Alternative Action Cherry Switch (MX1A-31NW) for FN Lock

[harrison]

This group-buy is for Cherry MX1A-31NW switches. I've decided not to include any other switches, since the interest was low and the availability from online retailers met the demand that was registered. However, the availability of MX1A-31NW is quite low, and the demand showed enough interest to open a group-buy.



I'd like to make this clear up front. These switches aren't cheap, and the price is firm. I know the cost on these switches based on a order of 100 units, and when factoring that most people aren't going to order more than an average of 2, my effort for distribution is going to be quite high.

Also, I've chosen part MX1A-31NW which includes the PCB mounting pins so that this item is valid for those looking to mod their poker/race keyboards. They're very easy to clip off, and the cost is actually less (by nearly 50 cents) to the plate mount version.

For those that are curious, the stems are linear, and the spring is identical to a grey spring.


(top-to-bottom: green, blue, brown, clear, grey, black, latching)

I'm waiting for a revised quote based on half the order quantity (~50) to confirm my pricing is accurate, but right now, I suspect that $x.xx per switch + $1 handling + shipping costs will cover things. I see this as fair to those than were interested in more than 2 switches, since the shipping costs won't be any greater, but there's no need to pay additional 'handling' fees when they're all going to go into the same bubble mailers.

--edit--
I've gotten a revised quote for a 50 unit order, and my cost is nearly $10usd/switch, plus a shipping cost of $31. that makes my upfront cost nearly $10.50/switch. I'm starting to re-think this whole thing now. unless we've got a firm commitment for 50 units, you're going to be better off sourcing by yourself at onlinecomponents.com
--edit--

MX1A-31NW Group Buy: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/vie ... SGxET1E6MQ

I'll leave this open until the end of the month with a required payment date of March 3. Being that we're dealing with a relatively small order and known interest, I don't think this is unreasonable. I also think this would allow me to get the switches in your hands around the same time as we'll be getting our Phantom parts. If we don't reach a minimum of 50 units by Feb 29, I'll close down the group buy. This will still leave those people who need these switches enough time to order them directly (for ~11.50/switch) from onlinecomponents.com.


Interest check http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?2599 ... ction-Lock
Interest poll http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?2599 ... ction-Lock
Additional pictures and details provided by Dox http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?2345 ... post445194

[guilleguillaume]

As I said before in other threads I would like to be part of this.

1 x Alternative Action Cherry Switch

For now I'm only interested in 1 switch but could be 2 of them.

[harrison]

well, as mentioned earlier... unless i can get 50+ committed orders, it's not worth my time or your money to order through me.

[Swede]

I'm interested, but that price!

If I decide to order some, I'll get more than 2.

[Gilgam]

Price is forgotten fast if the pleasure remain

[7bit]

This group-buy is for Cherry MX1A-31NW switches. I've decided not to include any other switches, since the interest was low and the availability from online retailers met the demand that was registered. However, the availability of MX1A-31NW is quite low, and the demand showed enough interest to open a group-buy.
...
--edit--
I've gotten a revised quote for a 50 unit order, and my cost is nearly $10usd/switch, plus a shipping cost of $31. that makes my upfront cost nearly $10.50/switch. I'm starting to re-think this whole thing now. unless we've got a firm commitment for 50 units, you're going to be better off sourcing by yourself at onlinecomponents.com
--edit--...

I want at least some. It depends on price.

Are these old-stock items, or are they produced for us?
What are the unit prices for:
100, 250, 500 or 1000??

ps: I did not fill in the google form, becuase I will not tell google my address and also, I don't have PayPal anyway.

[harrison]

no worries 7bit, i'm willing to make payment arrangements as needed if this grows to fruition.

these are US stock, and are left-overs from a large order of a 10k batch produced mid 2011. cost for 100 switches was ~2usd/switch less. i was a bit shocked. i knew i wouldn't get interest beyond 100 switches, so I didn't bother inquiring further. my original interest check across both boards was only 47 switches, which include 2 of mine, which i've already got.

[Swede]

Well... If it goes to $2 per switch I might even order 20

[7bit]

... cost for 100 switches was ~2usd/switch less. ...

