Mechanical or Optical end stop?

Hi Guys

I'm about to order a DIY RAMPS1.4 kit, but have to choose between optical and mechanical end stops.
There is a wiki page on the topic, but the only conclusion I can make out of it is that mechanical end stops can start failing when it gets old, but it seems that it takes a loooong time for that to happen. Optical is more complex and expensive, so why would you go for that option? There seems to be surprisingly little discussion on this topic, is it because most people just go for the simpler, mechanical end stop?
At the same time I've seen one or two post of people struggling to replace their mechanical end stop with an optical one on the Z axis specifically.
So it seems there is some motivation to use Optical at least in the Z axis?

Thanks in advance
Rudolph

Long ongoing debate. There's simply no clear winner. As a perfectionist I always used optical ones so far. Even while there are reports about them failing in direct sunlight.

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Generation 7 Electronics	Teacup Firmware	RepRap DIY

Ok, thanks. I'll go for the simplest solution for now.

I use magnetic reed switches - seems almost impossible to fail, at least in all the years I have used them.

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Waitaki 3D Printer

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waitaki
I use magnetic reed switches - seems almost impossible to fail, at least in all the years I have used them.

Done properly mechancial switches, optical, reed, or hall effect all are next to impossible to fail, that is until they do. Each type has their advantages and disadvantages and for the typical reprap use I don't think any of them are vastly inferior or superior over the others as long as you know (and work around) any minor limitations.

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waitaki
I use magnetic reed switches - seems almost impossible to fail, at least in all the years I have used them.

Funny you say that, because my home alarm repair person has been changing out one or more defective magnetic reed switches every month lately. Even the ones on windows that only open a few times per year have failed after 4-5 years. I'll take my chances with mechanical switches.....

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vreihen
I'll take my chances with mechanical switches.....

Ironically, a reed switch IS a mechancial switch since they consist of moving parts connecting and disconnecting. The difference is just what is exerting the force to cause them to make the connection.