Un-Latch Footswitch (FS-5U)

I've been working on a personal music electronics project for months. It requires a non-latching (doesn't toggle between "on" and "off" positions with each click), momentary (only goes "on" [that's a "normally open/off" switch] or "off" [that's a "normally closed/on" switch] when you push the pedal) footswitch. I have now looked at and/or actually tested/used three different brands of such footswitches: Philmore 30-17090; Hosa FSC-502 and Boss FS-5U. All the makers have different versions of the same switch ... if you know you need a "momentary" switch, then you have to find out if the type you need is "normally open/off" or "normally closed/on." As explained below, the Boss switch eliminates that problem. The Philmore switch is the cheapest pre-fab switch I could find "out there," and comes with a basic 1/4 inch cable pre-installed. It "works," but it's like a noisy little tin can, and the guts of it are just too crude to really work effectively/consistently with any modern digital music devices. I couldn't get it to work properly/consistently with my project ... this switch is really designed for analog control of lights, ham radio mic/audio, etc. The Hosa switch is "OK," also comes with a pre-installed cable, and SHOULD work, but it's basically a glorified version of the Philmore device, designed/made a little better for use with digital music devices ... that is, the internal circuitry is better designed for that function. Then there's the Boss switch, which doesn't come with a pre-installed cable ... you'll have to provide your own. I've already been using two of these switches for years, as a controller for an Alesis SR-16 drum machine. One switch for "on/off," the second for switching between "A" and "B" patterns. They've worked so great for that purpose, I NEVER had a switch-related problem until one of them finally became so worn/glitchy that I had to replace it. That took about 10 years of regular (more than weekly) use. Inside and out, Boss is the best such device out there. The case is thick, solid aluminum with a hard rubber base, and is basically bombproof. It has modular grooves on the right and left sides that allow you to lock multiple units side-by-side, and create a "bank" of as many separate switches as you want/need. The pedal is firm and the switch action is QUIET. The design that transfers the heavier action of the pedal to the more fragile/delicate internal circuit-board push-button is the best I've seen, and the internal circuitry is specifically designed to properly interface with the highly sensitive circuitry of digital music equipment. Unlike the other two, the Boss pedal can also function as EITHER a "normally on/closed" OR "normally off/open" switch, by use of a toggle switch mounted next to the 1/4 inch input jack. This switch is simply labeled "polarity," but what it actually does is change the way the switch operates ... from "normally off/open" to "normally on/closed," and back again, so you know this one switch can easily be made to work with either type of input ... no experimenting with different model numbers. In sum, if you know you need a "momentary" footswitch, spend the extra money and buy the Boss. It's the best-designed, most durable and most reliable option out there for the price, and it will save you a lot of headaches in the long run.

I bought the FS-5L at first not realizing you need a "Momentary" pedal in order to change presets/patches on a multi fx unit. It is confusing as normally Unlatching/Momentary switches require you to keep the switch on the pedal pressed for the effect to go on and then release the switch to turn the effect off. But it's different with changing patches in a multi fx device. This worked PERFECT (with Boss GT1000CORE) right out of the box. Super high quality and you can use your own cable. I learned the hard way but at least now I know and hope this helps and saves somebody else the trouble

I have been using this pedal for a few months along with my Boss DD-7 pedal. This was one of the recommended pedals by Boss for the tap feature on my delay and it works great! It's very sturdy and has held up without any issues in my live gear. I've been carrying it around with my pedal board the whole time and it doesn't even have a scratch. For the functionality it couldn't be easier. With a DD-7 you just plug it into the "Tempo/Exp" jack and tap in time with the beat you wish the delay to follow and it adjusts the DD-7 to match. This pedal feels very responsive, and does what it's supposed to, no sense of it lagging or being behind the beat. If you like dotted 8th delay (used often by The Edge from U2 for example), this makes dialing in the tempo a breeze, no guessing if you've set the knobs right to be locked into the beat! There are cheaper pedals out there, but if you gig live a lot this pedal is pretty hard to beat. Works great and you won't have to worry about it breaking down from road wear!

Wish it cmae with instructions, but google helps. No power required and it works great

I bought the Boss Fs-5U as a tap-tempo pedal for my Boss DD-3 pedal. Simply put, it works very well. The build quality and style of this item is impeccable and truly blends perfectly with the style of other Boss pedals. This pedal feels nice to tap and works perfectly. I only knocked off a star because the switch is quite pricey. You are basically paying for a name, but you also pay for an item that is guaranteed to work for what you need it to, so don't fear throwing the extra cash as it might be worth it in the end. As a solid tap tempo pedal, I am very satisfied with this purchase.

This is a well-known classic from Boss. Rugged and reliable. Buy with confidence.

Sehr gut 👍

Funciona perfecto!

Great solid pedal from Boss,and easy to set up and use, I bought this pedal to go with my Boss RC 1 loop Station guitar pedal and it works great, would recommend 5\5

Es Boss, Roland....no falla, si lo encuentras mas barato compralo.

Bonne qualité, fonctionne très bien, aucun problème...