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iKey SK-79 Rugged Keyboard
Designed for harsh industrial and mobile environments, the iKey SK-79 Rugged Keyboard delivers a compact, sealed input solution resistant to dust, moisture, and vibration. Its ultra-compact design measures 9.27 by 3.87 inches with a low profile height of 1 inch, fitting well in space-constrained field setups. The keyboard features industrial silicone rubber keys in an impact-resistant ABS polycarbonate housing, offering tactile feedback with mechanical snap for reliable operation. This IP-rated, NEMA 4X-compliant keyboard withstands shock and vibration to MIL-STD standards and operates across a wide temperature range from -40°C to 60°C, supporting deployment in extreme conditions.
A built-in Hula Point II pointing device with dual left-click allows precise control without additional peripherals. Its circuitry endures over 10 million key actuations and provides 100% humidity resistance, enhancing reliability in continuous-duty applications. Compatibility spans all Windows systems via PS/2 or USB and includes support for Macintosh OS on USB connections. Weighing approximately 1 lb, it is a sealed, reinforced keyboard tailored for dependable use in industrial, vehicle, and field environments.
SK-79 Features
- Small Footprint Design
- Integrated Pointing Device
- Meets NEMA 4 (IP65) Specifications
- USB and PS2 Configurations Available
- Various Keyboard and Language Layout Options
- Customisation Available On Request
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Product Type
Manufacturer
Ruggedness
IP Rating
Mounting Format
Country Of Manufacture
United States
Backlight
No Backlight
Case Material
ABS Polycarbonate
Certifications
IP Rated, NEMA 4X, CE UL60950, FCC Part 15 Class B
Custom Options Products
Keyboard Layout,Keyboard Language,Cable Type,Cable Length,Interface
Dimensions
9.27" x 3.87" x 1.00" (w-h-d) 235.5mm x 98.3mm x 22.9mm
Housing Colour
Black
Humidity
100% Humidity Resistant
Cable
LENGTH: 3 feet (0.91 meters) DESIGN: "Y" PS/2 Cable (providing separate keyboard and mouse connections), or Single-Cable USB
Compatibility
PS/2 KEYBOARD/HULAPOINT: All Windows Operating Systems USB KEYBOARD/HULAPOINT: All Windows and Macintosh OS
Flammability
PRINTED CIRCUIT BOARD: 94 VO SILICONE OVERLAY: 94HB INTERFACE CABLE: 94 VO
Function Keys
10 Keys
Key Feedback
Tactile with Mechanical Snap
Key Material
Industrial Silicone Rubber
Key Switch
MATERIAL: Industrial silicone rubber LIFE: Greater than 10 million cycles TRAVEL: 0.055 in. (1.4mm) ACTUATION FORCE: 4.76 oz +/-1.06 oz (135g +/- 30g) FEEDBACK: Tactile with mechanical snap
Lifespan
>10 Million Actuations
No. Of Keys
79
Pointing Device
HulaPoint
Power
PS/2: KEYBOARD: 50mA@5V (from Keyboard port) POINTER: 35mA@5V (from Mouse port) USB: 85mA@5V (from CPU port)
Product Weight
1 lbs +/- 0.10 lbs (0.45 kg +/- 0.05 kg)
Shock
3 x 11 ms Pulses of 50g on each of 3 Axes
Switch Force
135g (+/- 30g)
Switch / Key Travel
0.055 in (1.4mm)
Vibration
POWER SPECTRAL DENSITY: 0.04g/Hz FREQUENCY RANGE: 20Hz - 2 kHz DURATION OF TEST PER AXIS: 3 hours
Shock
3 x 11 ms Pulses of 50g on each of 3 Axes
Temperature Rating
STORAGE: -40C to +70C (-40F to +158F) OPERATING: -40C to +60C (-4F to +140F)
The iKey SK-79 Rugged Keyboard is designed and engineered for use in demanding environments where reliability, durability are essential. The SK-79 supports a wide range of industries and operational applications.
Common deployment industries include: Construction, Defence And Military, Emergency Services, Energy and Utilities, Industrial Manufacturing, Marine And Offshore, Oil and Gas, Rail And Transport.
