Source of inexpensive navigation button assemblies?

CuriousOne

Hello.

I'm looking for relatively inexpensive round navigation button, which will have 4 direction buttons, central button and preferably will be backlit. I've checked digikey, mouser, etc, but so far no luck. Either superexpensive, aircraft grade ones, or simple, but not so cheap solutions. For example, on the attached photo you can see very nicely done navigation button assembly, it is made by MEC (www.mec.dk), but this is not single, finished product! actually, it consists of 4 direction button caps, 1 center button cap, 5 separate switches with backlight, sealing o-ring and pcb! Alltogether they cost up to $40, which is IMHO weird. So anyone seen more diy-friendly priced buttons like this?

RDL2004

I think most of the cost is in the tooling for the plastic button cap and LED back lighting. The actual switch is not that expensive.

C&K Multi direction switch (Mouser)

(just an example)

CuriousOne

Yes, but I want with bells & whistles

CuriousOne

Such one also OK:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Canon-SD870-IS-REAR-DIAL-NAVIGATION-BUTTON-Parts-Repair-replacement/130827832599?_trksid=p2045573.m2042&_trkparms=aid%3D111000%26algo%3DREC.CURRENT%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D27%26meid%3D8365507737888136645%26pid%3D100033%26prg%3D1011%26rk%3D2%26sd%3D330667571557%26

But these ISO and FUNC. SET and pictograms clearly show the origins

Bean

Maybe you could make on with a 3D printer ???

Bean

RDL2004

If you just Google "navigation switch with cap", you get a lot of hits. Here is one of the first that came up for me.

http://www.mec-switches.com/16-28259-Series-details.php?id=305

The problem is that these companies are typically only looking for volume sales, but you may be able to get samples or find out if they have a distributor in your area.

CuriousOne

And if you just read my first post in details, you'll find that I already found that company, call them for quote and even attached picture of switch

NWCCTV

RDL2004 was just trying to help and has a valid point. Samples can be obtained from them: http://www.apem.com/9-29232-Sample-request.php

CuriousOne

They don't offer samples to end users/hobby/students/etc, only to companies, already tried.

For example, these companies:

http://www.mec.dk
http://www.interlinkelectronics.com
http://www.cherrycorp.com/english/switches
http://www.electro-nc.com
http://www.e-switch.com/
http://www.itwswitches.com


have free samples for switches, have requested, but never received anything.

wass

This one is only $25 and seems to be nearly identical to the one shown in your picture:

http://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Well-Buying/5D002-AKKKKKARXRXRXRXRX-W200/?qs=sGAEpiMZZMsFLoxuNbFfpRwIKJo%252bM%2fEDl2sOW5q3dDA%3d

wass

While not quite what you're looking for, have you considered car remote mirror switches? There are a zillion styles and some are backlit. Prices are all over the places but they can be cheap::

http://www.amazon.com/Dorman-901-319-Ford-Mirror-Switch/dp/B003SOKEXI

Amazon looks like they have a couple of hundred styles.

CuriousOne

Wow, mirror switch idea is great!
and prices are very acceptable, thanks!