geekhack

geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: SirClickAlot on Wed, 03 November 2010, 11:12:09

Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: SirClickAlot on Wed, 03 November 2010, 11:12:09
The Switch Try Numpad (http://www.mrinterface.com/content/sinklist-stn-switch-try-numpad) is ready. It has all 5 major cherry switches on board and is fully functional ( so you peeps who really would like to see cherry activation and de-activation points should be very happy now.... :-) )


 If you want to participate in this particular sinklist please PM me your address and which sinklist you want to participate in. Take note this sinklist item is still under 2 kilos so posting it around should not cost that much.

Other requirements for this list :
At least 10 posts on this board.  Contribute to the community and you'll earn your place on the sinklist.

Regards.
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: SirClickAlot on Fri, 05 November 2010, 09:56:22
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: Syrianto on Fri, 05 November 2010, 16:53:15
Wow, I would love to try this. I'll start posting around a bit more so I can meet the 10 post mark =D

Do you know approximately how much the shipping costs are?
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: SirClickAlot on Fri, 05 November 2010, 16:58:59
I don't know how much the shipping costs are since I don't know what they are in all the different countries.

This little baby weighs around 421 grams ( without packing ) . So check your local post office what it would cost to send around... It should be fairly minimal though and surely less than buying keyboards you don't use because you don't like the switch.

Regards.
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: Lanx on Fri, 05 November 2010, 17:32:54
you can just prolly do us postal 7bucks shipping as long as it fits in box thing.
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: SirClickAlot on Sat, 06 November 2010, 10:29:10
Quote from: Julle;243309
Would it be possible for you to build a universal shipping case for it (a foam-padded, duct tape reinforced cigar box comes to mind), so that all the sinklist members could use that instead of packing it themselves every single time?


Good idea.

I'll see what I can do about it.

Regards.
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: Syrianto on Sat, 06 November 2010, 22:40:16
I visited the UPS website to try to calculate shipping costs and I set my location(Calgary, Alberta) to some US destination (Beverly Hills, lol). I said the weight of the thing was like a pound and the estimate came out between $60 to $140... That can't be right, I hope =/
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: SirClickAlot on Sun, 07 November 2010, 09:28:29
Quote from: Syrianto;243643
I visited the UPS website to try to calculate shipping costs and I set my location(Calgary, Alberta) to some US destination (Beverly Hills, lol). I said the weight of the thing was like a pound and the estimate came out between $60 to $140... That can't be right, I hope =/



OUCH! is it THAT much to post something half a kilo to the US from Canada?

If that is the case the STN and STK sinklist progress will be seriously hampered. I hope there are other postal services available?

Regards.
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: HaaTa on Sun, 07 November 2010, 10:03:49
UPS can be a rip off. Try some other services. Like Fedex, Purolator, DHL, Canada Post (probably the cheapest), etc.
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: HaaTa on Sun, 07 November 2010, 10:47:48
Quote from: ripster;243816
Purolator?

You guys smuggle stuff across the border in Oil Filters?


I must be too hungry, cause I'm missing something here...
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: Syrianto on Sun, 07 November 2010, 14:05:09
Quote from: HaaTa;243814
UPS can be a rip off. Try some other services. Like Fedex, Purolator, DHL, Canada Post (probably the cheapest), etc.


Oh yeah, great! I tried online for Canada Post and it's a nice $10 or so to ship from Canada to the US. If we start shipping worldwide, then it gets pretty pricy.

Mr. Interface, do you know if there'd be a lot of shipping worldwide? Or mainly in North America? Thanks for setting this up by the way!
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: SirClickAlot on Sun, 07 November 2010, 14:34:12
Quote from: Syrianto;243889


Mr. Interface, do you know if there'd be a lot of shipping worldwide? Or mainly in North America? Thanks for setting this up by the way!


Mainly North America.... Somehow that's the place where most geekhackers can be found.

The sinklist for the STN isn't going as fast as I'd hoped.... Only 2 peeps from the US have enlisted (http://www.mrinterface.com/content/sinklist-stn-switch-try-numpad)....

Thanx for checking the postal fees.

Regards.
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: vorter on Sun, 07 November 2010, 20:39:44
Uhm, what is a sinklist?
Is it where you just receive the item and once youve demoed it, you send it on to someone else?
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: SirClickAlot on Mon, 08 November 2010, 02:58:09
Quote from: vorter;244038
Uhm, what is a sinklist?
Is it where you just receive the item and once youve demoed it, you send it on to someone else?


