https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL285ATFsHGY9JnaQemdjRLEMmLRKpmbfB
:p
You should see how many LOOSE switches I have, too :)) .https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL285ATFsHGY9JnaQemdjRLEMmLRKpmbfB
:p
Cheater :p, But given the sheer amount of vintage switches you have tried i don't blame you for not typing them all up lol.
SKCM blue - 10/10
Browns: 3/10
Greens: 8/10
Clears: 9/10
1. Gateron Blues, Browns and Reds
A. Blues: 0, Reds: 2, Browns: 7-8
B. Clicky switches drive me mad. I have no use for the sound, as I have my headphones on, and prefer the music over the noise. So do my colleagues at work, and my wife at home. The sound thus does not buy me anything, and is rather annoying. Reds just felt bad, without any tactile feedback. Browns so far are okay, the noise is well within acceptable levels, I can feel the tactile bump with some fingers, that don't mash the keys to the bottom. I'd prefer something a little heavier, though, but Browns are okay for the time being.
MX Blue: 6.7/10 Like really wimpy buckling springs, I enjoy their lightness over the buckling springs
Browns: 3/10
Greens: 8/10
Clears: 9/10
Do you have particularly strong or heavy hands or is there a different reason you prefer stiffer switches, such as key resistance playing an important role in your typing technique (due to either slow or very fast speed or some other reasons)?
OK, I'll list my opinions of some of the more common switches. Not going to do all the ones I've tried so far, that would take way too long xD .
MX blue - 5/10
MX red - 2/10
MX black - 2/10
MX brown - 2/10
MX clear - 4/10
SKCM black - 6/10
SKCL green or linearised other Alps - 8/10
SKCM orange/salmon - 9/10
SKCM white - 8/10
SKCM blue - 10/10
MBS (M) - 8/10
CBS (F) - 10/10
Topre - 9/10
I don't like Cherry MX a lot. Blues are by far the best in the series, but their keyfeel is still not great and the sound is absolutely horrible, it's probably the worst-sounding switch I've heard to date. Blacks and reds are stratchy, boring, lifeless, and badly weighted, and overall some of the worst switches I've tried so far. MX brown is just awful in every way, I don't know what they were thinking when they thought this was a "tactile" switch.
Alps are great switches, but marred by a huge weakness - if they're not clean, they feel like crap. The figures I posted are assuming they're spotlessly clean (of course this goes for all entries). Blacks feel rather rough, but at least they have an actual tactile bump, and they're quite versatile. Linear Alps are THE linear switches go get IMO, with perfect weighting and extremely smooth keyfeel. Tactile Alps are possibly my favourite tactile switches. Clicky ones are the best-sounding clicky switches there are IMO.
Buckling springs are fantastic too. Membrane ones (M) are on par with white Alps in my opinion, although they're more robust and less vulnerable to dust. Capacitive ones are pretty much the ultimate typing switch IMO, they feel slightly better than blue Alps, but blue Alps sound better.
Topre is really nice too, I can see why people like these. Smooth, soft keyfeel with a proper, well-rounded tactility, these show that rubber domes can be great if done well. I wish I had a board with these with a normal size layout as unfortunately these tend to come in layouts and form factors that are very useless for me.
No, they're better than MX brown, but I like MX blue more overall. In the flesh, Clears are not as good as I had hoped.OK, I'll list my opinions of some of the more common switches. Not going to do all the ones I've tried so far, that would take way too long xD .
MX blue - 5/10
MX red - 2/10
MX black - 2/10
MX brown - 2/10
MX clear - 4/10
SKCM black - 6/10
SKCL green or linearised other Alps - 8/10
SKCM orange/salmon - 9/10
SKCM white - 8/10
SKCM blue - 10/10
MBS (M) - 8/10
CBS (F) - 10/10
Topre - 9/10
I don't like Cherry MX a lot. Blues are by far the best in the series, but their keyfeel is still not great and the sound is absolutely horrible, it's probably the worst-sounding switch I've heard to date. Blacks and reds are stratchy, boring, lifeless, and badly weighted, and overall some of the worst switches I've tried so far. MX brown is just awful in every way, I don't know what they were thinking when they thought this was a "tactile" switch.
