Unpopular Keyboard Opinions

[trenzafeeds]

agreed, browns feel mushy and similar to rubber domes, dont know why people like them, i would prefer topre if i actually like tactile switches

I don't think Browns feel anything like rubber domes but I agree there isn't much tactile feedback. I like Browns but only because they bottom out like a linear switch but have the bump there when you need it (specifically, for gaming). I'd say Clears feel more like rubber domes than Browns, but it's still a long shot. I prefer Topre over all the Cherry switches I have tried.

browns do not feel anything like rubber domes - they are closer to reds and black imo

Personally I don't think browns are bad at all in general, I just prefer like Greetech's to Cherry's. They're great as an intro switch especially for people used to membrane who want a nice tactile feedback, but don't want to be overwhelmed.

[jerue]

Modern Selectric...


... looks ...


... not great.

I ordered black mods for this reason. It looks much better as black/white. Blue is too bright, not really a "IBM Blue" (which is darker and more muted, in between regular blue and navy blue).

[swimmingbird]

agreed, browns feel mushy and similar to rubber domes, dont know why people like them, i would prefer topre if i actually like tactile switches

I don't think Browns feel anything like rubber domes but I agree there isn't much tactile feedback. I like Browns but only because they bottom out like a linear switch but have the bump there when you need it (specifically, for gaming). I'd say Clears feel more like rubber domes than Browns, but it's still a long shot. I prefer Topre over all the Cherry switches I have tried.

browns do not feel anything like rubber domes - they are closer to reds and black imo

Personally I don't think browns are bad at all in general, I just prefer like Greetech's to Cherry's. They're great as an intro switch especially for people used to membrane who want a nice tactile feedback, but don't want to be overwhelmed.

I honestly think that anyone who recommends mx browns as a first switch is someone who just reads the cherry or corsair marketing bull**** - it doesn't even make sense why browns exist

[trenzafeeds]

agreed, browns feel mushy and similar to rubber domes, dont know why people like them, i would prefer topre if i actually like tactile switches

I don't think Browns feel anything like rubber domes but I agree there isn't much tactile feedback. I like Browns but only because they bottom out like a linear switch but have the bump there when you need it (specifically, for gaming). I'd say Clears feel more like rubber domes than Browns, but it's still a long shot. I prefer Topre over all the Cherry switches I have tried.

browns do not feel anything like rubber domes - they are closer to reds and black imo

Personally I don't think browns are bad at all in general, I just prefer like Greetech's to Cherry's. They're great as an intro switch especially for people used to membrane who want a nice tactile feedback, but don't want to be overwhelmed.

I honestly think that anyone who recommends mx browns as a first switch is someone who just reads the cherry or corsair marketing bull**** - it doesn't even make sense why browns exist

I wouldn't recommend them, but the fact is just that of the 8 friends I've had try out my cherry/gateron switch tester coming from no experience with mechanical boards or "gaming" related advertising (none of them are gamers at all) 6 of them preferred the browns over the other switches.

[blueangel2323]

linears have their place because they actuate before they get bottomed out, unlike certain membrane boards, also membrane boards have this sandy bumpy feedback and not everyone likes it

Most mechanical switches actuate before bottoming out. All Cherry switches have their actuation points near the middle of the travel depth. Alps are a bit higher and Topre a bit lower. The problem with linear switches is that you have no idea whether they actuated or not unless you bottom out. It's not easy to accurately "feel" where halfway is.

[trenzafeeds]

linears have their place because they actuate before they get bottomed out, unlike certain membrane boards, also membrane boards have this sandy bumpy feedback and not everyone likes it

Most mechanical switches actuate before bottoming out. All Cherry switches have their actuation points near the middle of the travel depth. Alps are a bit higher and Topre a bit lower. The problem with linear switches is that you have no idea whether they actuated or not unless you bottom out. It's not easy to accurately "feel" where halfway is.

eh, you definitely develop a feel for them after using them for a bit.

