I posted earlier about how I was interested in getting some of the plastic dials to fix the loose VCX-100 cardboard dial.

I got a pack of Rebel dial upgrades to start.

Getting the cardboard VCX dial apart was simple. I had a foam cutter knife, with a very long, sharp blade. I did NOT use the sharp edge to pry. That would have probably damaged the dial. I used the blunt edge, worked in in-between the dials, and gently pried them apart.

I then put the plastic manuver dial together with the VCX manuver dial.

I think the old cardboard dials were a bit better, in that there's less in the way of seeing the manuver. It's not a huge difference, but I noticed it.

The manuver dial was held snugly, and moved smoothly. Good results there.

I then took the plastic dial apart, as I was interested in how interchangeable it was.

Putting pressure on the ID token, and the edge of the manuver dial, I gently pushed the dial apart. No problems.

I then re-assembled it, and it all went together. So it seems they're fine for having maybe 3-6 dials, and using them for my whole collection.

I then got a notion and re-assembled the old cardboard VCX dial, putting the peg in "reversed" from how I had it originally.

The old dial held together much better, and I'm fine with it now.

So to sum up.

Plastic dials are good enough. I'm not sure if they're really an "upgrade" though.

I found an easy fix for the problem dial, and so I'm in no hurry to get anymore plastic dials.

Love 'em. Bought them for my IG-88s, because they're my most-flown squadron. Now I want them for everything.

Love them. I originally got them for my brobots but got some Rebel ones now for my YT-2400 and Ghost. They are great. Want them for all ships now. Seeing every single maneuver is awesome.

I don't think the point of the plastic ones is entirely superiority. I think it's because the cardboard dials will eventually faded, wear out and become unusable. Obviously this depends on how much they are handled (and how sweaty your hands are).

I'm tempted to get some.

Was going to put the ID Token and dial for a Lambda Shuttle inside a Rebel plastic dial.

For flying casual of course

Let's hope FFG decides to solve this etiquette conundrum by resolving that since there is no reasonable way for TOs to police this, all measurements can be done freely and at all times.

I got one, loved it, and proceeded to buy out all the local shops

The dials are great, for inexperienced players as well as they can see the entire dial at a glance. And they are easier to set than the regular ones which is an enabler for people with poor grip strength.

Saw the first one this week. I'm impressed. I think the design will make the dials last a lot longer. Not sure I'm ready to replace all my cardboard dials yet.

If you do get some then I'd recommend pushing them tightly together every round once you've set your move. I had my Vader fly off the board in a tournament last weekend as the dial had slipped slightly :-(

I don't think the point of the plastic ones is entirely superiority. I think it's because the cardboard dials will eventually faded, wear out and become unusable. Obviously this depends on how much they are handled (and how sweaty your hands are).

I use little circles I cut out of shelf liner on all of my maneuver dials. They will not fade or rub any of the print off, and the liner reduces friction so they turn more smoothly than bare dials.

And I only payed 8 bucks for a roll of 30 square feet of the stuff.

I've used it for other game stuff to. I've used it in the Shadowrun Crossfire game as a cover for the character sheets, lets you slip in the karma upgrades that we print off. The liner can be peeled off and placed back on, so you can change the upgrades on your character sheet without damaging the sheet.

This is an example of using a sticker the game comes with, with the shelf liner, you can print off the upgrades and not worry about the little stickers getting worn out when you remove them.

I've also used it to line my shelves, kek.

Whenever I get a new ship I always gloss-coat the cardboard parts with Rustoleum 2X Coverage gloss. When I assemble the dials, I put a 5/16 nylon washer in between the two halves so they don't rub against each other. I've been playing for three years now and none of my dials shows any wear, except on the outside corners where you grip them. The faces are as clear as the day I got them.

I've considered getting the dial upgrades but frankly, with the effort I've put into the dials and as well as they're working I just can't justify it. I do like some of the paintjobs I've seen, though.

