in, and we'll take it from there.  Should be able to cut faster, cleaner and be easier on the bits.  I have high hopes :)

Thanks again for the feedback.
I sent the email in GGG, when I was logged on, after my order.
This is Jeff N.  :)
If you need me to resend it, I will.  I took what you said, as you were looking in the email here?

Sounds like Tim the Tool Man,"More Power, ohhh oohhh ehh ehhh."  :cheers: ;D
Sounds like you are on the right track for that and that sounds good.  I think they will do well & people already know the good stuff you provide. So cheers on that for you  :cheers:
Title: TT2 L/R torque
Post by: KevinFlynn on June 10, 2013, 10:45:26 am
Hi Randy,
I was wondering if anyone has ever figured how to create torque on a steering wheel with the TT2 spinner. I am able to play Cruisin' USA but being able to somehow create the original feel of the steering in the arcade (where the wheel centers and has torque when turned L and R) would be awesome.
I know there have been other posts about this, I just wanted to know your input/experience if possible.
Thanks!!
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: RandyT on June 10, 2013, 11:30:14 am

This would be difficult to do with the current steering wheel arrangement.  It is possible, but many mods would be necessary.  The first would be to fix the steering wheel permanently to the shaft.  After that, any number of techniques could be used for the centering mechanism.  The highest tech way would be to couple a large servo motor to the shaft and a controller which monitors position, which essentially tries to keep the wheel at a specific position, and returns it there when released.  Force feedback capability would be a side benefit of this approach.

More simply, one could attach centering springs to the shaft.  This would require an attachment to the shaft, with arms extending to each side.  At the ends of the extended arms would be attached springs, or heavy rubber material under tension, with the force in-line and opposite on each side.  This would provide resistance while turning and centering when released.
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: KevinFlynn on June 10, 2013, 02:13:22 pm
Thanks, great reply.
I had the thought of using a fairly strong spring, a thin cable, and the ESC. Drill a small hole through the ESC and with one end of the cable attached to the spring, run the other end through the ESC and with a little tension already on the spring, crimp the cable. Now, whether it turns R or L, the wire would coil around the ESC and the spring would want it to return to center. Also, I could simply unmount the ESC if I wanted to return to a more free wheel config.
You mentioned force feedback capability. My concern with doing the above method is constantly having to recalibrate the controls if they tend to get off center. I assume force feedback would prevent this, right? Any idea how I would ever accomplish such a thing?
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: RandyT on June 10, 2013, 02:39:06 pm
Thanks, great reply.
I had the thought of using a fairly strong spring, a thin cable, and the ESC. Drill a small hole through the ESC and with one end of the cable attached to the spring, run the other end through the ESC and with a little tension already on the spring, crimp the cable. Now, whether it turns R or L, the wire would coil around the ESC and the spring would want it to return to center. Also, I could simply unmount the ESC if I wanted to return to a more free wheel config.
You mentioned force feedback capability. My concern with doing the above method is constantly having to recalibrate the controls if they tend to get off center. I assume force feedback would prevent this, right? Any idea how I would ever accomplish such a thing?

You could also use a thin bungee cord through the ESC, fastened under tension to a couple of eyebolts or something similar on each side. 

With a good controller, calibration would only need to be done once at power up, unless each game had it's own method of doing it.  It could also be mapped as an analog stick by the interface, and the controls mapped to that type of device, leaving the calibration up to the interface.
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: ramos8414 on June 11, 2013, 08:20:00 pm
When will the white classx buttons be on stock?
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: KevinFlynn on June 11, 2013, 11:02:04 pm
 :applaud: Ok, I got it to work!
I spent far more time thinking it through than the actual implementation. So goes it.
As you can see, a few small parts at the hardware store made it a snap. I needed a small amount of wire, a spring of my choice, and one wire crimp to hold the wire onto the spring. I was able to drill a small hole in the steering wheel and use a part called a Plug Tap which threaded the new hole. Then, used one of the small Allan wrench screws to tighten. Presto!
When I want regular spinner control, I simply loosen the screw holding the ESC to the spinner.
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: RandyT on June 12, 2013, 12:00:03 am
When will the white classx buttons be on stock?

I have a large quantity on order and it looks like it will be another week or thereabouts.  We are taking steps to improve the spotty manufacturing delay / inventory situation.

:applaud: Ok, I got it to work!
I spent far more time thinking it through than the actual implementation. So goes it.

Great solution.  I'm guilty of this approach as well.  But as is often the case, more thinking before starting tends to bear out the best solutions in the end.  You came up with one which is simple and elegant.   :applaud:
Title: 49 way ball tops and centering grommet
Post by: happyfunball on June 16, 2013, 11:43:46 am
I picked up 4 midway 49 way sticks off ebay not too long ago. one of the centering grommets is pretty much shot, and they all have bat handles which I hate.
I noticed you have a replacement grommet, and you used to sell replacement ball top sticks. I assume the grommet will work, but also that you no longer have the ball tops in stock?
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: TravistyOJ on June 17, 2013, 05:10:33 pm
The stars finally aligned, and Class-X White buttons and Leaf-Pro Joysticks were in stock at the same time, so I finally place my order!  Thanks!
Title: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: Monkeyvoodoo on June 17, 2013, 05:46:32 pm
That's great news, I'm putting in my order when I get home from work.


Sent from a pineapple under the sea
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: MotorHedJr on June 19, 2013, 10:25:50 am
When do you anticipate the restocking of Leaf-Pro joysticks?

More in stock now!

And speaking of "in stock", thanks to the prodding from a few good folks, we have decided to once again offer the classic GP-Wiz49™ (http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=76_81&products_id=233) Interface with the Digital Restrictor Selection Technology™ we pioneered.  It's now based on our new board design, and we have updated the documentation for it (but not the photos yet...it looks like the GP-Wiz PCBs.)  If anyone has either style of the classic 49-ways, you are fortunate, as they are, IMHO, the best feeling and performing sticks out there.  The GP-Wiz49 with DRS, makes them great for arcade gaming.  I have all options available to me and I use them on my setup.  That says something.

Unfortunately, the new ones being sold by HAPP are expensive and suffer from a grommet issue (wrong kind of rubber) which makes them mostly unsuitable for use with the GP-Wiz49, due to slow/poor centering.  It's correctable, but that drives the cost further.  I have a stash of high-end units, modified with proper natural-rubber grommets, stainless shafts and Hand-Candy balltops.  They are the "Mercedes" of joysticks, and they are pricey.  But if anyone is interested, let me know and I'll try to figure out what I need to let them go for.

RandyT

Hi Randy,

Does the GP-Wiz49 require a driver for Linux?
(in my case Ubuntu 8.04 - that's what I'm using w/ AdvMAME/MENU).

Or will it show up as a HID device? Thanks!  :)

Regards,
MotorHed Jr.
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: RandyT on June 19, 2013, 10:51:29 am
Does the GP-Wiz49 require a driver for Linux?
(in my case Ubuntu 8.04 - that's what I'm using w/ AdvMAME/MENU).

Or will it show up as a HID device? Thanks!  :)

It is an HID device.  However, there are a couple of things you might run into.  There is no Linux utility to change the modes.  I can supply the interface protocol to someone who has some USB experience and would like to write a utility.  However, there is also a mode of operation built into the hardware which allows an extra button (JoyMode...also acting as a "shift" button) to do mode switching without software control.

 The other thing is the way the joystick axes are reported.  It uses the unsigned 8-bit co-ordinate scheme (0-255), which works perfectly under Windows, but for some reason, some Linux builds seem to have ignored this.  I have seen folks reporting success by using the Linux joystick calibration utility with builds where it's not supported, but it won't be "plug and play" on those installations like it is in Windows.
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: ramos8414 on June 20, 2013, 01:13:05 am
The Shipping estimate on your webiste isn't working .
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: RandyT on June 20, 2013, 01:32:01 am
The Shipping estimate on your webiste isn't working .

Looks like the whole USPS website is hosed as well.  The store shipping function queries them directly, and it looks like they have a serious problem.  Give it a little bit and try again.
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: MotorHedJr on June 20, 2013, 03:28:57 pm
Does the GP-Wiz49 require a driver for Linux?
(in my case Ubuntu 8.04 - that's what I'm using w/ AdvMAME/MENU).

Or will it show up as a HID device? Thanks!  :)

It is an HID device.  However, there are a couple of things you might run into.  There is no Linux utility to change the modes.  I can supply the interface protocol to someone who has some USB experience and would like to write a utility.  However, there is also a mode of operation built into the hardware which allows an extra button (JoyMode...also acting as a "shift" button) to do mode switching without software control.

 The other thing is the way the joystick axes are reported.  It uses the unsigned 8-bit co-ordinate scheme (0-255), which works perfectly under Windows, but for some reason, some Linux builds seem to have ignored this.  I have seen folks reporting success by using the Linux joystick calibration utility with builds where it's not supported, but it won't be "plug and play" on those installations like it is in Windows.

Randy,
Thanks for the fast response. It sounds like it should be seen by the event node. I'm guessing to run the 'advj' utility to get the kernel name of the device, then just write another 'local rule' (like I did for the mice) - and s/b set to go:

3.2.1 event - Kernel Input-Event interface (Linux)
This driver works in Linux and it uses the new style input-event interface of the Linux kernel.
It supports more than one joystick or light-gun at the same time.

For USB devices this driver doesn't require any configuration. It's able to autodetect all the present hardware.

This driver is also able to correctly report the type of devices found. You should for example expects to have the gas pedal mapped on the gas control of the game.

One last question:
Do you need to calibrate whatever joysticks you're using w/ the GP-Wiz49 everytime you boot up the PC?  ??? Thanks!  :)
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: RandyT on June 20, 2013, 04:38:31 pm
Thanks for the fast response. It sounds like it should be seen by the event node. I'm guessing to run the 'advj' utility to get the kernel name of the device, then just write another 'local rule' (like I did for the mice) - and s/b set to go:

3.2.1 event - Kernel Input-Event interface (Linux)
This driver works in Linux and it uses the new style input-event interface of the Linux kernel.
It supports more than one joystick or light-gun at the same time.

For USB devices this driver doesn't require any configuration. It's able to autodetect all the present hardware.

