[CM Storm] Mechanical Key Switch Tester Now Available for Pre-Order

[SpAmRaY]

Got mine to sadly the white doesn't click!

[Photoelectric]

Are you talking about the Clear?

[SpAmRaY]

Are you talking about the Clear?

Doh! I thought it was white.....I'm such a noob....I didn't pop the cap off..

[tbc]

can you actually visually tell a clear and a white apart?

[IMHB]

can you actually visually tell a clear and a white apart?

yes you can, clear is translucent and white is fully opaque white. It's fairly easy to tell.

[gameaholic]

Got mine today.  What did you guys use to get the top off?  I kinda scratched up my credit card and it still didn't open.  I notice that the green switch on this feels lighter than on the QFR with greens I bought then returned.  I didn't like the one I returned because I thought those green switches were too heavy but I do like this one.  It feels just a little stiffer than the blue which is nice.  Could there be a difference between this green spring and the springs in the first batch of QFRs with greens?  I might have to try greens again. 

[Photoelectric]

can you actually visually tell a clear and a white apart?

yes you can, clear is translucent and white is fully opaque white. It's fairly easy to tell.

can you actually visually tell a clear and a white apart?

Clicky switches also have raised tiny pillars/nubs on the stems.  Nonclicky ones don't.   Here's a photo of MX White from Querkeys:



Blues and Greens have those too.

[jdcarpe]

Mine was waiting for me when I got home from work. I already took it apart, as well.

Woot!

Good thing, too. I was about to rage kill a NIB QFR, just on principle.

[gh_pp]

Disassembled

Very cool.

Can anyone comment on whether you can swap the individual switch out.

If it is possible, I might get another one and try to find the other uncommon switches like grey, white, etc and have a complete tester kit.

Thanks

[SpAmRaY]

Seems like the red and black on this thing feel the same....weird.

[Photoelectric]

Press slowly!  Red is definitely lighter.  Also interesting how similar Brown and Clear feel.  I used to use Browns for quite a while and now use Clears, and when actually using them on whole boards, they feel quite different.  But as individual switches next to each other, they feel remarkably similar, with Clear being the tougher one.  Pressing each switch slowly helps.  Not that we ever do that while typing.

[SpAmRaY]

Press slowly!  Red is definitely lighter.  Also interesting how similar Brown and Clear feel.  I used to use Browns for quite a while and now use Clears, and when actually using them on whole boards, they feel quite different.  But as individual switches next to each other, they feel remarkably similar, with Clear being the tougher one.  Pressing each switch slowly helps.  Not that we ever do that while typing.

Yeah the tester is cool and all but I hope nobody decides to go buy a keyboard because of it.....I suppose the blues feel about the same compared to a full size board but that's about it.

[absyrd]

Yeah the tester is cool and all but I hope nobody decides to go buy a keyboard because of it....

Seriously. All these testers are by no means a way to feel out what you will actually like/use on an actual board. Like you said, perhaps you can get a slight idea about the sound of a blue switch click... that is it.

[Photoelectric]

You still get an idea based on comparisons with switches you're familiar with.  Say you've used Blues before--now you can get some idea what Browns are like vs. Blues. etc.  But it's true, typing on a full keyboard of switches quickly is not going to be the same. A lot of the switch nuances blend together at high WPM.

[osi]

Received mine as well. Looks good on my desk!

[piglickjf]

Yeah the tester is cool and all but I hope nobody decides to go buy a keyboard because of it....

Seriously. All these testers are by no means a way to feel out what you will actually like/use on an actual board. Like you said, perhaps you can get a slight idea about the sound of a blue switch click... that is it.

While I'm sure that's true, it's about the best some of us can hope for. I've felt blues and browns briefly in Best Buy on a Razer and Logitech they had set up on display, and browns on the Quickfire Ultimate I bought (and used for about a week but didn't like, though not because of the switches), but I have no other way of testing out an entire keyboard of other switch types. So while this tester may not be perfect, it's definitely a lot better than trying to interpret other people's written descriptions of how a switch feels and making a decision based only on that.

[kolonelkadat]

 Id say that this tester is really all i need for mx switches. blues and greens are exactly as obnoxious as I remembered/imagined. Whats suprising to me though is how much I dislike clears, browns and by extension any other color with a bump. They feel like broken switches to me. They make my fingers sad.

[piglickjf]

I do wish they had whites on it, but considering the seeming scarcity of those switches I suppose I can understand why they don't.

I agree with you on the blues/greens kolonel - I like the "snappiness" of them, but the click would just annoy the hell out of me. I do like the browns/clears better than the linears, though. Maybe it's just too many years spent on rubber domes, but I like some sort of feedback.

That's why I'm interested in whites - it seems like they might be closer to the snappiness of blues/greens, but without the click.

[CM-Rajiv]

Just an FYI, this is now available for pre-order in Europe

 http://www.cmstore.eu/cm-storm/keyboards/mechanical-key-switch-tester/

[rowdy]

Just an FYI, this is now available for pre-order in Europe

 http://www.cmstore.eu/cm-storm/keyboards/mechanical-key-switch-tester/

But still not Australia

I've arranged mine via a proxy anyway

A shame these are not programmable, with a small PCB and USB cable to configure 6 favourite functions (kinda like i3oiler's new business card).

[kolonelkadat]

A shame these are not programmable, with a small PCB and USB cable to configure 6 favourite functions (kinda like i3oiler's new business card).

its not such a big deal to add a teensy. I prefer it this way as it leaves more programming options. plus its hella easy to swap the switches as it sits now.

