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iKey SLK-79 Backlit Rugged Keyboard
Designed for rugged industrial and mobile deployments, the iKey SLK-79 Backlit Rugged Keyboard integrates a compact footprint with a Hula Point II 4A pointing device, optimising control in tight or dynamic environments. Its backlit keys enhance visibility in low-light or enclosed conditions, improving operator accuracy where illumination varies. The keyboard’s sealed ABS polycarbonate enclosure and industrial-grade silicone rubber overlay protect against dust, moisture, and humidity, ensuring interface reliability under challenging conditions.
Engineered for continuous-duty use, the SLK-79 withstands shocks and vibrations compliant with MIL-STD-810H standards, withstanding impacts that occur in field deployments. With an IP and NEMA 4X rating, it resists ingress from contaminants, while its keys offer tactile feedback and exceed ten million actuations for extended service. Operational temperature spans -20°C to +60°C accommodate diverse environments, supporting durable performance within a sealed, industrial-grade design framework.
SLK-79 Features
- Ultra-Small Footprint Design
- Integrated LED Backlighting
- Integrated Pointing Device
- USB and PS2 Configurations Available
- Various Keyboard and Language Layout Options
- Customisation Available On Request
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Product Type
Manufacturer
Certifications & Standards
CE, FCC, IP66, MIL-STD-810H, NEMA 4X
Ruggedness
IP Rating
Mounting Format
Country Of Manufacture
United States
Backlight
Red
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 25.4mm
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: 200mA@5V (from Keyboard port) POINTER: 35mA@5V (from Mouse port) USB: 235mA@5V (from CPU port)
Product Weight
1.00 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: -20C to +60C (-4F to +140F)
The iKey SLK-79 Backlit Rugged Keyboard is designed and engineered for use in demanding environments where reliability, durability are essential. The SLK-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 SLK-79 is typically used in applications such as Emergency Dispatch And Incident Management, Industrial HMI And Machine Interfacing, Mobile Workforce Operations, Process Control And Shop-Floor Monitoring, Robotics And Autonomous System Control, Secure Access, Authentication, And Control Terminals, Secure Communications And Command-And-Control, Vehicle-Mounted Computing (MDTs / VMCs).
These examples demonstrate the versatility of the SLK-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 SLK-79 is appropriate for your specific application, please contact us.
The iKey SLK-79 Backlit 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 SLK-79 Backlit Rugged Keyboard, must be presented to RUGGED in the United Kingdom.
For more information about the iKey SLK-79 Backlit 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 SLK-79 Backlit 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 SLK-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.
TMLT-870-OEM
- Sealed NEMA 4X dust and humidity protection
- Over 10 million key actuations
- MIL-STD-461E EMI resistance
- Compact front panel mounting with threaded bolts

DBL-810-TB
- NEMA 4X dust and water resistance
- MIL-STD-810G shock and vibration certified
- Over 10 million key actuations durability
- Sealed 25-mm trackball with stainless steel switches

IK-TR-88-911-TP
- Fully sealed 100% humidity resistant
- Mechanical tactile key switches with backlighting
- MIL-STD-810 shock and vibration tested
- Over 10 million keystroke lifespan

RDC-5K-FSR
- Sealed industrial metal rackmount housing
- MIL-STD-810G shock and vibration resistant
- Over 10 million key actuations lifecycle
- Compatible with Windows and Macintosh systems