Alps are great switches, but marred by a huge weakness - if they're not clean, they feel like crap. The figures I posted are assuming they're spotlessly clean (of course this goes for all entries). Blacks feel rather rough, but at least they have an actual tactile bump, and they're quite versatile. Linear Alps are THE linear switches go get IMO, with perfect weighting and extremely smooth keyfeel. Tactile Alps are possibly my favourite tactile switches. Clicky ones are the best-sounding clicky switches there are IMO.
Buckling springs are fantastic too. Membrane ones (M) are on par with white Alps in my opinion, although they're more robust and less vulnerable to dust. Capacitive ones are pretty much the ultimate typing switch IMO, they feel slightly better than blue Alps, but blue Alps sound better.
Topre is really nice too, I can see why people like these. Smooth, soft keyfeel with a proper, well-rounded tactility, these show that rubber domes can be great if done well. I wish I had a board with these with a normal size layout as unfortunately these tend to come in layouts and form factors that are very useless for me.
You like MX Blues more than MX Clears? I thought you said MX clears were your favorite Cherry.
Membrane Buckling Spring - 8/10
Beam Spring - ??/10 (Just got my hands on some IBM 3277 boards that I will be trying out in a few weeks)
Alps SKCM Blue - 9/10
Alps SKCM Amber - 7/10
Alps SKCM Orange - 8/10
Alps SKCM Salmon - 8/10
Alps SKCM White Damped - 6/10
Cherry MX Blue - 5/10 (Reallllly dislike these)
Rubber Dome (Logitech K120) - 4/10
NMB Rubber Dome w/ Slider - 5/10
Have not gotten around to trying a Capacitive Buckling Spring and will funnily enough be trying a Beam Spring first, in a few weeks. Generally prefer clicky switches, aside from MX Blues, which I find to have an annoying click. Thought I wasn't much of a tactile switch person until I tried those in the SKCM series. Would definitely want to try SKCM Browns or something at some point.
This light switchDo you like the bottoming out?Show Image(http://www.thinkgeek.com/images/products/zoom/ivlq_useless_light_switch.gif)
Feels great (man), has worked for 20 years, near-silent, and is phalic enough to masturbate over.
I will in all likelyhood do a full video review of each switch i own in the future at some point with more in depth thoughts on each but this is a basic list at the least
1. Which switches have you tried long enough to form an opinion of?
MX: Browns, Greens, Clears.
Rubber: K120, two roccat ones.
A. Rate each of them on a 1-10 scale (1 being awful 10 being godlike)
Browns: 3/10
Greens: 8/10
Clears: 9/10
K120: 7/10
Roccat rubber domes: 2/10
B. If you so desire put a very brief reasoning as to why you feel the way you do about each switch you rated.
Browns are too light, scatchy, and lack any real tactile feedback.
Greens are too loud for me, but I love the feel.
Clears are almost perfect, just a tiny bit too heavy, like only just.
K120 for a rubber dome keyboard it's great, especially compared to some of the more pricey gamer ones I have tried.
Roccat rubber domes both were quite bad, but the one my brother had was the worst I have ever used, literally either no resistance or too much, mushy, the led's made a buzzing noise, just awful. And for the price both were bad and the k120 is way better. The reason I said Roccat rubber domes is simply as I can't remember the name of them.
on a different note I really want to try zealios. And I'm getting a planck with matias quiets.
1. Which switches have you tried long enough to form an opinion of?
MX: Browns, Greens, Clears.
Rubber: K120, two roccat ones.
A. Rate each of them on a 1-10 scale (1 being awful 10 being godlike)
Browns: 3/10
Greens: 8/10
Clears: 9/10
K120: 7/10
Roccat rubber domes: 2/10
B. If you so desire put a very brief reasoning as to why you feel the way you do about each switch you rated.
Browns are too light, scatchy, and lack any real tactile feedback.