[swimmingbird]

linears have their place because they actuate before they get bottomed out, unlike certain membrane boards, also membrane boards have this sandy bumpy feedback and not everyone likes it

Most mechanical switches actuate before bottoming out. All Cherry switches have their actuation points near the middle of the travel depth. Alps are a bit higher and Topre a bit lower. The problem with linear switches is that you have no idea whether they actuated or not unless you bottom out. It's not easy to accurately "feel" where halfway is.

I imagine pretty much everyone bottoms out though
Have you ever tried typing with any speed and not bottoming out? Impossibru

[blueangel2323]

I imagine pretty much everyone bottoms out though
Have you ever tried typing with any speed and not bottoming out? Impossibru

To me, Cherry switches actually discourage me from bottoming out because the increasing linear force of the spring after the actuation point makes pressing the key down further quite fatiguing.

[katushkin]

I imagine pretty much everyone bottoms out though
Have you ever tried typing with any speed and not bottoming out? Impossibru

To me, Cherry switches actually discourage me from bottoming out because the increasing linear force of the spring after the actuation point makes pressing the key down further quite fatiguing.

That depends on the switch though. I have never felt fatigue on any switches other than 110g greys.

[jonathanyu]

i love using CAPSLOCK

[tofu28]

i love using CAPSLOCK

Are you one of those people who double taps caps instead of holding shift?

[jonathanyu]

i love using CAPSLOCK

Are you one of those people who double taps caps instead of holding shift?

Most of the time I double taps caps, sometimes I use shift

[swimmingbird]

i love using CAPSLOCK

Are you one of those people who double taps caps instead of holding shift?

Most of the time I double taps caps, sometimes I use shift

Isn't this the purpose of sticky keys?

[ideus]

Suddenly, the topic morphed into "Non-sense Keyboard Opinions"

  )

[Shaussman]

I honestly think that anyone who recommends mx browns as a first switch is someone who just reads the cherry or corsair marketing bull**** - it doesn't even make sense why browns exist

How does it not make sense that browns exist? They're honestly great. Overall my favorite switch, followed by Kailh blues. I might like Clears more if I could actually sit down and use them for a while but until that happens Browns and Kailh blues are king. Also, I got browns as my first switch and it was definitely the right choice, even if they were a bit strange to move to from my Dell quietkey (way lighter and way less of a bump).

Interestingly enough, I found MX blues to be super fatiguing and as such I'm not a massive fan while the lighter switch and tactility of the Kailhs lets them pull ahead.

[blueangel2323]

Well, this is the "unpopular keyboard opinions" thread, so obviously not everyone or even most people would agree with what we're saying here

[Shaussman]

Well, this is the "unpopular keyboard opinions" thread, so obviously not everyone or even most people would agree with what we're saying here

Disagreeing is fine, I'm just curious about the logic behind the opinion

[jonathanyu]

I honestly think that anyone who recommends mx browns as a first switch is someone who just reads the cherry or corsair marketing bull**** - it doesn't even make sense why browns exist

How does it not make sense that browns exist? They're honestly great. Overall my favorite switch, followed by Kailh blues. I might like Clears more if I could actually sit down and use them for a while but until that happens Browns and Kailh blues are king. Also, I got browns as my first switch and it was definitely the right choice, even if they were a bit strange to move to from my Dell quietkey (way lighter and way less of a bump).

Interestingly enough, I found MX blues to be super fatiguing and as such I'm not a massive fan while the lighter switch and tactility of the Kailhs lets them pull ahead.

agree that brown is awesome.  especially brand new modern brown

[Blaise170]

MEI switches feel worse than anything else I've ever laid hands on.

