What keycap Profile do you prefer the most?

[zslane]

Flat caps are even worse than cylindrical!

[Trystero]

Flat caps are even worse than cylindrical!

Spherical master race

[zslane]

 

[Geroximo]

Cherry profile.

[potatobot]

Haha cherry vs dsa/sa now


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[LiquidEvilGaming]

But Cherry caps are cylindrical... ewwwwwwwwwww... 

You prefer flat caps?

i think oems also have Cylindrical tops and it doesnt bother me one bit.

currently using my ducky shine 2 for typing with ABS OEM keycaps (because my mx clears on poker just doesnt let me type for longer hours)

Seriously flat keycaps only have a place on Laptops, they feel oh so wrong on normal keyboards.

[ideus]

Cylindrical profiles provide larger typing areas, while spherical made them smaller, being the main difference their appearance. The prevalence of the first over spherical speak for itself that cylindrical tops provide a more typing friendly surface. Spherical sets tend to be more popular within keyboard aficionados because they are not available in stock keyboards and they may look more interesting; but, truth be told, cylindrical key caps are more comfortable for typing, the lower profile of Cherry when compared with SA makes the MX switches to work at its best, SA make them to feel wobbly.

[zslane]

The difference in surface area between cylindrical and spherical is so miniscule that I doubt it makes any noticeable difference to 99% of users. And in my case, I have small hands and excellent touch typing skills; I don't feel any performance difference between the two. So I go with the vastly superior look of spherical over cylindrical.

[potatobot]

But Cherry caps are cylindrical... ewwwwwwwwwww... 

You prefer flat caps?

i think oems also have Cylindrical tops and it doesnt bother me one bit.

currently using my ducky shine 2 for typing with ABS OEM keycaps (because my mx clears on poker just doesnt let me type for longer hours)

Seriously flat keycaps only have a place on Laptops, they feel oh so wrong on normal keyboards.

dsa is not that bad. especially on heavier switches like mx clears

The difference in surface area between cylindrical and spherical is so miniscule that I doubt it makes any noticeable difference to 99% of users. And in my case, I have small hands and excellent touch typing skills; I don't feel any performance difference between the two. So I go with the vastly superior look of spherical over cylindrical.

+1 for cylindrical i.e. cherry

yeah i also prefer low profile caps like my varmilo caps that comes close to cherry profile which by the way is my next target

Cylindrical profiles provide larger typing areas, while spherical made them smaller, being the main difference their appearance. The prevalence of the first over spherical speak for itself that cylindrical tops provide a more typing friendly surface. Spherical sets tend to be more popular within keyboard aficionados because they are not available in stock keyboards and they may look more interesting; but, truth be told, cylindrical key caps are more comfortable for typing, the lower profile of Cherry when compared with SA makes the MX switches to work at its best, SA make them to feel wobbly.

+1 for Spherical i.e. DSA/SA

I agree they look awesome and who wouldnt want their keyboards to look fab 

[Niomosy]

The difference in surface area between cylindrical and spherical is so miniscule that I doubt it makes any noticeable difference to 99% of users. And in my case, I have small hands and excellent touch typing skills; I don't feel any performance difference between the two. So I go with the vastly superior look of spherical over cylindrical.

I'll be honest.  Even being on SA caps for months now, I can still feel the surface area difference between them and cylindrical (OEM) caps.  I'm getting more used to SA caps but the difference is definitely there.  Maybe I am the 1% in this though I'd really be surprised at that.

[davkol]

AFAIK IBM made the switch from spherical to cylindrical to enlarge the area for legends.

[potatobot]

AFAIK IBM made the switch from spherical to cylindrical to enlarge the area for legends.

but spherical granites have large ass font haha!

The difference in surface area between cylindrical and spherical is so miniscule that I doubt it makes any noticeable difference to 99% of users. And in my case, I have small hands and excellent touch typing skills; I don't feel any performance difference between the two. So I go with the vastly superior look of spherical over cylindrical.

I'll be honest.  Even being on SA caps for months now, I can still feel the surface area difference between them and cylindrical (OEM) caps.  I'm getting more used to SA caps but the difference is definitely there.  Maybe I am the 1% in this though I'd really be surprised at that.

im just getting used to my DSA keyset too, i only encountered problems with the inclination of the board. but yeah they are good especially on poker

[zslane]

Maybe I am the 1% in this though I'd really be surprised at that.

