Red O-Rings for MX Red Switches
I sold my Topre keyboards in favor of my K65/MX Red keyboards (2x)--the fluid feel of this linear switch is, for me, unmatched. I tried black o-rings on an MX Blue keyboard I had and disliked the .4mm reduction in key travel. The red o-rings reduce key travel by only .2mm, which still delivers good depth to each key strike. The positives with the addition of the .2mm o-rings are many: my typing speed has increased; I have fewer typos (or so I think); of course, key strokes are quieter without being dead silent, so there continues to be aural feedback, which I like; and I'm bottoming out let less forcefully. I think the quiet has affected key-strike force for me--and the softer bottom-out landing is preferable to hard-surface landings--I know, stop bottoming out; well, that's easier said than done. Also, the space bar (Cherry stabilizer) on the K65 is noisier than the KB's other switches; therefore, I doubled the o-rings, .4mm total, under the space bar for the switch and the two stabilizer fittings. I don't know if there's a difference among manufacturer's red o-rings; for the record, I bought these from WASD via Amazon.
I'll state the obvious: I'm posting this to praise the addition of red o-rings to MX Red switches. For me, they have improved what is a great feeling key switch for typing. I usually prefer full-key travel; but the .2mm reduction in travel hasn't still leaves a excellent key travel, perhaps even improved, unlike the black o-rings I had tried. As I said, when I first tried red o-rings, I disliked them; but I was only about a week into using these switches. Now that I've weeks of using MX Red switches, I appreciate Red-on-Red. My search for an MX switch that performs for me is over; and with the addition of red o-rings, hours of typing has improved in feel, aural feedback, and maintaining speed as a day wears on. Today is the first full day I've used the keyboard with o-rings. I'll see how this goes over the next few days; but I have no reason to think there will be a decrement in performance or feel. Now I have to 'do up' the other K65 with red o-rings.