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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: deadcell1453 on Tue, 24 December 2019, 18:42:04
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AS the title says, which switch is a better functioning mx brown? I currently use mx browns and reds. I'm going to build a custom for gaming and work and I need suggestions on "better" mx browns.
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There is no better. It's a personal preference what people like. But imo Ergo Clears are a upgrade from MX brown having a bigger bump.
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Self proclaimed brown switch expert here. What do you mean by "higher quality"? If you're a fan of MX browns and would like to try something similar but different, I'd suggest gateron or greetech browns -- especially the latter.
Greetechs have a much sharper bump while being relatively low tactility, this makes them a good middle ground between switches like MX clears and MX browns. Be warned though: they sound absolutely awful stock, you WILL have to lube them.
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Zealios are a nice alternative. They are more tactile, and are better weighted. Greetech browns are a cheaper alternative, but will not feel and sound as good as Zealios. You can buy each of them here:
Zealios (the best weighting is 65g in my humble opinion)
https://zealpc.net/products/zealio
Greetech Browns
https://flashquark.com/product/greetech-brown-switches/
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There really is a problem here considering what is "better" weighted or has "better" tactility.
Some people type harder, some softer. So one needs to consider if they like to have a lighter touch and know that what others consider "better" often means more resistance since there is a bias against the lightness of the tactility of MX Browns, which I actually like. (It's not a good idea to ask Model M fans about their thoughts of MX Browns!) I don't want more tactility because I like the original design of MX Browns.
There IS however an issue with scratchiness of MX Browns. This is an objective quality one can actually argue against in a non-biased manner. So if you do want a "better' MX Brown, it is going to be the MX Brown that doesn't have scratchiness issues.
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Browns kinda sound scratchy to me and the bump isn't as pronounced as I'd like. I'm basically looking for browns with less to no scratch, a bit more feel to the bump. If there is something like that out there that also is silent without sacrificing the travel distance of the key, all the better. I love the weight of browns, so anything more weighted would be a no go.
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I don't know if you're going to get something with more of a bump without it being "heavier" in that it'll take more effort to overcome the bump...it sort of goes hand in hand in this type of switch where the tactile bump is not at the start.
Silenced alps might be a good option...as far as weight vs. tactility.
Topre is also an option.
Otherwise, broken in browns are fantastic..they smooth out quite a bit and while it doesn't provide a big tactile feel, you feel each bump when you're typing...they're probably one of my favorite switches...the issue is more of getting them broken in...So you either need to break it in yourself or buy a used keyboard and harvest the switches (or just use that keyboard).
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Browns kinda sound scratchy to me and the bump isn't as pronounced as I'd like. I'm basically looking for browns with less to no scratch, a bit more feel to the bump. If there is something like that out there that also is silent without sacrificing the travel distance of the key, all the better. I love the weight of browns, so anything more weighted would be a no go.
Try to find some 62g ZealPC Zilent V1 switches on the aftermarket. They are a heavier than MX Brown but otherwise should cover everything you want.
You can also consider Greetech brown and TTC Gold v2 brown, which have a somewhat stronger bump than MX, but they also sound/feel pretty scratchy if you don't lube them.
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Browns kinda sound scratchy to me and the bump isn't as pronounced as I'd like. I'm basically looking for browns with less to no scratch, a bit more feel to the bump. If there is something like that out there that also is silent without sacrificing the travel distance of the key, all the better. I love the weight of browns, so anything more weighted would be a no go.
Try to find some 62g ZealPC Zilent V1 switches on the aftermarket. They are a heavier than MX Brown but otherwise should cover everything you want.
You can also consider Greetech brown and TTC Gold v2 brown, which have a somewhat stronger bump than MX, but they also sound/feel pretty scratchy if you don't lube them.
I was gonna suggest V1 Zealios spring swapped to 55g (bottom out force) springs, but Zilents may possibly be a better fit since OP said silent is a bonus. Although he mentions the MX browns he's using now sound scratchy & it bothers him. While I suspect it's probably a combo of scratchy sound & feel, it should be mentioned that V1 Zilents do a have scratchy sound to them. It's just in the sound & not in the feel, but it was annoying enough to me that I quit using the batch of 78g V1 Zilents I have.
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AS the title says, which switch is a better functioning mx brown? I currently use mx browns and reds. I'm going to build a custom for gaming and work and I need suggestions on "better" mx browns.
You need to define 'better'. What aren't you happy with? What do you want improved? More/less tactility? Smoother? Lighter/heavier? Quieter/clackier? Meme value?
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@tex_live_utility
Thanks for the suggestion. After doing some additional research, your suggestion seems to be the way to go for me. Will be looking for those switches in the after market.
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AS the title says, which switch is a better functioning mx brown? I currently use mx browns and reds. I'm going to build a custom for gaming and work and I need suggestions on "better" mx browns.
I have personally tested a ton of tactile switches, and if you want something similar to mx browns in weight and tactility but more smoothness; I would definitely recommend Hako Violets, they are by far the best "Mx brown like" switch. I would recommend lubing it though.