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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: Morbii on Sun, 28 January 2024, 02:05:47

Title: What determines "long pole"?
Post by: Morbii on Sun, 28 January 2024, 02:05:47

So, up until now, I've mostly just relied on switch vendors telling me whether or not a switch is considered "long pole".  I didn't (until recently) connect that this is (maybe not always?) related to travel distance.  Is that it?  Or are there more factors in play?

So, at what point should I consider using long pole stabs, such as from TX (which I think are 1mm taller?)? If the travel distance is closer to 3mm than 4mm? Some other reason?

Thanks!

Title: Re: What determines "long pole"?
Post by: Fraaaan on Sun, 28 January 2024, 05:49:20

A long pole switch is any switch that has a stem pole longer than Cherry and bottoms out on the pole itself.

There's exceptions like Kailh switches that have a longer pole, but also a longer "big pin" on the bottom housing to keep the full 4 mm travel, so it ends up feeling like a regular Cherry switch. This is why Kailh stems in Cherry housings turn into long pole switches.