Yes, exactly.

Also see : www.opensink.com for a more formal definition of a sinklist. It is just my definition though.

Regards.
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: SirClickAlot on Thu, 18 November 2010, 12:05:50
And it's (http://www.mrinterface.com/content/sinklist-stn-switch-try-numpad) away!

First on the list : Bluerain.

Hope this one rides smoothly, it did cost me about 10 euros to ship internationally.

Regards.
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: lam47 on Thu, 18 November 2010, 12:14:37
This is pretty cool. I would probably be up for it. I have tried them all but the reds and would like to give them a go.
DHL is pretty cheap and very reliable.

:)
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: BlueRain on Thu, 18 November 2010, 13:01:51
Can't wait. :)
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: SirClickAlot on Thu, 18 November 2010, 13:06:59
Quote from: lam47;248663
This is pretty cool. I would probably be up for it. I have tried them all but the reds and would like to give them a go.
DHL is pretty cheap and very reliable.

:)

Lam47, if you want to be on this particular sinklist, PM me your name and address and you are on(!)


Regards.
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: lam47 on Fri, 19 November 2010, 10:55:53
thanks :)
I have a green and a gray cherry I would be happy to add to the numpad if you think anyone would be interested?
I know you cant get boards of just these switches but there is nothing to stop someone buying a load and making an all green cherry keyboard!
I will PM you.
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: Syrianto on Fri, 19 November 2010, 12:23:12
Sweeeeet, can't wait!! =D
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: SirClickAlot on Fri, 19 November 2010, 12:55:24
Quote from: lam47;249176
thanks :)
I have a green and a gray cherry I would be happy to add to the numpad if you think anyone would be interested?
I know you cant get boards of just these switches but there is nothing to stop someone buying a load and making an all green cherry keyboard!
I will PM you.

If you would put the green and gray cherry together with the numpad that would be an excellent! We could see it as a bonus item on top of the sinklist item.

Regards.
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: lam47 on Fri, 19 November 2010, 18:23:59
Sure will do. You don't think they should be added to the PCB? Up to you of course.
I don't think my PM sent. I will try again.
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: Wogrim on Fri, 19 November 2010, 19:04:47
I'm too stingy and would rather take my chances with browns.  It's very nice of you to make this though.
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: SirClickAlot on Sat, 20 November 2010, 01:12:29
Quote from: lam47;249499
Sure will do. You don't think they should be added to the PCB? Up to you of course.
I don't think my PM sent. I will try again.

The switches could best be added to the next revision of the Switch Try Board. This one let's you actually see when a key is activated or de-activated. So you might want to send them to me so I can make use of them?

Regards.
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: lam47 on Sat, 20 November 2010, 03:38:28
I don't quite understand what you mean.
If I added them to the numpad they too would activate and de-activate like the other keys.
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: SirClickAlot on Sat, 20 November 2010, 05:08:28
Quote from: lam47;249607
I don't quite understand what you mean.
If I added them to the numpad they too would activate and de-activate like the other keys.

The numpad itself can't be messed around with since the package also contains a buddy sheet explaining what the switches are. Here (http://www.mrinterface.com/content/sinklist-stn-switch-try-numpad) is a link to pictures of it.
If you would change it, the buddysheet would also need to be changed. I can do this, but for this to happen the numpad needs to be sent back to me in order for me to fix it.

What I meant is that I can use the switches for another project (http://www.mrinterface.com/content/sinklist-stb-switch-try-board) : the switch try Board. I want to make a second version of it and for this project I can use the two different cherry switches.

Regards.
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: runeazn on Sat, 20 November 2010, 09:09:23
Quote from: SirClickAlot;249618
The numpad itself can't be messed around with since the package also contains a buddy sheet explaining what the switches are. Here (http://www.mrinterface.com/content/sinklist-stn-switch-try-numpad) is a link to pictures of it.
If you would change it, the buddysheet would also need to be changed. I can do this, but for this to happen the numpad needs to be sent back to me in order for me to fix it.

What I meant is that I can use the switches for another project (http://www.mrinterface.com/content/sinklist-stb-switch-try-board) : the switch try Board. I want to make a second version of it and for this project I can use the two different cherry switches.

Regards.

Can i be the last one,aka i get it from somebody europe or US.
and i am the last person and send it back to you.
I lvie In netherlands :)
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: SirClickAlot on Sat, 20 November 2010, 09:19:55
Quote from: runeazn;249655
Can i be the last one,aka i get it from somebody europe or US.
and i am the last person and send it back to you.
I lvie In netherlands :)
Sure you can....

