Navigation switches - who, what, where, how much?

[DTJ]

I'm looking at nav switches for a project that will be made in batches of 20 or 30. They need to look nice and be easily installed.

I need to implement power on/off, function select and also once a function is selected adjust parameters of the function. The device will have a LCD to assist in button operation.


C&K do these (pic attached).
http://www.designworldonline.com/uploads/Imagegallery/C&K%20Components%20Switches.jpg
But they are expensive at around $9 each. Some suppliers like Element14 are dropping them so availability in the future may be an issue.


The little tact nav switches are nicely priced but packaging them is a problem as many don't come with buttons or actuators
http://au.element14.com/multicomp/mcmt5-f-v/navigation-switch-5way-smd/dp/1316987
https://www.e-switch.com/search?utf8=%E2%9C%93&q=navigation&commit=GO#.VsBAtVIvTzA

Ada Fruit sell tact nav switches with buttons but thats probably not a reliable long term source.
https://blog.adafruit.com/2012/05/18/partfinder-friday-5-way-joystick-navigation-switch/


These are good but the price is way to high:
http://www.buywitheeze.com/electrical-028000000/switches-081000000/navigation-081050000/multidirection-081050003/switch-kit-navigation-spno-black-sw05102



I've thought of integrating a keypad into the label but I think the cost will be too high.

Any suggestions or solutions?

[awallin]

two words: touch screen  O0

[DTJ]

awallin:

Touch screens..... yeah nah. Cost is my reject reason for these.


blueskull:

The 5 way tact buttons are ok but the manufacturers don't seem to want to supply an actuator button with them, probably because there will be lots of panel depths, colors and styles needed.
The joysticks are no good for me as I'm going into digital inputs (no ADC). If they came in a switch version they might be ok. I'll check that option out.


My other line of thinking is membrane keypads. I'm going to need a poly carbonate label anyway.


Thanks for the ideas.

[HAL-42b]

5 way tactile is 1.95 here

Other options are the classic numpad and the menu keys around the screen.

[DTJ]

Thanks Hal, but as previously mentioned they don't sell a knob/nub/button to go with it.