Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum
Main => Main Forum => Topic started by: Dazz on September 23, 2008, 03:29:41 pm
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It seems that controls that are lit is the new rave now days... What is the exact point in doing so now? They seem to look nice... I just don't understand the fascination with them. I guess I am just old school. I personally think that lit controls and buttons would be very distracting to use when they are in your preferential vision... It would probably even add a little extra glow/glare on the screen to be distracting.
So, why do you have lights and blinky things on your control panels?
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I took my lights out. I didn't like the feel of them compared to my standard Happ concaves. The only thing I did like about them was the ability to light just the buttons a game needed. Other than that, I don't miss them.
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I have to agree and some of the cabs with them that I have seen should carry an epilepsy warning...!!
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I have to agree and some of the cabs with them that I have seen should carry an epilepsy warning...!!
Old, but - http://www.frostbot.com/SR.htm
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I took my lights out. I didn't like the feel of them compared to my standard Happ concaves. The only thing I did like about them was the ability to light just the buttons a game needed. Other than that, I don't miss them.
I have to agree with you there, the electric ice buttons don't feel as nice as the original buttons I was using in my CP and when I tap some of them I can hear the spring vibrate. While the attract modes look great and lighting the buttons with the real colors is cool, it's a shame the buttons don't feel as good.
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I was wondering about how the electric ice buttons feel compared to the Ultralux, which is what I was using. Thanks for mentioning them.
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I just lit mine for the first time last night along with the trackball and I am totally hooked on the bling! I have to agree though, my player one and two start buttons are happs and feel much better but the electric ice play just fine. By the way, that website made me forget how to do math. :dizzy:
P
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Im using LEDs in my buttons and LEDs in rings around my joysticks to show what buttons/directions are used. Im also using a ton of independently controllable LEDs everywhere else on my cocktail just becuase Im a self admitted LED whore and I want to program some nice attract sequences.
Im using the 'Happ' translucent concave buttons with LEDs and I have had no problems what so ever.
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I was in a gameroom last week and they had a number of "classic" cabinets that were old school. It made me remember that old school cabinets were often (not always) made with pretty poor craftsmanship. Marquee holders were often just pieces of metal, cabinets made out of plain black particle board, etc. and yeah, no illuminated controls.
I can't and won't speak for the rest of the community, but I'm building my arcade to relive my childhood and play amazing classic games - but also to look pretty and make visitors drool with envy!
I'm putting Novagems on my panel, and while the microswitches aren't as nice as the leafsprings of yore, the feel and look great on my test panel. When my panel illuminates on startup, a goofy grin appears on my face, and the ridiculous amount of cash I've spent all seems worthwhile.
That's my reasoning - pretty intangible, largely cool factor and for making others say "ooooooh...aaaaaaah"
:)
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I keep going back and forth on whether or not I want to light my buttons. I was leaning towards using NovaGems, but I'm realizing I'm going to spend over $200 on just for buttons on a 4 player panel. And that's not lighting every button. I've seen lighting create some real cool effects, but I've seen other cabinets that have just as much as a WOW! factor without them.
I originally wanted to go "all out" on my last project but I dunno anymore... :dunno
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But back to the original question - what's the point of lighting the controls? For me at least, illuminating the buttons used by each game (and speaking their action) makes my 4-player system more user friendly. The bling factor is cool, but that wasn't my primary motivation.
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I have to go with two things - bling and ease of use.
I think on certain cabs, the bling fits in very well if used judiciously. The ease of use is a big thing though on a frankenpanel.
In regards to cost, aren't the happ translucents not that expensive?
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Answer .....
Easy - its so that when you wake up at 4 in the morning and want to play a game in your underpants, you dont need to turn on a light. :dizzy:
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I'm planning on lighting mine for aesthetics and for the same reason as arzoo.
I think I've determined my color scheme to be blue and white.....I want it to be clean. So I figure with some nice white translucent buttons that only light up when playing allows me to keep my color scheme while powered down or not being used while also allowing me to have the colored controls as typical on many original machines while in play. :)
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Im using LEDs in my buttons and LEDs in rings around my joysticks to show what buttons/directions are used. Im also using a ton of independently controllable LEDs everywhere else on my cocktail just becuase Im a self admitted LED whore and I want to program some nice attract sequences.
Im using the 'Happ' translucent concave buttons with LEDs and I have had no problems what so ever.
Didn't know happ made translucent buttons couldn't find them on there website ???
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Im using LEDs in my buttons and LEDs in rings around my joysticks to show what buttons/directions are used. Im also using a ton of independently controllable LEDs everywhere else on my cocktail just becuase Im a self admitted LED whore and I want to program some nice attract sequences.
