This Product Selection Guide contains information to help select products in the Navigation Switches, Joystick category on DigiKey.com
Products in the joystick and navigation switch family are component-level electromechanical items commonly used in human interface applications for multi-axis directional control, such as in-game controllers. Products providing simple two-state contact closure outputs are included, as well as devices offering proportional outputs that indicate the magnitude of actuator travel in addition to direction.
SelectionCharacteristics
Type: Refers to the specific configuration or design variation of the device.
Actuator Type: The specific design or style of the mechanism used to change the switch position.
Switch Function: Refers to the specific operation or behavior of a switch, indicating the primary purpose or mode of operation.
Functions, Extra: Enumerates functionality/features present on a device that are in excess of a basic joystick functionality.
Output: Refers to the specific method or protocol used to transmit the output signals generated by the keypad to the receiving device or system.
Voltage - Supply: Typically represented by a range, this indicates the low and high voltage limits which one can expect standard operation. Voltages outside this range may damage the device and other system components.
Current Rating (Amps): Typically this represents the maximum current to which a device will meet its given specifications. Exceeding this current may damage the device and/or other system components.
Voltage Rating - AC: Typically this represents the maximum AC voltage rating to which a device will meet its given specifications. Exceeding this voltage rating may damage the device and other system components.
Voltage Rating - DC: Typically this represents the maximum DC voltage rating to which a device will meet its given specifications. Exceeding this voltage rating may damage the device and other system components.
Contact Material: The material used for switch contacts.
Contact Finish: Identifies the surface finish material present on a device’s electrical contacts.
Resistance: Refers to the electrical opposition encountered within the device
Mounting Type: Indicates how the device is attached.
Termination Style: Selection of termination style used to connect the device to a system, such as cable, PC pins, or wire leads.
Operating Temperature: Recommended operating temperature, typically given in a range or as a maximum. Exceeding these temperatures may affect performance or damage the device and other system components.
Panel Cutout Dimensions: Refers to the measurements or dimensions of the opening or cutout in the panel.
Ingress Protection:
IP (Ingress Protection) Ratings (IP20, IP65, IP67, etc.) - Define how likely it is that water and dirt will get into the system. The first number is for dirt and solid contaminants and the second number is for water.
IP Ratings
| Protection Level | Solids | Liquids |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Protected against solids larger than 50mm. | Protected against vertically falling drops of water. Limited Ingress permitted. |
| 2 | Protected against solids larger than 12.5mm. | Protected against vertically falling drops of water with the enclosure tilted up to 15 degrees from vertical. Limited ingress permitted. |
| 3 | Protected against solids larger than 2.5mm. | Protected against spraying water up to 60 degrees from vertical. Limited ingress permitted for 3 minutes. |
| 4 | Protected against solids larger than 1mm. | Protected against water splashing from any direction. Limited ingress permitted. |
| 5 | Protected against dust. Limited ingress of dust permitted. | Will not affect the operation of equipment for 2-8 hours. Protected against jets of water. Limited ingress permitted. |
| 6 | Dust tight. No ingress of dust 2-8 hours. | Protected against powerful jets of water. Limited ingress permitted. |
| 7 | ______________________ | Protected against the effects of immersion in 15cm-1m for 30 minutes. |
| 8 | ______________________ | Continuous immersion in water up to 3m for long periods of time. |
| 9 | ______________________ | Protected against high-pressure jets of hot water. (30 seconds) |
| 9K | ______________________ | Protected against high-pressure jets of hot water. (2 minutes) |
Features: These are different capabilities or properties of the device such as arcade style, full boot, or illuminated.
ProductExamples
| MFR PART # | JS5208 |
|---|---|
| DIGIKEY PART # | EG4561-ND |
| MANUFACTURER | E-Switch |
| DESCRIPTION | Navigation Switch, 2-Axis Digital (Mechanical Switch) Output |
| DATASHEET | Click Here |
| MFR PART # | COM-09032 |
|---|---|
| DIGIKEY PART # | 1568-1526-ND |
| MANUFACTURER | SparkFun Electronics |
| DESCRIPTION | Joystick, 2-Axis Analog (Resistive) Output |
| DATASHEET | Click Here |
| MFR PART # | XDGTY2MNNCYYGAN |
|---|---|
| DIGIKEY PART # | 679-4205-ND |
| MANUFACTURER | APEM Inc. |
| DESCRIPTION | Joystick, 1-Axis Digital (Hall Effect Over CANbus Interface) Output |
| DATASHEET | Click Here |
| MFR PART # | COM-09182 |
|---|---|
| DIGIKEY PART # | 1568-1483-ND |
| MANUFACTURER | SparkFun Electronics |
| DESCRIPTION | Joystick, 2-Axis Digital (Mechanical Switch) Output |
| DATASHEET | Click Here |
| MFR PART # | TSAA1U02A |
|---|---|
| DIGIKEY PART # | 1040-1056-ND |
| MANUFACTURER | APEM Inc. |
| DESCRIPTION | Thumbstick, 1-Axis Analog (Hall Effect) Output |
| DATASHEET | Click Here |
MediaLinks
Videos
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Articles
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Product Training Modules
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Blogs
Pmod NAV and Joystick from Digilent
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TechForum
Interface the Copal Electronics CJ25 Joystick Encoder