Best typing feel, Double Shot ABS or PBT Keycaps?

[Hyde]

I'm trying to upgrade from my stock Filco keycaps, I want something that feels more solid.

I'm currently eyeing thick PBT keycaps, but double shot ABS also seems quite popular so I'm just wondering which would "feel" better to type on?

[fohat.digs]

PBT has the best feel.

Look at decades-old Model M keys that have millions of strokes on them and still look good.

[Hyde]

lol model m come with PBT?

[hashbaz]

Yes, Model M caps are PBT.  The general consensus around here is that PBT feels the best under your fingers.

[IvanIvanovich]

The profile is what is important to me. As long as it is Cherry I don't care so much about the material. I use doubleshots the most, but I don't have any full pbt Cherry sets that aren't lasered yet.

[The_Beast]

It's a toss up for me, I could use either. But I've heard that PBT caps last much much longer than DS ABS

[hashbaz]

I don't think they last any longer per se (under sane conditions), but they do retain their texture more or less indefinitely.

[jeroplane]

I'd say PBT. Thick ABS doubleshots are a huge improvement from the stock Filco thin ABS, but in my opinion the PBTs on my brother's Leopold outshone both ABS in terms of feel. And those were thin PBT. I definitely prefer how doubleshots look, however.

[thegunner100]

Subjective, but i'd say PBT.

[MissMurd3r84]

I say POM or PBT personally. I have the ability to shine ABS so fast though

[jil_jil32]

My hands love the feeling of Topre caps best <3

[sherryton]

What people mean by last longer is the wear.  ABS will turn yellow-ish after sitting in direct sunlight while PBT is more resistant against direct sunlight.  Profile is where it's at!

[Hyde]

Mmmmmmm sounds like I should get some cherry profile thick PBT from imsto, it's like best in both worlds.  Too bad it's only blue and grey color so far >______>

I must wait for the beige / light grey patiently ahhhhhhhhhh, so tempted to jump the gun and just get the grey or blue.

[WhiteFireDragon]

Feel is personal preference. I personally like thick PBT with o-rings.

[dorkvader]

My hands love the feeling of Topre caps best <3

Which are PBT.

PBT 'caps don't go yellow like some ABS, though I suspect that the additives to ABS make it more resistant to that than the 18-year-old yellow keycaps you see on WYSE. PBT is harder than ABS, (and more brittle. It will shatter instead of deforming if you hit it with a hammer, this is not a recommended use, though.) and also much more resistant to corrosion, so it should not wear out very quick at all.

I really like PBT. I suspect the porosity affects the surface boundary layer of the textured mould, making the characteristic roughness different? This is jsut a theory, but it would explain why everyone likes PBT keytop's texture, but you can still make PBT smooth (Like the sides of Model M keycaps)

[Dabboo]

I really enjoy the texture of the PBT caps far more than the stock ABS caps on my Cm Storm. They also produce a deeper, nicer sound on the MX Blues which I also like. But that may be due to the thickness more than anything.

[Sifo]

I prefer PBT, feels really smooth when you press on them. Doubleshots are for the looks

[jil_jil32]

I like the feeling over Topre caps not only it is made of PBT, but also its top surface has very nice texture. I can't feel the same with the imsto's PBT. SP's PBT is quite good but not the same as Topre too. The Cherry RGB PBT is really good but I don't have the full set yet so can't say much about it.

[TheProfosist]

PBT + the more texture the better!!!

[TheQsanity]

What is shinning and what is wrong with it? I wouldn't mind my keycapds getting a little "shiny"?

[IvanIvanovich]

Colorchange... is it possible? Remember hypercolor? That would be sick.

[dorkvader]

What is shinning and what is wrong with it? I wouldn't mind my keycapds getting a little "shiny"?

You will wear down ABS keycaps over time. As this happens, the surface texture is smoothed out, and will be shiny. A lot of people don't like this, especially as it will occur to more frequently used characters first (Making the keyboard uneven).

[Hyde]

I don't care about yellowing key caps, texture, or becoming shiny.  What I do care about is text that changes color - that bugs the crap out of me!

I find Das Keyboard's laser etched does that pretty fast.  Like it's not worn out but the lettering is definitely "grey" now from getting dirty / usage ... etc.

[TheProfosist]

I don't care about yellowing key caps, texture, or becoming shiny.  What I do care about is text that changes color - that bugs the crap out of me!

I find Das Keyboard's laser etched does that pretty fast.  Like it's not worn out but the lettering is definitely "grey" now from getting dirty / usage ... etc.

Thats because you have probably worn the infill of and all thats left is the laser etch.

[Hyde]

lol ahhhhh oh well, it's ok the next few items on my purchase list are:

1. Cherry Profile Thick PBT Keycaps
2. IBM Model M
3. Topre Realforce

Coincidentally they all use PBT keycaps 

[Hyde]

By the way, since IBM model M uses PBT keycaps, anyone know if Unicomp keyboards also still uses PBT keycaps?

[TheProfosist]

By the way, since IBM model M uses PBT keycaps, anyone know if Unicomp keyboards also still uses PBT keycaps?

yep they do, their also dyesub.