Just PM me your name and address.

EDIT : if you are scared of high prices for shipping the items, why don't you apply for one of the other sinklist (http://www.mrinterface.com/sinklists) items?

Regards.
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: lam47 on Sat, 20 November 2010, 10:37:36
I would be happy to re print the list and to solder the switches in.
However if you would prefer I will just pop the switches in with the numpad.
I would not mess about with it :) I am very good at soldering etc.


Quote from: SirClickAlot;249618
The numpad itself can't be messed around with since the package also contains a buddy sheet explaining what the switches are. Here (http://www.mrinterface.com/content/sinklist-stn-switch-try-numpad) is a link to pictures of it.
If you would change it, the buddysheet would also need to be changed. I can do this, but for this to happen the numpad needs to be sent back to me in order for me to fix it.

What I meant is that I can use the switches for another project (http://www.mrinterface.com/content/sinklist-stb-switch-try-board) : the switch try Board. I want to make a second version of it and for this project I can use the two different cherry switches.

Regards.
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: runeazn on Sat, 20 November 2010, 10:53:08
Quote from: SirClickAlot;249663
Sure you can....

Just PM me your name and address.

EDIT : if you are scared of high prices for shipping the items, why don't you apply for one of the other sinklist (http://www.mrinterface.com/sinklists) items?

Regards.
since 16 euro isn't worth to ship something..
+ i want to find my ideal switch :/
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: SirClickAlot on Sat, 20 November 2010, 11:47:45
Alright, we will see when you receive the sinklist item.

Thanx for this help Lam...

Regards.

Quote from: lam47;249687
I would be happy to re print the list and to solder the switches in.
However if you would prefer I will just pop the switches in with the numpad.
I would not mess about with it :) I am very good at soldering etc.
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: whiteweazel21 on Sat, 20 November 2010, 15:35:14
I'm surprised so few people have signed up, it looks like a great test board. If possible, I would like to sign up as well. I do not post often, but I do read the board almost everyday planning my mechanical keyboard purchase. However, there is that fear that I will not like the non-returnable item that has delayed said purchase!

Thanks.
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: SirClickAlot on Sun, 21 November 2010, 02:08:27
Quote from: whiteweazel21;249821
I'm surprised so few people have signed up, it looks like a great test board. If possible, I would like to sign up as well. I do not post often, but I do read the board almost everyday planning my mechanical keyboard purchase. However, there is that fear that I will not like the non-returnable item that has delayed said purchase!

Thanks.

Yes, there aren't that many people subscribing to this particular sinklist item.

If you'd like to join this particular sinklist PM me your name and address and the name of the sinklist you'd like to join. For all sinklists except the Topre Keychain there is a minimum of 10 posts requirement on this board.

Regards.
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: Nadger on Sun, 21 November 2010, 02:17:07
Wouldnt it make sense to combine this one and the switch try board sinklists?  They are basically the same thing isnt it?

Combine the numpad sinklist and the stb sinklist and send it out to america (as stb is going through europe/asia first)
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: BlueRain on Sun, 21 November 2010, 03:04:13
So what are the switches for the other columns? I didn't see it in the pictures, but maybe you included it in the package?

Still can't wait... :)
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: SirClickAlot on Sun, 21 November 2010, 05:05:42
Quote from: BlueRain;250064
So what are the switches for the other columns? I didn't see it in the pictures, but maybe you included it in the package?

Still can't wait... :)
I included a so called buddy sheet with the sinklist item : this tells you what the colors of the switches are, you can also read it from the pictures at my site (http://www.mrinterface.com/content/sinklist-stn-switch-try-numpad). I might make this more evident though -> there are 5 major cherry groups on there arranged in rows : black, red, blue, brown and clear.

Regards.
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: SirClickAlot on Sun, 21 November 2010, 05:10:42
Quote from: Nadger;250061
Wouldnt it make sense to combine this one and the switch try board sinklists?  They are basically the same thing isnt it?

Combine the numpad sinklist and the stb sinklist and send it out to america (as stb is going through europe/asia first)
There is one major difference between the STN( Numpad ) and STB ( Board ) : the numpad lets you actually connect it to a computer and lets you try the switches activation points.
The reason there is an STB ( Switch Try Board ) is due to its size and weight it is much cheaper to send this around. Plus the STB contains more switches other than cherry ( 3 alps and an cherry ML switch ).It cannot be connected to a computer though, for that you need either the STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) or the STK ( Switch Try Keyboard )

Regards.
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: BlueRain on Sun, 21 November 2010, 11:04:12
I saw the picture of switches for the first column, so that's why I asked about the other columns. If they are arranged in rows, there are a few that don't line up: '0', '.', 'Enter', and '+'.