This driver is also able to correctly report the type of devices found. You should for example expects to have the gas pedal mapped on the gas control of the game.

One last question:
Do you need to calibrate whatever joysticks you're using w/ the GP-Wiz49 everytime you boot up the PC?  ??? Thanks!  :)

I'll take your word for it.  Linux is a bit outside of my current focal range, so at the moment, I have to defer to those with more experience with it.   :)

With Windows, where the unsigned 8-bit reports are properly interpreted, no calibration is ever necessary.  I can't say for sure with Linux.  I would suspect, however, that the calibration utility (if a working one exists) would remember the devices and calibration data, and simply use the calibration data for the device when it is found.  If this is the case, it should need to be done only once.

The Shipping estimate on your website isn't working .

Unfortunately, it's still not.  Apparently the USPS is experiencing a very serious problem with their servers.  After a long chat with our webhost, and finding nothing wrong on their end, I had a talk with the local postmaster. He is pulling his hair out just trying to file his reports.  If I were to guess, it sounds like they may have been hacked in a big way, as robust data systems like the ones they surely use, don't have issues of this magnitude for as long as it seems to be going on.

In the meantime, domestic customers can still select the "Flat Rate Priority" option.  If regular Priority mail ends up as less costly, we will change it before the order is charged.  International customers will unfortunately need to be patient while this gets worked out.  Hopefully, it won't be much longer.

RandyT
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: RandyT on June 20, 2013, 05:05:27 pm
It figures that 15 minutes after I update the status, USPS comes back online  :banghead:

In any case, everything is working again.  Fingers crossed that it stays that way.

RandyT
Title: Re: 49 way ball tops and centering grommet
Post by: RandyT on June 23, 2013, 12:58:20 am
I picked up 4 midway 49 way sticks off ebay not too long ago. one of the centering grommets is pretty much shot, and they all have bat handles which I hate.
I noticed you have a replacement grommet, and you used to sell replacement ball top sticks. I assume the grommet will work, but also that you no longer have the ball tops in stock?

Sorry I missed this one.  I recently found a small cache of the upgraded stainless shafts and special actuators we had made in the past.  They are for the original Midway 49-way sticks (.25" grommets), and won't work with the current HAPP version.  They are the parts we used on the high end 49-ways we were building.  The cost of these is $22.95 each, and includes choice of Hand-Candy Balltops.

Other news.....

About a page back in this thread I mentioned the possibility of offering a custom CNC panel service.  Tron84, being an adventurous soul, convinced me to forge ahead by ordering one :).

Here's the nice dedicated trackball panel design he came up with, and which I just finished for him (shown with permission..Thanks Jeff!);

(http://www.groovygamegear.com/images/GCNC_J1.jpg)

(http://www.groovygamegear.com/images/GCNC_J2.jpg)


So we'll kick off the GroovyCNC service now on a trial basis and see how it goes.  As indicated earlier, $34.95 plus shipping for a custom panel, made from your finished drawings.

Requirements:

Let me know if there are any questions, or drop me an email with your design if you wish to order one.

Thanks,
RandyT
Title: Re: 49 way ball tops and centering grommet
Post by: tron84 on June 23, 2013, 01:31:41 am

[/quote]



Other news.....

About a page back in this thread I mentioned the possibility of offering a custom CNC panel service.  Tron84, being an adventurous soul, convinced me to forge ahead by ordering one :).

Here's the nice dedicated trackball panel design he came up with, and which I just finished for him (shown with permission..Thanks Jeff!);

(http://www.groovygamegear.com/images/GCNC_J1.jpg)

(http://www.groovygamegear.com/images/GCNC_J2.jpg)


So we'll kick off the GroovyCNC service now on a trial basis and see how it goes.  As indicated earlier, $34.95 plus shipping for a custom panel, made from your finished drawings.

Requirements:

Let me know if there are any questions, or drop me an email with your design if you wish to order one.

Thanks,
RandyT
[/quote]

Thank you Again Randy :cheers: :applaud: :applaud:
It looks Great!!!!! Once again another Great service from GroovyGameGear  :cheers: :applaud:

Jeff
Title: Re: 49 way ball tops and centering grommet
Post by: happyfunball on June 23, 2013, 11:03:14 am
I picked up 4 midway 49 way sticks off ebay not too long ago. one of the centering grommets is pretty much shot, and they all have bat handles which I hate.
I noticed you have a replacement grommet, and you used to sell replacement ball top sticks. I assume the grommet will work, but also that you no longer have the ball tops in stock?

Sorry I missed this one.  I recently found a small cache of the upgraded stainless shafts and special actuators we had made in the past.  They are for the original Midway 49-way sticks (.25" grommets), and won't work with the current HAPP version.  They are the parts we used on the high end 49-ways we were building.  The cost of these is $22.95 each, and includes choice of Hand-Candy Balltops.


excellent. these are the old midway ones as best I can tell. I will order one friday with the option to order 3 more later if they are still in stock. as of now these are untested by me and I don't know if any or all work so I dont want to order a bunch I can't use. I'm going to assume at least one can be made to work. the boards all look fine.

I will say I'm not sure how these grommets attach to the shaft. can't tell if they are two pieces that screw together or its just glued on.
Title: Re: 49 way ball tops and centering grommet
Post by: RandyT on June 23, 2013, 12:11:07 pm
I will say I'm not sure how these grommets attach to the shaft. can't tell if they are two pieces that screw together or its just glued on.

If you have the parts on the bottom removed, and it's still not coming out, it's probably rust or gunk.  Shoot some WD-40 or similar at the connection and give it some time to work.  Then pull, while twisting the stick.
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: MotorHedJr on June 23, 2013, 01:13:46 pm
Thanks for the fast response. It sounds like it should be seen by the event node. I'm guessing to run the 'advj' utility to get the kernel name of the device, then just write another 'local rule' (like I did for the mice) - and s/b set to go:

3.2.1 event - Kernel Input-Event interface (Linux)
This driver works in Linux and it uses the new style input-event interface of the Linux kernel.
It supports more than one joystick or light-gun at the same time.

For USB devices this driver doesn't require any configuration. It's able to autodetect all the present hardware.

This driver is also able to correctly report the type of devices found. You should for example expects to have the gas pedal mapped on the gas control of the game.

One last question:
Do you need to calibrate whatever joysticks you're using w/ the GP-Wiz49 everytime you boot up the PC?  ??? Thanks!  :)

I'll take your word for it.  Linux is a bit outside of my current focal range, so at the moment, I have to defer to those with more experience with it.   :)

With Windows, where the unsigned 8-bit reports are properly interpreted, no calibration is ever necessary.  I can't say for sure with Linux.  I would suspect, however, that the calibration utility (if a working one exists) would remember the devices and calibration data, and simply use the calibration data for the device when it is found.  If this is the case, it should need to be done only once.


Thanks Randy, I'm gonna give it a try on my current build. I will report my results if you are interested.

Question:
How do I order one of the 49-way 'Mercedes' joysticks you mention in a previous post? I can't seem to find them on the website.  ??? Thanks.  :)

Regards,
MotorHed Jr.
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: RandyT on June 23, 2013, 01:24:15 pm
Question:
How do I order one of the 49-way 'Mercedes' joysticks you mention in a previous post? I can't seem to find them on the website.  ??? Thanks.  :)

Until I can get them up on the store, when you place the order, also order a "Widget".  This is our catch all item for special products.  Note in the comments at checkout time that you want the "Proteus" stick, and indicate the knob color.  We will modify the order appropriately.
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: MotorHedJr on June 23, 2013, 04:42:16 pm
Question:
How do I order one of the 49-way 'Mercedes' joysticks you mention in a previous post? I can't seem to find them on the website.  ??? Thanks.  :)

Until I can get them up on the store, when you place the order, also order a "Widget".  This is our catch all item for special products.  Note in the comments at checkout time that you want the "Proteus" stick, and indicate the knob color.  We will modify the order appropriately.

Excellent. Thanks Randy!!!  :)
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: MotorHedJr on June 27, 2013, 02:33:17 pm
Question:
How do I order one of the 49-way 'Mercedes' joysticks you mention in a previous post? I can't seem to find them on the website.  ??? Thanks.  :)

Until I can get them up on the store, when you place the order, also order a "Widget".  This is our catch all item for special products.  Note in the comments at checkout time that you want the "Proteus" stick, and indicate the knob color.  We will modify the order appropriately.

Hi Randy,

Joystick and parts came today  :applaud:

Question1:
How do you take apart the joystick so that the dustwasher can be on the top of the cp when it is mounted? I expected the knob to twist off. I tried it w/ out excessive force and no go. Does it even come off?  ???

Question2:
What is your preferred method of mounting these? I found a post on this forum suggesting a 1 1/2" cutout hole too... What size do you use?  ???

My thought is it looks like it wants to be screwed in up through the bottom (b/c no corners on pcb) instead of bolted through the top.  :-\  Thanks!   :)

Regards,
MotorHedJr
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: RandyT on June 28, 2013, 01:03:15 pm
Question1:
How do you take apart the joystick so that the dustwasher can be on the top of the cp when it is mounted? I expected the knob to twist off. I tried it w/ out excessive force and no go. Does it even come off?  ???

The knob does twist off, but I tighten them a little tight to make sure it doesn't come off during use.   You can either wrap the shaft with a few layers of shop rag and use pliers to hold it, or unscrew the actuator on the bottom.  The latter will allow you to remove the entire shaft for installation.

Quote
Question2:
What is your preferred method of mounting these? I found a post on this forum suggesting a 1 1/2" cutout hole too... What size do you use?  ???

My thought is it looks like it wants to be screwed in up through the bottom (b/c no corners on pcb) instead of bolted through the top.  :-\  Thanks!   :)

1.5" is fine. It depends on the panel thickness.  If you gauge the hole size so you can reach the extents of the 49 positon grid, and size the hole to just over that, you panel will help to limit the throw.  The stick assembly does this as well, so it's not really important to be too concerned about the size, as long as you can reach the corners.