Still firmly on my "I would like to have these eventually " list.

I wasn't going to get them..at..all...

But then...i realised they can be painted.and it looks wonderful.

I'm hooked.

They look gorgeous painted so naturally I did that and have 6 of each faction.

I didn't want to get them because they looked to me like the dial would spin too easily, but after reading the other topic about them i decided to get some this Friday.

I used them in a tournament yesterday and they worked great.

I know the dials of ships i fly but still it really helps seeing the whole dial all the time and they are so easy to set.

They don't seem to turn away easily after setting but just to feel safe i squeezed them just a bit after setting each time, that became an automatic thing to do naturally within the first game of using them, so no real problem there.

They are also very easy to take apart to switch dials, just carefully push from the backside window(with the ship icon) + the edge you can see from the backside.

edit: oh and now i have to start thinking of how to paint them

It's a matter of taste. Cost is a small factor but look up the dials painted. That may just sell you on them

... I put a 5/16 nylon washer in between the two halves...

However, the nylon ones looked too thick, so I got brass instead - much more expensive, but I get sufficient gap and no rub.

Great idea - thanks!

I really like the idea of the plastic dials, especially being able to see all moves - but too expensive to equip all dials, and if be wary of regular swapping causing wear-n-tear on the dials (sort of defeating the purpose).

Using Gullwind's washer idea covers me for 100 dials for the cost of 6 plastic ones.

Still firmly on my "I would like to have these eventually " list.

Pretty much this. As with magnets, I'd like them, at some stage, but if I'm spending money on x-wing stuff it's probably either storage (my storage solutions are continually evolving and never QUITE big enough) or ships, rather than extra accessories.

Their biggest downside is that it can be tricky for my opponent to see my revealed maneuver from across the table, due to the small-sized (and it has to be small) open wedge/hole.

Does anyone else have experience with nylon washers between the dials? Gullwind sprays clear coat on the dial base for protection, but what about just using the washer?

The thinnest nylon washer I found at a local hardware store is 0.015" thick, which is pretty darn thin. The radius is pretty small, so it won't be visible.

Item : Flat Washer

Type : Standard

Material : Nylon

Fits Bolt Sizes : #12

Inside Dia. : 0.240"

Outside Dia. : 0.465"

Finish : Natural

Thickness : 0.015"

Color : Off White

Less than $4 for 40 of these seems like a good deal.

I just bought 1 pack for each faction. It was a challenge to get the dials separated. I used a butter knife to get under the lip of the connector on the backside of the dial. I made some impressions, but nothing really damaging, and I don't see them when they are in the plastic upgrades.

I do like the plastic dials better. As others have said, being able to see all the maneuvers is very nice. I am also suffering from some tendinitis in my dominant hand, so holding and spinning the dial was actually easier.

I love them too

I think they are really great and worth at least a try....

that thing with putting pressure on the token for easier change of dials blew my mind ^^ I did not come up with this and snuggled the holding plastic piece side to side to remove it....so I was off to say they are just fpr permant upgrade....but now....thanks alot ^^ now I will disamble all dials I own ^^ and buy a bit more of them for swarms.

I was not sold on them, but then decided to get a set for my epic capital ships (it helped that the set came with 1 cr90/raider and 2 gozanti/gr75, which is exactly what I have. Then I liked them, so got one more set for Rebels, and 2 sets for Empire. I don't plan to swap dials around, so I put in just the most common ships I plan to fly so I can use them for aces- X-Wing, T-70 and A-Wing for the Rebels, Lambda, Advanced, Defender, Inq Tie, Interceptor, and FO for the Empire.

I got two sets when I saw them at my lgs, wish I'd bought a couple more now 'cause I don't quite have enough to cover my most flown ships.

Seeing the whole dial is definitely nice (and makes you contemplate your choice of maneuver a bit more), but for me the biggest bonus is having the ship Id on the back of the dial; that way you can immediately spot if you accidentally set the dial for the wrong ship.