The Emcotec switches are solid state with no physical contacts in them like a conventional switch. The dual pack switches have a cool feature that tells you if a pack is below nominal voltage and which one is it. The LED flashes to tell you this. The LED is also very handy to remind you that the radio is still powered. The switches are designed to fail "on" as well. So far I have not had one fail, nor ever heard of one failing.

Another company in Europe makes a smaller more compact switch that is actuated by a magnet as well. I use his switches in my gliders. He has also come out with a higher amp rated switch (15 amps)

http://zepsus.com/magnetic-switch/

http://zepsus.com/magnetic-switch-15a/

These are also a great product.

I have not used a physical switch in years.