[gh_pp]

I do agree that it can only give a rough idea. I have the keycool mx-blue numpad, and even that doesn't give a good idea of what it actually feels to type on a full board.

its not such a big deal to add a teensy. I prefer it this way as it leaves more programming options. plus its hella easy to swap the switches as it sits now.

Care to explain how to swap the individual switch? From the picture it wasn't clear. It wasn't solder to anything it seems but how does each of them stay in place?

Thanks

[terran5992]

A shame these are not programmable, with a small PCB and USB cable to configure 6 favourite functions (kinda like i3oiler's new business card).

its not such a big deal to add a teensy. I prefer it this way as it leaves more programming options. plus its hella easy to swap the switches as it sits now.

0.o do you really need those extra keys?

[SpAmRaY]

I do agree that it can only give a rough idea. I have the keycool mx-blue numpad, and even that doesn't give a good idea of what it actually feels to type on a full board.

its not such a big deal to add a teensy. I prefer it this way as it leaves more programming options. plus its hella easy to swap the switches as it sits now.

Care to explain how to swap the individual switch? From the picture it wasn't clear. It wasn't solder to anything it seems but how does each of them stay in place?

Thanks

I didn't open mine up but I'm assuming they are just stuck in a plate...so just pop them out from the bottom.

[Grendel]

You can pull the switches w/o opening it. Push the small tabs on top & bottom of the switch w/ a small screwdriver into the switch (helps if you have a loose switch to see what I mean ) -- they pop right out.

The main problem w/ adding a Teensy is finding a place to stash it w/o messing w/ the standoffs too much. I think I found a place, the next problem will be to cut the hole for the USB connector. I'll post some pics if I get it to work.

[rowdy]

You can pull the switches w/o opening it. Push the small tabs on top & bottom of the switch w/ a small screwdriver into the switch (helps if you have a loose switch to see what I mean ) -- they pop right out.

The main problem w/ adding a Teensy is finding a place to stash it w/o messing w/ the standoffs too much. I think I found a place, the next problem will be to cut the hole for the USB connector. I'll post some pics if I get it to work.

This could get very intresting!

[Grendel]

Stuck at home due to snow -- my soldering stuff is at work Since I'm bored I took a picture of how I think the Teensy will go in there:



Advantage is that everything is together on the same part, makes testing and taking it apart a breeze. The hole for the USB connector on the lower half of the shell will be easy to add, the one one the upper half will be a PITA. The only other modification necessary is shortening the standoff that interferes w/ the Teensy, should be easy to do w/ a large drill since it's hollow.

And yes, those wires are LED's, same as in the testing rig I posted a pic of a little while ago

[Grendel]

Almost there:

[Pacifist]

is it possible to use http://imsto.cn/index.php?route=product/product&path=61&product_id=52 instead of teensy?

[tbc]

just got this.  quite neat.  I just realized the ordering technique they used for placing the switches.

also got reminded how great cm does their blue.  it's really different than Ducky's style.

[Grendel]

is it possible to use http://imsto.cn/index.php?route=product/product&path=61&product_id=52 instead of teensy?

No, that seems to be just a breakout board for USB signals (something that could be used to "fix" a USB connector ripped off a controller board.) However, any controller sporting at least 5 available I/O lines (to read the switches) could be used. I use the Teensy because I had one laying around Advantage is that each switch can have its own dedicated input and you can hook up 6 LEDs in addition (even high speed PWM driven for brightness control.)

[rowdy]

Almost there:

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Not many people like those Deck keycaps, but they look great on there!

[SpAmRaY]

Almost there:

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Not many people like those Deck keycaps, but they look great on there!

Yes that's the best use of them I've seen yet!!

[Pacifist]

is it possible to use http://imsto.cn/index.php?route=product/product&path=61&product_id=52 instead of teensy?

No, that seems to be just a breakout board for USB signals (something that could be used to "fix" a USB connector ripped off a controller board.) However, any controller sporting at least 5 available I/O lines (to read the switches) could be used. I use the Teensy because I had one laying around Advantage is that each switch can have its own dedicated input and you can hook up 6 LEDs in addition (even high speed PWM driven for brightness control.)

aww. Don't want to spend $20 on a teensy. Are there other things like a teensy that would work?

[kolonelkadat]

aww. Don't want to spend $20 on a teensy. Are there other things like a teensy that would work?

yes, but they wont be any cheaper or easier. cheapest option would be to buy the chip, some decoupling caps, and a crystal. wire it up deadbug style.

Ive decided that if I do this, Im going to make it wireless. atmega328p-pu + nrf24whatever in the tester and the teensy+nrf24 connected up to the pc. its too bad all my 3.3v regulators are frikken huge.

[Pacifist]

Almost there:

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the skull and crossbones are made by deck???

[Grendel]

Yea, each board they sold came w/ one.

[Grendel]

Hm, envisioning a PCB...

[BucklingSpring]

in da mail.

@CM - CM Paypal proxy asked for Paypal UN and PW then when I hit the paypal site and I'm asked again for UN and PW???
Are you fishing for Paypal credientials?

[Grendel]

Just for the record, final version w/ different caps and the case in place:

[SpAmRaY]

Anyone know how to get the $15 off after buying one of these?

[terran5992]

Theres a 15$ off?

[rowdy]

Just for the record, final version w/ different caps and the case in place:

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Fantastic!  Well done :)

[SpAmRaY]

Theres a 15$ off?

These were advertised as costing $15 but that by purchasing one you also get $15 off a cooler master board purchased from their website.....just not sure how to get the discount.