Quote from: SirClickAlot;250072
I included a so called buddy sheet with the sinklist item : this tells you what the colors of the switches are, you can also read it from the pictures at my site (http://www.mrinterface.com/content/sinklist-stn-switch-try-numpad). I might make this more evident though -> there are 5 major cherry groups on there arranged in rows : black, red, blue, brown and clear.

Regards.
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: SirClickAlot on Sun, 21 November 2010, 11:37:06
Quote from: BlueRain;250131
I saw the picture of switches for the first column, so that's why I asked about the other columns. If they are arranged in rows, there are a few that don't line up: '0', '.', 'Enter', and '+'.


Here is a copy paste from the back of the buddysheet :


F1, F2, F3, F4 : cherry brown
7,8,9 : cherry red
4,5,6 : cherry black
1,2,3 : cherry clear
All other keys : cherry blue

Regards.
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: whiteweazel21 on Sun, 21 November 2010, 11:43:35
Thanks, I sent you a PM. I've seen a few of you videos searching google for keyboards. Where do you purchase the keyboards in your collection? You seem to get your hands on all the nice keyboards!
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: SirClickAlot on Sun, 21 November 2010, 11:56:13
Quote from: whiteweazel21;250149
Thanks, I sent you a PM. I've seen a few of you videos searching google for keyboards. Where do you purchase the keyboards in your collection? You seem to get your hands on all the nice keyboards!

Where do I purchase? Mainly via the net and ebay :-)

This collection was built over several years you should know... My first mechanical keyboard was over 5 years ago and if my wife isn't convincing me to take it easy on the keyboards I would have had a great many more ;-)

There are others also with larger collections, for instance webwit and sixty.

Regards.
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: BlueRain on Mon, 22 November 2010, 01:11:05
Ah, I see, thanks for the clarification.
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: Nadger on Mon, 22 November 2010, 02:12:57
Quote from: SirClickAlot;250073
There is one major difference between the STN( Numpad ) and STB ( Board ) : the numpad lets you actually connect it to a computer and lets you try the switches activation points.
The reason there is an STB ( Switch Try Board ) is due to its size and weight it is much cheaper to send this around. Plus the STB contains more switches other than cherry ( 3 alps and an cherry ML switch ).It cannot be connected to a computer though, for that you need either the STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) or the STK ( Switch Try Keyboard )

Regards.


Ahh right, makes sense. You can feel the point of actuation for all but the reds and blacks correct?  So for all but those you can get a good feel for without them being plugged into your computer.

Where would you say a red/black actuates 50% down or less?
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: SirClickAlot on Mon, 22 November 2010, 03:48:05
Quote from: Nadger;250457


Where would you say a red/black actuates 50% down or less?


Cherry linear switches actuate at 50% as far as I can see/feel.

Regards.
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: Mr. Perfect on Mon, 22 November 2010, 10:53:24
Quote from: Syrianto;243643
I visited the UPS website to try to calculate shipping costs and I set my location(Calgary, Alberta) to some US destination (Beverly Hills, lol). I said the weight of the thing was like a pound and the estimate came out between $60 to $140... That can't be right, I hope =/


It may have defaulted to Priority Over Night. We have a UPS Worldship station at work, and every single order defaults to that. I can't imagine how many people got charged ten times what they should have just because they forgot to pick Ground from the dropdown list.
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: whiteweazel21 on Mon, 22 November 2010, 11:53:17
Hopefully that's a mistake, although depending on the weight it could be possible. I don't know if you have FedEx in Canada, but generally shipping from the US to Canada via FedEx is much cheaper. Maybe even look into a flat rate box.
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: Mr. Perfect on Wed, 24 November 2010, 11:11:16
Actually, I'd like to try this out if it's alright? It can't be good to be constantly wondering if I should get a cherry red board imported from China.:decision:
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: SirClickAlot on Wed, 24 November 2010, 12:01:06
Quote from: Mr. Perfect;251797
Actually, I'd like to try this out if it's alright? It can't be good to be constantly wondering if I should get a cherry red board imported from China.:decision:

Send me a PM with your name and address.

Regards.
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: Mr. Perfect on Thu, 02 December 2010, 23:29:11
*fidget*:bump2:
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: SirClickAlot on Mon, 06 December 2010, 05:49:55
It seems the shipper had some problems with the package since it didn't arrive at its destination.