Yeah, I imagine you are in the 1%. I highly recommend adapting to spherical sometime before Dasher arrives though. 

Of the 35 years I've been typing on computer (or terminal) keyboards, I've probably been typing on cylindrical keycaps for around 30 of them. You'd think I'd really notice the difference in surface area, but for whatever reason my fingers are not sensitive to that. Profile height is a far more dramatic element of differentiation, and getting used to SA for me had nothing whatever to do with the shape of the tops and everything to do with the height of the caps.

Getting used to DSA required no adaptation on my part; they feel so much like OEM caps that there was no period of adustment.

[potatobot]

I really want to try out the SA but most of my keyboards have floating layout which scares me coz they might wobble allot

Im using my DSA on varmilo va87 with browns now and its not too bad

Hopefull i get to try out gateron clears or zeals 65g with my granite soon  XD

I couldnt put myself in a position to spend for an SA set, I think id get a GMK/JTK set and just hope someone could lend me their SA set to test 

[Auxo]

Waiting on Hana for my first non-DCS profile, but so far, I like anything that has sharp corners

[potatobot]

Waiting on Hana for my first non-DCS profile, but so far, I like anything that has sharp corners

Hey mate!

OHH is that for a 68key? That would look awesome! those are abs right? nevertheless welcome to the DSA club 

I have a DCS esc key and its pretty close to Step-sculpture 2 so i like it

[Auxo]

Waiting on Hana for my first non-DCS profile, but so far, I like anything that has sharp corners

Hey mate!

OHH is that for a 68key? That would look awesome! those are abs right? nevertheless welcome to the DSA club 

I have a DCS esc key and its pretty close to Step-sculpture 2 so i like it

Nah, ATM I only have an unfinished 60% and an RS84. The 68 was going to be something I get later on. And correct, Hana is ABS. I never really understood the term step sculpture 2, what does that even mean?

[lildragonbuns]

I'm getting my first DCS keyset soon. I'm guessing it feels the same as cherry

[potatobot]

I'm getting my first DCS keyset soon. I'm guessing it feels the same as cherry

woah, that would be great. tell me about it when you get them

Waiting on Hana for my first non-DCS profile, but so far, I like anything that has sharp corners

Hey mate!

OHH is that for a 68key? That would look awesome! those are abs right? nevertheless welcome to the DSA club 

I have a DCS esc key and its pretty close to Step-sculpture 2 so i like it

Nah, ATM I only have an unfinished 60% and an RS84. The 68 was going to be something I get later on. And correct, Hana is ABS. I never really understood the term step sculpture 2, what does that even mean?

That keyset would look pretty good on a pok3r with white case

Step-sculpture 2 is the profile used on varmilo pbt keycaps. i dont know if they also use them on leopolds as they were manufactured by the same plant/company or whatever. 

[zslane]

I really want to try out the SA but most of my keyboards have floating layout which scares me coz they might wobble allot.

I once tried PuLSE on my Pok3r at work, just as an experiment, and I didn't notice any exaggerated wobbling. However, the keys were just too tall for that board; they just didn't feel right. I have Granite on it instead (and Dolch DSA on my Pok3r at home).

I love SA, but not on everything...

[potatobot]

I really want to try out the SA but most of my keyboards have floating layout which scares me coz they might wobble allot.

I once tried PuLSE on my Pok3r at work, just as an experiment, and I didn't notice any exaggerated wobbling. However, the keys were just too tall for that board; they just didn't feel right. I have Granite on it instead (and Dolch DSA on my Pok3r at home).

I love SA, but not on everything...

I tried using my SA keycap on varmilo and poker and they just look and feel weird. Haha

Do you have an extra 1.75 shift for granite?


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[Barndenn]

I've only used OEM profile keycaps so far but I'm pretty curious about how cherry profile keycaps would feel.

[Findecanor]

The difference in feel between OEM and Cherry is practically only in height, Cherry being about 1-2 mm shorter. That is little enough that not everyone feels a difference.

[Niomosy]

Maybe I am the 1% in this though I'd really be surprised at that.

Yeah, I imagine you are in the 1%. I highly recommend adapting to spherical sometime before Dasher arrives though. 