Greens are too loud for me, but I love the feel.
Clears are almost perfect, just a tiny bit too heavy, like only just.
K120 for a rubber dome keyboard it's great, especially compared to some of the more pricey gamer ones I have tried.
Roccat rubber domes both were quite bad, but the one my brother had was the worst I have ever used, literally either no resistance or too much, mushy, the led's made a buzzing noise, just awful. And for the price both were bad and the k120 is way better. The reason I said Roccat rubber domes is simply as I can't remember the name of them.
on a different note I really want to try zealios. And I'm getting a planck with matias quiets.
Now for me what is most important is not bottoming out. I also don't like a heavy switch which if you are typing for a few hours at a time writing papers and such, your fingers will fatigue. Gateron browns used to be my favorite, but I found that as soon as I broke past the point of greatest resistance, it was difficult not to bottom out on the keystroke. Cherry browns have more initial resistance which I don't like, but it is very easy to stop as soon as the keystroke has engaged. I really wish I had more experience with Cherry reds. They are very light, but I can't tell bottoming out would be an issue. Plus, I have only tried them on those little switch testers, and they felt very, very scratchy. Many complain that Cherry browns have virtually no tactile feedback, but I find it's just right to not bottom out. As soon as you break through the point of greatest resistance, there is a bit of a cushion which absorbs the pressure you are applying. This is all highly subjective and no two people will agree on the same points. This is why cherry clears are popular, for the same reason... it's just a stiffer switch.
Chryos, if you ever get a Type Heaven it might be up your alley. Full sized and $100 less than the hhkb.I'd love one! I've tried Topre but they wouldn't donate one to me for a review, sadly :)) .
Chryos, if you ever get a Type Heaven it might be up your alley. Full sized and $100 less than the hhkb.I'd love one! I've tried Topre but they wouldn't donate one to me for a review, sadly :)) .
You scored them pretty much all high. You are now officially a switch lover. :-)I will in all likelyhood do a full video review of each switch i own in the future at some point with more in depth thoughts on each but this is a basic list at the least
Tsk, tsk, tsk! They need to reprioritse! 8)Chryos, if you ever get a Type Heaven it might be up your alley. Full sized and $100 less than the hhkb.I'd love one! I've tried Topre but they wouldn't donate one to me for a review, sadly :)) .
As it comes to mind i don't think iv'e ever really seen Topre directly give out a board for review not even to some of the largest Youtubers around. The very small few i have seen given out to review were generally sent via a third party like NCIX or etc.
Tsk, tsk, tsk! They need to reprioritse! 8)Chryos, if you ever get a Type Heaven it might be up your alley. Full sized and $100 less than the hhkb.I'd love one! I've tried Topre but they wouldn't donate one to me for a review, sadly :)) .
As it comes to mind i don't think iv'e ever really seen Topre directly give out a board for review not even to some of the largest Youtubers around. The very small few i have seen given out to review were generally sent via a third party like NCIX or etc.
I prefer "clicky" switches because I'm a writer not a coder/gamer, and I find linear switches introduce far too many errors and tactile "non-clicky" switches feel "mushy" to me while audible switches are more "crisp". I also don't have to worry about annoying others with the noise.Sounds like you should give the Model M a try, I think it'd be right up your street ;) .
Cherry MX Black: 5/10, I don't care for linear but I like the heavier resistance in these. I use them for macro keypads, not typing.
Cherry MX Blue: 7/10, feels pleasantly crisp but light enough that I accidentally actuate them when resting my fingers.
Cherry MX Brown: 1/10, feels like nondescript mush, absolutely hate them.
Cherry MX Green: 8/10, was my favorite for a long time until I discovered Gateron. Fixes the actuation issue of Blues.
Cherry MX Red: 3/10, lighter than Blacks makes these useless to me. Also a little gritty.
Gateron Blue: 8/10, still too light for a flat keyboard, but in curved keywells they work perfectly. Slightly smoother feel than Cherry.