This is kinda bad news since I need to fill in an investigation form and try and retrieve the item.....

Lesson learned : bigger packages have a higher chance of disappearing when shipped internationally.

Regards.
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: ricercar on Mon, 06 December 2010, 13:39:20
Quote from: SirClickAlot;257938
Lesson learned : bigger packages have a higher chance of disappearing when shipped internationally.


My package to Slovenia arrived open, with the bubble wrap completely missing. buyer accused me of not including any. Fortunately his keyboard was intact.
Makes me think twice about european postal workers, now trying to emulate american postal workers.
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: itlnstln on Mon, 06 December 2010, 13:46:39
I agree.  Ask webwit how he's enjoying the Northgate Evolution I sold him.
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: Mr. Perfect on Mon, 06 December 2010, 22:06:21
Seriously? Some delinquent postal worker stole a numpad with a goofy switch layout? Hopefully they just lost it somewhere.:frown:
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: BlueRain on Mon, 06 December 2010, 22:53:37
Still waiting :(
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: SirClickAlot on Fri, 10 December 2010, 01:59:27
It seems the sinklist item is lost... *sulk*

I already filled in a investigation form, but this could take a very long time before anything is found out.

Darn, wish this would not have happened. Can't trust shippers these days.....

Regards.
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: Mr. Perfect on Sat, 11 December 2010, 14:12:10
I'm sorry to hear that. Thanks for taking the chance to help us, SirClickAlot. :smile:
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: AndrewZorn on Sat, 11 December 2010, 14:25:01
Awesome, someone finally made one... I had a similar idea a while back.
You should add some non-cherry switches, even if the corresponding keys do not work.
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: BlueRain on Sat, 11 December 2010, 14:45:06
Yay! Good news, the package arrived just now! :cheer2: Will take pictures and write a follow up.

Big thanks to SCAL again. :)
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: BlueRain on Sat, 11 December 2010, 15:10:47
Pictures first. :) From my phone camera, so not terribly sharp but good enough I hope.

(http://geekhack.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=13961&d=1292115757)
(http://geekhack.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=13962&d=1292115763)
(http://geekhack.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=13963&d=1292115774)
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: BlueRain on Sat, 11 December 2010, 17:01:20
Hmm, a few initial thoughts:

Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: laden3 on Sat, 11 December 2010, 17:34:40
I believe it depends on how the switches are mounted on the pcb, plate mounted ones definitely feel different compare to pcb mounted ones.
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: AndrewZorn on Sat, 11 December 2010, 18:03:52
pictures are not showing up for me
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: BlueRain on Sat, 11 December 2010, 18:51:00
No idea... :( anyone else having picture issues?
Quote from: AndrewZorn;261487
pictures are not showing up for me
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: Syrianto on Sat, 11 December 2010, 18:56:05
Haha, yeah, I can't see the pictures either. Great to hear that the package has successfully started it's journey though!
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: BlueRain on Sat, 11 December 2010, 19:04:34
Try again? If not, I have the images attached.
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: Syrianto on Sat, 11 December 2010, 19:37:44
Yup, great! Pictures work now
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: AndrewZorn on Sat, 11 December 2010, 21:16:42
They work now... but I'm not on the Google laptop anymore either.  I'd suspect the laptop, but 1) it's flawless and 2) I see you edited it after I posted, so I'm assuming you just fixed it.
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: SirClickAlot on Sun, 12 December 2010, 12:28:18
Quote from: BlueRain;261426
Yay! Good news, the package arrived just now! :cheer2: Will take pictures and write a follow up.

Big thanks to SCAL again. :)

Great news indeed! Excellent : I had already given up all hope for it to arrive at its destination.

Enjoy the STN. I will give you the address of the next in line tomorrow.

Regards,
SCAL :-)
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: SirClickAlot on Sun, 12 December 2010, 12:44:40
The blues also seemed less clicky/crispy to me , I suspect this is due to the age of the switch.....


Regards


Quote from: BlueRain;261466
Hmm, a few initial thoughts:

  • Apparently, I really like the feel of the Red.
  • With rapid typing, I don't notice the Brown tactile point at all, so feels like a slightly heavier Red to me.
  • The Clear is a lot heavier than I expected. According to Wiki, it has lower actuation force than Black, but with the nickels test, the Clear seems to match the White switch, but no click?
  • The Blue seems less clicky/crispy compared to my Blackwidow. Is that normal switch wear & tear?
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: AndrewZorn on Sun, 12 December 2010, 13:33:39
Since you have all this right there, could you tell me if a Brown spring on a Black stem really does feel like a Red?

