Are reed switches all the same or are treadmill reed switches "special"?

Consistency

It looks like it's cheaper for me to purchase a made in USA reed switch than a god knows where it's made reed switch and simply wire it with tiny wire nuts. Are all reed switches the same?

Are treadmill reed switches normally open?

Can I replace the cheap magnet with a rare earth magnet? Will it improve reading performance?

Treadmill replacement reed switch: https://hydrafitnessparts.com/products/lifestyler-proform-weslo-healthrider-treadmill-speed-sensor-reed-switch

Alternatives:

https://canada.newark.com/george-risk-industries/50r-12wg-w/product-range-50r-series/dp/36C7506

https://canada.newark.com/george-risk-industries/n50rf-12-w/product-range-n-series/dp/36C5000

https://canada.newark.com/duratool/d01767/magnet-rare-earth-12mm-3mm-pk6/dp/41T2850

KevinC

They are, just different shapes and they are normally open. I don't think a rare earth magnet is necessary though.

Consistency

Thanks for confirming that they are normally open. I replaced it with the wide gap one above and added a rare earth magnet on top of the original magnet. Reed switch fixed the console not displaying time, speed, distance and calories burned. I can understand that it's needed for the last 3 but don't understand why a reed switch is required for keeping time.

KevinC

I don't think it directly is responsible for keeping time. just that fact that when the magnet is in place it activates the console.