[squarebox]

I would say POM gives the best typing feel. PBT keycaps always feels sandy/powdery to me. ABS are just normal.

Rank:
1. POM
2. ABS
3. PBT

[MissMurd3r84]

I would say POM gives the best typing feel. PBT keycaps always feels sandy/powdery to me. ABS are just normal.

Rank:
1. POM
2. ABS
3. PBT

Good to see someone else here shares the POM love. Now if only more people sold them, I can't find anything other than rainbow sets at the moment.

[TheQsanity]

So does every one agree PBT is tthe worst of the three?

[TheProfosist]

I would say POM gives the best typing feel. PBT keycaps always feels sandy/powdery to me. ABS are just normal.

Rank:
1. POM
2. ABS
3. PBT

Good to see someone else here shares the POM love. Now if only more people sold them, I can't find anything other than rainbow sets at the moment.

you can get POM keycaps on a the black PLU-87 I believe.

So does every one agree PBT is tthe worst of the three?

no PBT is my favorite and i prefer is over ABS anyday.

[TheQsanity]

Seems very opinion based lol.

[MissMurd3r84]

I would say POM gives the best typing feel. PBT keycaps always feels sandy/powdery to me. ABS are just normal.

Rank:
1. POM
2. ABS
3. PBT

Good to see someone else here shares the POM love. Now if only more people sold them, I can't find anything other than rainbow sets at the moment.

you can get POM keycaps on a the black PLU-87 I believe.

Sorry, I meant more like a POM set that I could use on my current keyboards.

[sovano]

I really like my PBT keycap set to be honest. It sure beats some of the standard keycaps you get with mechanical keyboards. I personally like the feel of PBT.

[Hyde]

lol now the question is, regular PBT vs thick PBT?  Does it have a noticeable difference?

[TheProfosist]

Ive never had thick PBT once one of the groupbuys goes through for imsto's caps ill have some though from what everyone else has said ill probably like them more though i think i like more texture more than a thicker cap.

[TheProfosist]

Does Noppoo have the best quality POM keycaps?

I have no clue but it seems only the weird chinese offbrands have POM keycaps.

[dorkvader]

Seems very opinion based lol.

Indeed, but keyboards is very much a subjective area. Here are some facts:
PBT is harder and denser than ABS
PBT is more porous than ABS
PBT has a much better solvent/corrosion resistance than ABS
PBT undergoes less wear than ABS

Does Noppoo have the best quality POM keycaps?

I have no clue but it seems only the weird chinese offbrands have POM keycaps.

Black cherry lasered keycaps are POM. They are pretty awesome.

[TheQsanity]

As long as if I don't scratch off the lettering I guess. That would annoy me. There a lot of keyboards with rubber coating, that coats either ABS or PBT, I forgot which. I do like that feeling but it also gives me the feeling of scratching it off. The WASD keycaps from the Crossair k60 and the CM QFR has nice versions of these. I also like the smooth surface of my Das Ultimate. I am guessing that it is ABS.

Other than all of that I, for the most part love O-rings on my keycaps.(I am using dental bands atm).

Does O-rings make any keycap feel the same? At least the pressing feeling, not the surface feeling.

I hear that people say that landing pads are the same as O-rings. I assume that they must be different. O-rings prevent the keycap to bottom out while landing pads dampens the key when it does bottom out.
I hear that most people say that it is the same. Anyone disagree and feel that there is a difference or anyone disagree and say that the difference is unnoticeable.

[TheProfosist]

As long as if I don't scratch off the lettering I guess. That would annoy me. There a lot of keyboards with rubber coating, that coats either ABS or PBT, I forgot which. I do like that feeling but it also gives me the feeling of scratching it off. The WASD keycaps from the Crossair k60 and the CM QFR has nice versions of these. I also like the smooth surface of my Das Ultimate. I am guessing that it is ABS.

Other than all of that I, for the most part love O-rings on my keycaps.(I am using dental bands atm).

Does O-rings make any keycap feel the same? At least the pressing feeling, not the surface feeling.

I hear that people say that landing pads are the same as O-rings. I assume that they must be different. O-rings prevent the keycap to bottom out while landing pads dampens the key when it does bottom out.
I hear that most people say that it is the same. Anyone disagree and feel that there is a difference or anyone disagree and say that the difference is unnoticeable.

The rubber coating is on clear ABS caps

the das caps are just standard OEM ABS caps

I love orings as well especiallly the 40A-R from wasd the ones that are now blue.

no it shortens the the stroke a little and if you using 40A ones its a tad squishy which helps if you bottom out.

landing pads are no where near the same they fell much different in my opinion the feel horrible compared to orings because even the firm ones are way too soft so you compress them ehn you bottom out basically making  the switch feel heavier.

[TheQsanity]

As long as if I don't scratch off the lettering I guess. That would annoy me. There a lot of keyboards with rubber coating, that coats either ABS or PBT, I forgot which. I do like that feeling but it also gives me the feeling of scratching it off. The WASD keycaps from the Crossair k60 and the CM QFR has nice versions of these. I also like the smooth surface of my Das Ultimate. I am guessing that it is ABS.