[blahlicus]

linears have their place because they actuate before they get bottomed out, unlike certain membrane boards, also membrane boards have this sandy bumpy feedback and not everyone likes it

Most mechanical switches actuate before bottoming out. All Cherry switches have their actuation points near the middle of the travel depth. Alps are a bit higher and Topre a bit lower. The problem with linear switches is that you have no idea whether they actuated or not unless you bottom out. It's not easy to accurately "feel" where halfway is.

this is where the "not everyone likes the subtle feedback" part comes from, in my opinion, cherry tactile feedback switches are horrible as they provide little to no feedback and feels more like rusty bumps than proper feedback

besides, you kind of grow accustomed to actuating linear switches especially reds, since they are so easy to actuate you dont have to "feel" it actuate because it will always actuate no matter how lightly you pressed, also o-rings and bottoming out help as well i guess

[ideus]

linears have their place because they actuate before they get bottomed out, unlike certain membrane boards, also membrane boards have this sandy bumpy feedback and not everyone likes it

Most mechanical switches actuate before bottoming out. All Cherry switches have their actuation points near the middle of the travel depth. Alps are a bit higher and Topre a bit lower. The problem with linear switches is that you have no idea whether they actuated or not unless you bottom out. It's not easy to accurately "feel" where halfway is.

this is where the "not everyone likes the subtle feedback" part comes from, in my opinion, cherry tactile feedback switches are horrible as they provide little to no feedback and feels more like rusty bumps than proper feedback

besides, you kind of grow accustomed to actuating linear switches especially reds, since they are so easy to actuate you dont have to "feel" it actuate because it will always actuate no matter how lightly you pressed, also o-rings and bottoming out help as well i guess

I modded my daily driver's switches yesterday; they have now 65g springs, new clear stems, transparent tops, stock Cherry contacts, and they feel, and sound just awesome. Their sound has a very low pitch, it is almost a tock, the feeling is very solid, offering just the right amount of force, not hard, neither light.

[Steezus]

linears have their place because they actuate before they get bottomed out, unlike certain membrane boards, also membrane boards have this sandy bumpy feedback and not everyone likes it

Most mechanical switches actuate before bottoming out. All Cherry switches have their actuation points near the middle of the travel depth. Alps are a bit higher and Topre a bit lower. The problem with linear switches is that you have no idea whether they actuated or not unless you bottom out. It's not easy to accurately "feel" where halfway is.

this is where the "not everyone likes the subtle feedback" part comes from, in my opinion, cherry tactile feedback switches are horrible as they provide little to no feedback and feels more like rusty bumps than proper feedback

besides, you kind of grow accustomed to actuating linear switches especially reds, since they are so easy to actuate you dont have to "feel" it actuate because it will always actuate no matter how lightly you pressed, also o-rings and bottoming out help as well i guess

I modded my daily driver's switches yesterday; they have now 65g springs, new clear stems, transparent tops, stock Cherry contacts, and they feel, and sound just awesome. Their sound has a very low pitch, it is almost a tock, the feeling is very solid, offering just the right amount of force, not hard, neither light.

I got some Vintage MX Blues, put in 62g 24kt Gold Sprit Springs, Sip Sockets(even though it doesn't affect the feel), and clear mx switch top. I absolutely love them, they feel perfect to me and actually sound quieter than my Pok3r w/Blues but with a nicer tone in my opinion. I love these switches, may try some ergo clears but probably some zealios next.

[jamster]

browns do not feel anything like rubber domes - they are closer to reds and black imo

I much prefer a decent quality (not talking topre here, something that came free with a PC) rubberdome board to anything with stock MX switches. I'm currently typing this on a Wyse rubberdome board because I cannot stand using the MX horribly mushy black that I have in a closet which is awaiting Zeal's Gaterons for a transplant. I've got browns on another board (a keypad) and they're also way less preferable to decent rubberdome.

[pr0ximity]

HHKB layout is no good. People who buy GONs and Ducks in that layout are out of their minds.

Does one fewer key in the corner really matter? If they weren't case-mounted Topre they wouldn't even be worth talking about.

[hwood34]

MEI switches feel worse than anything else I've ever laid hands on.

Don't think I've ever gotten to try these before, do people really like them or something?

[nubbinator]

MEI switches feel worse than anything else I've ever laid hands on.

Don't think I've ever gotten to try these before, do people really like them or something?

I've never heard anyone say something good about then.

[trenzafeeds]

HHKB layout is no good. People who buy GONs and Ducks in that layout are out of their minds.

Does one fewer key in the corner really matter? If they weren't case-mounted Topre they wouldn't even be worth talking about.

