Control Button

[mvaldes]

I know that there are various comments in other sections but it seemed appropriate to post mine under this heading. Now that I've been using the control for a few weeks, I still find that the "resume" function is difficult to use. It does work but instead of "resume," I almost always end up setting my speed at whatever it is when I try to "resume." I don't know if this is due to the relatively stiff spring or just me. I believe it's been a problem for others since on the SCOA forum there was even a discussion about whether a "resume" function existed.
Sort of along those lines, I think the spring should be softer, if possible, in future versions. It's not "bad" enough for me to want to try one of the mods that have been discussed but IF you sold an alternate spring that you know works in the unit and is about 1/2 to 2/3's of the pressure, I'd buy one.
Please don't regard these comments as evidence of any dissatisfaction with your product. I think it's great and would buy it again in the proverbial "heartbeat." I simply offer them as my observations and suggestions for possible improvement.

[Horseman]

mvaldes,

I agree with you that the spring could be softer. I have successfully changed out my spring which has made a big difference in its operation, including the issue with accidentally activating the set option instead of resume.

Please check out my link here...

Stiff button SOLVED... and how to do it.

This procedure should cheaply and easily get you a softer button.

Enjoy!

Alex

[admin]

People speak, we listen.

I don't know what I'm going to do with the 1000 stiffer springs though    I suppose I could make a miniature mattress.

Sadly, the new springs are going to take a month or more to arrive.  But they're on the way.

[intocoasters]

  um.... include one original and one 'soft' spring in the kit and let the end user decide. I have not had any problems with the original spring - but then again, I accidently got to see where the actual button lives in the cylinder and can enguage the CC without having to compress the spring all that much.

[mvaldes]

People speak, we listen.

I don't know what I'm going to do with the 1000 stiffer springs though    I suppose I could make a miniature mattress.

Sadly, the new springs are going to take a month or more to arrive.  But they're on the way.

Thank you! How do I order (or should it be pre-order) one?

[mvaldes]

mvaldes,

I agree with you that the spring could be softer. I have successfully changed out my spring which has made a big difference in its operation, including the issue with accidentally activating the set option instead of resume.

Please check out my link here...

Stiff button SOLVED... and how to do it.

This procedure should cheaply and easily get you a softer button.

Enjoy!

Alex

Thank you Alex. Your mod sounds pretty straightforward. If the "new" springs described by Admin are only available to new customers, I'll have to give it a try. If they're available for existing users to retrofit their units, then I'll wait and go that route.
Best,
Michael

[admin]

I suppose we could include both springs.  I foresee a whole lot of emails asking "what do I do with this spring?!"  and it is too late to address it in the included printed materials.  And I'm not sure we should be encouraging people to take their units apart.  Even for the majority that don't mind the spring as-is... would there be any detriment for you to have a softer spring?

I still can't imagine how it is an issue, but enough people have expressed that it is "too stiff" that it warrants addressing.  From an engineering standpoint, I can't see how putting in a softer spring does anything, because the force required to compress the spring the incredibly small distance required to engage the switch is literally less than is required to push a button on your cell phone.  An adult human thumb shouldn't even be able to perceive the difference and I do have a suspicion that the few people complaining it is too hard are somehow mistaking how far the button needs to be pressed.  But then at least 2 people have reported that modifying their spring resolved the situation.  Psychological?  Or my math is off and/or my thumb is too strong 

But it isn't worth not addressing if it even possibly solves an issue.  1000 of these springs costs a little over $300.  In the scheme of things, that isn't a lot.  The immediate problem is availability.  Working on it.

Michael.  When we get them... probably in about a month... just bug us and we'll send you one.

[Horseman]

I think one reason you aren't having problems with the spring at the current strength is that you're using your thumb to push the button. If I were using my thumb, I also would probably not be having much of a problem since the thumb is the strongest finger on the hand. That said, I don't use my thumb to engage. I instinctively use my index or middle finger and in doing so, found it to be too stiff.