Of the 35 years I've been typing on computer (or terminal) keyboards, I've probably been typing on cylindrical keycaps for around 30 of them. You'd think I'd really notice the difference in surface area, but for whatever reason my fingers are not sensitive to that. Profile height is a far more dramatic element of differentiation, and getting used to SA for me had nothing whatever to do with the shape of the tops and everything to do with the height of the caps.

Getting used to DSA required no adaptation on my part; they feel so much like OEM caps that there was no period of adustment.

Profile height was definitely more noticeable at first.  It threw me off for a while.  I think my fingers are a bit better with height now, though.  I'll keep working at it.  Dasher's too fantastic a set to pass up

Though I do have DSA and GMK sets coming in as well.  I really need to get another keyboard for this hobby.

[alienman82]

removed.

[potatobot]

still neck on neck vs CHERRY and DSA/SA  )

Im looking at tada68 it comes with PBT Cherry profile caps at a good price point

[LiquidEvilGaming]

The difference in feel between OEM and Cherry is practically only in height, Cherry being about 1-2 mm shorter. That is little enough that not everyone feels a difference.

Honestly, I'm not sure how anyone with working fingers could NOT feel a difference...virtually impossible.  Now subjectively could you say some may not notice enough of a difference to care? Sure.  But not notice any difference at all?..I just don't see how that's possible honestly.

[potatobot]

Ever since i transferred my DSA keycaps on a lighter switch (gateron browns) ive regretted every second of my typing experience.

 


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[ideus]

The difference in feel between OEM and Cherry is practically only in height, Cherry being about 1-2 mm shorter. That is little enough that not everyone feels a difference.

Honestly, I'm not sure how anyone with working fingers could NOT feel a difference...virtually impossible.  Now subjectively could you say some may not notice enough of a difference to care? Sure.  But not notice any difference at all?..I just don't see how that's possible honestly.

Trying to generalize our very own personal experience is futile; however, it is a fact the profiles have differences, one is the height; but the most important one, for typing, is how thin the walls are, because that translates into weight that accounts for the tactility feedback, it also affects the sound the keyboard produces that is the auditory feedback. Personally, I have found that OEM profile feels a bit closer to Cherry if the caps are thick and differs more if they are thin, that most OEM profile sets are. If you have tried WASD keys, that are some of the thinner in the market in OEM profile you may understand what I am talking about, because Cherry sets in general are thick. But saying that nobody should notice the difference is just an empty comment.

[y2bd]

SA are so so pretty but are just too tall for me.

DSA looks good in pictures but looks ugly in person IMO, and typing is mediocre.

I could really use a nice OEM set of caps, because Cherry is nice because nearly all Cherry caps are nice, but I like the height of the OEM compared to Cherry. For example, I'm not a big fan of buckling springs, but the caps on my Model M are fantastic.

We also need more cylindrical sets with crazy colors and centered legends to compete with SA. Evangs' Midnight Drive DCS set for example looks fantastic, but DCS is quite thin.

[Adgar]

Comapring with the type like OEM and DSA,bla bla , I concern more about the size, Some keycaps are to big for me that led to uncomfortable type exprience. Beside . For different swich, we have different requirments towards our keycaps.

[zslane]

DSA looks good in pictures but looks ugly in person IMO, and typing is mediocre.

I assure you that this looks as good in person as it does in the photo. Furthermore, I find the typing experience superior to that of the SS2 keycaps that originally came on the board.

[Niomosy]

Ever since i transferred my DSA keycaps on a lighter switch (gateron browns) ive regretted every second of my typing experience.

 


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Interesting.  I'll be running DSA caps on MX reds soon as MassDrop noted that Hana has shipped.  I'll soon get to see how that goes.

[zslane]

I use MX reds exclusively and find them a joy to type on, even (especially?) with SA/DSA keycaps.

IMO, MX browns are a mistake regardless of the keycap style, so I wouldn't blame the keycaps for a s****y typing experience there. Hell, I'm interested in finding a satisfying tactile switch experience too, but since beamsprings are out of the question, my next (and only) choice is Topre with MX sliders. That RealForce MX board can't get here fast enough for me...

[heedpantsnow]

In order of preference:
Cherry
DCS
OEM
Root canal
SA
DSA

SA is too tall at the top of the board.  Some think (I agree) that it was originally conceived for and would be best on a curved plate.  DSA...so flat, might as well type on a laptop.  The ones I prefer are IMHO properly sculpted without being un-ergonomic.