Im using the 'Happ' translucent concave buttons with LEDs and I have had no problems what so ever.
Didn't know happ made translucent buttons couldn't find them on there website ???
Toranado Terry's (http://www.tornadoterrys.com/surplus.htm)
LizardLick (http://www.lizardlickamusements.com/pages/pushbuttons.shtml)
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Thanks Ginsu Victim
I get a ton of stuff from lizardLick
can't believe I missed em on there site
already on there way to me ;D
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One of the guys in the B/S/T forum sells them also...sorry, forget his name right now but he's one of the reputable persons that people always order from.
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One of the guys in the B/S/T forum sells them also...sorry, forget his name right now but he's one of the reputable persons that people always order from.
More than likely Divemaster
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Answer .....
Easy - its so that when you wake up at 4 in the morning and want to play a game in your underpants, you dont need to turn on a light. :dizzy:
I don't need a cab to play a game in my underpants in the middle of the night.
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I would like the bling of lit buttons for attract modes, knowing which button are applicable to the game I selected and in some games where you have limited use of a button e.g. Defender, have the smart bomb button turn off when there are no bombs remaining.
Having said that they seem so expensive and after reading that members here don't like the feel of them I don't think I'll bother buying any now.
Oh, don't forget BYOAC member Ponyboy sells transluscents: http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=36770.0
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For me personally it was the bling route. Theres many advantages as some stated on here which is mainly for instance having whatever front end your using to light up only the controls that are usable in mame and what not.
Once set up correctly its a really nice investment, but I admit its more of luxury then a necessity really. Although I'll never regret making the change.
One day I'll have to replace the 4 way joy and start buttons though.
(http://a781.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/106/l_47ddd1b78c7a2b2d580fa17b8b114b5c.jpg)
Plus the fact that your no longer limited to a single color as you have a much wider range of colors to use.
As far as the feel compared to happs or comp pushbuttons I noticed s slight difference but some of the people who have played on mine noticed it actually felt nicer with the led buttons then competition pushbuttons. I guess its just up to the individual person to determine which is best in the end. :)
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I think it looks great and I like the idea of the buttons lighting up for what needs to be used.
I plan on it for my CP.
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You got some nice bling happening there puerrican85.
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I have ordered my CP with Bling Bling installed and really love the look of it .
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Am I the only one who hates the word "bling"?
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Seeing as were getting pics out check out my BLING!!!!! :D
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=GwPkp8YLPV4
Its just a test CP for now, I have some nice sequences planned for my 3 CPs and table top etc. I have three LED Wiz's and a Pac drive to program simultanously which should be fun. They are only single colour LEDs so I have to get 122 outputs on the LED Blinky sequencer screen. Fun times ahead! :)
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Am I the only one who hates the word "bling"?
I'm right there with ya.
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Seeing as were getting pics out check out my BLING!!!!! :D
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=GwPkp8YLPV4
Its just a test CP for now, I have some nice sequences planned for my 3 CPs and table top etc. I have three LED Wiz's and a Pac drive to program simultanously which should be fun. They are only single colour LEDs so I have to get 122 outputs on the LED Blinky sequencer screen. Fun times ahead! :)
It's like a rave in there...
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Seeing as were getting pics out check out my BLING!!!!! :D
Its just a test CP for now, I have some nice sequences planned for my 3 CPs and table top etc. I have three LED Wiz's and a Pac drive to program simultanously which should be fun. They are only single colour LEDs so I have to get 122 outputs on the LED Blinky sequencer screen. Fun times ahead! :)
Do you have a thread that shows your setup for the 8-way lights? I've been considering doing that, but wasn't sure the best approach (I'd like to light the arrows depending on the game).
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Seeing as were getting pics out check out my BLING!!!!! :D
Its just a test CP for now, I have some nice sequences planned for my 3 CPs and table top etc. I have three LED Wiz's and a Pac drive to program simultanously which should be fun. They are only single colour LEDs so I have to get 122 outputs on the LED Blinky sequencer screen. Fun times ahead! :)
That came out awesome man. Loving the light up around the joystick. How did you do that in fact with the light up around the joy?
Edit:: Nevermind, I saw the panels out in the open that you did on your thread. You gave me ideas for future projects :). But the cab is coming out awesome, keep up the good work and will definitely like to see the final build.
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Am I the only one who hates the word "bling"?
I'm right there with ya.
Neat!
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I always felt it was overkill, a friend of mine wants them just for that "bling" effect, but that wasn't my cup of tea.
Then I saw Arzoo's thread...
