Since the springs are tied to the type of case, I wonder which of the two are driving people's choices. Are people getting the case they want and simply accepting the springs that are tied to it, or are they getting the spring resistance they want and settling for the case?
I'd guess the springs are the primary influence. Most of us would have a slight preference for one board material over another—but I think we're fundamentally typers, and how a board feels and responds always (well,
almost always) takes precedence over how it looks.
I am holding off for 3 months in anticipation of the tactile model... If that never happens, I may be kicking myself.
So this would be a tactical decision.
I'm chatting with the manufacturer to see if we can, behind the scenes, just offer more spring weight options. Think of it as having the "alternate weight" springs pre-installed. I don't want to bait and switch orders, but I don't want to make hundreds of people take their boards apart either.
I don't think many of us have trouble figuring out which weight we'd prefer. You're offering what amounts to a choice between MX Red and Black, and most of us are familiar enough with those to know what'd work better for us.
As far as the "bait and switch" (oy, deliberate pun?), I think it's generous enough to offer a set of the other springs for so little, so we can try some to confirm we made the right choice.
For a mere $5 more, I get the springs on the off chance I might need or want them. For that price, I'll take them as I might want to go variable weight and have heavier springs in certain locations.
Brilliant idea. The pinky's considerably weaker than the other fingers, so changing just those keys to 50g could be quite pleasant.
As far as that goes, are any standard switch springs compatible with these? The idea of creating the equivalent of an HE Realforce is pretty appealing.
Too many options for a group as opinionated as keyboard enthusiasts...
Indeed... People who emigrate from developing countries to the U.S. and Canada are often overwhelmed the first time they walk into a supermarket. Art lovers often require hospitalization when they visit places like Florence and Venice for the first time.
This inspires me to offer the following advisory. When viewing this or the Massdrop page, please:
• Avoid caffeine and other stimulants
• Remain calm
• When necessary, repeat to yourself: "It's just a keyboard, it's just a keyboard..."
Personally, I want light springs and tactile switches. Bamboo would be fine since the screws don't show, but metal would be better. How's that?
You don't find it a tad ironic, wanting to add a bump to the smoothest switch technology ever? Isn't that like buying a Ferrari with an automatic transmission? (I couldn't resist using a metaphor that, exactly contrary to what we're talking about, implied that
more effort was better.)
I do too. However, bear in mind that these 70g springs produce a resistance more like 50g, whereas MX blacks are around 65g. 50 is closer to 45 than 65...
What do you base that on? Is it because the switches are so unusually smooth? Or is that a characteristic of these particular springs? If it's true, it may make the choice easier for most of us, as it implies the 50g springs feel considerably lighter too—and I don't think many of us would prefer a board that feels like it's under 40g.
We're featured in Tom's Hardware! http://www.tomshardware.com/news/xmit-hall-effect-keyboard-massdrop,33060.html
Oh man, this is really taking off. I just checked the MD page—over 700 boards reserved now, and it's going up as I watch. It's fun being in on keyboard history. :?)