I agree to some extent. I'm in love with the Capslock to Ctrl transfer, but I don't understand why people are so obsessed with removing those extra keys to get the look.

[hwood34]

HHKB layout is no good. People who buy GONs and Ducks in that layout are out of their minds.

Does one fewer key in the corner really matter? If they weren't case-mounted Topre they wouldn't even be worth talking about.

I agree to some extent. I'm in love with the Capslock to Ctrl transfer, but I don't understand why people are so obsessed with removing those extra keys to get the look.

well obviously because a keyboard is like a finely tuned race car, gotta remove every ounce of extra weight

[mason]

I like my shiny keycaps because they're so smooth and kind of like the look

[Air tree]

HHKB layout is no good. People who buy GONs and Ducks in that layout are out of their minds.

Does one fewer key in the corner really matter? If they weren't case-mounted Topre they wouldn't even be worth talking about.

I agree to some extent. I'm in love with the Capslock to Ctrl transfer, but I don't understand why people are so obsessed with removing those extra keys to get the look.

It's exactly  the same as people who have winkeyless customs. It's just a nice aesthetic that people want.

[ideus]

HHKB layout is no good. People who buy GONs and Ducks in that layout are out of their minds.

Does one fewer key in the corner really matter? If they weren't case-mounted Topre they wouldn't even be worth talking about.

I agree to some extent. I'm in love with the Capslock to Ctrl transfer, but I don't understand why people are so obsessed with removing those extra keys to get the look.

It's exactly  the same as people who have winkeyless customs. It's just a nice aesthetic that people want.

It is the Unicorn syndrome, the aspiration to be unique. In the practical side, those corners are just wasted space.

[blueangel2323]

I like my shiny keycaps because they're so smooth and kind of like the look

I'm fine with shiny keys, as long as they are all equally shiny. The problem is, keys never wear out consistently across the whole keyboard. What bothers people is having some shiny and some matte keys on the same keyboard. Doesn't that bother you?

[mason]

I'm fine with shiny keys, as long as they are all equally shiny. The problem is, keys never wear out consistently across the whole keyboard. What bothers people is having some shiny and some matte keys on the same keyboard. Doesn't that bother you?

Not really and I'm glad it doesn't

[E3E]

HHKB layout is no good. People who buy GONs and Ducks in that layout are out of their minds.

Does one fewer key in the corner really matter? If they weren't case-mounted Topre they wouldn't even be worth talking about.

I agree to some extent. I'm in love with the Capslock to Ctrl transfer, but I don't understand why people are so obsessed with removing those extra keys to get the look.

It's exactly  the same as people who have winkeyless customs. It's just a nice aesthetic that people want.

It is the Unicorn syndrome, the aspiration to be unique. In the practical side, those corners are just wasted space.

Unicorn syndrome indeed. The ironic thing is when EVERYONE flocks to say the Viper over the Eagle and then the Eagle becomes the more uncommon variant because everyone wants the more "unique" option. Can't say I'm not guilty of wanting to be a special snowflake myself sometimes, but I think everyone has that phase in this community.

[Air tree]

It's not really being a special snow flake if that snowflake is the most popular, is it?

[E3E]

It's not really being a special snow flake if that snowflake is the most popular, is it?

BAM!

It becomes ironic. I personally think obsession with rarity and the "hard to find" factor is stupid beyond all logic, but also admit I've been struck by it before. Thankfully not by artisans.

[sth]

I like my shiny keycaps because they're so smooth and kind of like the look

I'm fine with shiny keys, as long as they are all equally shiny. The problem is, keys never wear out consistently across the whole keyboard. What bothers people is having some shiny and some matte keys on the same keyboard. Doesn't that bother you?

wabi-sabi

nice avatar
the aesthetics of shine are acceptable in the sense that you are using the board --

[Elrick]

HHKB layout is no good. People who buy GONs and Ducks in that layout are out of their minds.

Does one fewer key in the corner really matter? If they weren't case-mounted Topre they wouldn't even be worth talking about.

I've been saying that for years but as an old man I'm quickly ignored around here, as all these youngsters seem to think that they know better than any decrepit, ole geezer.