Gateron Green: 9/10, the closest thing to perfection I've tried yet. Heavy, clicky, smooth. These will be in my next flat keyboard.
Rubber-dome: 1/10, feels like nondescript mush.
Scissor-switch (SP4 type cover): 6/10, has a nice crisp feel but not enough travel for my typing style.
I prefer "clicky" switches because I'm a writer not a coder/gamer, and I find linear switches introduce far too many errors and tactile "non-clicky" switches feel "mushy" to me while audible switches are more "crisp". I also don't have to worry about annoying others with the noise.Sounds like you should give the Model M a try, I think it'd be right up your street ;) .
Cherry MX Black: 5/10, I don't care for linear but I like the heavier resistance in these. I use them for macro keypads, not typing.
Cherry MX Blue: 7/10, feels pleasantly crisp but light enough that I accidentally actuate them when resting my fingers.
Cherry MX Brown: 1/10, feels like nondescript mush, absolutely hate them.
Cherry MX Green: 8/10, was my favorite for a long time until I discovered Gateron. Fixes the actuation issue of Blues.
Cherry MX Red: 3/10, lighter than Blacks makes these useless to me. Also a little gritty.
Gateron Blue: 8/10, still too light for a flat keyboard, but in curved keywells they work perfectly. Slightly smoother feel than Cherry.
Gateron Green: 9/10, the closest thing to perfection I've tried yet. Heavy, clicky, smooth. These will be in my next flat keyboard.
Rubber-dome: 1/10, feels like nondescript mush.
Scissor-switch (SP4 type cover): 6/10, has a nice crisp feel but not enough travel for my typing style.
Good point, I'll ask them :) .Tsk, tsk, tsk! They need to reprioritse! 8)Chryos, if you ever get a Type Heaven it might be up your alley. Full sized and $100 less than the hhkb.I'd love one! I've tried Topre but they wouldn't donate one to me for a review, sadly :)) .
As it comes to mind i don't think iv'e ever really seen Topre directly give out a board for review not even to some of the largest Youtubers around. The very small few i have seen given out to review were generally sent via a third party like NCIX or etc.
I've seen the Novatouch in a few reviews; surely CM would say yes to some extra cheap marketing
My original verdict still stands. Model F is No.1 (until TIL RF/HHKB2?)
Are the Topre's on the NovaTouch really much worse than on a Realforce? They're both plate mounted Topre so I would assume they feel similar.
I prefer "clicky" switches because I'm a writer not a coder/gamer, and I find linear switches introduce far too many errors and tactile "non-clicky" switches feel "mushy" to me while audible switches are more "crisp". I also don't have to worry about annoying others with the noise.
Cherry MX Black: 5/10, I don't care for linear but I like the heavier resistance in these. I use them for macro keypads, not typing.
Cherry MX Blue: 7/10, feels pleasantly crisp but light enough that I accidentally actuate them when resting my fingers.
Cherry MX Brown: 1/10, feels like nondescript mush, absolutely hate them.
Cherry MX Green: 8/10, was my favorite for a long time until I discovered Gateron. Fixes the actuation issue of Blues.
Cherry MX Red: 3/10, lighter than Blacks makes these useless to me. Also a little gritty.
Gateron Blue: 8/10, still too light for a flat keyboard, but in curved keywells they work perfectly. Slightly smoother feel than Cherry.
Gateron Green: 9/10, the closest thing to perfection I've tried yet. Heavy, clicky, smooth. These will be in my next flat keyboard.
Rubber-dome: 1/10, feels like nondescript mush.
Scissor-switch (SP4 type cover): 6/10, has a nice crisp feel but not enough travel for my typing style.
I prefer "clicky" switches because I'm a writer not a coder/gamer, and I find linear switches introduce far too many errors and tactile "non-clicky" switches feel "mushy" to me while audible switches are more "crisp". I also don't have to worry about annoying others with the noise.