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 Limited offers a range of rugged keyboards that are ideal for use in food processing facilities due to their robust construction and hygienic design. These keyboards are built to endure frequent cleaning with harsh chemicals and high-pressure washing, which are common practices in maintaining sanitation standards within the food industry.
Many models feature a sealed, silicone-based construction, making them resistant to spills, dust, and debris. This design prevents the ingress of contaminants, which is crucial for preventing bacterial growth and ensuring food safety. The smooth, crevice-free surfaces of our rugged keyboard options also facilitate easy sterilisation, minimising downtime for cleaning and maintenance.
Furthermore, the durable nature of a rugged keyboard ensures reliable performance even with constant use and exposure to challenging conditions, contributing to operational efficiency in food processing plants.
Absolutely, rugged keyboards are engineered to be highly compatible and functional with kiosks and Human Machine Interfaces (HMIs). These environments often require input devices that can withstand continuous use, potential spills, dust, and even vandalism. Rugged Limited provides a range of rugged keyboard solutions that are purpose-built to meet these stringent demands.
Our rugged keyboards feature durable construction, often including stainless steel or silicone, and are designed to offer protection against liquids and particulates. This makes them an ideal choice for public-access kiosks, industrial control panels, and other HMI applications where standard keyboards would quickly fail. The robust design ensures consistent performance and a long operational lifespan, reducing maintenance needs and improving user experience in challenging settings.
All Rugged Limited industrial keyboards are engineered for seamless operation, even when wearing gloves. This crucial feature ensures that users can maintain productivity and safety in environments where glove use is mandatory, such as industrial settings, cleanrooms, or outdoor work.
Our commitment to robust design means every Rugged Keyboard offers responsive feedback and accurate input, regardless of whether you’re using thin surgical gloves or heavy-duty work gloves. This makes our solutions ideal for a wide range of applications where standard keyboards would be impractical.
While the primary design focus for a rugged keyboard is to withstand extreme conditions and provide reliable functionality in challenging environments, some models do incorporate ergonomic considerations. These can include features like appropriately spaced keys to reduce typing strain or a comfortable angle for prolonged use.
However, it’s important to note that a rugged keyboard prioritises resistance to factors such as dust, water, vibrations, and extreme temperatures. Therefore, while basic ergonomic elements may be present to ensure user comfort during operation, they generally won’t offer the same advanced ergonomic designs found in specialised office keyboards. This balance ensures the rugged keyboard performs reliably in demanding settings.
Rugged Limited understands the importance of durability in demanding environments, which is why our rugged keyboards are often built with chemical resistance in mind. This feature is crucial for industries where keyboards are regularly exposed to harsh cleaning agents, disinfectants, or other industrial fluids.
Our rugged keyboards are frequently constructed from materials and with designs that prevent the ingress of liquids and corrosive substances, ensuring continued functionality and longevity. This chemical resistance contributes to the overall robustness and reliability of the keyboard, making it suitable for sectors such as healthcare, manufacturing, and food processing, where hygiene and exposure to various chemicals are common.
The ability of a rugged keyboard to withstand such exposure means less downtime for cleaning and maintenance, and a longer operational lifespan, providing excellent value for our customers.
Rugged Limited provides a range of rugged keyboards specifically engineered to meet the demanding requirements of military applications. These keyboards are designed to withstand extreme temperatures, vibrations, shocks, and exposure to dust and liquids, making them ideal for deployment in challenging operational environments.
Our rugged keyboards feature robust casings, often manufactured from stainless steel or aluminum, and incorporate sealed keypads to prevent ingress of contaminants. Many models also include features like adjustable backlighting for use in varying light conditions, and some are night vision compatible, which is crucial for covert operations. The design prioritises reliability and consistent performance, ensuring that critical data entry functions remain operational when they are needed most.
Furthermore, the durability of a rugged keyboard from Rugged Limited ensures a longer product lifespan and reduced maintenance, offering a cost-effective solution for military organisations seeking dependable input devices.
Rugged Limited offers a range of durable keyboards specifically engineered to meet the stringent requirements of cleanroom settings. These rugged keyboard solutions are often fully sealed and easy to clean, preventing the accumulation of dust and contaminants crucial for maintaining cleanroom protocols.
Our industrial keyboards are built with materials and designs that can withstand harsh cleaning agents and frequent sanitization without compromising performance or integrity. This makes them an ideal rugged keyboard choice for pharmaceutical, medical, and other controlled environments where hygiene and reliability are paramount.