I might just get the guts to rip apart 3 keyboards to make a single pseudo-Red right now.
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: BlueRain on Sun, 12 December 2010, 17:41:04
Quote from: AndrewZorn;261771
Since you have all this right there, could you tell me if a Brown spring on a Black stem really does feel like a Red?

I might just get the guts to rip apart 3 keyboards to make a single pseudo-Red right now.


Like I said, the brown is pretty close to red for me already in term of feel. I'm not sure how easy it is to take out the switch with the risk of breaking it...
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: SirClickAlot on Mon, 13 December 2010, 01:55:30
I'll try this 'mod' myself. Will post experiences on a separate thread. Here it is..... (http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?&do=comments&p=262154#post262154)

Regards.


Quote from: BlueRain;261879
Like I said, the brown is pretty close to red for me already in term of feel. I'm not sure how easy it is to take out the switch with the risk of breaking it...
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: SirClickAlot on Mon, 13 December 2010, 05:34:54
Alright, using the STK ( switch try keyboard ) I swapped a cherry black spring for a brown cherry one. The feel resembles the cherry red a lot. It is slightly heavier to press but not much.
This could be a nice keyboard mod -> the emulated red!

Here is a link (http://www.mrinterface.com/content/emulating-cherry-red) with pictures
and here is a link to another GH (http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?&do=comments&p=262154#post262154) thread about this cherry red emulation....

Regards
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: BlueRain on Wed, 15 December 2010, 01:57:13
No one wants to comment on the heavier clears? I thought they are lighter than black?
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: NamelessPFG on Wed, 22 December 2010, 16:18:57
Just got it.

The switches more or less felt in line with what I expected...however, I'm now a bit disappointed that the Clears are that much harder to acquire. I think they're what the Browns should have been to begin with, for I can actually FEEL the tactile point now, and electrical response corresponds well with said tactility. Out of what's on the STN, they might just end up being my favorite switch. (And they do feel just a tad lighter than the Blacks.)

The Blues are pretty good too, but the release is a little high. Still preferable to the Browns.

As for the linear Blacks/Reds...still don't like them. Linear switches just don't feel right unless they're analog (which these aren't), even if everyone raves about them for gaming purposes. For me, it just isn't a real switch if it doesn't click (and I mean that in more of the tactile feel sense than the audible sense).

In the end, I think I'll still be content with the still-in-transit DSI Modular Mac with Blue switches. (Friday can't come fast enough...unless FedEx unexpectedly delays it on me.)
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: abaxter on Mon, 27 December 2010, 19:06:27
Hello!

I am new to mechanical keyboards and to this forum. I am really interested in picking one up, but I have no idea where to try one. I looked to purchase a keypad as a sample, but they seem to go for just under £50, which is half the price of a normal mechanical keyboard!

Does anyone know where I would be able to pick up a keypad cheaply? I'm from the UK, too. I am quite tempted just to buy any mechanical keyboard and sell it on if I don't like it. I think I'd be out less money that way.

This sample keypad idea is great. I'm surprised it's not been produced by one of the keyboard manufacturers before.
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: SirClickAlot on Tue, 28 December 2010, 04:50:00
Welcome!

Check ebay for "mechanical keyboard" , you'll find many good buys there... :-)

Regards.

Quote from: abaxter;269576
Hello!

I am new to mechanical keyboards and to this forum. I am really interested in picking one up, but I have no idea where to try one. I looked to purchase a keypad as a sample, but they seem to go for just under £50, which is half the price of a normal mechanical keyboard!

Does anyone know where I would be able to pick up a keypad cheaply? I'm from the UK, too. I am quite tempted just to buy any mechanical keyboard and sell it on if I don't like it. I think I'd be out less money that way.

This sample keypad idea is great. I'm surprised it's not been produced by one of the keyboard manufacturers before.
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: Mr. Perfect on Mon, 10 January 2011, 13:16:24
:bump2:
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: bakageta on Mon, 10 January 2011, 15:08:00
Just out of curiosity, what kind of keypad is this, anyway?
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: SirClickAlot on Sun, 16 January 2011, 05:09:38
Quote from: bakageta;276242
Just out of curiosity, what kind of keypad is this, anyway?

Uhm, I got this one from Sixty for this particular project. I did not care to look at the make and model of it. Maybe the current owner ( Phaedrus... ) can elaborate on this?