Across these sectors, the SK-79 is typically used in applications such as Emergency Dispatch And Incident Management, Field Data Capture And Reporting, Industrial HMI And Machine Interfacing, Mobile Workforce Operations, Process Control And Shop-Floor Monitoring, Quality Control And Inspection, Secure Access, Authentication, And Control Terminals, Vehicle-Mounted Computing (MDTs / VMCs).
These examples demonstrate the versatility of the SK-79 across both industry sectors and real-world operational use cases. Its suitability extends well beyond the scenarios listed above, making it a flexible solution for a broad range of requirements.
For further information, or to assess whether the SK-79 is appropriate for your specific application, please contact us.
The iKey SK-79 Rugged Keyboard comes with a 3 Years Manufacturers Limited Warranty + Option To Extend against defects in workmanship and materials, effective from the date of shipment (unless otherwise agreed in writing).
To receive service under this warranty, the eligible product, iKey SK-79 Rugged Keyboard, must be presented to RUGGED in the United Kingdom.
For more information about the iKey SK-79 Rugged Keyboard or to arrange repairs and services not covered by the warranty, please visit the warranty section on our website.
Do you need further details about the iKey SK-79 Rugged Keyboard, or would you like to discuss a customised solution or demonstration?
At RUGGED, we recognise that every project has its own unique demands. If you have any questions about the iKey SK-79 or need a custom Rugged Keyboard solution designed specifically for you, our team of technical experts are ready to assist you.
Alternative Products
Explore alternative products offering comparable features, performance, and build quality to the model you are currently viewing.
Our related solutions provide variations in configuration, functionality, and form factor to suit different application requirements. Each option has been selected to meet the same high standards of reliability and performance.
Browse the related products below to identify the most suitable fit for your deployment.
PM-5K-NI
- Non-incendive design for hazardous zones
- NEMA 4X dust and moisture sealing
- Built-in Hula Point II pointing device
- Over 10 million key actuations durability

SB-97-TP
- NEMA 4X sealed housing
- Integrated touchpad supports gloved use
- Green LED backlit keys for low light
- Over 10 million key actuations lifespan

PM-81
- Stainless steel housing
- Sealed NEMA 4X design
- Over 10 million key actuations
- Compatible with Windows and Mac OS

SL-86-911-TP
- IP and NEMA 4X sealed housing
- MIL-STD-810G shock and vibration resistance
- Red backlit keys for low-light use
- Compatible with Windows and Macintosh OS via USB or PS/2

Having trouble finding what you're looking for?
Selecting the correct solution for your specific application and operating environment requires careful consideration.
At Rugged, our engineering and product specialists can advise on specifications, environmental suitability, mounting requirements, connectivity, and lifecycle planning to ensure the right fit for your deployment.
With extensive industry experience and a focus on reliability and performance, we help you select a solution aligned with your operational requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
RUGGED offers free technical support for the lifetime of products you purchase. This includes help with setup, troubleshooting, and integration. Support is available online or directly from the technical team
Rugged Limited specialises in providing industrial-grade solutions engineered for extreme conditions, and a
Rugged Keyboard
is built with longevity in mind. Keyboards from Rugged Limited are designed to withstand challenging environments, including exposure to dust, dirt, liquids, and extreme temperatures, which significantly contributes to their extended operational life compared to standard consumer keyboards. Many models feature high ingress protection (IP) ratings, indicating their resistance to environmental factors. For example, some keyboards come with IP65 or even IP67 ratings, signifying protection against dust ingress and submersion in water up to 1 meter for 30 minutes, respectively.
These robust construction methods and high-quality materials mean that a
Rugged Keyboard
is a reliable investment, reducing the need for frequent replacements and minimising downtime in critical operations. To explore the full range and specifications of our durable input solutions, you can visit our rugged keyboards page.
Rugged keyboards are an excellent choice for vehicle integration due to their robust construction and ability to withstand challenging conditions. These keyboards are engineered to operate reliably in environments subject to constant vibration, extreme temperatures, and exposure to dust and liquids, which are common occurrences in vehicles.
For instance, one such rugged keyboard solution features a compact design, making it suitable for dashboards or other space-constrained areas within a vehicle. It includes a fully sealed IP67 trackball for precise cursor control and is equipped with an integrated red backlight, ensuring readability in low-light conditions often experienced in vehicle cabins. Additionally, its 2.5m USB cable provides flexible connectivity options for various vehicle setups.