I do foresee one possible problem with using a softer spring as stock. As I had indicated on my post here, when I put the softer spring in, I started having immediate problems with a stuck button. Filing a very thin layer off the the plastic end of the stalk and lubricating it with silicone lubricant completely and totally solved the issue, but do you really want to be instructing people to do that?

Another solution would be to make the hole in the button a tiny bit larger, but of course, that would require retooling (or at the very least, labor to drill or file out a small layer of plastic), which isn't very practical.

So, I don't know what the solution is. You COULD just post something on the "static site" you guys are thinking about creating specifically for people looking for a softer spring option, and in that posting you can detail all the procedures for making it work well. You could also include the spring in the kit with a little tag on it saying "optional softer spring. See whateverurl.com for important installation instructions."

How's that?

Alex

[admin]

Good ideas.


You don't use your thumb?  Hmm, yes that would explain it.  But you must also turn on your window sprayers a lot too?  Or at least until you got used to it?

Of course there is no wrong way, but the design expectation was that the user would curl their hand around the cylinder from underneath to grip it and then use their thumb to engage the button.  This wasn't just out of nowhere.  We had about 20 people (various sizes, shapes, ages) partake in a little test session to see if that was a good place to put the button before we started this and we asked them to pretend there was a button on the end of the stalk.   I can't recall anyone doing it any differently but perhaps they were just mimicking the demonstration.  Which, in hindsight, kind of makes it a bad bit of research in that sense.  Of course we were only check to see that a cross section of people and body types could comfortably use the cruise... not HOW they might use it.

Whatever works though, right!?

When I get the sample of the softer spring, I'll test it to make sure it won't increase problems with stuck or non-responsive buttons.

Thanks for the continued input everyone!

[Horseman]

You don't use your thumb?  Hmm, yes that would explain it.  But you must also turn on your window sprayers a lot too?  Or at least until you got used to it?

Actually, yes, I WAS turning on my sprayers a lot, which was one reason I wanted the softer spring. In fact, I recall at least one other person on the site saying how they would occasionally activate the wipers when pushing the button, and it's probably for the same reason. Now, with the new spring, I don't have that problem at all.

Of course there is no wrong way, but the design expectation was that the user would curl their hand around the cylinder from underneath to grip it and then use their thumb to engage the button.

I actually did that a few times, and it was easy to push the button that way, but of course, then I had to take my hand off the steering wheel to do it. You have to understand... I'm LAZY!!!!!!

This wasn't just out of nowhere.  We had about 20 people (various sizes, shapes, ages) partake in a little test session to see if that was a good place to put the button before we started this and we asked them to pretend there was a button on the end of the stalk.   I can't recall anyone doing it any differently but perhaps they were just mimicking the demonstration.  Which, in hindsight, kind of makes it a bad bit of research in that sense.  Of course we were only check to see that a cross section of people and body types could comfortably use the cruise... not HOW they might use it.

Whatever works though, right!?

Absolutely! And again, I gotta tell you, the cruise works GREAT. The softer button is a bonus, but even without, the cruise works very well and I'm SO glad I finally have it for my fortwo. Worth every penny!

Alex

[mvaldes]

FWIW, like your test subjects, I use my thumb on the button but I don't curl my fingers around the "stalk" of the control. At least for me, what works best is to put my index and long fingers on either side of the stalk and then push with my thumb. (Imagine you're using a syringe.) That way I don't get spray or wipers and have a better chance of "resume" working. If I just push with my thumb as you described, I can rarely get "resume" to work although I've learned to do it that way without getting spray.

[intocoasters]

I, too, use the syringe method. Perhaps I need to experiment with finger pointing the button to see if I turn the sprayers on.

FWIW I suppose you could post a pic of where the button is internally so that people know where to push on the button - I know it has helped me (I am sure I am repeating myself) since I know where to push and how far before I hear and hear the little 'click'

[admin]

"syringe method"   I like that.  Describes it perfectly.

[mvaldes]

I'm assuming the actual button is the little black nubbin on the circuit board. If that's true, at least on my unit when it's assembled, it's located on the outer edge of the round part of the stalk, pretty much in line with where the cruise control symbol is located.

[admin]

Yes, that is correct and it is the same for all of them.