D2RV series by omron are reed switches they have nothing to do with the snap action mechanism of V series omron and zf/cherry miniature snap microswitches .
There’s only one type of D2RV-G, “-G” suffix just means it’s the strongest operating force pin plunger available (100gf) below that we have no suffix at all (just d2rv, at 50gf) and below we have 25gf pin plunger model with “-E” suffix.
Reed micro switches are basically just miniature leaf switches within a sealed glass ampoule, some of the metal blades are ferromagnetic others not and when a tiny magnet or current driven coil gets close, contact is made . Snap action are different and are 100% mechanical with miniature coiled and cantilever springs (some of which are in a preloaded state) combined such that a contact blade hits either normally open or normally closed internal contact points when you reach operating point, after which it needs to reset by releasing the pin plunger over a certain distance due to hysteresis of the mechanism . Reed system are virtually noiseless whatever the operating force needed, the only parts susceptible to generate a clacking noise (depending on joystick design, if it permits bottoming out the switches for example in some american sticks) would be the plastic pin plunger and casing , but the mech inside will not.
the snap switch preloaded assembly can get noisy when the operating force is medium-high, whereas low force snap switches make a barely audible snap noise (but sill present) and tactile feedback is practically nonexistent.
Reed seems more precise in theory even though the D2RV-G omron needs max 100gram force to actuate , alas according to tech sheet
https://www.components.omron.com/web/en/product-detail?partNumber=D2RV
the reed switch in question actuates much deeper than the snap version omron V and cherry/zf d44x you mentioned, which has been confirmed also (tech details aside) by countless seasoned players who felt the difference.
See zf switches here (now black, whereas cherry where off-white / cream)
http://switches-sensors.zf.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/2018_7-Miniature-D4-Datasheet_1_2.pdf
We can see the ZF/Cherry D44X that interest you has 0.75CN operating force (~76.5 gram force) and is boasted by vendors as having a “soft click/smooth mechanism” , but it doesn’t mean it’s noiseless like a reed or like an ultra low actuating force snap switch (like 20gram taiwanese zippy switches) which are sold as “noiseless” despite being snap action but that’s because the mechanism is very weak , beyond what many other brands propose in terms of low operating forces. The downside of zippy snap ultra low force snap switches is they have a very deep actuation point barely above D2RV reed type, plus the zippys have some tolerance issues the pin plunger wiggles a lot in the overly wide aperture .
Details:
D2RV-G has 100gf operating force, pretravel distance (distance the plunger goes down until contact is made) is 1.6mm max, distance to reset after contact is made (when releasing the plunger as it rises back to an operable position) is 0.8mm maximum (this distance is called “differential movement” ). Operating point (height at which electric contact takes place, measured between horizontal line passing by bottom mounting hole center -parallel to bottom side- and plunger pin top) is 14±0.6mm.
Comparing with ZF D44X at ~76gf operating force, pretravel is only max 1.2mm maximum to reach contact point (0.4mm less than omron d2rv-g) , differential movement is only max 0.3mm (0.5mm less distance to reset than d2rv-g) . Due to the fact that the joystick shaft is a lever, these seemingly small actuation distances that may seem so similar and unimportant on paper to the unitiated will translate during play to a couple of mm’s that will be noticeable in engage and throw, depending also a lot on shaft length, pivot point location and gate design if present .
omron D2RV type are also uber expensive considering the only benefit is just absence of sound/feedback and so-so actuation specs (they actuate far too deep so be ready for big oversized actuators or just riding the gate).
Sanwa allegedly had slightly modified D2RV-G switches as custom order by OMron for the latest “silent” JLF iterations but you won;t be able to buy them seperately as sanwa does not want customers to break the “guarantee” seal sticker on said latest gen silent sticks to discourage switch mods.
you could compensate deep actuating switches like D2RV-G with an oversized actuator, I see you use a kowal (just hope it’s v2 in nylon since first version was made of shit quality plastic that wore down like crazy) .Kowal actuator has cylindrical top and bottom sections (top for switches, bottom to contact gate) whereas jlf stock type and similar oversized actuators have top part slanted (conical) and bottom part cylindrical (contacting gate).
The slanted design (conical) of the latter permits a more progressive actuation (even if oversized, within reasonable limits) especially in diagonals , whereas the kowal cylindrical actuator is more immediate when “engaging” but that is a question of personal taste.
Up to you to mix and match now.
Also for further information, try the SRK search engine, the matters have been discussed before, especially with silent JLF models and vendor specific cherry JLF mods.
***you grinded the kowal actuator sides? what for? it makes the sides lumpy and they will not slide or rotate smoothly on switch pins!