Now, on my next cab I will probably have them. I don't care about attract mode flashy lights, but when people are over to play games, the first question they have is: "what controls am I supposed to use for this game"... and of course that question gets repeated for every game. Here's a shocker, I'm no expert and thus don't know every game's control scheme. I could look it up but ledblinky along with those flashy buttons become more than aesthetics, rather a powerful and convenient tool.
Not everone wants to play a 1 button game and even some of the old classics like Asteroid (good choice for the demo Arzoo) really benefit from the lights and the ledblinky.
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=73905.0
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Here's a shocker, I'm no expert and thus don't know every game's control scheme.
CPwizard (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=74091.0)
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CPwizard (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=74091.0)
Seconding this. I have mine set to show an image of the active controls on my panel during pause.
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For me personally it was the bling route. Theres many advantages as some stated on here which is mainly for instance having whatever front end your using to light up only the controls that are usable in mame and what not.
Once set up correctly its a really nice investment, but I admit its more of luxury then a necessity really. Although I'll never regret making the change.
One day I'll have to replace the 4 way joy and start buttons though.
(http://a781.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images01/106/l_47ddd1b78c7a2b2d580fa17b8b114b5c.jpg)
Plus the fact that your no longer limited to a single color as you have a much wider range of colors to use.
As far as the feel compared to happs or comp pushbuttons I noticed s slight difference but some of the people who have played on mine noticed it actually felt nicer with the led buttons then competition pushbuttons. I guess its just up to the individual person to determine which is best in the end. :)
Puerrican85,
Which buttons are those on your CP? Looks like the GGG buttons, can you give the specifics of your setup?
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I think cause as humans we just like glowy things! IE: Glow in the dark condoms! :laugh2:
For real though,
I just bought 12 electric ices from GGG.
But like Arzoo says I wanna use them to show what buttons to use for each game. I always have to figure out what button does what with all the mame games, Hope it helps when my company is over and there like ok what buttons do I use. I havent installed them yet but I hope it helps. Thats why I bought em. Plus I like the glowy stuff! ;)
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They can look great but it can cost a fair bit extra to light your average panel. The major factor that put me off doing my new machine with lighting is that I prefer function over finish, and finding your perfect button/switch combo usually means they are not easily modified to accept lights.
A lighted trackball looks nice though and is less affected by light additions, which is why I've gone with the U-trak and the led light unit.
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Seeing as were getting pics out check out my BLING!!!!! :D
Its just a test CP for now, I have some nice sequences planned for my 3 CPs and table top etc. I have three LED Wiz's and a Pac drive to program simultanously which should be fun. They are only single colour LEDs so I have to get 122 outputs on the LED Blinky sequencer screen. Fun times ahead! :)
Do you have a thread that shows your setup for the 8-way lights? I've been considering doing that, but wasn't sure the best approach (I'd like to light the arrows depending on the game).
I have to know how many ledwiz units he has running in his cab.
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I only want the both sticks showing the 8-ways and that's it. 16 connections, which a single Pac-drive will support.
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Ginsu, I asked about showing joystick directions early in my project thread and I was told that Mala (and I assume other FEs that use LED Blinky) can light directions for 2 and 4 way. IIRC you cant normally show 8 way but I seem to remember speaking to arzoo or someone about making it a possibility.
Any idea arzoo if you are reading?
The major factor that put me off doing my new machine with lighting is that I prefer function over finish, and finding your perfect button/switch combo usually means they are not easily modified to accept lights.
Im not sure what buttons you use but you can pretty much light any button. I know some people dont like the 'ready to go' buttons (Ultralux, Novagems etc) but you can easily light the Happ style buttons as well as some of the Seimitsu buttons. Sure it takes a little more effort but then you get form and function.
What button/switch combo are you having trouble with?
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Oh, I know how to light it software-wise, I meant I'd like to see how you have the lights themselves rigged up.
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I'm sold, methinks; bent98 did a nice job lighting his panel in this post. Scroll down for videos!
http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=77634.0
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Unfortunately, I'm still in the planning my 1st cab/drooling-over-other-projects stage and have nothing to offer experience-wise but I've 'favorited' a couple more inspiring posts:
Abom did a nifty job lighting things up in this Bit-tech post - with wiring pics:
http://forums.bit-tech.net/showthread.php?t=99144
Ern's Mame Arcade Machine - this is over-the-top lighting:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9gMAXek0vY
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Ginsu, I asked about showing joystick directions early in my project thread and I was told that Mala (and I assume other FEs that use LED Blinky) can light directions for 2 and 4 way. IIRC you cant normally show 8 way but I seem to remember speaking to arzoo or someone about making it a possibility.
Any idea arzoo if you are reading?
