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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: Shmozart on Mon, 10 February 2020, 09:52:01

Title: Dpad implementation options
Post by: Shmozart on Mon, 10 February 2020, 09:52:01

Hello everybody.

I am implementing my own keyboard. One of the features it has: dpad-like section for arrows on one side and PgUp/PgDn/Home/End on another. These buttons are to be pressed by thumb. At these point I have implemented those buttons using 6mm tactile switches, so far it doesn't feel like perfect. I am going also to test a solution using cherry mx switches, but it also feels somehow sub-optimal. Can anybody hint something on this topic?

Title: Re: Dpad implementation options
Post by: Tactile on Mon, 10 February 2020, 10:06:47

That's never going to feel right using four switches. You need a multi-directional switch. Here's a PDF data sheet of one from Alps. There are others out there but this should give you an idea.

[attach=1]

Title: Re: Dpad implementation options
Post by: Shmozart on Mon, 10 February 2020, 13:42:03

Thanks, that looks like right thing.