Mounting is like any other stick.  You can screw them onto the panel from the bottom, use inserts, create a pocket for a little extra shaft length, etc.  It really depends on the installation and what you are looking for.  Due to the fact that these use the rubber grommet for centering, there is a little more resistance than pretty much all of the Japanese styled sticks.  This is countered by the fact that you don't need to move them as far to get activation (you can, but you don't need to :) ).  But this does mean that one is able to torque them around pretty good in the heat of play, so if choosing to use only wood screws, make sure they are large and with deep threads.
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: BigE_AWOL on July 06, 2013, 10:41:03 pm
I just wanted to say thanks  to Randy, and all the rest at GGG. As a first time builder, it was really easy to select my items and place my order. I want to mention that I made a mistake with my order, so I emailed Randy right away and the problem was fixed without any issue. I also appreciate the fact that I received email updates on my order before it even shipped. Fixing customers mistakes, order updates, plus super fast shipping are reasons for me to order from Randy again.
 :cheers:
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: thak on July 12, 2013, 01:40:14 am
Hi, everyone!
I'm pretty new with the BYOAC concept... But I want to jump in now :-)
So I have a small question...
Does any of you, already test the keywiz 40 ST (or usb version) with a raspberry pi and PiMAME distro? If yes, can we go on without keyboard at all?

Sorry my english, not my mothertongue and thanks for your answer!
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: HaRuMaN on July 23, 2013, 03:51:38 pm
Hey, there...  do you have dimensions / schematic for the mounting scheme for the TurboTwist High-Low?  Trying to put together a panel for a customer and I need this information for the CNC plans.

Thanks.
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: HaRuMaN on July 25, 2013, 03:53:12 pm
Hey, there...  do you have dimensions / schematic for the mounting scheme for the TurboTwist High-Low?  Trying to put together a panel for a customer and I need this information for the CNC plans.

Thanks.

Bump.  I really need an answer for this.  Have also emailed, no response.
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: RandyT on July 25, 2013, 04:25:37 pm
Bump.  I really need an answer for this.  Have also emailed, no response.

Sorry, heavy order load this week.  I also had to find my source files for this part.

See the attached DXF file.  It should make it easy for you (better than dimensional drawings).

Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: HaRuMaN on July 25, 2013, 04:33:56 pm
Bump.  I really need an answer for this.  Have also emailed, no response.

Sorry, heavy order load this week.  I also had to find my source files for this part.

See the attached DXF file.  It should make it easy for you (better than dimensional drawings).

Thanks for that, I was just able to copy / paste into my plans.   :cheers:

What is the thickness of that acrylic mounting piece, 1/8"?
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: RandyT on July 25, 2013, 04:42:23 pm
Thanks for that, I was just able to copy / paste into my plans.   :cheers:

What is the thickness of that acrylic mounting piece, 1/8"?

No problem.  Plan on about .103", but it can vary a little between parts.  Manufacturer tolerances on acrylic  thickness aren't extremely tight.

Also, if insetting the plate, don't forget to give the perimeter a little clearance.  I'm sure you are aware of these things, but sometimes folks will try to put a 1" peg in a 1" hole, which doesn't work :)
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: HaRuMaN on July 25, 2013, 04:46:07 pm
Thanks for that, I was just able to copy / paste into my plans.   :cheers:

What is the thickness of that acrylic mounting piece, 1/8"?

No problem.  Plan on about .103", but it can vary a little between parts.  Manufacturer tolerances on acrylic  thickness aren't extremely tight.

Also, if insetting the plate, don't forget to give the perimeter a little clearance.  I'm sure you are aware of these things, but sometimes folks will try to put a 1" peg in a 1" hole, which doesn't work :)

Cool deal. Thanks for the dimensions.  And yeah, I tend to "grow" things slightly in plans to allow for a little wiggle room.   :cheers:
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: Rick on July 25, 2013, 05:29:04 pm
Hey Randy, you don't happen to have the similar plans for the light guns you carry, do you? I'm building some 'holsters' for my cab, and would really appreciate the info for better fitment!

Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: RandyT on July 26, 2013, 11:56:54 am
Hey Randy, you don't happen to have the similar plans for the light guns you carry, do you? I'm building some 'holsters' for my cab, and would really appreciate the info for better fitment!

I think you are thinking of a different vendor.  I know, the names are only off by one letter, but my parents couldn't have known   ;D
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: Rick on July 26, 2013, 01:15:52 pm
I think you are thinking of a different vendor.  I know, the names are only off by one letter, but my parents couldn't have known   ;D

D'OH! You're totally right. Thanks!


 :P
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: steved61 on August 16, 2013, 08:19:41 am
Any idea when the TurboTwist High-Low™ Push-Pull Arcade Spinner Control will be back in stock?
Thanks SteveD61
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: RandyT on August 16, 2013, 09:54:42 am
Any idea when the TurboTwist High-Low™ Push-Pull Arcade Spinner Control will be back in stock?
Thanks SteveD61

Parts are being produced right now, so we should be seeing them in about a week. 
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: steved61 on August 17, 2013, 09:47:45 am
Great, Thanks
Steved61
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: SgtSlaughter on August 28, 2013, 02:04:48 pm
Just received an order from Randy and thought I'd give some positive feedback, and let some Canadians know what to expect.  Everything came and shipped nicely - no issues. 

Being in Canada the border held it for a 6 days (and didn't even open it - ---daisies---!), no duty, just HST + $9.95 handling charges on top of shipping costs so can't really complain as tax is standard.

Thanks Randy!
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: RandyT on August 28, 2013, 02:50:17 pm
You are quite welcome, and the feedback is appreciated.  We ship to Canada daily (we are only about 2 hours from the border), so it's good to hear that those packages are being handled as expeditiously as can be expected. :)
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: koolmoecraig on September 26, 2013, 11:39:59 pm
Hi Randy.  I sent you an email but it case it didn't go through.....

Do you still offer ball-top shafts that work with the 49-way Happ?

Please say yes.
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: RandyT on September 27, 2013, 12:20:22 am
Do you still offer ball-top shafts that work with the 49-way Happ?

Please say yes.

Yes, I still have some.  I got your email late this evening, and didn't see it until just now.  Send me another indicating which balltop you want on it and I'll let you know the cost, and how to place the order.
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: koolmoecraig on September 27, 2013, 06:20:08 pm
Sending now.  Thanks!
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: koolmoecraig on September 27, 2013, 09:00:19 pm
Can you please communicate with me via normal email about this?  I don't check here often and the ticket submission on your website feels like im sending blind.

Thanks
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: RandyT on September 28, 2013, 09:58:08 am
Can you please communicate with me via normal email about this?  I don't check here often and the ticket submission on your website feels like im sending blind.

I normally do.  Your communications are being received, but they seem to be coming in late in the evening (are you on the west coast?) so you might not get a reply until the next day.  If you ask the same questions in this thread, a couple of hours after sending the email,  you'll likely find the response here instead.

But in case others are wondering, I do still have some of the stainless 49-way shaft replacements left and the cost is the same as the VersaBall2 shafts, which are $16.95 and include a Hand-Candy ball top.

E-mail on the way :)
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: j2obin on December 13, 2013, 07:55:34 pm
Randy I am wanting one of the 49 way shafts but have not been able to get hold of you.  Are they still available?
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: RandyT on December 13, 2013, 10:02:06 pm
Randy I am wanting one of the 49 way shafts but have not been able to get hold of you.  Are they still available?

Yes.  PM sent.
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: bison3 on December 16, 2013, 02:13:16 am
Randy,
Was wondering if it was still possible to purchase the electric ice ball top joysticks? Looking to purchase 10 of them.
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: mcseforsale on December 16, 2013, 10:29:41 am
There's electric ICE balltops?  Do they work with Happ supers and comps?  I must've missed it.

AJ
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: RandyT on December 16, 2013, 10:45:21 am
Yes.  They are different now, as we have new light units which use two RGB LED's inside the ball.  No resistors are required for 5v operation, but they do require an LED-Wiz for control, due to the higher current requirement.  The only caveat is that the end user will need to restrict the turning of the shaft, or install a SlipWire to prevent the wires from twisting.

They are $29.95 each, hollow stainless shafts, compatible with Super-Pro, Pac-Pro, Super, Competition, Happ Rotary and Ms.Pac Reunion joysticks.  Available upon request for now.
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: mcseforsale on December 16, 2013, 10:54:46 am
Wow.  This may tip scale a bit.  I've always wanted LED balltops and an EI trackball setup.  Hmmm..  Maybe after Santa's done mugging me, I'll get on there and order some stuff!

Just need to sell my unfinished bartop.

AJ
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: mcseforsale on December 16, 2013, 10:59:39 am
Sorry for not wanting to read the entire thread again...but is there a link to the EI balltops?

Thanks!

AJ
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: RandyT on December 16, 2013, 11:25:13 am
Sorry for not wanting to read the entire thread again...but is there a link to the EI balltops?

You only needed to read to the end of my last post :)  They can be requested in the comments at order time for now.  I''ll try to get them on the store shortly.
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: roknrol on January 13, 2014, 12:44:29 pm
Randy,

Are NovaGem pushbuttons no longer available? Can't seem to find them on the store anymore.
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: kz1911 on January 30, 2014, 05:15:03 pm
Any single player xin mo encoders? nobody has them except your competitor paradise which has been hell of an experience for me but that's another story
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: RandyT on January 30, 2014, 05:53:40 pm
Are NovaGem pushbuttons no longer available? Can't seem to find them on the store anymore.

I never managed to get the new ones up on the store.  Between the order volume, holidays and extreme weather, we're not getting much of a break.  You can email me if you need them, as they are in stock.

Any single player xin mo encoders? nobody has them except your competitor paradise which has been hell of an experience for me but that's another story

We don't carry the single player version, but one low cost option for a single player panel, if you can do some simple soldering, would be to hack one of the gamepads from our store.  They work well, have easy soldering points and a common ground.  We'll even strip the plastic bits off, and send you just the innards, if you request it that way.
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: roknrol on January 31, 2014, 11:25:44 am
I never managed to get the new ones up on the store.  Between the order volume, holidays and extreme weather, we're not getting much of a break.  You can email me if you need them, as they are in stock.

Thanks, Randy. I think I found the answer earlier in another post from December. Looks like you're now shipping the Novas with the Helio9 lighting units as default, correct?
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: RandyT on January 31, 2014, 01:08:29 pm
Thanks, Randy. I think I found the answer earlier in another post from December. Looks like you're now shipping the Novas with the Helio9 lighting units as default, correct?