Regards.
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: SirClickAlot on Sun, 16 January 2011, 08:01:10
Quote from: Mr. Perfect;276196
:bump2:

The item on this sinklist should have arrived at Phaedrus2129 according to the USPS tracking number.

Regards.
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: Phaedrus2129 on Sun, 16 January 2011, 09:30:49
It's a G80-3700 keypad.

I've already owned blues and browns, so I was mainly trying out blacks, reds, and clears.

Blacks are... interesting. I think I'd want to try a whole keyboard with them before making up my mind. I don't think they'd be terrible for typing; but they are on the heavy side in comparison to browns.

Reds feel just like browns that have been used for a couple of years, nothing special there.

Clears remind me of jerky Alps switches, I don't really like them. I was expecting them to feel like heavy browns, but they really feel like gimped blues for some reason. The tactile bump is almost a point, but not quite, and it's a relatively high force switch. I'm not a fan.


Anyway, great idea SirClickAlot. :)
Title: Come on Mr.Perfect.
Post by: SirClickAlot on Thu, 27 January 2011, 06:18:38
Quote from: Mr. Perfect;276196
:bump2:

Hey Mr. Perfect -> I sent you a PM but no response? The current owner of the STN wants to send it on!
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: Mr. Perfect on Thu, 27 January 2011, 11:46:06
Sorry about that, PM replied! I seem to have been browsing the forums while logged out. :redface:
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: whiteweazel21 on Tue, 08 February 2011, 12:42:30
Sorry for the delay everyone, the STN has been shipped out to Mr. Perfect and should arrive within 1-3 days.
 
I will go ahead and give my impressions on the STN and the key switches themselves. Mind you, I only played with it for 2 to 3 minutes as I was short on time. Also, I will be evaluating the keys from the perspective of a gamer and a quality rubber dome user.
 
First off, my only gripe with the STN itself, was that the brown keys were connected to the top row with the alt/f keys. With browns being perhaps the most popular type of switch, it would have been nice to be able to have placed them in a number row. The only key in the brown row I was really able to play with was the delete key on the right so it is hard to give a good description of how they keys worked in conjuction with one another.
 
Brown switches: Very light switches, with a very slight actuation point. I can see how these switches are the most popular, they seem to be a good switch all around. I wish that the spring gave slightly more resistance, ideally somewhere between a brown spring and a clear spring.
 
Clear switches: Much more resistance than the brown switches, perhaps too much. It is difficult to say whether fatigue would become an issue with an actual keyboard and long playing sessions. However, I noticed that the actuation point was much more noticeable. That being said, I think the extra resistance may create some slight delay.
 
Blue switches: Much louder than all the other keys. It only took me 3 strikes of the key to notice that these switches were not good for gaming. Double tapping while trying to hover over the actuation point resulted in multiple missed inputs. The clicking mechanism seems to get you stuck either under, or over the actuation point. I didn't take note, but keystrokes literally did not register during the majority of my double taps. I am really in awe as to how the Razer Black Widow is being sold as a gaming keyboard. I am not sure I would even like to type on this keyboard, my instinct tells I would miss lots of inputs.
 
Red switches: Now this was a very interesting switch for me. It is incredibly light like the browns, but linear. What really stuck out to me was how fast I was able to hit the actuation point, and how fast I was able to alternate registered keystrokes and double tab. The red switch is by far the fastest switch, faster than the blacks due to less resistance in the spring, as well as all the other switches. Although a little too light for my taste, I think with time to get accustomed, this could be a really great gaming keyboard due to its lightning fast response.
 
Blacks: Like the reds, getting to the actuation point and repeating inputs was much faster than the other switches, albeit slower than the reds. The switches felt a little heavy, and having the reds side by side with the blacks really shows how much difference a spring really makes.
 
Overall, I think whichever switch you get, you will need time to adapt and get accustomed to. These are very different, especially if you are coming from a rubber dome. If I had to pick a switch, I would have to chose either red or brown. Brown switches being more available, I would most likely pick up one of these. The reds definately have my interest, but being rare and costly, I would hate to spend the money only to find that I perfer my rubber dome. That being said I really did see an advantage to the red keys over the domes in terms of quick inputs.
 
Anyhow, thanks for reading, and good luck to everyone still waiting to try the STN. It really is a great device, and thank you Mr. Interface for giving us newbies an opportunity to test and play with mechanical switches, I really appreciate it.
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: SirClickAlot on Tue, 08 February 2011, 12:51:51
Quote from: whiteweazel21;291829
Sorry for the delay everyone, the STN has been shipped out to Mr. Perfect and should arrive within 1-3 days.
 