Cherry MX Black: 5/10, I don't care for linear but I like the heavier resistance in these. I use them for macro keypads, not typing.
Cherry MX Blue: 7/10, feels pleasantly crisp but light enough that I accidentally actuate them when resting my fingers.
Cherry MX Brown: 1/10, feels like nondescript mush, absolutely hate them.
Cherry MX Green: 8/10, was my favorite for a long time until I discovered Gateron. Fixes the actuation issue of Blues.
Cherry MX Red: 3/10, lighter than Blacks makes these useless to me. Also a little gritty.
Gateron Blue: 8/10, still too light for a flat keyboard, but in curved keywells they work perfectly. Slightly smoother feel than Cherry.
Gateron Green: 9/10, the closest thing to perfection I've tried yet. Heavy, clicky, smooth. These will be in my next flat keyboard.
Rubber-dome: 1/10, feels like nondescript mush.
Scissor-switch (SP4 type cover): 6/10, has a nice crisp feel but not enough travel for my typing style.
Can you tell me what you mean by "flat keyboard?"
I prefer "clicky" switches because I'm a writer not a coder/gamer, and I find linear switches introduce far too many errors and tactile "non-clicky" switches feel "mushy" to me while audible switches are more "crisp". I also don't have to worry about annoying others with the noise.
Cherry MX Black: 5/10, I don't care for linear but I like the heavier resistance in these. I use them for macro keypads, not typing.
Cherry MX Blue: 7/10, feels pleasantly crisp but light enough that I accidentally actuate them when resting my fingers.
Cherry MX Brown: 1/10, feels like nondescript mush, absolutely hate them.
Cherry MX Green: 8/10, was my favorite for a long time until I discovered Gateron. Fixes the actuation issue of Blues.
Cherry MX Red: 3/10, lighter than Blacks makes these useless to me. Also a little gritty.
Gateron Blue: 8/10, still too light for a flat keyboard, but in curved keywells they work perfectly. Slightly smoother feel than Cherry.
Gateron Green: 9/10, the closest thing to perfection I've tried yet. Heavy, clicky, smooth. These will be in my next flat keyboard.
Rubber-dome: 1/10, feels like nondescript mush.
Scissor-switch (SP4 type cover): 6/10, has a nice crisp feel but not enough travel for my typing style.
Can you tell me what you mean by "flat keyboard?"
I think he or she meant that they prefer Gateron Blues in keyboards like the Kinesis Advantage? That one has a curved key well afaik
Cherry Browns - 3/10
Cherry Blues - 4/10
Cherry Clears - 7/10
Cherry Greens - 8/10
Cherry Reds - 1/10
Zealios 78g - 8/10
Gateron Greens - 8/10
Alps SKCM Black - 4/10
Topre 45g - 6/10
Cherry Browns - 3/10
Cherry Blues - 4/10
Cherry Clears - 7/10
Cherry Greens - 8/10
Cherry Reds - 1/10
Zealios 78g - 8/10
Gateron Greens - 8/10
Alps SKCM Black - 4/10
Topre 45g - 6/10
Have to ask since i noticed you rated Cherry and Gateron Greens exactly the same,does that mean you don't find Gaterons any smoother than Cherry personally?
Any more people who've tried Hall Effect Switches want to post a review of them? I'm immensely curious.chyros has 2
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37tdDoC7rGAAny more people who've tried Hall Effect Switches want to post a review of them? I'm immensely curious.chyros has 2
I'd like to change this up a bit, what about if we rate the switches based on what we're using it for? My opinion below is an example.
Model M Buckling Springs for typing: 9/10
Model M Buckling Springs for gaming: 4/10
MX Blues for typing: 6/10
MX Blues for gaming: 5/10
Kailh Reds for typing: 4.5/10
Kailh Reds for gaming: 7/10
SKCM White ALPS for typing: 7/10
SKCM White ALPS for gaming: 4.5/10
Matias Quiet Click for typing: 6.2/10
Matias Quiet Click for gaming: 6/10
Is the feel different too or is it just the sound?Are the Topre's on the NovaTouch really much worse than on a Realforce? They're both plate mounted Topre so I would assume they feel similar.