Yes, that is correct.  They can still be used in mono mode, with very high output, but the extra colors are surprisingly nice with an LED-Wiz to drive them, even though the buttons have a native color of their own.  Of course, then there's the clear version, which works great in full RGB.
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: gatordad on February 12, 2014, 11:20:24 am
Randy sent you a pm and an email a few days ago
Please check it out and let me know if you have what I'm looking for
Thanks
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: blashyrk on February 18, 2014, 09:04:20 am
Will the helio9 rgb leds fit the IL translucent pushbuttons ?
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: tron84 on February 18, 2014, 10:02:53 am
Just wanted to say thank you Randy, for double checking on the Happ 49way grommets to make sure I was getting the right size when ordering them. :cheers: Did not know there were two sizes of them.
As always, he is a Superb person with great products. Thanks for you service to us gamers.  :applaud: :applaud:
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: Todd H on March 17, 2014, 03:03:33 pm
Hey Randy.

I ordered a NovaMatrix back in the end of 08/beginning of 09. I was just wondering how long are the LEDs supposed to last, as a large majority of the ones in mine are either dead or flickering badly. My machine has never seen a ton of use and only gets touched maybe once a week. Thanks.
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: RandyT on March 17, 2014, 04:26:25 pm
Hey Randy.

I ordered a NovaMatrix back in the end of 08/beginning of 09. I was just wondering how long are the LEDs supposed to last, as a large majority of the ones in mine are either dead or flickering badly. My machine has never seen a ton of use and only gets touched maybe once a week. Thanks.

There's no "one size fits all" answer to that question.  The lifespan of LED units varies with the accuracy/quality of power provided.  If rated for 12v, and the power is not well regulated and/or >12v, then the lifespan will be shortened.  If the voltage is higher than the rated voltage of the units, the lifespan decreases exponentially as the voltage is increased.  Also, if LED's are ever run at a higher voltage (i.e. with an unregulated supply), even in initial testing, the damage will be immediate and affect the lifespan.

The earlier NovaMatrix unit (single PCB) was a bit more sensitive to voltage variations than the Linx version, as the output was set close to the maximum of the LEDs, for the highest light output.  This was due to the  higher cost of LEDs years ago.  The current units aren't driven quite as hard, and the cost per LED is lower, so light output can be increased through more LEDs without running them at their limit.  LED reliability has also improved over the years, so I would expect the newer units to last longer than the ones from 5+ years ago.
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: Kane on July 20, 2014, 09:58:57 am
Randy, I'm thinking of picking up a TT2 and have a couple of questions for you. I'm going to be hooking it up to my Howler control board so I think I can just order the "slave" version, right? Does the "slave" version come with any wiring? If I add one of the premium knobs(I'm liking the "Blue inset" knob) do you think I would need the ESC or would the knob provide sufficient weight? If I decide later I wanted to add the ESC or even the steering wheel attachment is there a way to order just those(I don't see them separately on the site)? Lastly, are there any clear acrylic inserts to add to the knob(I don't see those on the site either)? Thanks in advance!
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: RandyT on July 20, 2014, 11:06:52 am
Randy, I'm thinking of picking up a TT2 and have a couple of questions for you. I'm going to be hooking it up to my Howler control board so I think I can just order the "slave" version, right? Does the "slave" version come with any wiring? If I add one of the premium knobs(I'm liking the "Blue inset" knob) do you think I would need the ESC or would the knob provide sufficient weight? If I decide later I wanted to add the ESC or even the steering wheel attachment is there a way to order just those(I don't see them separately on the site)? Lastly, are there any clear acrylic inserts to add to the knob(I don't see those on the site either)? Thanks in advance!

The slave version should work in this configuration, so long as the interface is fast enough to handle the rapid transitions of the high resolution encoder.  The "slave" version comes with wiring which is terminated with two 2x1 connectors with .100" spacing.  One for +5v and one for the data.  The aluminum knobs are about half the weight of the ESC, so they are fine if you aren't looking for a heavier feel or longer spin.  Steering wheel and other options are always available to TT2 owners upon request.  No inserts are available at this time.
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: Kane on July 20, 2014, 10:24:56 pm
Awesome, thanks for the info.
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: SNAAKE on December 22, 2014, 10:54:22 am
do you or anyone here know if this keyboard encoder works with android?
http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=76_81&products_id=234 (http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=76_81&products_id=234)
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: PL1 on December 22, 2014, 11:41:44 am
do you or anyone here know if this keyboard encoder works with android?
http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=76_81&products_id=234 (http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=76_81&products_id=234)
It's not a keyboard encoder, it's a gamepad encoder.

(http://www.groovygamegear.com/Store_Images/GP-Wiz40CS.jpg)


Scott
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: DzMiniz on June 28, 2015, 03:33:59 pm
Are you still open? mainpage has an update from last year.
I was just curious.

Thanks
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: Slippyblade on June 28, 2015, 03:47:49 pm
He's open, I've ordered recently.
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: DzMiniz on July 08, 2015, 06:01:53 pm
He's open, I've ordered recently.

Thanks!
Now just to need figure out what I'm going to need.
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: jeremymtc on September 18, 2015, 01:44:10 am
I want to thank Randy for helping me out with an 'off the menu' item for my last order. Much appreciated sir.

I absolutely love the Hand Candy balltops and Prime buttons I ordered too. I was a little skeptical that such a slight difference in diameter and finish could make much difference in feel for the balltops, but after installing them I am just floored by the improvement in tactile feedback. I'm converted - from here on out these are the only knobs I'll buy.
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: RandyT on September 18, 2015, 10:35:38 am

You are welcome!  Thanks for the positive feedback, and I'm happy to hear that you are enjoying the parts.

Randy
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: ladysephiroth on September 26, 2015, 04:16:06 pm
Randy, any idea when the Xin-Mo type control is going to be back in stock? Just ordered the parts for my stick to start laying them out, bit I suspect now I'm going to want to play with the prototype as well to make sure it's perfect before I start cutting wood :)

Thanks! 
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: Sky25es on October 22, 2015, 07:15:07 pm
Randy, any idea when the Xin-Mo type control is going to be back in stock? Just ordered the parts for my stick to start laying them out, bit I suspect now I'm going to want to play with the prototype as well to make sure it's perfect before I start cutting wood :)

Thanks!

And the TurboTwist High-Low spinner ? At your site it's listed as out of stock...

Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: RandyT on October 23, 2015, 10:43:52 am
Randy, any idea when the Xin-Mo type control is going to be back in stock? Just ordered the parts for my stick to start laying them out, bit I suspect now I'm going to want to play with the prototype as well to make sure it's perfect before I start cutting wood :)

Thanks!

And the TurboTwist High-Low spinner ? At your site it's listed as out of stock...



We likely won't have either of these items again in their current forms.  We are working on alternatives.  The HL requires a significant investment on our part to have the parts manufactured, and we are hoping to improve the product by making it easier to install and with a better appearance.  If we aren't happy with the result in the end, we'll make the investment and continue to offer them as they were.  The original design functions extremely well, but we try to make improvements if we can, and now is the time for us to make the attempt.
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: Sky25es on October 23, 2015, 01:59:14 pm
We likely won't have either of these items again in their current forms.  We are working on alternatives.  The HL requires a significant investment on our part to have the parts manufactured, and we are hoping to improve the product by making it easier to install and with a better appearance.  If we aren't happy with the result in the end, we'll make the investment and continue to offer them as they were.  The original design functions extremely well, but we try to make improvements if we can, and now is the time for us to make the attempt.

Ok. Thanks for the info Randy.  8)
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: sealcouch on January 21, 2016, 12:11:21 pm
I placed an order on the 18th and I didn't get a order confirmation. I see it says being manufactured and packed in the order status but I haven't heard anything.

Is everything good with this order? Not trying to rush just double checking.
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: RandyT on January 21, 2016, 12:42:19 pm
Please use the contact section of our website for these questions.  We received many orders on that day, and I have no idea which is yours.

Also as a general note, we are still experiencing high order volumes from the holidays, Christmas cash, tax refunds, etc... so the delay mentioned on the front page of our site still holds true.  We are doing our best to minimize the delays, but we have to sleep sometimes :).

Thanks everyone, for keeping us so busy.
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: sealcouch on January 21, 2016, 12:45:46 pm
Please use the contact section of our website for these questions.  We received many orders on that day, and I have no idea which is yours.

Also as a general note, we are still experiencing high order volumes from the holidays, Christmas cash, tax refunds, etc... so the delay mentioned on the front page of our site still holds true.  We are doing our best to minimize the delays, but we have to sleep sometimes :).

Thanks everyone, for keeping us so busy.
I did use the contact section but got no response. Anyway, I understand you're back logged. I'm sure it will be worth the wait. Thanks!

Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: RandyT on January 21, 2016, 12:55:30 pm
We have replied to all of the email we have received, so I'm not sure why you didn't get it.  If you are on Gmail, or any of those services, check your "junk" mail folder.  I don't know how we ended up on their list, as we don't send promotional emails, but it looks like we did.  It's probably their "scorched earth" policy with regard to spam, so when someone else on the same service provider as ours sends junk, they tag any and all traffic from that server as such.

So check your spam folders, folks, and please mark our communications as valid emails when you find them there.
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: sealcouch on February 07, 2016, 09:43:29 pm
We have replied to all of the email we have received, so I'm not sure why you didn't get it.  If you are on Gmail, or any of those services, check your "junk" mail folder.  I don't know how we ended up on their list, as we don't send promotional emails, but it looks like we did.  It's probably their "scorched earth" policy with regard to spam, so when someone else on the same service provider as ours sends junk, they tag any and all traffic from that server as such.

So check your spam folders, folks, and please mark our communications as valid emails when you find them there.

I'm just posting to say that this was totally my bad. Apparently I  never sent the message. I found it on my phone unsent. I got my stuff and everything was perfect.  I've since placed another order and received that as well. I'll definitely be buying from GGG in the future. Great site.
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: Sky25es on April 02, 2016, 07:09:23 am
Any news on the TurboTwist High-Low ?
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: RandyT on April 02, 2016, 11:29:45 am
Any news on the TurboTwist High-Low ?

