Buttons for the MSP430F5529 LaunchPad

[MRT45]

Not sure if I am in the right thread, but I will give it a shot.

My team is purchasing the MSP430F5529 LaunchPad for a custom control board with custom buttons.
http://processors.wiki.ti.com/index.php/MSP430_LaunchPad_Operator_Interface_for_FIRST_Robo tics_Competition#Digital_Buttons

Our main goal is to not rely on the standard joysticks side buttons for set commands, but to rely on the buttons hooked up to the Launchpad.

However, we are not sure on what buttons work with the board.

Can someone give some recommendations? Thanks.

[wt200999]

Any button which can make & break a contact, or create an analog voltage, will work with the board (this basically covers any switch or potentiometer).

If you don't have plans for your digikey voucher in your kit, you can use that to buy a few switches. It is a bit daunting to look through their switch catalog if you're not sure what you are looking for. Sparkfun has some switches as well and their switch guide is fairly comprehensive regarding the different types.

All of the materials and part numbers for the switches that we used in the wiki page are included on the page as a pdf (the 'BOM' under 'Associated Files'). So you can look at the exact buttons we used to make the 3 examples.

They are a little pricey, but our team has been really happy with NKK 'UB Series' switches in the past, and made two control panels with them.