[kingpilcrow]

Cherry profile

[y2bd]

I assure you that this looks as good in person as it does in the photo. Furthermore, I find the typing experience superior to that of the SS2 keycaps that originally came on the board.

I don't think it even looks that great in the photo, friend  . Not a big fan of the LOTR legends myself.

I don't have very solid opinions though, as I'm currently typing on my Gateron Clears Minivan with a DSA grabbag across the alphas. I'm not sure if it feels significantly different from the DCS caps that the board came with, but regardless I certainly don't mind it (maybe I've been putting DSA on the wrong switch types).

[zslane]

DSA...so flat, might as well type on a laptop.  The ones I prefer are IMHO properly sculpted without being un-ergonomic.

I kinda know what you mean. That's why I was surprised to find that the height of DSA was essentially the same as the SS2 keycaps that came on my Varmilo boards. The "sculpt" on those keys was so subtle that I hardly noticed any difference when I put the Granite caps on. But the Granite caps look a million times better to me. And I say that as someone who really doesn't care for two-tone gray colorways as a general rule.

[tripandfall426]

call me basic but I like OEM profile, ever since I got my vortex double shot pbt's I cant stop typing on my keyboard for fun lol

[Niomosy]

It was mentioned on Reddit that Vortex will be doing DSA and SA caps.

https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicalKeyboards/comments/4yilad/dsasa_from_vortex_coming_soon/

Custom orders at an MoQ of... 1000 though.  So we just wait to see what they put out that ends up on Massdrop, Ebay, Amazon, etc.

[potatobot]

I use MX reds exclusively and find them a joy to type on, even (especially?) with SA/DSA keycaps.

IMO, MX browns are a mistake regardless of the keycap style, so I wouldn't blame the keycaps for a s****y typing experience there. Hell, I'm interested in finding a satisfying tactile switch experience too, but since beamsprings are out of the question, my next (and only) choice is Topre with MX sliders. That RealForce MX board can't get here fast enough for me...

I actually prefer gateron browns over reds tho linear switches feel weird to me, browns just have enough bump for the feels.

And for me, having dsa on a lighter switch i.e. browns or reds, just feel wrong.

I have gateron reds & browns, mx blues & clears and granite was amazing on the latter.

[LiquidEvilGaming]

call me basic but I like OEM profile, ever since I got my vortex double shot pbt's I cant stop typing on my keyboard for fun lol

When I started off with some of my Vortex DoubleShot PBT caps I felt the same way for awhile, once I started expanding into different profiles however I no longer enjoyed them quite as much.  I still have a set of Vortex PBT Doubleshots on one of my older pok3r's but sat next to my newer backlit pok3r with Cherry Profile PBT I definitely notice a fairly large and enjoyable difference.   The OEM PBT still feels worlds better than stock caps but after trying some nice thick cherry profile caps I definitely now prefer the cherry.

[davkol]

but the most important one, for typing, is how thin the walls are, because that translates into weight that accounts for the tactility feedback

Dubious.

The difference between common 1u keycaps (other than SA) is at most ~1 g, which is within margin of error even on relatively low-force switches (say ~50 g). In case of large caps, it partially depends on stabilization mechanism—actual problems with SA spacebars on ergo clears are a real thing.

I dare say the perceived difference in weight/tactility (on 1u keys) is caused entirely by the sound of typing. Want to prove me wrong? Properly administered blind&deaf test. I've tried and failed.

Note that I do agree about density/thickness' impact on amplification of switch sound.

[ideus]

but the most important one, for typing, is how thin the walls are, because that translates into weight that accounts for the tactility feedback

Dubious.

The difference between common 1u keycaps (other than SA) is at most ~1 g, which is within margin of error even on relatively low-force switches (say ~50 g). In case of large caps, it partially depends on stabilization mechanism—actual problems with SA spacebars on ergo clears are a real thing.

I dare say the perceived difference in weight/tactility (on 1u keys) is caused entirely by the sound of typing. Want to prove me wrong? Properly administered blind&deaf test. I've tried and failed.

Note that I do agree about density/thickness' impact on amplification of switch sound.