The metal parts have just arrived from the machinist.  I'll be fabricating the plastic parts over the next couple of days, so they will be on the store the middle of next week. 

I have enough stainless knobs for 9 units at the moment, and a dozen or so of the red anodized aluminum.  More of the stainless knobs are on order as well, but have not yet arrived. So anyone who is waiting, probably shouldn't wait too long to get an order in.  More will be available, but not right away.
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: dmckean on April 02, 2016, 12:21:19 pm
Are OMNI-Stiks coming back any time soon?
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: RandyT on April 02, 2016, 06:45:42 pm
Are OMNI-Stiks coming back any time soon?

Yes, they are on the way.  We got hit pretty hard with some bulk orders recently, which depleted stock on some items.  Doing our best to gauge demand, but we get caught off-guard now and then.
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: wemr97dl on April 08, 2016, 07:40:29 pm
 :applaud: :applaud:Just ordered my Hi-Lo today!! Thanks Randy T
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: steved61 on April 15, 2016, 08:48:58 am
I'd like to order (1) TurboTwist High-Low any idea when they will be back in stock ?
Steve
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: RandyT on April 15, 2016, 11:00:12 am
I'd like to order (1) TurboTwist High-Low any idea when they will be back in stock ?

Got a call from our machinist yesterday.  The stainless knobs are on the way and should be here on Monday or Tuesday.

Just a note to those who are ordering:  Expect a bit of a shipping delay.  These assemblies take us a while to build, so it will take a bit more time than usual to ship orders with these units as a part.  There were a number of folks waiting for them to return to the store, so the load is a bit higher now and we need to make sure regular orders aren't waiting too long.   Your patience with us getting these to you is appreciated.

RandyT
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: RandyT on April 29, 2016, 03:29:34 pm
I just wanted to inform folks that our site is down at the moment, and has been since about 3:30pm yesterday.  Our hosting company suffered a fairly major hardware failure which affected mail and SQL servers.  Apparently their RAID storage suffered multiple drive failures simultaneously, which A) almost never happens and B) is extremely difficult to recover from.  Those who understand how RAID systems work, know that when a drive fails there is enough data on the remaining drives to rebuild the missing drive onto a new one, without data loss.  But when more than one dies at the same time, it can take out the entire RAID.  This is apparently what has happened.  They did have backups and redundancy in place, but it seems that even these did not entirely solve the issue.  But they did get past the issues with those and they are now re-building their systems and migrating data to the servers.  Anyone who has copied hardrives knows how long the larger ones can take, and with the amount of data stored at large hosting companies it takes much longer, as you can probably guess.

At the moment, they have announced that the progress is at about 13%, and any incoming mail during the outage is being spooled for delivery after the migration is complete.  So we shouldn't lose any.

We're still processing orders received before the outage manually and shipping as normal. Hopefully this will be resolved soon, and I will update here when things are back to normal.  Apologies for the inconvenience.

RandyT
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: Slippyblade on April 29, 2016, 05:12:00 pm
Yikes.  Hope they can recover decently.  That could be an extremely costly failure!
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: heyyouguys on April 29, 2016, 05:26:12 pm
Thanks for the update. Looking forward to placing an order with you!
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: jbl77 on April 29, 2016, 05:46:00 pm
Hmmm....perhaps that is why I haven't gotten a reply yet ;)  The server dropped minutes after I submitted my inquiry.   I guess I will ask again via PM.

And I know all too well how long it takes to migrate data...a few years ago I migrated all our remote file/email servers (33 of them) to our DC.  And that was over the WAN with varying link speeds of 2Mbps to 100Mbps.  I feel the pain and wait patiently.
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: RandyT on April 30, 2016, 10:49:02 am
Update:  Our email is back and nothing appears to be lost.  But if you have emailed us between late Thursday afternoon and now, you may wish to send again, just to be sure.  The store database appears to be working, but very slowly at the moment.  I am assuming that the load on the hosting company's systems is insane right now, as SQL queries were taking upwards of 30 seconds to complete.  So we will leave it off-line for a bit longer, until things stabilize on their end, and we can make sure everything is back to normal.  Again, I truly appreciate everyone's patience with this situation. 

Yikes.  Hope they can recover decently.  That could be an extremely costly failure!

It's estimated that well over 10,000 sites were down, and ours was unfortunately one of them.  Hopefully this episode will put the FOG into the higher-ups in that organization, and a more robust system will be the result.  One thing seems likely and that is faster pages, as the loads decrease due to customers fleeing to other hosting companies.  The responses to the outage are a "train wreck" in progress. But so far, they seem to have recovered the data.  A 2-day outage is nothing compared to the time it would take customers to re-create databases if they weren't smart enough to keep their own back-ups!
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: RandyT on April 30, 2016, 02:14:32 pm
The store is now back up, and everything is loading fast.  Thanks again for hanging in there with us.

RandyT
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: Rick on May 03, 2016, 12:56:25 pm
The store is now back up, and everything is loading fast.  Thanks again for hanging in there with us.

Good to hear you're back, and no worse for wear!
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: RandyT on May 03, 2016, 01:10:10 pm
Good to hear you're back, and no worse for wear!

Heh.  Yeah, it's always a nail-biter in this kind scenario.  You never know what you'll find when things go back online, but it seemed to have a mostly happy ending for us.  Maybe notsomuch for the hosting company.
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: Rick on May 03, 2016, 01:53:12 pm
Heh.  Yeah, it's always a nail-biter in this kind scenario.  You never know what you'll find when things go back online, but it seemed to have a mostly happy ending for us.  Maybe not so much for the hosting company.

I hear you. I recently realized I hadn't been receiving orders for a couple of weeks, and figured I was in a dry spell. It turns out the plug-in that ran my payment processor was suddenly disabled, and customers weren't able to pay for their orders. Yikes. After turning it back on, suddenly, I'm swamped.
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: RandyT on May 03, 2016, 02:33:06 pm
... suddenly, I'm swamped.

If it weren't for the inconvenience to our customers, we'd have welcomed the break.  Now back to playing catch-up...  ;)
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: AchillesPDX on June 28, 2016, 03:10:35 pm
Just curious what the typical turn-around time is on a small order. I just placed one this morning and am unrealistically hoping to have it for the weekend. :)

Thanks!
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: PL1 on June 28, 2016, 05:41:52 pm
Just curious what the typical turn-around time is on a small order. I just placed one this morning and am unrealistically hoping to have it for the weekend. :)
Welcome aboard, AchillesPDX.   ;D

This weekend? (July 2nd) -- Not much chance.

Next weekend? (July 9th) -- Very good chance.

My two recent orders took 6-7 days from order placed to order shipped + 2 days for Priority Mail delivery.   ;D


Scott
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: yotsuya on June 28, 2016, 06:02:45 pm
Just curious what the typical turn-around time is on a small order. I just placed one this morning and am unrealistically hoping to have it for the weekend. :)
Welcome aboard, AchillesPDX.   ;D

This weekend? (July 2nd) -- Not much chance.

Next weekend? (July 9th) -- Very good chance.

My two recent orders took 6-7 days from order placed to order shipped + 2 days for Priority Mail delivery.   ;D


Scott
Thank you Randy.
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: AchillesPDX on June 28, 2016, 06:45:25 pm
Just curious what the typical turn-around time is on a small order. I just placed one this morning and am unrealistically hoping to have it for the weekend. :)
Welcome aboard, AchillesPDX.   ;D

This weekend? (July 2nd) -- Not much chance.

Next weekend? (July 9th) -- Very good chance.

My two recent orders took 6-7 days from order placed to order shipped + 2 days for Priority Mail delivery.   ;D


Scott

Thanks for keeping my expectations in check, Scott!  ;) My wife is growing quite impatient with this project at this point while I'm secretly stringing it along as slowly as possible - I'm having a great time building!
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: RandyT on June 29, 2016, 09:26:48 am
Thank you Randy.

 :)

Delivery times have a number of factors, but are usually based on which, and how many items are ordered and what our current order volume is when the order is placed.  There are times when multiple commercial panel and arcade machine builders place bulk orders for our "made to order" parts, and this can slow us down a bit.  There are also times of high order volumes from regular customers, and this often occurs the week preceding a national holiday, where folks anticipate having some time off.  Unfortunately, we can find ourselves overwhelmed when this happens.

We do our best to get orders out as timely as possible, with most of the smaller, and simple "off the shelf" item orders going out the next day, but our specialized parts with custom options often need to be built when they are ordered. 

We have a simple philosophy when it comes to time.  We don't rush building, packing or inspection of parts (and yes, we QC virtually every item we ship).  We strive to make sure that when the order arrives, everything is exactly as it was ordered, functioning as it should, the order is complete and it arrives undamaged.  Over 13 years, we have been 99.99% successful in achieving this goal.  We believe that it's far better to wait an extra day or two to receive a trouble free order, than having our customers wait another week+ to correct an oversight. 

On a semi-related note, about 30% of the items I purchase personally from smaller sellers on the web seem to have one issue or another, and the headache from the lost time and effort it takes to deal with those situations, is something I wouldn't wish on anyone.  This is primarily why we do things the way we do  ;).
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: AchillesPDX on June 29, 2016, 01:29:07 pm
Thanks for posting Randy! Glad to hear you take care in your business. I look forward to my expertly-packed goodies :applaud:

EDIT:
Hot damn! Just got my tracking number. USPS says it'll be here Friday!  :cheers:
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: RandyT on August 31, 2016, 01:10:41 pm
Looks like our hosting company is having some issues again.  They made it 4 months this time, without a significant issue with their servers, but they have another one at the moment.

As we wish to make the ordering process, and communications through the site, as smooth and reliable as possible, we have put the site on pause while they get things ironed out.   In the mean time, we will keep working on the orders we already have in house.

Things should be back to normal in less than 24 hours.  As soon as we are convinced that everything is working reliably, we will post an update here, and start taking your orders again.  Apologies for the inconvenience.

RandyT
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: RandyT on September 01, 2016, 12:00:17 pm
UPDATE:  Things are still not back to normal, so we will be leaving the store on pause for a bit longer.   Apparently, the hosting company had another major drive failure in their SAN (Storage Area Network), this time affecting their mail servers.  They seem to be sorting out some SQL server issues as well.  With thousands of customers having been affected, they have been working around the clock to get things back to normal.  But progress has been slow.