The durability of a rugged keyboard ensures consistent performance, whether it’s used in emergency services, logistics, or field operations, where reliability is paramount.
Rugged keyboards are ideal for warehouse environments because they are specifically engineered to withstand conditions that would quickly damage standard peripherals. Warehouses often present a harsh environment with varying temperatures, dust, dirt, and the potential for spills or impacts. A rugged keyboard is built to resist these elements, featuring sealed enclosures that protect internal components from particulate matter and liquids.
Rugged Limited specialises in providing industrial-grade solutions, and their rugged keyboards are designed with an emphasis on durability and longevity in demanding settings. This ensures continuous operation and reduces downtime, making them a cost-effective choice for maintaining productivity in busy warehouse operations. The robust construction of a rugged keyboard also means it can endure accidental drops or bumps, which are common occurrences in active industrial spaces.
Rugged Limited specialises in providing industrial-grade input devices built to withstand challenging conditions, including very cold and very hot temperatures. These devices are engineered with robust materials and design principles to ensure consistent performance where standard keyboards would fail.
A key feature of a rugged keyboard is its ability to function across a broad temperature range. This resilience makes them ideal for use in industrial settings, outdoor applications, or any environment where temperature fluctuations are common. Rugged Limited ensures that each rugged keyboard meets stringent durability standards, providing dependable operation no matter the thermal extremes.
Rugged Limited understands the importance of versatility in industrial and demanding environments. That’s why our range of rugged keyboards is designed to accommodate global users by supporting multiple language layouts. This means that whether you require a keyboard with a UK, US, German, French, or another specific language layout, Rugged Limited can provide a solution tailored to your operational requirements.
This adaptability in language options ensures that users worldwide can operate our durable keyboards efficiently and comfortably, without compromising on the ruggedness and reliability that our products are known for. When sourcing a rugged keyboard, it’s important to specify your language layout needs to ensure the best fit for your application.
An Ingress Protection (IP) rating is a critical standard for rugged keyboards, specifying the degree of protection provided against dust, dirt, and water. This two-digit code is internationally recognised and helps users understand how well a device can withstand environmental factors.
The first digit in an IP rating signifies protection against solid objects, ranging from 0 (no protection) to 6 (dust-tight). A higher number here means greater resistance to particles entering the device.
The second digit indicates protection against liquids, ranging from 0 (no protection) to 9 (withstanding high-pressure, high-temperature jet sprays). This is particularly important for a rugged keyboard that might be exposed to spills, rain, or even submersion. Rugged Limited offers a range of peripherals engineered to meet these demanding standards.
Rugged Limited specialises in providing industrial-grade solutions, and our rugged keyboards are engineered to withstand harsh operating conditions, including exposure to shocks and vibrations. This resilience is achieved through robust construction and the use of durable materials, ensuring reliable performance where standard keyboards would fail.
Our selection includes a variety of rugged keyboard types, such as panel mount, desktop, and embedded options, all built with an emphasis on durability. They are designed to meet the rigorous demands of sectors requiring reliable human-machine interfaces that can endure constant motion, impacts, and other challenging environmental factors. Therefore, any rugged keyboard from Rugged Limited is an excellent choice for environments where shock and vibration resistance are critical considerations for uninterrupted operation and longevity.
Rugged keyboards are engineered for environments where standard keyboards would quickly fail. Unlike typical office keyboards, a rugged keyboard offers enhanced durability and protection against elements such as dust, dirt, liquids, and extreme temperatures. They feature robust construction, often incorporating sealed casings and industrial-grade components to ensure reliable performance in demanding conditions.
Key differences include:
- Durability: Rugged keyboards are designed to endure significant impact, vibration, and continuous use in challenging settings.
- Environmental Protection: They typically boast high Ingress Protection (IP) ratings, indicating resistance to water and dust—essential for industrial, marine, or outdoor applications.
- Material and Build: Constructed from rugged materials like stainless steel or silicone, they offer longevity that standard plastic keyboards cannot match.
- Functionality: Many rugged keyboards include features such as integrated pointing devices (e.g., trackballs or touchpads), backlighting for low-light conditions, and specialised key layouts for specific industrial tasks.
Rugged Limited provides a range of rugged keyboard solutions tailored for various harsh environments, ensuring sustained operation where standard peripherals would falter.







