I've always used vintage mech boards. I finally got a modern one.

[volvo244t]

Now that we're in basically the golden era of mechanical keyboards.  So many switch choices.

Keychron C2, hotswap, reds + SA Monster caps, under $50 on amazon.

The reds are too light, as I suspected - which is fine, because I have nk box pinks on the way.  I probably won't do any dampening/quieting mods because I came from loud ass vintage boards that had no internal dampening, and that's the way I like it.

[volvo244t]

How to laptop properly:

[fohat.digs]

That is a beautiful keyboard.
And now I am missing my Volvo 744t.

[volvo244t]

That is a beautiful keyboard.
And now I am missing my Volvo 744t.

I love these caps. Teal/aqua tones are among my favorites, and these caps have 'em in spades, plus a huge retro vibe due to the shape and font. And the beige case with dark/black caps theme is reminiscent of some old IBM beamspring boards and even Selectrics.

[HungerMechanic]

Sweet. I have MG Monster, which have a great profile for typing.

There's a lack of full-size boards, and that seems well-priced.

How is the noise level? Is it annoying? My Filco Majestouch with MX Browns is pretty pingy for a 'premium' factory board. [Well, okay, it has subsided over time.]

Stabilizers decent? If it doesn't have ticking/wobble, that's good at least.

[volvo244t]

Sweet. I have MG Monster, which have a great profile for typing.

There's a lack of full-size boards, and that seems well-priced.

How is the noise level? Is it annoying? My Filco Majestouch with MX Browns is pretty pingy for a 'premium' factory board. [Well, okay, it has subsided over time.]

Stabilizers decent? If it doesn't have ticking/wobble, that's good at least.

These caps are actually more like MG or AF SA, they're a lot more spherical or 'scooped' than SA is supposed to be.

The sound is good, actually. Not much ping. The stabs are the best I've experienced in any keyboard, there is basically no rattle at all. (Admittedly my experience is with vintage boards and cheap rubber domes before that) With the reds, wobble is minimal. I'll report back once I get them swapped out for the box pinks.

[HungerMechanic]

Interesting. The Keychron C2 is no longer available on Canadian Amazon.ca

The C1 TKL is, as is the K10, in multiple variants.

So I'll have to find something else at the moment.


Yes, MG "SA" is closer to their MG-profile. Although there are sets closer to SA you can buy in China. Maxxkey, I think, is one of them.

Affordable keyboards are getting better. So are switches. The BOX Pinks were well-liked in the past. Smoother than Cherry, even Gateron. The weight might still be too little.

You may wish to consider Momoka Frog, which sometimes go cheap and are nicely weighted. Or the 67 G SP Star switches. Or Gateron INK for the more expensive good stuff. But BOX Pink should be good.

[1setups]

Good looking board!

[murasaki]

I love the keycaps too!

[volvo244t]

Now with moar clicky.

But BOX Pink should be good.

So compared to the keychron reds, the box pinks have almost no wobble at all.

[HungerMechanic]

Yes, the BOX housing is meant to reduce wobble. I'm not sure it always works, but that's a large part of what the design is for.

I built a keyboard with similar BOX Whites for a relative. I think it's a great weight for a clicky switch. In fact, BOX Whites seemed a little light to me, so BOX Pink might be the ideal weight.

But these switches are a triumph, nonetheless.

[volvo244t]

Yes, the BOX housing is meant to reduce wobble. I'm not sure it always works, but that's a large part of what the design is for.

I built a keyboard with similar BOX Whites for a relative. I think it's a great weight for a clicky switch. In fact, BOX Whites seemed a little light to me, so BOX Pink might be the ideal weight.

But these switches are a triumph, nonetheless.

Yes, the weighting of these is just about perfect.  Heavier enough than the keychron reds that accidental actuations don't happen, but not so heavy as to be fatiguinng.

However I do find myself wanting more tactility.  I have fond memories from eons ago using an Apple IIc with amber alps.  They have a tactility similar to box jades and box navies, but the navies might be heavy enough to be fatiguing.  I realized that box "crystal" jades are a thing, and managed to order a set of 110, which is on its way.  I think those will probably be my endgame modern clicky switch, we shall see.

[HungerMechanic]

Yes, please let us know how the crystal jades are, if you can. Some of us are not familiar with the latest variants.

[volvo244t]

Yes, please let us know how the crystal jades are, if you can. Some of us are not familiar with the latest variants.

They are supposed to be the same other than a clear bottom housing instead of the white, for "apparently" better light passage. Moot point worthy my non-backlit C2, but apparently the different bottom housing material makes the sound even louder and meatier than regular box jades, which I'm definitely all for.

[volvo244t]

YEAH *****!!!!!! JADES!!!!!!!!! OHHHHH!!!!!

[volvo244t]

Yes, please let us know how the crystal jades are, if you can. Some of us are not familiar with the latest variants.

So the crystal jades are loud to an extreme. Even louder than my Model M.

The tactility is absurd and delightful.

I ended up putting them in the K10 I bought after getting the C2.  I'm going to get another set to go in the C2. They're awesome.

[HungerMechanic]

Thanks. Looks like you've found your switch.