The perceive difference may be due to the feedback in terms of the sound, or of the actuation point of the switch and key cap assembly, either way, there is a difference in the typing using difference key caps and switches, even when in isolation the physical features of each one are so tiny they contribute to the overall experience.

[davkol]

I see a lot of words, but hardly any actual reasoning/information.

1u Wyse doubleshot (thin ABS, DCS profile) weighs 0.8 g.
1u Vortex doubleshot (thick PBT, OEM profile) weighs 1.5 g.
The difference is 0.7 g.
Cherry MX Brown switches peak at 55 ± 20 g before actuation at 45 ± 20 g. (Example from Cherry Corp.'s 1994 specification sheet.)

[zslane]

Lucky for me I don't mind the differences between SA and DSA on MX red switches. I like them both just fine.

Is there some wobble with SA caps? Sure. Does it bother me? No; I'm too focused on what I'm typing to even notice.

Is there a difference in sound and feel between SA and DSA? Sure. Does it bother me? No; I like the difference, sort of like the difference between sweet and salty. I even like going back and forth between them during the course of a day.

Full disclosure: I only like MX red switches (and Topre too, I guess, but they need to accept MX keycaps before I'll ever use them), I only like 45cN of spring force, and I only like spherical topped keycaps in vintage terminal colorways. So I guess you could say I am as much a Princess bothered by that Pea as the rest of you guys. But not only do I not care about the differences that material, height, and thickness present, I embrace them for the interesting diversity in (slightly different) typing experiences they offer.

At the end of the day, we like what we like, and data sheets and ergonomic studies aren't going to change that for any of us. Nor are technical (and psudo-technical) rationales going to convince us to like or dislike something we don't already like or dislike.

[Prelim]

once you go cherry, you never go back

nothing else to declare 

[nocturalowl]

From what I have tried cherry is the best
2nd full countour SA
3rd oem 

But as long the caps are thick I don't hate it. Strangely enough oem thin topre caps are really nice to type on.

[potatobot]

Lucky for me I don't mind the differences between SA and DSA on MX red switches. I like them both just fine.

Is there some wobble with SA caps? Sure. Does it bother me? No; I'm too focused on what I'm typing to even notice.

Is there a difference in sound and feel between SA and DSA? Sure. Does it bother me? No; I like the difference, sort of like the difference between sweet and salty. I even like going back and forth between them during the course of a day.

Full disclosure: I only like MX red switches (and Topre too, I guess, but they need to accept MX keycaps before I'll ever use them), I only like 45cN of spring force, and I only like spherical topped keycaps in vintage terminal colorways. So I guess you could say I am as much a Princess bothered by that Pea as the rest of you guys. But not only do I not care about the differences that material, height, and thickness present, I embrace them for the interesting diversity in (slightly different) typing experiences they offer.

At the end of the day, we like what we like, and data sheets and ergonomic studies aren't going to change that for any of us. Nor are technical (and psudo-technical) rationales going to convince us to like or dislike something we don't already like or dislike.

Lucky for me I don't mind the differences between SA and DSA on MX red switches. I like them both just fine.

Is there some wobble with SA caps? Sure. Does it bother me? No; I'm too focused on what I'm typing to even notice.

Is there a difference in sound and feel between SA and DSA? Sure. Does it bother me? No; I like the difference, sort of like the difference between sweet and salty. I even like going back and forth between them during the course of a day.

Full disclosure: I only like MX red switches (and Topre too, I guess, but they need to accept MX keycaps before I'll ever use them), I only like 45cN of spring force, and I only like spherical topped keycaps in vintage terminal colorways. So I guess you could say I am as much a Princess bothered by that Pea as the rest of you guys. But not only do I not care about the differences that material, height, and thickness present, I embrace them for the interesting diversity in (slightly different) typing experiences they offer.

At the end of the day, we like what we like, and data sheets and ergonomic studies aren't going to change that for any of us. Nor are technical (and psudo-technical) rationales going to convince us to like or dislike something we don't already like or dislike.

all about personal preference 

note: getting used to DSA on my browns, not getting bothered by the flatness  inclining the keyboard is another thing tho.

[Niomosy]

What about incline on a keyboard with DSA?  My board is on a negative incline (highest at the space bar) as I've got the front sitting on a wrist rest.  With OEM and SA, it seems pretty good.  Curious to see how that's going to go with something flat like DSA.