We have shopped for alternatives, but given the nature of these types of things, and spotty performance at times of even larger company sites, I'm not convinced that moving is the answer.  But we are definitely considering it now.

Thank you for your patience while we wait this out.  In the meantime, feel free to PM me here if you need assistance with something.

RandyT

Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: RandyT on September 02, 2016, 11:05:04 am
The store is now back online.  It may still be a little slow, as the server load might be a bit high with all of the other affected site's customers having access again.  But it should calm down shortly.

But everything appears to be working as before.  If anyone has any issues, please let me know by email, or PM here.  Thanks again to everyone who was patiently waiting.

RandyT
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: RandyT on September 02, 2016, 11:36:11 am
may I suggest siteground.com ? 

Thanks, Malenko.  I will definitely consider them if/when we decide to make a move.  Looks like a good company!
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: Guywiththegun on September 08, 2016, 01:25:04 pm
I ordered some Novagems a while ago and am trying to wire them into the PC power supply for the constant on. The directions say there's a black wire and a red wire, with the red going into the PC. My wires are different. I actually have a brown wire and a multi-colored wire of like white, red, etc. Which should go into the PC?
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: RandyT on September 08, 2016, 01:41:50 pm
I ordered some Novagems a while ago and am trying to wire them into the PC power supply for the constant on. The directions say there's a black wire and a red wire, with the red going into the PC. My wires are different. I actually have a brown wire and a multi-colored wire of like white, red, etc. Which should go into the PC?

The wire with the red marking is +5v, and the brown is Ground.  You won't hurt anything if the polarity is reversed on these.  They just wouldn't light up.
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: HaRuMaN on September 08, 2016, 02:21:51 pm
Don't make the mistake I did and accidentally wire them to the 12V...   :banghead:

Luckily I noticed something was wrong as the wires became too hot to touch... and quickly fixed it before I blew something.
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: Guywiththegun on September 19, 2016, 08:20:27 pm
Somethings going on with the connections on the switches with my Novagems. I get the connection with a female disconnect, but it doesn't 'stay' connected. You kind of have to maneuver the wires to keep the LEDs on. Once I had the wires in a position that worked, I left them there and kind of forgot about it.

Now I'm wiring the actual buttons to my Minipac and I'm having the same issues. Sometimes the button works, sometimes it doesn't. I have to move the wire around to get any connection. This is obviously not ideal as its not reliable.

Is this normal of these switches or is something wrong with mine?
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: Slippyblade on September 19, 2016, 08:58:33 pm
Sounds like a weak crimp on the connection.  Grab a crimper or pliers and give the base of the wire connection a squeeze to tighten it up.
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: RandyT on September 20, 2016, 12:04:28 am
Somethings going on with the connections on the switches with my Novagems. I get the connection with a female disconnect, but it doesn't 'stay' connected. You kind of have to maneuver the wires to keep the LEDs on. Once I had the wires in a position that worked, I left them there and kind of forgot about it.

Now I'm wiring the actual buttons to my Minipac and I'm having the same issues. Sometimes the button works, sometimes it doesn't. I have to move the wire around to get any connection. This is obviously not ideal as its not reliable.

I assume you mean the NovaGemCDR?

This is the nature of all of these style of illuminated buttons.  The "fingers" inside which make contact with the LED, are a physical part of the terminal you connect the wires to.  Wiggling the wires while connected to the terminals can move/bend the "fingers" and cause the connection to the LED to become loose.  If this has happened, you may need to tweak the fingers a bit to tighten them back up, and once you have them working,  secure your wiring so that the terminals won't get moved around.
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: Guywiththegun on September 20, 2016, 12:22:16 pm
I assume you mean the NovaGemCDR?

This is the nature of all of these style of illuminated buttons.  The "fingers" inside which make contact with the LED, are a physical part of the terminal you connect the wires to.  Wiggling the wires while connected to the terminals can move/bend the "fingers" and cause the connection to the LED to become loose.  If this has happened, you may need to tweak the fingers a bit to tighten them back up, and once you have them working,  secure your wiring so that the terminals won't get moved around.


Fair enough, I'll just secure them in position. They don't stop working during regular use, only when I have to mess with wiring for whatever reason. I think I may understand what's going on with the connection issues . .

I'm new at this and thought I could just buy any wire. I ended up getting some pretty thick wire (at least compared to the wire on the harness) that I'm pretty sure is solid core.
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: PL1 on September 20, 2016, 12:53:00 pm
I ended up getting some pretty thick wire (at least compared to the wire on the harness) that I'm pretty sure is solid core.
QDs are designed to work with stranded wire -- the strands compress and push back against the crimp.

Crimping solid core wire can be problematic because if there is any twisting or pulling force on the QD, the wire can easily pull free since there are no strands pushing back against the crimp.

(http://newwiki.arcadecontrols.com/images/b/b2/StrandedSolidWire.jpg)

Solder the wire to the QD (after threading it through the hole to the right of the insulating sleeve) and crimp the sleeve onto the insulation of the wire as shown in the attached pics -- works for solid core (red wire) or stranded. (white wire)

Threading the wire through the hole provides improved mechanical and electrical connection.   ;D

(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=139746.0;attach=310954;image)

(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=139746.0;attach=310956;image)


Scott
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: Titchgamer on September 20, 2016, 02:10:55 pm
Also solid wire is more prone to breaking and harder to get neat when cable tidying.
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: Guywiththegun on September 23, 2016, 09:50:50 pm
EDITED

I figured out these are interchangeable with any switch. Awesome.
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: bratwurst on November 07, 2016, 12:22:05 pm
Randy - any idea when the Leaf Pro joysticks will be back in stock?  I'm looking to pick up 4 of the 8-way.

Thanks
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: RandyT on November 07, 2016, 12:51:10 pm
Randy - any idea when the Leaf Pro joysticks will be back in stock?  I'm looking to pick up 4 of the 8-way.

The large number of recent orders has caught us a bit off-guard with our stock situation for a number of items, these included.  We have more of everything on order now, but it will likely take a little over a week before we have more of the Leaf-Pro sticks on the store.  Thanks for your patience.
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: ringram on November 23, 2016, 01:49:53 pm
When will you be getting some more Electric Ice push buttons in stock?
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: roknrol on February 22, 2017, 02:04:30 pm
Randy,

Same question as above -- do you have an ETA on the Electric ICE 2 concave pushbuttons being back in stock? (Hope you haven't been OOS since November!)
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: zaltec on March 22, 2017, 01:01:53 am
Same as above, I've been trying to order some ICE2 concave's for a few weeks, finally decided to check here to see if you'd closed up shop or something (store "news" also hasn't been updated in nearly a year)... hoping these come back in, and you're still kicking :(
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: RandyT on March 22, 2017, 01:05:44 pm
We are without a doubt, "still kicking".  At the moment, so much so that we are swamped with orders, which we are diligently working to get out the door.  Tax season is a busy time.

RE: ElectricICE 2 buttons

We actually have several thousand in stock, but we were not satisfied with the quality as delivered from the factory.  They are darker in color than they should be, and many of the parts have fit issues.   We have been working with the factory to correct the issue, but they are reluctant to set up the molds for a run, unless we also order more of the regular CLASSX buttons.  It's tough to be in the position we are currently in on these, and are currently at the mercy of the factory.  It's literally a 10 to 15 thousand dollar expense we have to make sure we can endure before we will be able to get more in.  But we will, as our stock of the standard CLASSX is also starting to wane.

In the mean time, we have in stock, clear buttons with our proprietary plunger diffusers in the same style, as well as the convex version of the ElectricICE butons.  We also have the same CLASSX style in transparent colors (Red, Blue, Green, Orange, Purple and Yellow).  If you don't see them on the store, they may be special ordered for the time being by email request.

RandyT
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: zabrin on April 10, 2017, 06:16:37 pm
Hey Randy,

Any idea when the Omni 2 sticks will be back in stock? Thanks...

Z.
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: RandyT on April 11, 2017, 11:53:50 am
Hey Randy,

Any idea when the Omni 2 sticks will be back in stock? Thanks...

Z.

We are about a week and a half out on getting more of these.  The recent rush has left us low on a number of items, but we are slowly recovering :).
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: zabrin on April 12, 2017, 05:39:26 pm
Thanks Randy! I will keep an eye out...

Z.
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: seanthepr0ducer on January 23, 2018, 12:52:18 pm
Hi Randy,
I placed an order on your website last week and it still says it's "Processing". Are you all still in business? I emailed a couple of times with no response. Thanks!
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: steved61 on March 02, 2018, 01:24:51 pm
I'd like to order (6" Mini-Racer™ Steering Wheel) for my TT. I don't know if the emails are getting throuch?
SteveD
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: RandyT on March 05, 2018, 12:23:06 pm
I'd like to order (6" Mini-Racer™ Steering Wheel) for my TT. I don't know if the emails are getting throuch?
SteveD

Apparently we did not receive any which were sent prior to posting this.  But I did just reply to the one you sent late Friday.  Let me know if you didn't receive my reply.
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: steved61 on March 06, 2018, 08:10:35 am
Got it. Thanks
steved
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: SNAAKE on March 08, 2018, 05:16:30 pm
are super joysticks on your site super original happcontrols super joystick?? :cheers:
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: RandyT on March 15, 2018, 04:01:55 pm
are super joysticks on your site super original happcontrols super joystick?? :cheers:

Yes, but they are Super.  :lol
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: aradij on March 19, 2018, 03:21:21 am
Hello Randy!

My name is Janos, I'm new here.
I would like to order some pushbutton to my pincab.
I see that you are selling leaf style push buttons and some others which I need.
But I cannot register at http://groovygamegear.com (http://groovygamegear.com).
I fill the registration form and when I press submit nothing happen.
I'm using Chrome without an ad-blocker and pop-up windows are enabled.
Can You help me?
Is the shop/site closed or is there an error actually?

Thanks in advance!
Regards, Janos
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: IcePick on March 22, 2018, 05:21:57 pm
Same problem here
I have tried multiple browsers on multiple machines from multiple locations.
Seems to be an issue with the e-commerce site.
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: RandyT on March 28, 2018, 03:31:55 pm
The ISP which hosts our store has recently implemented some stringent security mods, which won't allow certain non-standard characters to be received.   Unfortunately, some of these characters are included in international character sets, such as umlauts, etc..  If the information you are entering at the site contains anything like this, it will likely be rejected.

