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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: SirClickAlot on Mon, 19 July 2010, 04:24:39

Title: Is there any interest for a switch try-board?
Post by: SirClickAlot on Mon, 19 July 2010, 04:24:39
Another hobby project of mine, interested to hear what you peeps think about it....

Suppose I rip out 1 key of every major keyswitch type from my keyboards and attach them to a metal plate so people would get a chance to try several different typed switches without buying ( and gambling on ) expensive boards?

It would be lean and mean ( I propose a square of 3 X 3 switches ) and would give a great many people an opportunity to try before they buy.

Maybe the second version has a USB keyboard controller attached to it so it can actually be connected to a computer for the try-out( to get a sense on when the key registers and resets )

So, what do you think? Another crazy idea of mine?

Any suggestions/ideas on enhancing this? Maybe there are users who have access to different keyswitches so I don't have to harvest my own boards???

Regards
Title: Is there any interest for a switch try-board?
Post by: British on Mon, 19 July 2010, 04:38:07
That sure ain't no bad idea.

The way I see (or rather, feel) things, I have a slightly better approach to trying a keyboard by actually typing stuff.
I probably won't be able to grasp anything besides the obvious direct feel difference between all those switches (if that does make any sense) by pressing one key at a time :pout:

But that's just me :smile:
Title: Is there any interest for a switch try-board?
Post by: hyperlinked on Mon, 19 July 2010, 04:44:48
I think this is a much more feasible idea than the whole keyboard swap. The shipping was just going to be too big of a hurdle in terms of cost and risk of damage, but a small grid could be more viable.

Another option could be that someone buys a stash of different switches and sells a GH starter kit. It'd be a bag of various common switches that you could use on a trial basis on an existing board or resell after you've played with all the switches.
Title: Is there any interest for a switch try-board?
Post by: SirClickAlot on Mon, 19 July 2010, 05:01:10
Thanx for the feedback! And yes, the cost for sending the key-try-grid would be a lot less so the open sink ( open consuming ) idea could actually take off......

GH starter kit -> I like it! Now I am beginning to wonder where I can buy a stash of different switches.......
Title: Is there any interest for a switch try-board?
Post by: SirClickAlot on Mon, 19 July 2010, 05:17:40
Quote from: British;204031
That sure ain't no bad idea.

The way I see (or rather, feel) things, I have a slightly better approach to trying a keyboard by actually typing stuff.



Yes, I can agree with that, it would be better to have the whole keyboard : but it would give you at least an idea of what the switch feels like and sounds like so you don't have to go blind upon buying mechanical keyboards.
Title: Is there any interest for a switch try-board?
Post by: mcbrite on Mon, 19 July 2010, 06:29:55
Great idea, I'd love one of those!
Title: Is there any interest for a switch try-board?
Post by: wellington1869 on Mon, 19 July 2010, 11:24:44
Quote from: SirClickAlot;204027
Another hobby project of mine, interested to hear what you peeps think about it....

Suppose I rip out 1 key of every major keyswitch type from my keyboards and attach them to a metal plate so people would get a chance to try several different typed switches without buying ( and gambling on ) expensive boards?

It would be lean and mean ( I propose a square of 3 X 3 switches ) and would give a great many people an opportunity to try before they buy.

Maybe the second version has a USB keyboard controller attached to it so it can actually be connected to a computer for the try-out( to get a sense on when the key registers and resets )

So, what do you think? Another crazy idea of mine?

Any suggestions/ideas on enhancing this? Maybe there are users who have access to different keyswitches so I don't have to harvest my own boards???

Regards


build it and they will come
Title: Is there any interest for a switch try-board?
Post by: microsoft windows on Mon, 19 July 2010, 11:38:03
That's a pretty good idea.