The Optimizer is one of the key components of C.O.M.B.O. Buttons.
Silent Press
One of the main functions of the Optimizer is to dampen the noise of your button presses. It is made of silicone allowing you to hide the sound of your presses in competitive play better than a standard plastic bottom. In addition, the silicone creates a soft bottom of the press that lessens strain on the fingers and hands from pressing buttons.
Shorter Press
The Optimizer shortens the total travel distance the button needs to go for a full press. Having a shorter press means that you can end a button press sooner and start your next press sooner.
The video directly below shows what the press of a button looks like in general: you start the press of the button, it travels some distance until it activates, it travels a bit more until it reaches its full press, and then it has to travel the way back up.
This next video will now demonstrate the difference in the full press distance seen above compared to the full press distance of a C.O.M.B.O. with an Optimizer. Notice how much sooner the Optimizer allows the button to return to the top.
This difference in return speed we see in the video below is what we call Rapid Return.
Why Does Rapid Return Matter?
Faster Is Better
The sooner you can get to the bottom to your button press, then the sooner you can reset your button to the top, which means the sooner you can press it again. If you can get to your next button press faster than those you are competing with, you have an advantage. It's that simple.
Feel
As with any button or controller, the overall feel to you is what is going to matter greatly. You may be someone whose presses on other buttons have felt sluggish and not as responsive. Taking advantage of Rapid Return can get that feeling of speed and responsiveness that you are looking for.
Or, thanks to the modularity of the C.O.M.B.O., you can completely remove the Optimizer for a feel similar to more traditional arcade-style buttons - like in the arcade days.
Options
The Optimizer comes in three sizes and can be swapped between C.O.M.B.O. Buttons and C.O.M.B.O. Extensions. It is also interchangeable between 24mm and 30mm sized C.O.M.B.O.s.
The Optimizer will have a number that informs you of the level of the Optimizer.
- CLASSIC Optimizer (OP)
- Creates a 1.5mm full press distance.
- Compatible with CLASSIC, SUPER, and ULTRA Plungers.
- SUPER OP
- Creates a 1.0mm full press distance.
- Compatible with SUPER and ULTRA Plungers.
- ULTRA OP
- Creates a 0.65mm full press distance.
- Compatible only with the ULTRA Plunger.
For help with swapping Optimizers, read through our C.O.M.B.O. Customization guide.
Note: The C.O.M.B.O. functions properly without an OP. If you prefer louder button presses or the feel of traditional arcade buttons, you are able to remove the OP from a C.O.M.B.O.
Travel Differences
The video below showcases the different travel distances of each C.O.M.B.O. type along with a Sanwa OBSF button. As you can see, the shorter your full press is, the much quicker you can get to the next press.
Explore more C.O.M.B.O. and, if you have any questions, please join our community on Discord and visit the #combo-button or #combo-extension channels.