Sure, DIP switches are very convenient. I thought you were talking about momentary-type, though.
I don't know offhand of a "larger" version of a DIP switch. They do come in different configurations, though. Some are sliders, some are recessed sliders (you need a probe tool such as a pen tip to move them), some are rocker type which are easier to toggle. I think Radio Shack's DIP switch is a rocker type.
http://www.radioshack.com/product/i...ip+switch&origkw=dip+switch&parentPage=search
I see that some reviewers don't like that particular switch very much.
Electronic Goldmine has a much better assortment of DIP switches:
http://www.goldmine-elec-products.com/products.asp?dept=1191
Check out this one; a Grayhill 9-position rocker for $0.69:
http://www.goldmine-elec-products.com/prodinfo.asp?number=G15195
Grayhill's been around forever. So has AMP, both are good manufacturers that make good quality equipment.
The small sliders can be troublesome to flip on and off, which is compounded if you're in a hurry (like when the magic smoke is being let out of a component). Rockers are relatively easy to turn off in a hurry.
DIP switches really aren't designed to be turned on and off constantly. They'll stand up to maybe 500 cycles or so. The momentary pushbuttons I posted previously are designed for things like keypads, which might have hundreds of thousands of operations. They won't last nearly that long in a relatively higher-current environment though.
I don't know offhand of a "larger" version of a DIP switch. They do come in different configurations, though. Some are sliders, some are recessed sliders (you need a probe tool such as a pen tip to move them), some are rocker type which are easier to toggle. I think Radio Shack's DIP switch is a rocker type.
http://www.radioshack.com/product/i...ip+switch&origkw=dip+switch&parentPage=search
I see that some reviewers don't like that particular switch very much.
Electronic Goldmine has a much better assortment of DIP switches:
http://www.goldmine-elec-products.com/products.asp?dept=1191
Check out this one; a Grayhill 9-position rocker for $0.69:
http://www.goldmine-elec-products.com/prodinfo.asp?number=G15195
Grayhill's been around forever. So has AMP, both are good manufacturers that make good quality equipment.
The small sliders can be troublesome to flip on and off, which is compounded if you're in a hurry (like when the magic smoke is being let out of a component). Rockers are relatively easy to turn off in a hurry.
DIP switches really aren't designed to be turned on and off constantly. They'll stand up to maybe 500 cycles or so. The momentary pushbuttons I posted previously are designed for things like keypads, which might have hundreds of thousands of operations. They won't last nearly that long in a relatively higher-current environment though.