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What do encoders do that the buttons can't? Are they just for ease of use? Also, I've found some decent priced encoders for my build, but not the buttons. Are they any certain requirements when buying the buttons, (off)on, voltage, etc...? Any recommendations from http://www.mouser.com ?

Also, about the header pins. Why does dmitri have 4, 36 way single rows listed. Shouldn't there be a few different ones, like a 40 way 2 row, couple of 16 way 2 rows, etc..?
Thanks guys, I'm a noob:)

I just finished setting up my keyboard/encoder subsystem. Since you mentioned mouser, I used the following encoder:

http://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/ALP ... NZP83kA%3d

As far as buttons go, I found a local electronics surplus wholesaler and scored 4 buttons for a song. I believe they only need be single pole single throw (SPST) momentary switches. I paid no more than $0.50 per switch for mine and they work fine. Mouser offers switched encoders which would work too.

As far as the header pins go, I believe the specifications are intended to give you a good idea of what you need to keep in mind when purchasing your headers. Again, I found those items locally for dirt cheap prices. What I wound up doing was buying the longest single & double row headers & trimming them down to their respective lengths. I did this because the cost was the same whether you bought a 1 pin header or an 80 pin header. The critical thing I noticed was the ribbon cable connectors (i.e the female plugs). You need to pick ones that will not crowd the circuit components.

primal65 wrote:What do encoders do that the buttons can't? Are they just for ease of use?

Exactly.

Great. Thanks Guys. Is it possible to put 2 single row headers next to each to make a double row, would the usual plugs be able to fit? I found a good deal on some long single row headers on ebay.

primal65 wrote:Great. Thanks Guys. Is it possible to put 2 single row headers next to each to make a double row, would the usual plugs be able to fit? I found a good deal on some long single row headers on ebay.

Yes, it is possible.

Great. Thanks, Firelord:)

When I started building my MD, I thought the rotary encoders were just a luxury I could do without, since I had no intention of using an LCD. Now, that my MD is finished and an LCD is used, I see that rotary encoders are life savers with the depth of MD settings! I found these on ebay http://cgi.ebay.com/10pcs-12mm-Rotary-E ... 2eb56be31d
Are they suitable?

Yes

dmitri wrote:Yes

So many thanks for one more time my friend!

Dmitri, I went through the schematics and realized that Synthex didn't use pins 4-5 and 24-25 on the Atmega in his 2.5 pcb... I have to do some modifications to make the encoders work, don't I? Is there any conflict if I leave the 4 buttons that I already installed?