[Snarfangel]

i love using CAPSLOCK

Superior in every way:


And if there were any justice in the world, Shift Lock would be put right there, out of the way.

[ideus]

i love using CAPSLOCK

Superior in every way:
(Attachment Link)

And if there were any justice in the world, Shift Lock would be put right there, out of the way.

Is this the next GMK group buy teaser?

[jonathanyu]

i love using CAPSLOCK

Superior in every way:
(Attachment Link)

And if there were any justice in the world, Shift Lock would be put right there, out of the way.

Is this the next GMK group buy teaser?

yellow on black?

[ideus]

i love using CAPSLOCK

Superior in every way:
(Attachment Link)

And if there were any justice in the world, Shift Lock would be put right there, out of the way.

Is this the next GMK group buy teaser?

yellow on black?

Bumble-bee.

[spectre]

The vast majority of aftermarket key sets are not suitable for most office environments. All artisan caps are unsuitable to work keyboards.


Flame away

I would agree about artisans, but I think a lot of the recent GMK sets are professional enough, even Hyperfuse. And many SA sets (Hackd, Retro) are fine, too.

Yeah I think that Hyperfuse has a classy look to it. I think the accent keys might be pushing it in some workplaces but does anyone here even work at a place where they have been told off for how their keyboard looks?

I personally like Hyperfuse, but in any 'serious', 'corporate' environment I wouldn't use it. It's not about being told off (which would take a pretty infantile management culture), it's about whether you want to be remembered as the guy with the rainbow keyboard, which is a couple of steps up to being the guy with the collection of troll dolls lined up on his desk.

Oddly enough, I had assumed that programmers and keyboard enthusiasts would have a big intersect. Somewhat disappointingly, this hasn't been what I have observed in real life. I'm surrounded by programmers, as are a couple of friends who are coders in other companies. Nobody seems to have an interest in mech boards at all. Sad.

Caring about keyboards is an unpopular keyboard opinion

[GL1TCH3D]

I honestly think that anyone who recommends mx browns as a first switch is someone who just reads the cherry or corsair marketing bull**** - it doesn't even make sense why browns exist

Haha

That's what I told all my friends about browns.

The big misconception is that browns are just a silent blue but it's really not.

Blues are entirely different but browns are marketed as an "upgrade" to blues.

[swimmingbird]

I honestly think that anyone who recommends mx browns as a first switch is someone who just reads the cherry or corsair marketing bull**** - it doesn't even make sense why browns exist

Haha

That's what I told all my friends about browns.

The big misconception is that browns are just a silent blue but it's really not.

Blues are entirely different but browns are marketed as an "upgrade" to blues.

One of the things that kind of bothers me about the keyboard community is this weird mentality that some people have recommending switches - "oh if you're gaming then you need reds!" "oh you're a typist that means you need blues!" "you're an inbetween person go for the browns" - it reminds me of the sorting hat from harry potter or picking which pokemon to take....

If I have found anything it's that keyboards are more of a journey than anything - there is no end game despite what any one will tell you, there is only the keyboard that you are liking the most right now

[njbair]

I honestly think that anyone who recommends mx browns as a first switch is someone who just reads the cherry or corsair marketing bull**** - it doesn't even make sense why browns exist

Haha

That's what I told all my friends about browns.

The big misconception is that browns are just a silent blue but it's really not.

Blues are entirely different but browns are marketed as an "upgrade" to blues.

One of the things that kind of bothers me about the keyboard community is this weird mentality that some people have recommending switches - "oh if you're gaming then you need reds!" "oh you're a typist that means you need blues!" "you're an inbetween person go for the browns" - it reminds me of the sorting hat from harry potter or picking which pokemon to take....

If I have found anything it's that keyboards are more of a journey than anything - there is no end game despite what any one will tell you, there is only the keyboard that you are liking the most right now

The takeaway here is, buy every keyboard ever. Then you will find your favorite.

[swimmingbird]

I honestly think that anyone who recommends mx browns as a first switch is someone who just reads the cherry or corsair marketing bull**** - it doesn't even make sense why browns exist

Haha

That's what I told all my friends about browns.