If they come for $2 plus shipping, I would take 20.

Which makes 40.

Maybe there is an even lower price for more than 100?

I'm quite sure everybody needs only a few but there will be others showing up who want these in the near future, so getteing more for cheap could be a good deal for everybody!

[mintberryminuscrunch]

i think you misunderstood him, 2$ less would be 8,50$

cost for 100 switches was ~2usd/switch less.

[7bit]

i think you misunderstood him, 2$ less would be 8,50$

cost for 100 switches was ~2usd/switch less.

[BiNiaRiS]

did you check with macmall for these? they show they have a 250pack of switches for $260. might not actually be in stock though.

[7bit]

did you check with macmall for these? they show they have a 250pack of switches for $260. might not actually be in stock though.

This would be a great price!!

[harrison]

i think you misunderstood him, 2$ less would be 8,50$

cost for 100 switches was ~2usd/switch less.

correct.

did you check with macmall for these? they show they have a 250pack of switches for $260. might not actually be in stock though.

no eta on the stock when i checked, i'm guessing they have a higher MO quantity to meet that price point, or that the part number is historical for them and they have no intention of restocking.

[Izza]

So these stay closed when locked, and open when not, or are they still momentary?

[Tarkoon]

And how does the switch behave concerning the 'activated position'?
Does the key stay 'pressed' in a low position?

[Ascaii]

from what I understand it would be a continuous "on". Put this on a shift and it would latch into "Caps lock mode".

[BiNiaRiS]

fyi:
http://www.neworldit.com/ProductDetails ... =MX1A-31NW

I just called them and the guy said 250 is the MOQ and $1.44 is the correct price per switch but they are available for order.

[Tarkoon]

from what I understand it would be a continuous "on". Put this on a shift and it would latch into "Caps lock mode".

I didn't mean the switching position on or off, but the physical position! So, stays the key(cap) pressed / in a lower position? It would be interesting if you can see the on/off state this way or not.

[ripster]

That's what the force diagram says.

I'd say more but it would just get deleted.

[webwit]

You're selling viagra?

[Tarkoon]

I found a source for this switch here in Germany:
They take 1000€ for the minimum order of 500 switches.
That would result in a price of 2€ per switch!
Additional there would be 19% VAT and some shipping costs resulting in about 2,50€ per switch.
What do you think about that offer?

[BiNiaRiS]

I found a source for this switch here in Germany:
They take 1000€ for the minimum order of 500 switches.
That would result in a price of 2€ per switch!
Additional there would be 19% VAT and some shipping costs resulting in about 2,50€ per switch.
What do you think about that offer?

no one saw my link with a much lower price?

[Tarkoon]

Now I see it! ^^
Ok, than my source is crap!

[Ekaros]

10USD is a lot. If I realy used my tipro I would go for these, nice idea for layers...

[dirge]

Interested for scroll lock and caps lock but the price is very prohibitive.. Will there be enough interest to get the price low enough?

[sixty]

Keep in mind that these will not work out of the box for caps, scroll and numlock. As they will actually lock down the key, which means the keyboard will send the keydown event constantly. This needs to be worked in via firmware. So it will be fine for custom keyboards, but not for stock keyboards. You can make it work as capslock or FN lock, by simply using it for FN or Shift.

[7bit]

Keep in mind that these will not work out of the box for caps, scroll and numlock. As they will actually lock down the key, which means the keyboard will send the keydown event constantly. This needs to be worked in via firmware. So it will be fine for custom keyboards, but not for stock keyboards. You can make it work as capslock or FN lock, by simply using it for FN or Shift.

These keys are also useful for gaming. Holding down fire, shield and gas-pedal might be tiresome.

[dirge]

do you think the teensy could do it? I also loved tarkoons keyboard layer switch idea. Not that I understand it or use it. but the keyboard im typing on has the same key.

Or just slap one on W for running in an mmo

[7bit]

You can use these as a light switch for LEDs in the keyboard.

Or as a mousebutton. How often do you've got to hold down a mouse button and more the mouse in the meantime?

The teensy should be able to handle it. Just needs to be programmed into the firmware which is not so difficult as it seems.