Build Your Own Arcade Controls Forum
Main => Reviews => Topic started by: DeLuSioNal29 on October 09, 2008, 09:02:46 pm
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Yes, you read that right! Randy T at www.GroovyGameGear.com (http://www.GroovyGameGear.com) has come out with yet another Electric Ice product! The RGB Balltop! Finally! And it was worth the wait!
The product is not yet available, as pricing is still being worked out, but I did have the pleasure to beta test the first prototype stick. But I imagine it will be available sooner than you think.
Essentially, the Electric-Ice is a modified "Versa Ball" stick that works with various joysticks. It looks very similar to this: Versa Ball Stainless Shaft (http://groovygamegear.com/webstore/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=71&products_id=229)
However, it has been modified for the RGB feature. What you are getting when you buy it: The specially drilled and filled RGB 1 7/16" shaft, the now famous off-white "electric ice" ball on top and a special 4-pole cable that acts as a wire strain reliever and allows the joystick to spin and not get tangled.
Shot of the RGB Ball-Top still sealed in the plastic:
(http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/338/dsc03244pt9.jpg)
Shot of the RGB Ball-Top uninstalled:(older wiring shown)
(http://img511.imageshack.us/img511/9192/dsc03245ws7.jpg)
Shot of the old connector vs. new connector
(The old connector is the one with the red shrink tube on it. It actually adds 1 3/4" to the shaft when connected. The new connector only adds 1/2" to the shaft! Huge improvement!
(http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/1713/dsc03717xl2.jpg)
Shot of the RGB Ball-Top with the connector plugged in:(newer wiring shown)
(http://img516.imageshack.us/img516/4638/dsc03723ee6.jpg)
Shot of the RGB Ball-Top installed on my panel:
(http://img49.imageshack.us/img49/3762/dsc03710sg5.jpg)
When I first received it, I couldn't wait to try it out. It was well packaged with all of the necessary parts to get started. However, I will note that mine did not come with a dust washer or any e-clips. Hopefully, that will be included in the official release. However, I already owned a Versaball ball-top, so the dust washer and e-clips that I already had fit the new shaft like a glove.
One major design flaw that I noticed, was that the shaft (with the connector at the bottom of the shaft plugged in) was too long to fit into my control panel, since it would hit the bottom of the box. Those with no bottoms on their control panels should not have a problem. But, after a couple months of searching, RandyT managed to correct that problem with a new right angle connector, which cut down on the length of the shaft considerably. And it now fits! :applaud:
I love the fact that it is the same color as my existing Electric-ice Products. Those who have the Electric-Ice T Trackball v.2.0 will be pleased, as it matches it EXACTLY. Same texture and everything.
Shot of the new RGB Ball-Top and the Electric-Ice T Trackball:
(http://img135.imageshack.us/img135/732/dsc03711mq8.jpg)
As for the colors, it works great as a stand-a-lone LED color. You can connect it directly to a +5v power source and depending on what ground wire you connect (3 total - R, G + B) that's what color you will generate. You can combine wires to create additional colors as well. Add resistors and you can achieve even more.
Primary Colors:
Red Wire = +5v source - Connect this with the following to form that color:
Silver wire = Red LED color (ground)
White Wire = Green LED color (ground)
Yellow Wire = Blue LED color (ground)
Additional colors:
Yellow + White Wires = Light Blue LED color (ground)
Silver + White Wires = Yellow LED color (ground)
Silver + Yellow Wire = Purple LED color (ground)
Silver + White + Yellow = White LED color (ground)
However, where the RGB Ball-Top really shines (pun not intended) is when you connect it to an LED Wiz. By pairing it up with an LED Wiz you open up the possibility of over 100,000 different colors, where you have full control via software on what color you want it to change to. No special resistors need. It will work right out of the box. The possibilities are endless!
Here is a video of it in action:
(Note: The true colors are closer to the reflection off of the panel)
LED Wiz Prototype Joystick Test (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59DbjMqlcOM#)
In conclusion, you can't go wrong with this wonderful device. It was long overdue and it was indeed worth the wait. A big thank you goes out to Randy T at www.GroovyGameGear.com (http://www.GroovyGameGear.com) for allowing me to get the first one before it hit the market. I'm glad I was able to help improve the harness connector underneath with my input and component searching.
Now the big question is... when is it going to be released to the public?
~ DeLuSioNaL
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Thanks for the review. A few questions if I may:
-What's the length from the top of the ball to the bottom of the shaft with the plug in?
-Can you post pics of the shaft with the plug in and out?
