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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: MathewFernandes on Sat, 26 October 2019, 02:22:02

Title: Keyboards with "mech-membrane" switches
Post by: MathewFernandes on Sat, 26 October 2019, 02:22:02
I've mostly only ever used laptop keyboards with rubber dome switches. Since I built my first pc and got a Corsair K55, I've been left miffed at the stiff travel and sub-premium typing experience. I also haven't really enjoyed the few genuine mechanical keyboards I've tried. However when I tried out a bunch of keyboards at Best Buy, I fell in LOVE with the feel of two particular keyboards; the Logitech K740 and the Razor Ornata Chroma. Not because of their looks, but the switches and typing experience were unbelievable to me.

The two keyboards have some type of hybrid switch where it isn't totally mesh but not totally mechanical. Where can I find other keyboards with these kind of switches? I honestly would prefer a slim membrane keyboard found on a laptop over a low profile mechanical keyboard.
Title: Re: Keyboards with "mech-membrane" switches
Post by: mizzoperator on Mon, 28 October 2019, 08:54:44
You're entitled to your, uh, strange preference in keyboards.
As far as mecha-mechanical goes, you may as well just graduate to Topre from here.
I can't say that I'm a huge fan of Topre personally, but they're the best mecha-mechanical switches out there.
FYI, the Razer Ornata does not have actual switches to speak of. It uses tactile rubber domes and a clicker.
Title: Re: Keyboards with "mech-membrane" switches
Post by: Findecanor on Mon, 28 October 2019, 09:42:13
The Logitech K740 has a type of scissor switch that Logitech calls "PerfectStroke". It is constructed like a normal scissor switch -- just bigger, to provide more key travel than other scissor switches: 3.2 mm whereas most other scissors tend to be 2 mm (or less). I really like these myself.

"Mecha-membrane" means whatever you want it to mean. It is mostly used just as a word to sell keyboards, making them seem more fancy than they really are. It does not denote a particular mechanism or category or anything, and has sometimes been re-used to describe ancient types of rubber dome switches.
The Razer Ornata has rubber dome switches, with a clicker in each switch for added noise. Besides the noise, it has diodes for better rollover than other membrane-based keyboards. But after bull**** marketing tactics, Synapse and SoftMiner, I think everyone should boycott Razer and look elsewhere, even when the product looks good. They don't deserve our business.

(BTW. The OP is a cross-post from Reddit)
Title: Re: Keyboards with "mech-membrane" switches
Post by: Sintpinty on Mon, 28 October 2019, 12:24:17
I've mostly only ever used laptop keyboards with rubber dome switches. Since I built my first pc and got a Corsair K55, I've been left miffed at the stiff travel and sub-premium typing experience. I also haven't really enjoyed the few genuine mechanical keyboards I've tried. However when I tried out a bunch of keyboards at Best Buy, I fell in LOVE with the feel of two particular keyboards; the Logitech K740 and the Razor Ornata Chroma. Not because of their looks, but the switches and typing experience were unbelievable to me.

The two keyboards have some type of hybrid switch where it isn't totally mesh but not totally mechanical. Where can I find other keyboards with these kind of switches? I honestly would prefer a slim membrane keyboard found on a laptop over a low profile mechanical keyboard.

Your choices are very unusual.
Title: Re: Keyboards with "mech-membrane" switches
Post by: Venaros on Mon, 28 October 2019, 17:36:14
You're entitled to your, uh, strange preference in keyboards.
As far as mecha-mechanical goes, you may as well just graduate to Topre from here.
I can't say that I'm a huge fan of Topre personally, but they're the best mecha-mechanical switches out there.
FYI, the Razer Ornata does not have actual switches to speak of. It uses tactile rubber domes and a clicker.

What does "mecha-mechanical" mean?
Title: Re: Keyboards with "mech-membrane" switches
Post by: depletedvespene on Mon, 28 October 2019, 19:40:33
You're entitled to your, uh, strange preference in keyboards.
As far as mecha-mechanical goes, you may as well just graduate to Topre from here.
I can't say that I'm a huge fan of Topre personally, but they're the best mecha-mechanical switches out there.
FYI, the Razer Ornata does not have actual switches to speak of. It uses tactile rubber domes and a clicker.

What does "mecha-mechanical" mean?

It's a giant battle robot made out of mechanical keyboards. There are many, though they all agree Moderu Shosupesu is the mightiest of them all.



Title: Re: Keyboards with "mech-membrane" switches
Post by: Sintpinty on Tue, 29 October 2019, 12:01:07
You're entitled to your, uh, strange preference in keyboards.
As far as mecha-mechanical goes, you may as well just graduate to Topre from here.
I can't say that I'm a huge fan of Topre personally, but they're the best mecha-mechanical switches out there.
FYI, the Razer Ornata does not have actual switches to speak of. It uses tactile rubber domes and a clicker.

What does "mecha-mechanical" mean?

It depends. For Cooler master devestator II, it is a mechanical switch under a membrane. For ornata chroma, it is a membrane with A clicker
Title: Re: Keyboards with "mech-membrane" switches
Post by: flurryvelvet on Wed, 30 October 2019, 07:23:15
You're entitled to your, uh, strange preference in keyboards.
As far as mecha-mechanical goes, you may as well just graduate to Topre from here.
I can't say that I'm a huge fan of Topre personally, but they're the best mecha-mechanical switches out there.
FYI, the Razer Ornata does not have actual switches to speak of. It uses tactile rubber domes and a clicker.

What does "mecha-mechanical" mean?
It depends. For Cooler master devestator II, it is a mechanical switch under a membrane. For ornata chroma, it is a membrane with A clicker
What about the Model M? It also employs a membrane.
Title: Re: Keyboards with "mech-membrane" switches
Post by: Findecanor on Wed, 30 October 2019, 15:43:29
For Cooler master devestator II, it is a mechanical switch under a membrane.
No there isn't. The Cooler Master Devastator 2 has rubber dome with slider over membrane. There is nothing mechanical about it whatsoever.

My old BTC rubber dome keyboards also have separate sliders, with rubber domes on a PCB. Neither of those things make it mechanical either.
Title: Re: Keyboards with "mech-membrane" switches
Post by: depletedvespene on Wed, 30 October 2019, 17:36:43
What about the Model M? It also employs a membrane.

Model M keyboards use buckling springs, which is what makes them mechanical.