Summary of microswitches used with beatmania and compatible part numbers

With so many similar switches out there, some may be in-stock or out-of-stock, and some may have cheaper prices, so I took personal notes on switches that seem like they can be used equivalently.

Strictly speaking however, since switches have different structures and might not be equivalent, these are merely notes, with no guarantees that they can be used equivalently.

The links for the model numbers are to product pages on Monotaro, which I normally use.
Bold font means that the part is official.

Official Microswitches

• V-10-1A4
  0.98N
  The kind you get if you buy Sanwa buttons that come with switches.
  These were the official switches for 5-key beatmania cabs and old IIDX cabs.
• D2MV-01-1C3
  0.49N
  The old official switches for IIDX LM (Lightning Model) cabs.
  Since these are no longer produced, starting with CastHour the official switches changed to VX.
• VX-01-1C23
  0.49N
  The official switches starting with CastHour.

Concepts of Compatible Parts

Omron’s microswitches have the following differences in their part numbers.

• Rating
  Difference in allowed current.
  This has almost no relevance to beatmania’s buttons, since large currents don’t flow through them, so this might be fine to change?
• Actuator
  Shape of the button that presses the switch.
  Normally uses a pin plunger with nothing attached to it.
  Even if you buy a model that has a lever, you can use it equivalently if you break off the lever at the base.
• Contacts
  – Normally-open (not connected/NO terminal): Circuit is opened while the button is not being pressed.
  – Normally-closed (connected/NC terminal): Circuit is closed while the button is not being pressed.
  – Double-throw: Comes with both directions of terminals.
  Double-throw switches are the ones that are officially used, but since normally just the NO terminal is used, normally-open switches are fine too.
• Terminals
  3 types: solder terminals; #187 tab terminals; #250 tab terminals
  For solder terminals and #187 tab terminals, the only difference is the size of the holes within the terminals, not the size of the terminals themselves.
  The wiring in the cabs uses #187 flat terminals, so you can use either solder terminals or #187 tab terminals.
• Required Force for Operation
  The part that should be taken into account the most when changing the weight of switches.
  The model number changes according to the weight.

Basically, even within the same series, there are models that seem like they can be used equivalently even if the ratings/contacts/terminals change.

V-10-1A4

List of V-Series Part Numbers
V Miniature Basic Switches – Types/Prices | Omron Control Devices

The weight is 0.98N if the number at the end is 4, 1.96N if it’s 5, or 3.92N if it’s 6.

In addition to these, there are the 21A, 16A, and 11A series for heat-resistant and thermoplastic cases, but I’ll exclude them this time.

D2MV-01-1C3

List of D2MV-Series Part Numbers
D2MV Miniature Basic Switches – Types/Prices | Omron Control Devices

These only have solder terminals and double-throw contacts, so the only difference between the model numbers is the rating.

Orders for both of these will end in March 2023.
Recommended replacement parts are VX-01-1A3 and VX-5-1A3.

VX-01-1C23

List of VX-Series Part Numbers
VX Miniature Basic Switches – Types/Prices | Omron Control Devices

The weight is 0.49N if the number at the end is 3, or 0.25N if it’s 2.