It doesn't affect the vast majority of our customers, but we are working nonetheless to get this rectified.  Until then, you can try entering your information using the standard English alphabet.
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: IcePick on March 30, 2018, 11:05:13 am
The ISP which hosts our store has recently implemented some stringent security mods, which won't allow certain non-standard characters to be received.   Unfortunately, some of these characters are included in international character sets, such as umlauts, etc..  If the information you are entering at the site contains anything like this, it will likely be rejected.

It doesn't affect the vast majority of our customers, but we are working nonetheless to get this rectified.  Until then, you can try entering your information using the standard English alphabet.

Thanks Randy
I was able to get my order through.  My old password had extended set characters in it. I did a password reset and all is good now.
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: RandyT on April 21, 2018, 04:41:06 pm
I just wanted to post here that our site will be down for a while.  Our host decided to migrate a large chunk of it's customer base to a new server farm, and we were included.  What was supposed to be a "seamless" transition, turned out to be a nightmare which resulted in breaking the entire site.

We are working on getting things going again, but we may be down a week or so, while we get things figured out. 

If you have already placed an order, don't worry.  We will be working on it and getting it out as usual.  Everyone else, please bear with us.  We'll be back soon and I'll update here when things are fixed.

Thanks,
Randy


Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: WayGroovy on April 22, 2018, 12:20:29 pm
Do you have any alternate means of new sales at this time? eBay, amazon, etc?
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: RandyT on April 23, 2018, 10:30:58 am
Sorry, we don't.  We hope to be back up and running soon.
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: Mike A on April 23, 2018, 10:36:31 am
Telephones still work.
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: RandyT on April 27, 2018, 09:39:10 pm
After doing as much as I could on my end, and days of dealing with "technical support" at the host and getting nowhere, I decided that getting things back up and running was more important than sleep.

After about 40 hours of work, with some catnaps in-between, I have been mostly successful in re-creating the look and feel of the store on the latest software, which supports dynamic re-sizing for mobile devices, enhanced security, faster and more efficient use of resources, etc.  There are still some formatting issues on some of the product listings I need to iron out, due to the resize-able nature of the design, but it's looking good enough for now.  It's easy to get bogged down on the visual details, but I know folks were waiting.  I was also successful in migrating existing user data and accounts, so your old login info should still work, and your order histories should still be intact.  I worked very hard to try to make things more seamless for all of you than it was for us.

Orders have been coming in fine all day, so we should be good to go now.  A big "thank you" to everyone who has been patiently waiting while I dealt with this.  I'm going to get some sleep now :)
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: Solowtc on August 23, 2018, 01:05:22 pm
I’m looking to purchase 24 of the concave electric ice buttons, are these going to be restocked anytime soon or should I start to look at other options?

Thank you!
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: killallhumans on January 28, 2019, 12:35:36 pm
Hello,
Does anyone know when Electric ICE 2-CX will be back in stock?
Shouldn't GGG have lifetime supply of those?
It's not like the clean and simple look will go out of style.
Ok, forget the 70s! They don't count.   :lol
Thanks
- David C
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: killallhumans on January 31, 2019, 12:37:56 pm
Now wish i hadn't scrolled up to read other posts. Ignorance truly is bliss.
Anyone thought of using a Co-Located server? Then they wouldn't share
the same box or drives with 101 porn sites. Yeah, server farms don't care
who shares the same computer or network switch.
I hope everything works out ok.
Guess I'll just wait for Sold-Out status to change.
Good luck, Randy. Give 'em hell.
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: ehammer85 on February 12, 2019, 03:14:44 pm
After doing as much as I could on my end, and days of dealing with "technical support" at the host and getting nowhere, I decided that getting things back up and running was more important than sleep.

After about 40 hours of work, with some catnaps in-between, I have been mostly successful in re-creating the look and feel of the store on the latest software, which supports dynamic re-sizing for mobile devices, enhanced security, faster and more efficient use of resources, etc.  There are still some formatting issues on some of the product listings I need to iron out, due to the resize-able nature of the design, but it's looking good enough for now.  It's easy to get bogged down on the visual details, but I know folks were waiting.  I was also successful in migrating existing user data and accounts, so your old login info should still work, and your order histories should still be intact.  I worked very hard to try to make things more seamless for all of you than it was for us.

Orders have been coming in fine all day, so we should be good to go now.  A big "thank you" to everyone who has been patiently waiting while I dealt with this.  I'm going to get some sleep now :)

I was wondering if you were expecting the NovaMatrix marquee LEDs to be back in stock?
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: RandyT on February 12, 2019, 03:58:43 pm

I was wondering if you were expecting the NovaMatrix marquee LEDs to be back in stock?

I have something new to fill that slot.  I'll try to get them on the store by tomorrow.
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: killallhumans on February 26, 2019, 12:27:56 pm
Hey, Big Wizard,

RandyT:
Quote
We actually have several thousand in stock, but we were not satisfied with the quality as delivered from the factory.
DavidC:
Quote
Does anyone know when Electric ICE 2-CX will be back in stock?

Any chance I could drive up and pick through those boxes on your shelf?
Why do i get the strange feeling, you're harder on quality than myself.
Whatever you have, damnsight has to be better than those yellowish-white buttons I've seen elsewhere.
The color index of them is more like an old @ss cream egg, as I'm sure you've noticed. Not very Frosty!
Think about it. Chew it over for awhile, and let me know if that would be just peachy with you.
Thanks.
- David

I hate to play hardball with you, but you leave me no choice.
Genuine Carolina pulled pork or pit beef and beer?
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: sealcouch on February 28, 2019, 09:17:26 pm
Hey, just posting to say I got a 2 Dominux 8 sticks to replace the Wico's in my Contra as the original grommets were completely blown out. I really really love these sticks. They have a much lighter resistance compared to the originals which make twitch movements so much easier. They are a perfect drop-in replacement.

Thanks!!

(https://i.imgur.com/djZ0wTk.jpg)
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: Percipio on March 02, 2019, 04:42:32 pm

I have something new to fill that slot.  I'll try to get them on the store by tomorrow.

Randy, any updates on getting the NovaMatrix replacement in stock?  My old one has gotten pretty dim and needs a refresh.
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: drewjbx on March 06, 2019, 01:53:39 am
Randy, I have emailed your customer service several times with no response. I placed an order a week and a half ago, card was charged right away. The status still showing 'Packing'. Figure I would try to contact  you here.

Order number - 33013
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: RandyT on March 06, 2019, 01:03:19 pm
Randy, I have emailed your customer service several times with no response. I placed an order a week and a half ago, card was charged right away. The status still showing 'Packing'. Figure I would try to contact  you here.

Order number - 33013

Your order was placed 1 week ago and has already been shipped.  Please check your SPAM folder to make sure our store emails are not going there.

Tracking shows your order to be out for delivery today.
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: drewjbx on March 10, 2019, 06:19:12 pm
I got the package ... website wasn’t showing updated status. Thankyou


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: ehammer85 on March 14, 2019, 11:42:33 am

I was wondering if you were expecting the NovaMatrix marquee LEDs to be back in stock?

I have something new to fill that slot.  I'll try to get them on the store by tomorrow.

It's been a few weeks and unless I'm completely blind, I haven't seen anything on your store (at least in the LED section).  Curious if you're still filling that slot with something?
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: RandyT on March 14, 2019, 11:58:17 am
It's been a few weeks and unless I'm completely blind, I haven't seen anything on your store (at least in the LED section).  Curious if you're still filling that slot with something?

My apologies.  We got blindsided by a huge commercial order and much higher than normal order volumes recently. 

Shoot me an email, and I can get you taken care of.
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: meltman on March 20, 2019, 09:22:47 am
Hey Randy, sent an email through your site. Wondering if I can add some t-molding to an order if it hasn't shipped yet.  :cheers:
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: RandyT on March 20, 2019, 11:16:58 am
Hey Randy, sent an email through your site. Wondering if I can add some t-molding to an order if it hasn't shipped yet.  :cheers:

Yep, we received the email.  We'll add it for you.
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: aevans0001 on May 04, 2019, 11:08:22 am
Hey Randy,

I was looking for an option to upgrade a 3" Happ trackball high ball to RGB lighting, does your upgrade kit work with Happ?  If you could send a link it would be great, or pm me.
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: lordofthearcade on May 06, 2019, 02:13:04 pm
Hey Randy,
Recently I emailed the GGG tech support email and haven't gotten a response yet...although it probably wasn't the best place to send this and I do understand that you are probably filling large orders right now and it can be a busy time.

I just have a few questions on purchasing a relatively short throw leaf switch joystick for my Arcade1Up Pac - Man cabinet. It is great for what it is but the joystick could be better and feels far from the original stick, which is to be expected for the price.

I'm debating between the Domimix8, Leaf Pro, and Pac Pro. The Pac Pro seems like the best option, but has the shortest shaft and this would be mounted in a wood control panel. Could I avoid routing the panel and just add a longer shaft, or would that make too much of a difference, and does the longer shaft make it the same thing as the Leaf Pro or Pac Pro? Also, when will the Pac Pro be back in stock, and would it be possible to special order it without a shaft and ball top so I can use a longer one if I went with that?
Thanks!
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: RandyT on May 06, 2019, 02:42:54 pm
Hey Randy,

I was looking for an option to upgrade a 3" Happ trackball high ball to RGB lighting, does your upgrade kit work with Happ?  If you could send a link it would be great, or pm me.

This should be what you want:

https://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=74&products_id=273
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: YouknowStuIlltellya on May 07, 2019, 09:54:32 am
Hey Randy,

I was looking for an option to upgrade a 3" Happ trackball high ball to RGB lighting, does your upgrade kit work with Happ?  If you could send a link it would be great, or pm me.

This should be what you want:

https://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=74&products_id=273

Randy, apologies for stalking you, but could you please check your customer service emails?  i put in an order on Friday and need to make some changes to the order - it was a big order - trackball, spinner, 14 buttons, 2 dominux8s, 1 leaf pro true 4 way, and more.  Need the keywiz40-ST instead of the GPWiz in the order.   Also, would like to understand when I could expect the order to go in the mail.  I am at a standstill until this gets resolved.  Thanks in advance. 
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: RandyT on May 07, 2019, 11:40:51 am
Randy, apologies for stalking you, but could you please check your customer service emails?

