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5-way Tactile Switch
COM-10063 ROHS
DESCRIPTION DOCUMENTS
Sometimes you want a small input and a single button just won’t cut it. A 5-way
tactile switch allows for a joystick-like interface in a very small package. These
are surface mount, but easily soldered.
5-way Tactile Switch Product Help and Resources
SKILLS NEEDED
Core Skill: Soldering
This skill defines how difficult the soldering is on a particular product. It might be a couple simple solder joints, or require special reflow tools.
Skill Level: Competent - You will encounter surface mount components and basic SMD soldering techniques are required.
See all skill levels
3
Core Skill: Electrical Prototyping
If it requires power, you need to know how much, what all the pins do, and how to hook it up. You may need to reference datasheets, schematics, and
know the ins and outs of electronics.
Skill Level: Noob - You don't need to reference a datasheet, but you will need to know basic power requirements.
See all skill levels
1
COMMENTS 31 REVIEWS 0
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Member #138058 / about 8 months ago * / 1
I took a few photos of a method I use to make a joystick style for the switch. Note that the finished photo is out
of order. Be sure to put the glue in the tube and hang the assembly with tube pointing down until the glue dries
in order to prevent the glue from entering the switch. https://www.flickr.com/photos/156116715@N04/
Member #138058 / about 11 months ago / 1
A cap thingy that works well with this switch can be made from the insulation off #12 THHN wire which can be
purchased from Lowe’s possibly . It has a good tight fit. I strip off a piece about 7mm long and press it on the
switch.
Oninoshiko / about 2 years ago / 1
I’m I reading this correctly that it could not be moved at an ordinal direction to get, for example both the south
and west pin to close?
MauriceRibble / about 7 years ago / 4
I spent many hours looking before and could never find rubber nubs for these kind of switches.
If nobody else knows where to get these it would be pretty cool if Sparkfun had a batch made.
eddiem / about 7 years ago / 1
You could probably make a nub thing out of polymorph. I presume you want a flattish disc with a mm or
two space under it. You need a shape which prevents high side loads. If you want rubber sugru could be
the shot. Oogoo might work but the stuff I’ve made is much softer than sugru.
BTW I’ve found laundry starch works fine to make oogoo. If you don’t know what I’m taking about google it.
Member #673694 / about 3 years ago / 2
Any tips for soldering these onto the appropriate footprint? Is it best to put some solder onto the pads first? If
so, just one pad or all of them?
Thanks, alec
Member #490456 / about 3 years ago / 2
Hey, if anyone is looking for a joystick that works for this switch I actually found a really good but bizarre
fix:Tiger Pops.
Tiger Pop suckers have hollow plastic sticks that fit perfectly over the nub. I stuck the Tiger Pop stick onto it
and molded some Sugru around the stick for a more aesthetic joystick appearance. So far so good. It shouldn’t
be much longer than an inch or the torque will make the joystick pop off.
Member #200027 / about 6 years ago / 2
Anyone have the Eagle files for this?
Member #139922 / about 6 years ago / 2
Has anyone found a cap/nub/key for this switch? If so, I’d love to know where you can get them. Thanks - k
Member #138058 / about 11 months ago / 1
The insulation off #12 THHN wire works really well with a good tight fit.
KeithW / about 7 years ago / 2
Just a suggestion, but I think SF should make a breakout board for these as well carry rubber nubs.
Member #583288 / about 3 years ago / 1
I brought one of these and found that the force needed to ‘click’ it was more than my purpose (tongue control)
However when I dismantled the unit I found it had 2 metal contact inserts rather than one. Not sure if this was a
‘feature’ bu removing one get it a much softer range and perfect for my needs.
Also being a 5 way switch makes it very easy to convert to a resistive network for an analogue input
apalopohapa / about 5 years ago / 1
Is there a plastic “knob” available for this?
Jeraz / about 5 years ago / 1
Any bigger package version of this switch available her or elsewhere?
Kamiquasi / about 5 years ago / 1
Probably not - they’re all about the same size (~1cm each side). The idea is that the controls you design
around it (plastic, magnesium alloy, etc.) are actually what give it the desired size. Any particular reason
you’d want a bigger one?
Robban / about 6 years ago / 1
I made an Eagle part for this. You can download it here: http://files.badlysprained.net/sneakypoo.lbr There’s a
couple of other parts in the library, just ignore them, didn’t feel like creating a separate file just for this one
part. I’ve verified that the footprint works as I’ve just finished soldering a board using it.
I have to say I’m disappointed in the quality of the switch though. The first few times I used the switch it clicked
nicely but very very quickly it lost its “clickyness” and it doesn’t give you any confidence that it’s doing what it’s
supposed to. I dunno, maybe I got a bad batch.
Member #4298 / about 6 years ago / 1
Anyone know if the directions are locked? I.e. is it a 4- or 8-way stick?
Member #258823 / about 6 years ago / 1
For those interested I designed my own breakout board that works really well. The schematics and a example
code for netduino can be found http://dev.bitbounce.ca/FogBugz/kiln/Repo/Netduino-
Samples/Group/TactileButtonSample/Files
Sam_Bamboo / about 6 years ago / 1
So I know this an Extremely simple question, but I am brand new to everything on this site. I cannot find
anything on the net explaining how I use these. I am learning from an Arduino, I know how to use switches,
potentiometers, rgb digital led strip C++ maniac. And I cannot figure out how to use these. Any help would be
great.
RobertC. / about 6 years ago / 1
it just acts like a bunch of switches in one package. check the datasheet and look at the circuit diagram.
pin 5 is your common pin, and all the others would be the other ‘switches’.
each switch would connect to the arduino just like a single switch, but they share a common pin.
Sam_Bamboo / about 6 years ago / 1
thank you, so how do I mount it? Again sorry for the noob questions but I gotta ask them.
buffington / about 7 years ago / 1
Word of warning: these are very tiny.
If you’re not able to solder microscopic contacts you’ll want to get a few so you can practice some hot plate
soldering.
Brog / about 7 years ago / 1
Is this in the SFE Eagle library? (I can’t find it)
Nakor / about 7 years ago / 1
Damn lol. Every time I go to put through an order, these things are out of stock.
Nashblackcat / about 7 years ago / 1
I was looking at DK at a part just like this! Now if you had a break out board for it I would love it! Needing to
make a custom mouse replacement that can send key commands from a button to a pc.
BleuLlama / about 7 years ago / 1
Will this work with this breakout board:
https://www.sparkfun.com/commerce/product_info.php?products_id=717
?
arkeet / about 7 years ago / 1
Doesn’t look like it. The pin pitch is quite different from that of SOT-23-6.
John Beans / about 7 years ago / 1
Hmm. I like the dimensions, but I notice the action is rotated 45 degrees from the case… I actually just
launched Eagle to make sure it was easy to place a 45 degree footprint, which it is. Huh, never had to do THAT
before, but it’s easy.
Zonker / about 7 years ago / 1
Humm.. I tried to layout a part in Eagle after downloading the datasheet but after print-checkig it, turns out
to large… I went back to check some of the dim’s (like the spacing between the mount holes), and all
seems ok. Not sure what I seem to be missing… I was wondering if anyone allready has the part made for
Eagle..? It would save some time…
Thanks in advance..!!
TLAlexander / about 7 years ago / 1
Nice! This is exactly what I needed for my current project! :)
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