The SLA samples of the final button design have arrived. Please pardon the colors; the material is orange but I had them dyed green, so the parts are just all confused.

While most changes were minor, the big thing was to create the MKIIa knob. It has two potential designs: a two piece shaft like the original, or a solid ring shaft. They both feel like a good fit, but they both look different when lit:



The orange center ring will likely look dark colored or black. So, you can either have a continuous ring (top example) or a broken ring (bottom two examples). With the two piece (original) shaft, you see the split when it's diagonal (middle example) but don't see it when it's vertical or horozontal (bottom example).

Here's a poll from Wednesday am to Monday am so you can choose which MKIIa knob you like. Thanks as always for your feedback.

The more I think about it, the more I think RobS was right. The two piece shaft uses the circular "spring clip" for the best fit. The one piece shaft could eventually wear out and get loose. Maybe.

I think the shaft, which currently shows orange, will show as the color of the knob, just a tad darker. In the two piece shaft, it will be hard to notice the slightly lighter colored slot. I don't really see it while I'm driving and don't notice it when I'm stopped.

Oh yeah, and didn't people want the knob to stick out further? Currently it's about 1cm [edit: sorry, cm not mm] off the lens, but I could have it raised if people want.

1mm ????

The knob on my Mk2a unit(s) is about 9-10mm out from the lens. I like that -- easy to turn it.

Cheers

I think he means the gap between the lens and the knob not the height. A 1mm knob would be a tad hard to use in the car

I think the look of the one piece knob is noticebly better so that's how I voted, but I would hate for the knob to come off easily. If the expert opinion is that it needs to be two piece then so be it.

--Nathan

Ah, you're right, I was measuring in cm and calling it mm. All thanks to my high powered measuring device, a plastic grade school ruler. That's why I left the CAD changes to the experts.

Right, the knob is 1 cm from the lens. But didn't people request it to stick out more? I could make it 1.5cm or 2cm from the lens, making it easier to grip.

Ah, I just don't know about this one or two piece shaft thing. Now I'm inclined to use the one piece shaft, because will it really work loose over time? A tiny dab of hot melt glue could easily fix it.

Not for nothing did the design change to a slotted D-shaft.

If you put the circular spring around the shaft collar, the illumination of the LEDs does not show up in the centre of the knob as it's uniformly blocked by the spring. I thought I gave you two sets with springs on them?

Here are photos of the prototype two piece shaft knob with spring in place (left) and without spring (right). The spring will guarantee that the knob NEVER falls off. However, it puts a slight dark ring around the shaft.

I am giving the casters the approval by Monday morning, so any final thoughts, post them here.

Here's an idea since it looks like the solid shaft is they way this is going. Maybe you could include the spring and those of us that would really rather have the two piece shaft could mod the shaft and use the spring. Just an idea.

Thanks
Rob

Hm, THAT is a quality idea. You are not only the father of blue buttons, but also a defender of the original knob design. This idea and the overwhelming vote for solid shaft pretty much wins the decision. Thanks again for all of your input.

Awe shucks,
Now I'm blushing.

Whatever works, works for me.

I've found that the hotglue trick has worked wonders on both of my translucent knobs when they worked loose - and both only needed doing once. For those without a hot glue gun, I reckon that a dab of silicone glue would work too.

However, and this is quite a big however, both knobs needed this treatment after a couple of months. Now maybe this is due to the casting resin used, and perhaps this won't happen with this particular batch, but I believe that it will. This could be a pain for those of us who are less mechanically inclined.

Visually, I definitely prefer the solid shaft, And I also like the idea of including a spring so people have a choice. But you've got to do whatever you feel is right. Having a split shaft wouldn't kill my order.

Looks like the "no slot" design has won. And for good reason: it's the most flexible option. I'll include a spring with each order so you can convert the knob to the slotted design if it works loose.

Thanks again for all your input and ideas. I am submitting my approval to the casters. Now we enter the LONG wait as the metal mold ("tool") is created. Next step: a few clear sets as production verification samples!! Early March? We'll see.

Sorry to get in late on this. What about those of us with MkIIs, which have solid axles for the knob. Will they fit, too?

On the other hand, don't change your plans on my account. I probably won't buy any; I don't really want lighted stuff. Just curious.

Not to worry, I'm having MKII knobs made up too. Each set for sale will consist of: up, down, left, right, MKII knob, MKIIa knob (and possibly MKII ring and MKIIa spring). "Super Sets" will contain five complete sets, one set of each color.

You never know which MK2 you'll end up with in the future (ie: MKII encoder breaks, replaced with MKIIa. MKIIa dies, buy a used MKII. have both an MKIIa and MKII. etc.). And you never know what color dashboard you'll want to match. So, you can cover all your bases.

Aw, the S60R would look slick with some smoke lit buttons. ::drools over S60R::

Actually, the green would probably be a better match. Unfortunately, the green factory lens is the only one I don't have. I should do something about that.

Drop me a line - I have a stack of 'em here...

I'll do that when I get around to sending you my broken display(s). I'm in the middle of a move right now.

Any news?

Just curious...

--Nathan