Thanks!
-Hoopz
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sweet! now how about a version that has top-fire, optical rotary and 49-way built in ;)
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When you say 'works with various joysticks', do they work with the Sanwa JLW or JLF series? If not (RandyT) is there any likelyhood of expanding the range of shafts available to order?
I'm looking for a more repeatable source of illuminated balltops too, and if I can find ones compatible with my Sanwas that match the Electric Ice range, all the better!
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Very nice, looks great!
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Can they be used in the U360's?
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When you say 'works with various joysticks', do they work with the Sanwa JLW or JLF series? If not (RandyT) is there any likelyhood of expanding the range of shafts available to order?
I'm looking for a more repeatable source of illuminated balltops too, and if I can find ones compatible with my Sanwas that match the Electric Ice range, all the better!
Yeah, i hope they will work with the sanwa. I think there's a forum member who sells modified sanwa shafts for illuminated ball top purposes. I'll see if i can find the link.
:)
http://www.thludwig.de/arcade/led_sticks.html
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Can they be used in the U360's?
?? :notworthy:
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Is it just me, or does Delusional sound like Marvin the Martian?
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cwxc_zLH560[/youtube]
::)
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Can they be used in the U360's?
There is a thread I think started by Bender on a design for this in particular.
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There is a thread I think started by Bender on a design for this in particular.
Yes we know but the question is can they be used on a U360
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The 360s utilize a magnet mounted to the bottom of the shaft. Out of the box, I don't see this working for the 360s. You'll have to figure out how to mount the magnet to the bottom and deal with the extra length of the shaft created by the earphone jack.
Someone (bender?) did this, complete with pics a while ago.
-csa
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There is a thread I think started by Bender on a design for this in particular.
Yes we know but the question is can they be used on a U360
Obviously, as the point of interface is different, the answer is no.
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I want a finders fee for finding the 4-pole sockets :D
Bender manged to get his u360s LED lit by using a two pole plug/socket and extending the PCB standoffs.
(http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=51525.0;attach=101408;image)
Ive been working on a solution for RGB lighting the U360s too:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v325/Francoberasi/Sanwareplacementshaftsection1.png)
More info [here (http://forum.arcadecontrols.com/index.php?topic=75527.msg873981#msg873981)]
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I want a finders fee for finding the 4-pole sockets :D
Heh, it wasn't the sockets, it was the damn 4-pole right-angle plugs! I'll give you a finders fee if you can locate the Chinese factory they are made in so they don't cost me $4+ a pop ;)
(but thanks for the tip!!! :))
RandyT
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Hell, if we are being pedantic I'll take the finders fee for finding the 4-pole right angle plugs too ;)
They are a crazy price tho considering what they are. I would happily pay £2 for the jack and £2 for the socket but I know others wouldn't. When you add on the shaft, bigger eclip etc, even without overheads etc the final product isn't going to end up cheap.
Thanks for sending me those plain translucent blue versa ball top with no threaded insert. They will make things 1000x times easier to get 4 wires through. I think an M8 threaded shaft or similar would be much easier to accommodate the 4 wires. Maybe this is something to be looked into.
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Hey Guys, what is the status of these? I have my CC ready to buy!!
What is the good word Randy/
Cheers,
Deefish
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any updates on the release of this product?
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ETA on release dates? It's been over 9 months since this thread started... I just ordered some Electric-Ice LED buttons and didn't see the stick on the site. I'd love to add them to the system I'm building.
--Ed
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Wow! Awesome!
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Last week I sent a email to GGG asking about the eta of these too and have yet to receive a response back. I am about to start my first venture into building an arcade table and thought these would look great.
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I sent them an email a week ago on their site and never got a response. I also PM'd the GGG on here a couple weeks ago and never got a response. Are they on vacation?
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Something must be going on - I placed an order with them over a week ago and have asked for the status of the order and have received no response.
I did get this from Randy when I asked about this:
I'm afraid the RGB LED balltop project is in temporary stasis. They take us too long to assemble, use expensive parts and therefore require a high price tag (which has not yet been fully established) that I'm not sure folks will understand when they see it.
I may change my mind about releasing these in a few weeks, though.
We'll see what happens.
--Ed
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I can understand the price factor being a concern for a seller but I would pay a decent amount just on the idea that I laid out a pretty penny on the rest of the parts so I want everything to match. At least give the option of putting it in as a custom order and understand that anytime you are buying a custom made item that you would be paying more for the time and parts. What does everyone else think?