The big misconception is that browns are just a silent blue but it's really not.

Blues are entirely different but browns are marketed as an "upgrade" to blues.

One of the things that kind of bothers me about the keyboard community is this weird mentality that some people have recommending switches - "oh if you're gaming then you need reds!" "oh you're a typist that means you need blues!" "you're an inbetween person go for the browns" - it reminds me of the sorting hat from harry potter or picking which pokemon to take....

If I have found anything it's that keyboards are more of a journey than anything - there is no end game despite what any one will tell you, there is only the keyboard that you are liking the most right now

The takeaway here is, buy every keyboard ever. Then you will find your favorite.

pretty much
I prefer the less consumeristic way of saying it though: "be a life long learner"  )

[njbair]

I honestly think that anyone who recommends mx browns as a first switch is someone who just reads the cherry or corsair marketing bull**** - it doesn't even make sense why browns exist

Haha

That's what I told all my friends about browns.

The big misconception is that browns are just a silent blue but it's really not.

Blues are entirely different but browns are marketed as an "upgrade" to blues.

One of the things that kind of bothers me about the keyboard community is this weird mentality that some people have recommending switches - "oh if you're gaming then you need reds!" "oh you're a typist that means you need blues!" "you're an inbetween person go for the browns" - it reminds me of the sorting hat from harry potter or picking which pokemon to take....

If I have found anything it's that keyboards are more of a journey than anything - there is no end game despite what any one will tell you, there is only the keyboard that you are liking the most right now

The takeaway here is, buy every keyboard ever. Then you will find your favorite.

pretty much
I prefer the less consumeristic way of saying it though: "be a life long learner"  )

If you want to save some money, just buy Topre first and lie to yourself that you already have the best keyboard.

[Snowdog993]

I honestly think that anyone who recommends mx browns as a first switch is someone who just reads the cherry or corsair marketing bull**** - it doesn't even make sense why browns exist

Haha

That's what I told all my friends about browns.

The big misconception is that browns are just a silent blue but it's really not.

Blues are entirely different but browns are marketed as an "upgrade" to blues.

One of the things that kind of bothers me about the keyboard community is this weird mentality that some people have recommending switches - "oh if you're gaming then you need reds!" "oh you're a typist that means you need blues!" "you're an inbetween person go for the browns" - it reminds me of the sorting hat from harry potter or picking which pokemon to take....

If I have found anything it's that keyboards are more of a journey than anything - there is no end game despite what any one will tell you, there is only the keyboard that you are liking the most right now

But I thought Snake Plitskin was dead!  I found my endgame keyboard years ago.  Maybe you'll find yours too!

[swimmingbird]

I honestly think that anyone who recommends mx browns as a first switch is someone who just reads the cherry or corsair marketing bull**** - it doesn't even make sense why browns exist

Haha

That's what I told all my friends about browns.

The big misconception is that browns are just a silent blue but it's really not.

Blues are entirely different but browns are marketed as an "upgrade" to blues.

One of the things that kind of bothers me about the keyboard community is this weird mentality that some people have recommending switches - "oh if you're gaming then you need reds!" "oh you're a typist that means you need blues!" "you're an inbetween person go for the browns" - it reminds me of the sorting hat from harry potter or picking which pokemon to take....

If I have found anything it's that keyboards are more of a journey than anything - there is no end game despite what any one will tell you, there is only the keyboard that you are liking the most right now

The takeaway here is, buy every keyboard ever. Then you will find your favorite.

pretty much
I prefer the less consumeristic way of saying it though: "be a life long learner"  )

If you want to save some money, just buy Topre first and lie to yourself that you already have the best keyboard.

I think if you have an inkling of curiosity this approach doesn't really work

I started with MX and then moved to Buckling spring and then to Topre - now I'm eyeing up the 55g variants and really want to try Alps...

I don't think "the endgame crusade" extends just to switches either - definitely applies to form factor and keycaps - and as more and more of these get invented it's impossible to know for sure if you're missing out on something