Key/microswitch preferences?

[Arkaaito]

(Note: I considered posting this in the DJ Dao thread, but eventually decided that thread was supposed to be more general.)

Having finally given up on the non-overseas IIDX ASC makers, it looks like I'm going to get a DJ Dao doubles deck.

That said, I need to decide whether I want to shell out for the Sanwa/Omron combo or whether I should stick with the default.

Open question to anyone with a DJ Dao - what's the general consensus on Dao's "generic" buttons/microswitches? How do they stack up to the Sanwas? Is it purely a durability difference, or also a reliability difference (i.e., do the Honeywell microswitches misfire more often)? How's the feel of the generic buttons (softer, harder, about the same), and how easy is it to feel when they're completely depressed compared to the Sanwas?

[word]

Well, I own a set of both, and a set of almost every type of microswitch. People will say that the Dao buttons with Omrons will feel the same as Sanwa with Omrons. I find this untrue, however. Sanwa have a very distinct feel, compared to Daos, with all types of microswitches. It might take some explaining, but I'll give it a shot.

With Dao buttons, the plunger rests directly on the microswitch button... thing. Whereas Sanwa have about 2mm free travel, before the plunger comes into contact with the microswitch. This then leads to another 2mm-ish of travel, equalling roughly 4mm of travel altogether, where the Dao buttons only have 2mm total travel.

It's not just the travel of the keys either, Dao keys are fitted securely in the button housing, whereas Sanwa have a bit of play, and move side to side/up and down about 0.5mm each way. This doesn't really affect the direct downpush feel, but it does have an effect depending what angle you push the key from. I'll try and dig out some pics later, to explain in more detail.

Also the sound of the keys is completely different. Dao have a more direct click, Sanwa are more rattley.

I'm not saying Sanwa are better than Dao, but they are my personal preference. Putting Omron into Dao would give the keys roughly the same actuation pressure, but in terms of feel, they do feel very different.

As for durability, Dao keys are just as rugged as Sanwa, as they're both arcade spec.

I've never had a problem with misfiring microswitches, with any brand (except Baolian, ugh), but I have found Omron last the longest, well, I've been using them for just over a year now, almost every night, not a single problem.) Oh, and no matter what anyone says... ALL microswitches fit in Sanwa keys.

As for the force to actuate each microswitch, see the list below. Top = harder to press.

Baolian green/black (by far the worst MS in existance, avoid them.) [18kg]
Omron black/red plunger (Usually found in arcade joysticks) [110g]
Omron black/black plunger (found in IIDX keys) [100g]
Baolian white/black with red plunger (again, unreliable tat) [90g~]
Baolian white/black with black plunger [90g~]
Omron (broken in) [75-80g]
Cherry [75g]

[bLOOdSAW]

Well I've only used sanwa keys on my fp7, but I did try cherry switches and I prefer the feel of them over omrons. Plus they are a lot cheaper than omrons so that is a plus as well.