I think finding toys to rip apart might be a way to get what we need, while taking advantage of the economies of scale afforded by big companies. So, my friends, I present a challenge:
Seek out toys that have buttons and switches that might be scavenged for parts, and post links here!
This might be one of the cheapest routes to finding switches available.
I had the chance to play one of those things in a zellers store (here in Canada) the other week. It’s a pretty fun little toy.. The keyboard sucks as bad as would be expected, but some of the samples aren’t actually that bad (and those big buttons are backlit). Someone expecting to use the entire case should be wary because it’s pretty cheap plastic (but definitely big enough to house all the midibox gear, plus you could probably use some of the internal ROM samples for something)
edit: also, the scratchpad is not really useable, all it has connected to it is a little switch detecting if you’re pushing right or left, no speed or anything like that, it’s not even a rotary encoder as far as I can tell.
For those who are interested, here’s a dimensional analysis of the Lights Out buttons, made by cobbling together some pics from the product manual and then basing things off the standardized size of a AA battery:
They are about fingertip sized. Now, if I could just get the thickness of the buttons… If I can find a side view, I can probably guesstimate. based on the placement of the start buttons etc, we can tell that it is probably at least 20mm thick for the whole unit. If the buttons themselves are at least 6mm high, then they’d be useable.
There are actually a few on ebay. They can be bought direct from Tiger, albeit a slightly different formfactor - but the buttons look the same. They are $15bux. As soon as my paypal has some cash, I am buying.
There’s one older model called the Lights Out Deluxe that is a 36 button grid. You could probably combine it to make MIOS create a monome type controller just by figuring out the connections to the matrix.
EDIT: Apparently, Hackaday has a mention of doing just that, here:
I am the proud owner of an older model “Lights Out” game, and I should get it in a few days. Won it on eBay.
BTW, the buttons are rubbery, confirmed from an owner of the toy.
You outbid me for that :(. I had my eyes set on some of these games for about a week, prior to this thread being started (the similiarity to monome was brought up in a hackaday thread and I went shopping).
Oh well, I did win one last week anyways :).. I wanted 32 buttons but I don’t think I’m going to build that controller anymore anyways, instead just a midibox seq.
Man, Sorry! I suggest that if anyone else is bidding, that they put it here so this doesn’t happen again.
If you need 32 buttons, do a search for “Lights Out Deluxe” which has a 6x6 grid. There are 2 for sale.
I am planning on bidding on a Lights Out from Narcisses-Collectibles; it will be $15 shipped. That rounds out the buttons I need. Thomas, would you want to sell yours instead?
Also, I confirmed that the construction of the lights out games is a PCB mount with a single sheet of silicon buttons.
I think I’m going actually, I’m just going to build a midibox seq so I have enough buttons. I don’t think I’ll end up with extras, I have a number of cases to build.
I figured the auction was going to go over $10, but wasn’t home to attempt to snipe myself a winning bid. I’m glad it went to a fellow midiboxer and not some parent for a drooling kid
Thomas, do you have the unit in your posession? Do you know how high the buttons are ,from the top surface of the keypad flashing (the surface the buttons protrude out of)?
My only remaining concern is if they will stick out of a 3mm aluminum panel at least 1 MM.
Looking for a box to house your midibox project? I just found the coolest case to use - plus, it’s hard plastic and not metal so it’s easy to work with.
I have a lightsOut in my hands, received it today. I’ll post pictures later today. The buttons are suprisingly tall (prolly about 7mm sticking out from the plastic case for the toy).
