Question about blue cherry switches. (Qtronix QX-201H)

[barb]

So I found this keyboard the other day...

After managing to become a keyboard maniac (long story), I found out that the IBM Model M was regarded by many as a great keyboard, so I set out to find one. But I found the one in the title instead.

From what I've read, the switches seem to be blue cherry switches (they are indeed blue and are marked "cherry". They click about halfway down, and makes another less audible click on the way back up. I find this lovely. But on to the actual question: Is there a switch that behaves just like (or almost like) the blue switch, but requires more force to press down? And are there any keyboards equipped with this imaginary switch? Also, could these blue ones be the same switches found in the Das Keyboard III?

(I actually have come across three model M's now, for a sum that translates to roughly $4 per board, so I'm going to try those out to see if they could be what I'm looking for. I'll get them later this week hopefully. Also first forum post, hi everyone.)

[ozar]

Welcome to the forums!  :smile:

Yes, the Das III has blue cherry switches.  The buckling spring switches in the Model M will click, but they aren't as loud as the blue cherries, in my opinion.  Others might hear them just the opposite.  Note that they can sound different from one model of board to another, as well, depending on the construction.

[barb]

Welcome to the forums!  :smile:

Yes, the Das III has blue cherry switches.

Okay, cool! But also not cool, since I was looking into buying one of those. Now I don't want to, since I would really like a switch that requires a bit more force. I probably have strong fingers from playing the piano too much

Edit: Ah, and thanks for the Model M info. Will be fun to try them out!

[ozar]

It's extremely hard to find a switch that feels better than a good buckling spring, at least in my own opinion.

[barb]

Thanks for all the answers!

That's a great deal. Let us know what you think.

Yes it seems so! And I will.

It would be great to have one model m at work and one at home. Don't want to be carrying this one around for all eternity.

[MANISH7]

your fingers don't actually have muscles. tendons connect the muscle of your forearms to the philanges. so if you use heavy key switch, you're just putting more strain on your tendons. in the long run, this may not be good. nevertheless, there are people who don't type much or are ok with heavy key switches and i respect that. i'm not comfortable with the concept of making your tendons exert more than needed. i keep my model ms purely for the nostalgia.

[IBI]

It's extremely hard to find a switch that feels better than a good buckling spring, at least in my own opinion.

Although it is only opinion, I'm not particulaly fond of the keys on my Model M and I much pefer the Black Alps on my AT102.

The buckling spring mechanism may be what you're after though since it does apparently have one of the heaviest activation forces out there as well as having a clear click mid-way.

[ozar]

Although it is only opinion, I'm not particulaly fond of the keys on my Model M and I much pefer the Black Alps on my AT102.

To me, good buckling springs make the keys feel like they are literally an extension to my fingers.  I can see and do understand how they don't feel the same, and are not right for everyone, though.  I just wish that we could all get any switch that we like and want, in any model of keyboard.

barb, do report back and let us know how it all goes.

[huha]

But on to the actual question: Is there a switch that behaves just like (or almost like) the blue switch, but requires more force to press down?

Yes, there is!
It's the green MX switch which should be found under the spacebar.

And are there any keyboards equipped with this imaginary switch?

Technically, well ... you can find one of them for the spacebar.
I'm currently waiting for a reference to arrive, so I can't tell this absolutely for sure, but from what I saw, the only difference between green and blue MX is the spring. If you get a hundred springs used in MX linear modules (I'm still waiting to confirm this, but from pictures of dissembled MX modules, I'm quite sure), you could swap them. I'll certainly do.

(I actually have come across three model M's now, for a sum that translates to roughly $4 per board, so I'm going to try those out to see if they could be what I'm looking for. I'll get them later this week hopefully. Also first forum post, hi everyone.)

Model Ms are absolutely great. You might also like Alps switches, but depending on your location, they're a bit hard to find. Clicky Alps are, at least from my experience (and others seem to share this), somewhere between blue MX and buckling springs, so if BS are too hard or too clicky for you, this might be an option.

-huha

[xyzzy]

If you get a hundred springs used in MX linear modules (I'm still waiting to confirm this, but from pictures of dissembled MX modules, I'm quite sure), you could swap them.

I wish there was a place that sold BTO Cherry keyboard/switches.

a) Select switch type
    (1) linear
    (2) tactile
    (3) clicky

b) Select switch force
    (1) 30cN
    (2) 40cN
    (3) 50cN
    (4) 60cN

c) Select switch options
    (1) leds
    (2) diodes

d) Select keyboard type
    (1) MX3000
    (2) MX1800
    (3) MX11900
    (4) MX5000 (!!!!)
    (5) none, switches only

e) Insert credit card details

[itlnstln]

I wish there was a place that sold BTO Cherry keyboard/switches.
 
a) Select switch type
(1) linear
(2) tactile
(3) clicky
 
b) Select switch force
(1) 30cN
(2) 40cN
(3) 50cN
(4) 60cN
 
c) Select switch options
(1) leds
(2) diodes
 
d) Select keyboard type
(1) MX3000
(2) MX1800
(3) MX11900
(4) MX5000 (!!!!)
(5) none, switches only
 
e) Insert credit card details

That would be awesome.  I would be all over that MX-5000.

[cchan]

You forgot the MX8100 keyboard type option. (<3 mine with browns)

[itlnstln]

Which one is the MX8100, cchan?

[cchan]

Which one is the MX8100, cchan?

Big, programmable keys, touchpad.

http://hyprkc.tripod.com/blackkey.jpg