All difference between them is in the sliders. The conspiracy of Topre did not let the Cooler Master to make the slider stems as good as in the other Topre boards, so NT sound different on the upstroke.
Is the feel different too or is it just the sound?Are the Topre's on the NovaTouch really much worse than on a Realforce? They're both plate mounted Topre so I would assume they feel similar.
All difference between them is in the sliders. The conspiracy of Topre did not let the Cooler Master to make the slider stems as good as in the other Topre boards, so NT sound different on the upstroke.
Glass Keyboard -8/10 would rather type on a keyboard which has used heroin needles as keycaps.
Glass Keyboard -8/10 would rather type on a keyboard which has used heroin needles as keycaps.Think about what you just said. I would definitely rather use a glass keyboard for the rest of my life.
Not knowing what everyone compares the switches they have tried with and knowing nothing about the keyboards the switches were in when giving them a rating, I'm not so sure how useful the ratings are.Precisely because of your first point I'd say the latter is pretty useless :p . A crappy switch might seem really nice to someone who hasn't tried any of the alternatives :p .
BTW, does someone feel like entering the ratings into a database so that a report could be created?
Rubber Dome (IBM PCjr): 0/10, honestly couldn't get worse than this...Are you sure? That's a pretty tall order :p . Might have to give this a go someday then xD . I've had a few quite horrible things so far that are way up on the ****-scale xD .
Rubber Dome (IBM PCjr): 0/10, honestly couldn't get worse than this...Are you sure? That's a pretty tall order :p . Might have to give this a go someday then xD . I've had a few quite horrible things so far that are way up on the ****-scale xD .
Is this the original chiclet one you're talking about or the updated one?Rubber Dome (IBM PCjr): 0/10, honestly couldn't get worse than this...Are you sure? That's a pretty tall order :p . Might have to give this a go someday then xD . I've had a few quite horrible things so far that are way up on the ****-scale xD .
Haha, OK, I admit I have not tried anything Amstrad or that Smith Corona with the janky leaf springs, but for a rubber dome, the PCjr keyboard is just incredibly awful, nothing like you'd expect from IBM at the time.
Topre: 8/10 - I enjoy typing on Topre. Very tactle and satisfying feeling. Unfortunately I have the variable weight Realforce. I'd like to try the 45g or 55g, or the HHKB.
MX Brown: 4/10 - Really scratchy, not a nice tactile feeling. Do not like.
MX Ergo Clear: 8.5/10 - Really like these. I use 62g springs with some lube. I love typing on this keyboard. I like it a little bit more than my Topre.
MX Red: 6/10 - Not bad. They were a tad too soft to my liking.
MX Black: 7/10 - I like. Still like the tactile feeling better than the linears. But not bad.
MX Blue: 5/10 - Gross.
Is this the original chiclet one you're talking about or the updated one?Rubber Dome (IBM PCjr): 0/10, honestly couldn't get worse than this...Are you sure? That's a pretty tall order :p . Might have to give this a go someday then xD . I've had a few quite horrible things so far that are way up on the ****-scale xD .
Haha, OK, I admit I have not tried anything Amstrad or that Smith Corona with the janky leaf springs, but for a rubber dome, the PCjr keyboard is just incredibly awful, nothing like you'd expect from IBM at the time.
Alps SKCC in Apple M0110: 1/10 (gritty and scratchy, gives me creeps when I try to type on it)Your SKCC and SKCM white switches were in awful condition. If you'd had them in NOS condition you'd almost certainly rate them much higher than SKCM black - moreover the symptoms you describe are typical symptoms of ****ty switches. As I always keep hammering on, condition is EVERYTHING with Alps. SKCC are buttery smooth and Alps in good condition don't bind in the slightest. SKCM black aren't bad at all, possibly the most versatile switch in the entire series, but all the others feel much more refined. Keep a lookout for some mint salmon/orange/white Alps boards, shouldn't be too expensive and I suspect you'd like them hugely ;) .
