I’d like to bring up the topic of switches for gaming again. MX blues have a reputation for being horrible for gaming, and I think this is unfair. Many people game on MX blue keyboards just fine. However, they do affect some gamers. The sharp tactile point can be a hindrance to fast reaction, and the fact that the switch resets above where it actuates means that the switch has to come almost all the way back up before you can press it again, which can make some double tapping techniques extremely difficult. I’ve found that it does affect my gameplay when playing against other people or against smart AI. Not a huge difference, but it is there.
However, after using it for a week I don’t think it will matter for most people. If you’re a casual gamer the reset point issue is unlikely to affect you. If you’re a competitive gamer you may wish to consider the Das Professional S Silent keyboard, which uses Cherry MX brown switches. These switches are non-clicky, have a much softer tactile point (more of a hump than a point), are slightly lighter (needing 45 g of force), and don’t have the reset point issue. The Silent version costs $6 more, placing it at $135.00; but in this price range $6 is chump change. Note that the Silent version still makes noise when you bottom out, it just doesn’t have the high-pitched clicking.
But what about that click? Hmmm? Am I going to be keeping my neighbors up? No, not at all. The click isn’t all that loud. We don’t have a sonometer or some such to test with, but it won’t deafen you in any way. Imagine tapping on a desk with your finger nails, but higher pitched. It’s probably too loud for library use but shouldn’t cause a problem in any but the quietest office. For home use it should perfectly fine, especially if you have the room to yourself. The noise doesn’t carry very well, so no one outside the room will be able to hear you unless you live in a tent.
However, it could cause problems when listening to music. If you have headphones with poor sound dampening or use speakers, I can see the Das being too loud. Stairway to Heaven just doesn’t have that same vibe when Robert Plant is being accompanied by the finger tapping orchestra.
For gaming it’s less troublesome. There are some people who complain about Cherry MX blue switches (just these switches, not mechanical switches in general) because the reset point is higher than the actuation point, so you have to let the key all the way up before hitting it again, which can cause problems with gaming.
Lol. Sayeth the person who doesn't own a mechanical keyboard yet.
Where's that Ducky?
Here's a poll at OCN that addresses this issue and was specifically answered by people that actually own Cherry Blues. (http://www.overclock.net/computer-peripherals/835359-do-you-have-trouble-gaming-mx.html)
Here's a poll at OCN that addresses this issue and was specifically answered by people that actually own Cherry Blues. (http://www.overclock.net/computer-peripherals/835359-do-you-have-trouble-gaming-mx.html)
Actually when it gets tough I roll out the good old personality matrix. I still think it's best to meditate on these choices and listen to your heart, not other people's opinions.Show Image(http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4151/5023568892_3ae3f60136_o.jpg)
a blue switch keyboard.
Anyways, some question:
1. Occasionally on the blue when I double tapped I noticed it wouldn't register. It was rare, but not having that issue would be great. Do the brown's alleviate this problem completely?
2. Do the brown switches have the same tactile feel as the blues? I noticed that the click sound was mainly what told me if the key actuated or not. I never really noticed the sound anyways when I was gaming meaning I may as well get the quieter keyboard with the same tactile feel.
3. Do browns make any sounds when they actuate or is all of the sound made when bottoming out?
As usual, I will say this: the brown cherry and the blue cherry are completely different. It's not like one has a click whereas the other one does not. Can you borrow a brown Cherry from someone to try?
Hah, I wish =/ I only had access to a blue cherry keyboard, so I either play it safe with a blue that I know or take a gamble and hope that I like the browns better.
What else is different between the blues/browns besides actuation sound, no double tap issue, and like a 5g force difference? Considering I become oblivious to the sound, being able to quickly double tap would be awesome, and a lighter key is also great, a brown seems like the perfect match.
Anyhow, as far as switch trials, DAS offers a 30 day money back guarantee (Blues or browns for silent) and Deck does too (Blacks or clears). So you can try a fair number of switches risk free.
Anyways, I was wondering if you guys could help me make a decision between buying the Filco Tactile Touch or Tactile Click.