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iKey SLK-79-M Backlit Mobile Mount Rugged Keyboard
Designed for mobile and industrial applications, the iKey SLK-79-M is a compact rugged keyboard built to endure challenging environments. Its ABS polycarbonate housing combined with sealed industrial silicone rubber keypads ensures resistance to dust and moisture, meeting IP and NEMA 4X ratings. Backlit keys provide usability in low-light conditions, while the integrated HulaPoint II pointing device allows precise cursor control, reducing the need for external peripherals in tight spaces.
Its robust design supports 24/7 use and is vibration tested to MIL-STD-810 standards, proven by a key life exceeding 10 million actuations. The SLK-79-M operates reliably between -20°C and +60°C, making it suitable for varied climates and continuous-duty deployments. Dual interface options via PS/2 and USB enhance system compatibility for diverse industrial and vehicle-mounted setups. With dimensions optimised for space-limited workstations, this industrial-grade keyboard delivers consistent performance and durability in field operations requiring dependable input solutions.
SLK-79-M Features
- Compact Mobile Keyboard
- Integrated Pointing Device
- Red LED Backlighting
- 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
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
9.31" x 3.88" x 1.68" (w-h-d) 236.5mm x 98.6mm x 42.7mm
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 lbs +/- 0.10 lbs (0.45 kg +/- 0.05kg)
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-M Backlit Mobile Mount Rugged Keyboard is designed and engineered for use in demanding environments where reliability, durability are essential. The SLK-79-M supports a wide range of industries and operational applications.
Common deployment industries include: Defence And Military, Emergency Services, Industrial Manufacturing, Rail And Transport, Security And Surveillance.
Across these sectors, the SLK-79-M 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, 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-M 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-M is appropriate for your specific application, please contact us.
The iKey SLK-79-M Backlit Mobile Mount 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-M Backlit Mobile Mount Rugged Keyboard, must be presented to RUGGED in the United Kingdom.
For more information about the iKey SLK-79-M Backlit Mobile Mount 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-M Backlit Mobile Mount 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-M 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-1000-IS
- Intrinsic safety certified for Class I II III hazardous environments
- NEMA 4X sealed stainless steel frame and silicone keys
- Operating temperature range -40°C to +70°C
- MIL-STD-810G vibration and shock resistant

PM-88
- NEMA 4X sealed construction
- MIL-STD-810 vibration and shock resistant
- Over 10 million keystroke lifespan
- Compatible with PS/2 and USB interfaces

FT-88-911-TP
- NEMA 4 sealed housing
- MIL-STD-810G shock and vibration resistant
- Integrated touchpad reduces peripherals
- Red LED backlighting for low light

SLK-102-461
- MIL-STD-461 certified for EMI resistance
- NEMA 4X sealed dust and weatherproof case
- Industrial silicone rubber keys with tactile feedback
- Integrated HulaPoint II pointing device

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 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.
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.
Rugged keyboards are engineered to perform reliably in environments where conventional keyboards simply cannot, making them essential for a wide array of rugged keyboard applications. These durable input devices are frequently found in industrial settings, such as manufacturing plants and warehouses, where they endure dust, spills, and extreme temperatures. Their robust construction also makes them ideal for marine applications, including on ships and offshore platforms, where exposure to saltwater and vibrations is common.
Beyond these, other rugged keyboard applications include use in public access kiosks, military and defence operations, and medical facilities. In these environments, features like sealed enclosures, chemical resistance, and the ability to withstand impact are crucial for continuous operation and data integrity. Rugged Limited provides keyboards specifically designed to meet these demanding requirements, ensuring seamless performance even in the most challenging conditions.
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.
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 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 keyboards are designed for durability and consistent operation in demanding conditions, and their connection types reflect this need for reliability. The primary connection type used for Rugged Limited’s range of rugged keyboards is USB.
USB connections offer several advantages for industrial and harsh environments, including broad compatibility, ease of use, and a secure physical connection that can withstand vibrations and impact. This ensures that the rugged keyboard maintains a stable link to the host system, critical for uninterrupted data entry and control in sectors such as manufacturing, logistics, and marine applications.
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.