Alps SKCM White: 3/10 (feel good only when hit in center)
Alps SKCM Black: 7/10 (got it in a NIB board, best feeling Alps I've tried)
As a general rule, I do not like linear switches. However, having tried the Cherry mx clone, Gateron, I find that I actually like Gateron Yellow switches. They have an ideal weight, and they are exceedingly smooth.
In addition, recently I have acquired some excellent Alps keyboards with SKCM blue and white switches. This has raised my esteem for these switches relative to others.
I've previously posted in this thread my ratings of a number of switches based on the degree to which the switch proviided excellent tactile or tactile + auditory feedback that coincided with actuation:
IBM capacitive buckling spring (Model F) = 10.
Topre 55g silenced and lubed = 9
Topre 45g silenced and lubed = 8
IBM membrane buckling spring (Model M) = 7
Blue Alps = 6
White Alps = 5
Brown Alps = 4
Matias Click = 3
Matias Quiet = 2
Hi-Tek Space Invader = 1
Cherry mx and clones = 0
Based on my recent experience with Blue and White Alps along with Gateron Yellows, I would amend the above rankings to put blue and white Alps above IBM Model M, and to put Gateron Yellow above other Cherry mx and clones.
Alps SKCC in Apple M0110: 1/10 (gritty and scratchy, gives me creeps when I try to type on it)Your SKCC and SKCM white switches were in awful condition. If you'd had them in NOS condition you'd almost certainly rate them much higher than SKCM black - moreover the symptoms you describe are typical symptoms of ****ty switches. As I always keep hammering on, condition is EVERYTHING with Alps. SKCC are buttery smooth and Alps in good condition don't bind in the slightest. SKCM black aren't bad at all, possibly the most versatile switch in the entire series, but all the others feel much more refined. Keep a lookout for some mint salmon/orange/white Alps boards, shouldn't be too expensive and I suspect you'd like them hugely ;) .
Alps SKCM White: 3/10 (feel good only when hit in center)
Alps SKCM Black: 7/10 (got it in a NIB board, best feeling Alps I've tried)
Cherry MX Red | 4/10 | They are ok but not that great to type on. Noisy because of constant bottoming out. |
Cherry MX Brown | 5/10 | Better than reds but have a "scratchy" feel to the tactile bump, which is not that pronounced to begin with |
Zealio 65g tactile R2 | 7/10 | Very nice to type on but had some chatter issues and they are definitely more wobbly than MX Browns on my Pok3r. Got 67g R4s coming in and I hope they improve on the wobble. |
Topre variable weight | 8/10 | The best switch out there, but one point deducted for poor keycap compatibility and another for limited board options (most are full or TKL and the smaller ones have layouts I don't like that much) |
Alps don't age at all and white Alps are not hard to get in great condition. You can buy NOS white Alps ffs xD .Alps SKCC in Apple M0110: 1/10 (gritty and scratchy, gives me creeps when I try to type on it)Your SKCC and SKCM white switches were in awful condition. If you'd had them in NOS condition you'd almost certainly rate them much higher than SKCM black - moreover the symptoms you describe are typical symptoms of ****ty switches. As I always keep hammering on, condition is EVERYTHING with Alps. SKCC are buttery smooth and Alps in good condition don't bind in the slightest. SKCM black aren't bad at all, possibly the most versatile switch in the entire series, but all the others feel much more refined. Keep a lookout for some mint salmon/orange/white Alps boards, shouldn't be too expensive and I suspect you'd like them hugely ;) .
Alps SKCM White: 3/10 (feel good only when hit in center)
Alps SKCM Black: 7/10 (got it in a NIB board, best feeling Alps I've tried)
I admit that, however the white Alps were not really that bad condition. The thing is getting them in NIB condition is a miracle, and as they age badly, it means they're not as durable as Cherry MX or Buckling Springs.
[...][...]