You mean the one(s) which came in at 7pm last evening?  :)

Reply sent.
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: killallhumans on August 02, 2019, 05:08:52 pm
Dear RandyT,
HAPPY, HAPPY, JOY, JOY!!!
From your store, it looks like Electric ICE 2-CX buttons may be coming back?
Sold-Out status has changed. Please, say it's true.
I've waited this long to get the ONLY buttons I want for this cabinet, so I guess
it won't kill me to wait until Shopping Cart works again.
Have a fun or just relaxing vacation.
Thank you kindly.
DavidC
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: Beretta on August 14, 2019, 12:58:43 pm
Is everything ok?

I've been wanting to order some electric ice buttons but Randy hasn't responded to PM here or a contact on their shop page... and I mean It's been like a month.

Did something happen to him?

Also didn't they use to have translucent single color concave buttons? I think they use to be sold under classx but I can't find them.

the elecrtic ice have been out of stock for months.
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: bbeishline on August 20, 2019, 11:50:58 pm
I sent a message to customer service about Electric Ice buttons and if they would be coming back in stock a long time ago, like maybe a year or more, and never got a response unless maybe it went to my spam. Maybe this is the best place to find out? Obviously I'm not the only one interested. I'll add my voice to those trying to find out if they'll be back in stock any time soon.

Randy?
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: PL1 on August 21, 2019, 01:03:25 am
It might take a while for him to work through the backlog of e-mails when GGG re-opens in several weeks.    ;)

Quote
GGG Store News:

July 22, 2019

As you may have noticed, we have temporarily disabled the order feature on the store.  Not to worry.  If you have already placed an order, we are still here, working diligently to ship the orders in our current queue. However, due to a recent large OEM order, as well as the need to address some long-overdue facility and machine maintenance, we need to temporarily suspend the order feature until the first of September.  With any luck, we might also have a bit of time left over to to take a much needed vacation, our first in the 16 years we have been providing service to the community.

We will still be available to provide technical support for already purchased items, but we will be unable to answer pre-sales inquiries during this time.  Thank you all for your support and understanding, and we look forward to continue serving you when the store opens back up for orders in September.

RandyT

Just in case, occasionally check your spam filter.   :cheers:


Scott
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: Bojo5150 on August 27, 2019, 09:08:00 pm
@randyt

Do you have a phone number I can call to place an order? I know your online ordering is down due to a large order but I’m desperate to get an Opti-wiz and trackball from you ASAP.

Please let me know. Thank you!
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: Phazer51 on August 30, 2019, 01:34:11 pm
RandyT:

I've place several orders with you and I've had some problems with items that I've received.  I tried contacting you through your site back January 2019, but I never received a response.

I just tried contacting you again regarding orders 32592 and 32676.

I read on your site that you are very busy with a large order.

Please put this message in your "to be answered" queue.

Thank you.
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: RandyT on September 02, 2019, 11:43:30 am
We are back now.

We made multiple attempts to respond.  Every email sent to the supplied address, bounced with "550-Requested action not taken: mailbox unavailable".  Hopefully the new email address you supplied will work and your OS issue will be sorted out.



RandyT:

I've place several orders with you and I've had some problems with items that I've received.  I tried contacting you through your site back January 2019, but I never received a response.

I just tried contacting you again regarding orders 32592 and 32676.

I read on your site that you are very busy with a large order.

Please put this message in your "to be answered" queue.

Thank you.
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: Beretta on September 05, 2019, 05:09:23 pm
@RandyT

Hey what's going on with the Electric ICE buttons?

Quote
The most recent run of these buttons will not perfectly color match to earlier runs.  These are slightly darker and not bright white in color when not illuminated.  They do, however, look great when lit with the Helio9 lighting units, which is the only lighting option available for this run.  It is strongly recommended that the full amount of buttons for a project be purchased all at once, so we can attempt to color match.  This will very likely be the final run for the Electric ICE 2 buttons, due to the mold house's inability to produce more of this style.

#1 can we get a comparison new and old.. or least current pictures?
#2 so what after this run no more light up buttons? or you coming out with a new version?
#3 didn't you use to have adjustable micro switch upgrades?

Here's the thing.. I need 12 for a project. right now.. im just going with the standard micro soft touches.
But I was also going to order one extra button with each switch type to see which I liked best.. and then place a much larger order for future projects once I figured out which switch type I like best.

but now I don't know what to expect and it sounds like they might not even be around for larger order later..

what's going on?
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: RandyT on September 06, 2019, 11:43:45 am
@RandyT

Hey what's going on with the Electric ICE buttons?

1) Pretty much what was written.   There is some minor deviation in this run, so photos and comparisons won't be helpful.  We'll make sure they are all very close in appearance for each order.

Again, as noted, the factory is refusing to do more of these.  They seem to have some internal issues with the skill of their operators.  Even with the last batch, there was only one operator who was capable of making them to the original color specifications.  Maybe he quit.   My only option would be to pull our (expensive) mold and hope that another mold house could be found to make them.  Doing so is costly, and could not only be unsuccessful, but might also jeopardize further production of the CLASSX button line.

I have had these in-house for quite some time, and finally decided to offer them to those who might need them.  My reticence in doing so, even though there is nothing functionally different, was precisely to avoid the "these aren't exactly the same in appearance as my previous order" comments.  Thus the note in the description.

2) We will be placing another option on the store shortly.  However, they will be a clear button with a diffuser element in the plunger.  We may, at some point, have some standard "illuminated" white (i.e. denser color) buttons produced, but that is a long way off, if it even happens.

3) The adjustable micro-switch offering has been deprecated.  The switches these are based upon are no longer available through our distributor, and what we currently have available is not a suitable foundation for this product.  They may return at some point if this situation changes.
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: ehammer85 on October 17, 2019, 12:51:27 pm
I purchased your NovaMatrix Marquee 3 LEDs back in March of this year, but haven't been able to set them up until now.  I was curious on the best way to power those up.  I've crimped those wires directly to my PC's PSU via molex and the lights are extremely dim - doesn't even shine through my marquee unless its right against the plexi.  I noticed when I light up my pacLED64s (I have 2), the marquee lights go out.  So, I crimped the LED string to a single power source so it's not sharing with anything and the light is still really dim.  Your thoughts Randy?
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: RandyT on October 17, 2019, 01:59:31 pm
I purchased your NovaMatrix Marquee 3 LEDs back in March of this year, but haven't been able to set them up until now.  I was curious on the best way to power those up.  I've crimped those wires directly to my PC's PSU via molex and the lights are extremely dim - doesn't even shine through my marquee unless its right against the plexi.  I noticed when I light up my pacLED64s (I have 2), the marquee lights go out.  So, I crimped the LED string to a single power source so it's not sharing with anything and the light is still really dim.  Your thoughts Randy?

Looks like you posted this at the same time your email was sent.  These issues are best handled through support emails, but it looks like the unit isn't getting nearly enough voltage.   

These are 12v units.  If you have them connected to anything less, you will get considerably less light from them.  I.e.  if you had them connected to the red wire from your PSU, try the yellow one.
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: ehammer85 on October 17, 2019, 02:27:53 pm
I purchased your NovaMatrix Marquee 3 LEDs back in March of this year, but haven't been able to set them up until now.  I was curious on the best way to power those up.  I've crimped those wires directly to my PC's PSU via molex and the lights are extremely dim - doesn't even shine through my marquee unless its right against the plexi.  I noticed when I light up my pacLED64s (I have 2), the marquee lights go out.  So, I crimped the LED string to a single power source so it's not sharing with anything and the light is still really dim.  Your thoughts Randy?

Looks like you posted this at the same time your email was sent.  These issues are best handled through support emails, but it looks like the unit isn't getting nearly enough voltage.   

These are 12v units.  If you have them connected to anything less, you will get considerably less light from them.  I.e.  if you had them connected to the red wire from your PSU, try the yellow one.

Ahh, gotcha.  I may not have much left in my computer, but I'll look at other power options in the 12v range.  Thanks much.
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: wp34 on February 28, 2020, 11:43:30 am
Randy -

Do you have an ETA for when the Pac-Pro Leaf Switch 4-way Joystick will be back in stock?
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: Deefish on January 29, 2021, 11:19:19 pm
Randy,

I was curious what happened to the Electric Ice lighted joysticks? did they get discontinued? I have not been active on this board for a long time and can not find any reference to them (especially since I cant get search to work).

I still have my electric ice joysticks and love them.

Thanks,
Jesse
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: RandyT on February 01, 2021, 04:00:00 pm
I was curious what happened to the Electric Ice lighted joysticks? did they get discontinued? I have not been active on this board for a long time and can not find any reference to them (especially since I cant get search to work).

I still have my electric ice joysticks and love them.

Unfortunately, they were very labor-intensive, and between the parts cost and the time they took to make, it was costing us every time one was ordered. We probably still have some parts for them, but they are unlikely to return unless we figure out a quicker way to make them.  Maybe a DIY kit would be doable, but it would still be a bit pricey based on just parts cost.
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: Scotty on February 24, 2021, 01:12:36 pm
Randy,   My order is on it's way, thank you very much.   On your web page you mentioned you are swamped, and it might take quite a while.   I ordered on the 15th, and it shipped on the 23.  That is not bad!  Exactly one year earlier I ordered some parts from you, and it took 10 days, so I was thinking 2-3 weeks.  8 days is fine considering you are a one man operation and make a lot of the stuff yourself.  Not only that, it is A1 quality, and AMERICAN MADE!    Thank you again!!

Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: RandyT on February 24, 2021, 02:28:31 pm
Thanks for the kind words, and you are quite welcome.  But I do have some help from Lisa, so technically, it's still "one man"  :lol.  Couldn't do it without her!

Glad to hear that you like the parts!
Title: Re: -VENDOR- GroovyGameGear.com - Latest updates to our catalog
Post by: cool_factor on March 18, 2021, 06:58:25 pm
Any updates on when the push pull spinner will be back in stock and up for sale again? Thanks!!!