I'm not exactly sure what the question is, but LEDBlinky can light LEDs to indicate the joystick directions based on the game. You could do it one of two ways - have a bunch of LEDs labeled 2-way, 4-way, 8-way, etc. OR put a ring of LEDs around the programmable joystick(s) and have only the correct directions light up - that would be so cool!
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OR put a ring of LEDs around the programmable joystick(s) and have only the correct directions light up - that would be so cool!
Which is how I was looking at doing it.
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I like the idea of lighting only the buttons that are used for a given game. From a utility perspective, that is awesome. But I kind of hate the look. Even when done reasonably well, I think they look gaudy and Christmas-treeish, especially the attract-modes people create. More like repulse-mode, IMO (except the light circling Franco's stick which is admittedly cool looking). I don't think it's a matter of being tied down to classic style vs. modern. I'm only 30 years old and my control panels are brushed aluminum and so is my t-molding. Not very vintage. I think I hesitate to light my control panel for the same reason I think New York and San Francisco are far more beautiful than Las Vegas. Sometimes less is more.
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I'm not exactly sure what the question is, but LEDBlinky can light LEDs to indicate the joystick directions based on the game. You could do it one of two ways - have a bunch of LEDs labeled 2-way, 4-way, 8-way, etc. OR put a ring of LEDs around the programmable joystick(s) and have only the correct directions light up - that would be so cool!
Excellent :)
Which is how I was looking at doing it.
Which is what im doing ;)
I also drilled the holes for the Plexiglas tubes (5mm or so length) to be backlit by LEDs. I was expecting the plexiglass rod to be somewhere close to 5mm in diameter but it turns out in fact that it is 5.25mm which is a pain in the ass as the diameter of the LEDs s 4.9mm and so there is no real viable option in between. I ended up drilling the holes 5.2mm and the plexiglass tapped in nicely but obviously the LEDs were baggy. I wanted both to be a nice tight fit (without glue etc) so I have come up with a better idea.
I am going to insert 10mm plexi rod into the CP but have a hole to push fit the LEDs from the other side of the CP, this cross section will give you an idea:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v325/Francoberasi/crosssectionperspexled.jpg)
I am going to have vinyl overlay over the top of the CP. I am going to get arrows printed on the overlay and then I will cut them out of the vinyl, revealing the plexi beneath:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v325/Francoberasi/newinsert.jpg)
(Imagine the dotted line is the hidden plexi circumference and the arrrow is the cut out section)
It should then look something like this once arrayed round the joystick:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v325/Francoberasi/newinsertarray.jpg)
I ended up drilling the through hole 4.9mm and I used a 10mm slot drill and circle interpolating the hole to suit the 10.25mm polycarb inserts.
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=51525.0;attach=109479;image)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v325/Francoberasi/arrowspic-1.jpg)
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Thanks. Basically what I was thinking.
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CPwizard (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=74091.0)
Seconding this. I have mine set to show an image of the active controls on my panel during pause.
I've been meaning to give it a try, is it easy to setup? Thanks for the "push" guys :).
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Answer .....
Easy - its so that when you wake up at 4 in the morning and want to play a game in your underpants, you dont need to turn on a light. :dizzy:
Grown-up guys actually, like, wear underwear to bed?
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I have to agree with you there, the electric ice buttons don't feel as nice as the original buttons I was using in my CP and when I tap some of them I can hear the spring vibrate. While the attract modes look great and lighting the buttons with the real colors is cool, it's a shame the buttons don't feel as good.
I've mentioned this in the past, but I guess the word isn't propagating too well. The EI buttons are actually made of a more durable material than a standard pushbutton. The external feel of the button is identical to standard pushbuttons (exact same shape), but the difference is in the interaction of the spring. The EI buttons use a harder material that is a little more resonant than the nylon that is normally used. That means that the spring vibration is a bit more audible.
If this bothers you, there is a very simple fix. You need only to take the springs out of the buttons and stretch them enough to add about 1/8" to their uncompressed lengths. This will ensure that the contact between the button and the spring is stronger at all times and should reduce any spring vibration pretty much to nil.
RandyT
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Answer .....
Easy - its so that when you wake up at 4 in the morning and want to play a game in your underpants, you dont need to turn on a light. :dizzy:
Grown-up guys actually, like, wear underwear to bed?
I'm with you on this. It's commando at my house. I can't even sleep otherwise.
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Answer .....
Easy - its so that when you wake up at 4 in the morning and want to play a game in your underpants, you dont need to turn on a light. :dizzy:
Grown-up guys actually, like, wear underwear to bed?
I'm with you on this. It's commando at my house. I can't even sleep otherwise.
Heh. I've been waiting for the 'I have kids' or something argument.