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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: Jarmel on Thu, 26 August 2010, 16:11:34

Title: Clear vs. Brown switches
Post by: Jarmel on Thu, 26 August 2010, 16:11:34
I just ordered a tactile Deck Legend and was wondering if I should have gotten the Das Silent which has brown.  I do a lot of gaming and typing so black was out of the question although I badly wanted the Toxic Deck.
Title: Clear vs. Brown switches
Post by: itlnstln on Thu, 26 August 2010, 16:13:43
It should be fine.  What keyboard were you using before?
Title: Clear vs. Brown switches
Post by: Infinite north on Thu, 26 August 2010, 16:18:10
I personally think clears should only be used for typing, the spring tension is even heavier than black springs so trying to hold shift down for long periods of time is very taxing on the pinky finger. I feel like the extra tension makes for a better cushion for heavy typists, this is all relative though and your opinion could vary greatly.
Title: Clear vs. Brown switches
Post by: Jarmel on Thu, 26 August 2010, 16:22:31
Rubberdome, G19.
Title: Clear vs. Brown switches
Post by: itlnstln on Thu, 26 August 2010, 16:26:52
If you're coming from a rubber dome, you should be fine.  You would probably find the browns to be too light.
Title: Clear vs. Brown switches
Post by: Jarmel on Thu, 26 August 2010, 17:37:21
However isn't lighter better for typing?
Title: Clear vs. Brown switches
Post by: washuai on Thu, 26 August 2010, 18:23:51
Quote from: Jarmel;217039
However isn't lighter better for typing?

Depends on what you want it better for - speed, less fatigue, fewer accidental presses, etc.  

Theoretically, typing on browns, should be faster than clears, once you're acclimated.

Lower force (browns) should give you less fatigue.  It really depends on how you type and how fast you type.  Lower force, usually, but doesn't always equal less fatigue.

You could more easily accidentally activate browns, if you're resting your paws on the board.  Correcting mistakes, means slower.

You can feel the tactile point better with clears, which could lead to better typing, than the more subtle browns.  I feel browns fine, but not everyone does.

I definitely love, when I get that light, barely touching, the keys feeling of flying across the browns, when I am on a roll and not bottoming out.
Title: Clear vs. Brown switches
Post by: ironman31 on Thu, 26 August 2010, 18:26:17
Quote from: Jarmel;217039
However isn't lighter better for typing?


Sometimes. As long as you get used to it and can type without bottoming out all the time. That's the only time I feel like typing on the browns is unique from any other keyboard.
Title: Clear vs. Brown switches
Post by: Infinite north on Thu, 26 August 2010, 20:34:51
Clears are perfectly designed for typing, the keys are fairly low force until actuation. the springs only start to feel heavy after the tactile bump, this forces better finger control.
Title: Clear vs. Brown switches
Post by: itlnstln on Fri, 27 August 2010, 07:39:19
It's all subjective.  A lot of GH members' "fastest" keyboard is a Model M, which is not exactly the lightest keyboard in the world. For me, the lighter the keyboard, the better.  I am not a particularly fast typer, but I type all day, so I like switches that prevent fatigue.