Other than all of that I, for the most part love O-rings on my keycaps.(I am using dental bands atm).

Does O-rings make any keycap feel the same? At least the pressing feeling, not the surface feeling.

I hear that people say that landing pads are the same as O-rings. I assume that they must be different. O-rings prevent the keycap to bottom out while landing pads dampens the key when it does bottom out.
I hear that most people say that it is the same. Anyone disagree and feel that there is a difference or anyone disagree and say that the difference is unnoticeable.

The rubber coating is on clear ABS caps

the das caps are just standard OEM ABS caps

I love orings as well especiallly the 40A-R from wasd the ones that are now blue.

no it shortens the the stroke a little and if you using 40A ones its a tad squishy which helps if you bottom out.

landing pads are no where near the same they fell much different in my opinion the feel horrible compared to orings because even the firm ones are way too soft so you compress them ehn you bottom out basically making  the switch feel heavier.

I was thinking that the blue ones would be my favorite too but I have not yet tried them. Thickness wise, are all the O-rings the same or unnoticeable? I would think that I would like a thicker/taller one so it would lower my travel difference.

[TheProfosist]

As long as if I don't scratch off the lettering I guess. That would annoy me. There a lot of keyboards with rubber coating, that coats either ABS or PBT, I forgot which. I do like that feeling but it also gives me the feeling of scratching it off. The WASD keycaps from the Crossair k60 and the CM QFR has nice versions of these. I also like the smooth surface of my Das Ultimate. I am guessing that it is ABS.

Other than all of that I, for the most part love O-rings on my keycaps.(I am using dental bands atm).

Does O-rings make any keycap feel the same? At least the pressing feeling, not the surface feeling.

I hear that people say that landing pads are the same as O-rings. I assume that they must be different. O-rings prevent the keycap to bottom out while landing pads dampens the key when it does bottom out.
I hear that most people say that it is the same. Anyone disagree and feel that there is a difference or anyone disagree and say that the difference is unnoticeable.

The rubber coating is on clear ABS caps

the das caps are just standard OEM ABS caps

I love orings as well especiallly the 40A-R from wasd the ones that are now blue.

no it shortens the the stroke a little and if you using 40A ones its a tad squishy which helps if you bottom out.

landing pads are no where near the same they fell much different in my opinion the feel horrible compared to orings because even the firm ones are way too soft so you compress them ehn you bottom out basically making  the switch feel heavier.

I was thinking that the blue ones would be my favorite too but I have not yet tried them. Thickness wise, are all the O-rings the same or unnoticeable? I would think that I would like a thicker/taller one so it would lower my travel difference.

well you could try the 40A-L which are thinner and wont reduce the travel as much but also wont cushion as well when you bottom out also if you use cherry or sp profile caps you have to use the 40A-L because the 40A-R are too thick for those keycap profiles you bearely hit the actuation point of the switch

[TheQsanity]

50A-R are basicly the same length as the 40A-R but do they feel like the same length? The 50A-R are harder so I assume that they must feel similar to bottoming out with a shorter travel distance. While the 40A-R are the same but cushions more.

[phetto]

PBT > all


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Sifo]

PBT > all


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

QFT...

[TheProfosist]

50A-R are basicly the same length as the 40A-R but do they feel like the same length? The 50A-R are harder so I assume that they must feel similar to bottoming out with a shorter travel distance. While the 40A-R are the same but cushions more.

yes 40A-R and 50A-R are the same thickness. yes 50A-R feel like bottoming out with very little give but quiets the bottoming out. with 40A-R there is just a light about of give that cushions bottoming out just a little bit.

[Findecanor]

I prefer thin PBT on Cherry Brown, and thick ABS on Cherry Blue and Clear. Cherry profile.
I have a couple of sets of thick PBT keys, but I have not really used them very long.

Cherry's black PBT keys are too slick for my taste. Not enough surface texture... if you don't count the legends, which can be felt.

[dorkvader]

I prefer thin PBT on Cherry Brown, and thick ABS on Cherry Blue and Clear. Cherry profile.
I have a couple of sets of thick PBT keys, but I have not really used them very long.

Cherry's black PBT keys are too slick for my taste. Not enough surface texture... if you don't count the legends, which can be felt.

I'm almost positive Cherry's Black lasered keycaps are POM, which does have a much lower coefficient of friction, which also makes them really easy to change, and also need plastic baggies on the stabilizers (as I found out yesterday)

They might say "PBT" on the underside, but I suspect they use the same moulds, as PBT and POM have similar shrinkage ratios (I believe)

I will say that the infilling on the legends isn't as nice: I'd much prefer POM with a flat top.

[Hyde]

lol if this group buy goes through then I'll be able to find out, my first set of PBT keycaps, jump directly into cherry profile thick PBT LOL 

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=31861.0

[TheQsanity]

lol if this group buy goes through then I'll be able to find out, my first set of PBT keycaps, jump directly into cherry profile thick PBT LOL 

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=31861.0

Are thick PBTs rare?