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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
Format
IP Rating
Manufacturer
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 require a custom 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.
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Having trouble finding what you're looking for?
Selecting the right product for your specific application and environment can be quite challenging. At Rugged, our team of experts is on hand to assist you in making the best choice. Whether you have questions about product specifications or require guidance through our range of solutions, we’re here to help.
With our extensive industry knowledge and commitment to quality, we can ensure you find the ideal solution tailored to your needs.
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
Many of Rugged Limited’s rugged keyboards are indeed designed with a high level of ingress protection, making them dust-proof. This means they are engineered to prevent the intrusion of dust and other small particles, ensuring reliable operation even in harsh or challenging environments. The sealed designs and robust materials used in these keyboards contribute to their ability to withstand exposure to dust without compromising functionality. This dust-proof characteristic is a key feature that makes a rugged keyboard an ideal choice for industries where cleanliness and environment control can be difficult.
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.
Rugged Limited specialises in providing industrial peripherals built to withstand harsh conditions, including marine settings. Our rugged keyboards are engineered with features like IP (Ingress Protection) ratings, which are crucial for protecting against water and other liquids commonly found in marine applications. This ensures that the keyboard can endure exposure to moisture, salt spray, and even submersion, depending on the specific IP rating.
Furthermore, the materials used in our rugged keyboard manufacturing are selected for their durability and resistance to corrosion, which is a significant factor in saltwater environments. This robust construction guarantees reliable operation and a long lifespan, reducing downtime and maintenance in challenging marine conditions.
Rugged keyboards are an excellent choice for control rooms, where reliability and durability are paramount. These environments often require equipment that can endure continuous use and potential exposure to dust or spills without compromising performance.
Specifically designed with robust materials, a rugged keyboard offers superior protection compared to standard keyboards. This resilience ensures that critical operations in control rooms can proceed uninterrupted, even in challenging conditions. Rugged Limited provides a range of these specialized input devices, built to meet the rigorous demands of such settings, ensuring long-lasting functionality and consistent performance.
Rugged Limited offers a range of keyboards specifically engineered to withstand harsh environments, and a key feature for many of these is their dust-proof design. Our Rugged Keyboards are built to IP (Ingress Protection) standards, which indicate their level of resistance to solids like dust.
For instance, some models boast an IP65 rating, meaning they are completely protected against dust ingress. This makes them an excellent choice for industries where dust and debris are common, ensuring consistent functionality and a longer lifespan. When you choose a Rugged Limited product, you’re investing in a durable solution, and many of our keyboards provide a dependable dustproof rugged keyboard option for demanding applications.
Rugged Limited’s range of industrial keyboards are rigorously tested and certified to meet the demands of challenging environments. Our rugged keyboards are designed to withstand conditions that would compromise standard peripherals.
Key certifications and ratings for our keyboards include:
- IP Ratings: Our keyboards often feature high Ingress Protection (IP) ratings, such as IP65, IP67, and IP68. These ratings indicate resistance to dust, dirt, and liquids, making them suitable for washdown areas and environments prone to spills.
- IK Ratings: Many models also possess IK ratings, signifying their resistance to external mechanical impacts. An IK rating ensures the keyboard can endure significant physical stress without functional impairment.
- ATEX Certification: For hazardous environments where explosive atmospheres may be present, selected rugged keyboard models are ATEX certified. This certification confirms compliance with essential health and safety requirements relating to explosive atmospheres, ensuring safe operation in such critical zones.
These certifications collectively ensure that a Rugged Limited rugged keyboard delivers reliable performance and longevity, even in the most demanding industrial, marine, and outdoor settings.
Rugged Limited’s rugged keyboard range is engineered from high-quality, durable materials designed to withstand harsh operating conditions. These materials commonly include silicone, which offers excellent resistance to liquids and dust, making them easy to clean and sanitise. Many models also feature stainless steel for their casings or keycaps, providing superior strength against impacts and corrosion, ideal for industrial or public use.
Furthermore, industrial-grade ABS plastic is often utilised for its robust and lightweight properties, contributing to the overall resilience of the rugged keyboard. The choice of these materials ensures that our keyboards can endure extreme temperatures, vibrations, and constant use without compromising performance or longevity.
Rugged Limited offers a range of durable keyboards, and while the exact level of environmental protection can vary by model, many of our rugged keyboards are engineered to withstand exposure to liquids.
These robust input devices are often designed with features to prevent water ingress, making them suitable for industries where spills, splashes, or wash-downs are common. For specific details on the waterproof ratings of a particular rugged keyboard, it’s always best to consult the individual product specifications.








