So your complaint isn't really about the membrane itself but the lack of haptic or other feedback that comes with a press. I worked on controls with one compan

So your complaint isn't really about the membrane itself but the lack of haptic or other feedback that comes with a press. I worked on controls with one company and their solution was to put a membrane overlay on the panel but place low-travel physical buttons behind it. You had the advantages of a membrane overlay (sealed from dust/moisture, better artwork on top) and the higher reliability of the button. And if the overlay tore or wore off the system still worked.