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My guess is the "high price tag" Randy is referencing is probably "really" high for him to not have a custom option...yet.
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The "high price tag" is also going to depend on volume. If he's only ordering 100 components then the price is going to be different than if he orders 1000 components. There's no guarantee that he's going to sell more than a few dozen units if it is pricey and he'll be sitting on a lot of inventory, which isn't a win for anyone.
I wonder if there's a model for the DIYer that can assemble the kit on their own to bring the cost down. (since assemble time is a factor in price)
It all comes down to who the target audience is, how large that audience is, and what they would be willing to pay. This isn't a mass product (relatively speaking) so it might not fit his business model even though it's sweet technology.
I for one hope he changes his mind...
--Ed
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Something must be going on - I placed an order with them over a week ago and have asked for the status of the order and have received no response.
I did get this from Randy when I asked about this:
I'm afraid the RGB LED balltop project is in temporary stasis. They take us too long to assemble, use expensive parts and therefore require a high price tag (which has not yet been fully established) that I'm not sure folks will understand when they see it.
I may change my mind about releasing these in a few weeks, though.
We'll see what happens.
--Ed
You actually get responses from Randy? I'm PM'd him here, and asked a question on the website and have never gotten a response. Was unrelated to the balltop and was a question about existing products. I didn't have a problem placing and receiving an order, but there didn't seem to be a way to ask questions. Not sure if I'll order more stuff from there if I can't get simple questions answered like "How do I order the clear buttons with the RGB inserts".
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I can only assume he is on vacation or having some other issue. I know when I ordered the TT2 spinner about 3 weeks ago he answered numerous questions I had via both email and PMs on this board.
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You actually get responses from Randy? I'm PM'd him here, and asked a question on the website and have never gotten a response. Was unrelated to the balltop and was a question about existing products. I didn't have a problem placing and receiving an order, but there didn't seem to be a way to ask questions. Not sure if I'll order more stuff from there if I can't get simple questions answered like "How do I order the clear buttons with the RGB inserts".
I've never had problems hearing from Randy either, and I've asked a number of oddball questions... I've usually initiated the question through the "Contact Us" page of the web site and chosen "Technical Support"
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Well I just received confirmation that my order shipped so Randy is around and just busy. (hopefully with nothing too serious) With any luck we'll get some updates soon on whether he decides to at least post some specs/costs on these RGB Ball-Top joysticks so we can see if it's more than we're willing to pay.
Let's face it, when you're going RGB you are more than a casual builder and might be more willing to pay a premium. (at least I am for something sooo cool)
Cheers!
--Ed
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Well i hope he will at least gives those who are interested the option of buying regardless of price - i'd be pretty flexible in that area.
:)
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Any update on these at all? They look sweet but been over 3 years and I don't see them at groovygamegear.
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Any update on these at all? They look sweet but been over 3 years and I don't see them at groovygamegear.
I have shipped a few more sets of these since (updated the design a bit as well), but we need to hold off a bit more on them, due to the move. Apologies for the delay.
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Any update on this?
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I'm also checking in for updates on this.
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I've emailed Randy, but haven't heard anything yet.
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I have messaged Randy a couple of times and yet to hear anything back about those Ice buttons... Im considering going a different way.. :dizzy:
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I've posted this on the forums before, but I'll do it again here;
You can build your own, with parts we can sell you. Just order the Stainless VersaBall shafts (these are hollow) and state in the comments that you want Electric ICE balltops. The price is the same.
Also order the SlipWire part for your wiring. We will throw in the RGB LED and resistors. Put it all together with your favorite Super or Competition joystick base and you will have the nicest RGB Balltop available.
RandyT
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I can't figure out Randy's online store with all the Add, request in comments, change this, etc..so after putting in my shopping cart, what I THINK I needed, the price for two joysticks with this ability was over $114. :censored:
Any way I can get a quote Randy from you, for TWO arcade joysticks (4/8 way switchable) that can be "lit up" like the ones you sent Delusional?
I simply am looking for two quality sticks, with the hollow shaft and LED ability ball top... one stick should be switchable to 4/8 way (pacman type games, etc) at least.
I take it I need to order:
Omni2 Joystick x 2
Slipwire x 2
Versaball shaft x 2
Thanks...
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A good chunk of your total is the more costly OMNI2 sticks, which wouldn't be compatible with the shafts we have to do this. You would need to use a Super, Competition, or the IL equivalent. But these aren't switchable.
As for the cost, sticks with this kind of capability are costly. A lot goes into making them work, if done correctly.
RandyT