- Kailh Box ‘Franken’-Navy 3/10 (Navy with Jade spring) – are you a masochist who enjoys the feeling of pain on your fingers tips every time you are forced to bottom out hard onto a stainless-steel plate? I’m not so this is trash switch concoction
Jade's clickbar is actually .28mm (according to Novelkeys (https://novelkeys.xyz/blogs/news/january-21-2019-updates)) while Navy is .30mm according to Thomas' measurement (https://youtu.be/NWtKJDY9Aqk?t=125) (can't find other sources for the thickness), the difference is really apparent once you got to trying them out.[...][...]
- Kailh Box ‘Franken’-Navy 3/10 (Navy with Jade spring) – are you a masochist who enjoys the feeling of pain on your fingers tips every time you are forced to bottom out hard onto a stainless-steel plate? I’m not so this is trash switch concoction
Navy with Jade spring is essentially Jade. Housings and click bars are the same, the only difference is the spring. This is strange since you rated Jade 9/10 and franken navy switch 3/10 and they are both the same after your mod except the colour of the stem.
Jade's clickbar is actually .28mm (according to Novelkeys (https://novelkeys.xyz/blogs/news/january-21-2019-updates)) while Navy is .30mm according to Thomas' measurement (https://youtu.be/NWtKJDY9Aqk?t=125) (can't find other sources for the thickness), the difference is really apparent once you got to trying them out.
- Kailh Box Noble yellow 8.5/10 – pretty much a Box White with punchier tactility, which I prefer better
- Kailh Box Jade 9/10 – The definitive modern clicky for me, super crisp and broken in Jade has the perfect amount of tactility for me, swapping in a heavier spring (60/67G) may potentially improves them further
- Kailh Box Navy 5/10 – RSI, nuff said
- Kailh Box ‘Franken’-Navy 3/10 (Navy with Jade spring) – are you a masochist who enjoys the feeling of pain on your fingers tips every time you are forced to bottom out hard onto a stainless-steel plate? I’m not so this is trash switch concoction
Switches I've tried: Various rubberdomes, Kailh Reds, MX Browns, retooled MX Reds, Romer-Gs, Razer Greens
NMB rubberdome: 8/10, very tactile yet light, crisp, feels so non-rubbery, "very dry and mechanical". Slightly scratchy and little binding on the edges.
CoolerMaster dome with slider ("memchanical"): 9/10, slightly stiffer and with very soft landing on the downstroke, but nearly frictionless, doesn't bind and the tactility is weaker yet still noticeable and pleasing to fingers. Upstroke is very crisp. No wobble or binding.
Logitech rubberdome: 5/10, after 5 years of use it's got really stiff and mushy, but still usable. Tons of wobble, but doesn't bind. Really good when brand new though, much less mushy, crisper and ligter.
Kailh Reds: 4/10, scratchy even after a year of use. Lots of wobble too. And they ping a lot, but maybe it's just the plate.
MX Browns: 4/10 I'd give them a 7 if a Logitech rubberdome didn't beat them in the amount of feedback. Otherwise very meh to subpar.
Retooled: MX Reds: 7/10 and it'd be higher if I didn't introduce myself to actually tactile keyboards again. Smooth, not too wobbly.
Romer-Gs: 3,99/10. Like MX Browns but even worse and tiny bit more tactile.
Ornata rubberdome: 3/10 if we ignore the price. Feels quite similar to a brand new Logitech rubberdome, but at the price it's hard to find any positives about it. The soundtrack isn't even that great, it's like a pen sound with sounds of pressing a rubber mat in the background.
Razer Greens: 1.99/10. Because a linear switch that 300% louder than an entire Kailh Red keyboard was a great idea.
MacBook Pro 2018 keyboard: 0/10 (I hate that keyboard with a passion I can hardly describe)
MacBook Pro 2018 keyboard: 0/10 (I hate that keyboard with a passion I can hardly describe)
Can agree and confirm. I lose at least 20/40 wpm when typing on that thing.