Excellent writeup again(!). Thanx for sharing this.

Regards.
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: Mr. Perfect on Thu, 10 February 2011, 20:51:23
And it's here! You have to admire the efficiency of the United States Postal Service.:smile: I'll hook it up with the USB adapter and use it with a couple of games this weekend.:hat:

[Edit] Hey, was there supposed to be that little laminated card with the switch diagram on it?
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: Mr. Perfect on Thu, 10 February 2011, 23:48:14
It seems that my PC doesn't actually like having two PS2 keyboards hooked up at the same time, so the USB converter is coming in handy. I can use the main keyboard initially to log into Windows, but as soon as I hit something on the STN both PS2 devices stop registering. Even with the USB, it is doing strange things though. Is this a German layout or something? If I run it through Aqua's KeyTest, here's what I get:

Weeeiiird. :crazy:

On a completely unrelated note, in depth nitpicking such as this has absolutely no correlation with why I was given the nickname of Mr. Perfect. :redface:
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: SirClickAlot on Fri, 11 February 2011, 01:41:08
Quote from: Mr. Perfect;293168
And it's here! You have to admire the efficiency of the United States Postal Service.:smile: I'll hook it up with the USB adapter and use it with a couple of games this weekend.:hat:

[Edit] Hey, was there supposed to be that little laminated card with the switch diagram on it?


Yes,

It is also time for some repairs on the STN -> two keys are reported to not work anymore and the laminated card is lost.
For your convenience , here is the switch diagram :

F1, F2, F3, F4 : cherry brown
7,8,9 : cherry red
4,5,6 : cherry black
1,2,3 : cherry clear
All other keys : cherry blue

Have fun with it! Will send you the next on the list soon.
Regards.
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: BlueRain on Fri, 11 February 2011, 03:39:49
The F1 key and NumLock key did not register for me either, but I was too focused on the actual key feel, and just forgot...
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: Mr. Perfect on Mon, 14 February 2011, 20:26:25
Quote from: BlueRain;293278
NumLock key did not register for me either, but I was too focused on the actual key feel, and just forgot...

The NumLock does work, at least it does now. It just doesn't show up in a test with Alpha's Key Test, so I supposed that the numpad uses it internally and never reports it as a key press to the OS.

Anyhow...

You're supposed to write up your thoughts on the numpad when sending it off to the next person, so here goes from the top row to the bottom:


From simply reading the posts on Geekhack for the past two moths or so, I really expected this one to be "It", so to speak. Everyone says how easy and smooth it is, and how with the tactile bump it's quite nice for typing. Maybe it is, but I don't care for it. It's a touch to lite. Resting my fingers on the key caps can start them moving downward, and the tactile point isn't as noticeable as I'm used to. If moving quickly, like when gaming, the tactile point is almost unnoticeable.



Again, going from posts about the forum, I was really expecting this switch to annoy me with it's noise. Another conclusion that didn't pan out! The noise is not something I'd miss if it wasn't there, but it compliments the tactile point and makes it that much more noticeable. It's not noise simply for noise's sake, it actually means something. The slightly heavier spring, compared to the browns, is also enough to keep the caps from depressing under fingers at rest. On the whole no-double-tap issue, I can sometimes make the blues stop clicking by hovering right on the activation point and making short presses that don't get the little clicky bit moving. The key usually still registers, but it's not something I'm comfortable with.



There's so much hype around these things that I expected much more then they are. Surely they are the smoothest of the keys, but you really miss the tactile point. Where does the key activate? Who knows! I started looking up keyboards when the tactile point started disappearing from my rubber dome board, so these are definitely not what the doctor ordered. There's also some key movement, like the browns, when resting on the caps.



I was expecting these to be ridiculously heavy, in keeping with their reputation. They're are a bit much. Not the heavy handed finger killers I was expecting, at least not for those of us who aren't attuned to Browns. :wink: The heavy springs do at least resist falling away under a resting hand. Again though, I'm missing the tactile point.



Now that's a tactile point! It's very easy to hover right on the activation point and make short hops across it. The spring also gets quite stiff once you've passed the activation point, to the point where you almost feel like you've bottomed out. As a result, I never actually do bottom out. What I end up with is quick, definitive key presses without actually smacking the plastic straight down. Now if only Deck made a tenkeyless Legend board...
[/LIST]

Soo... Thanks to SirClicksAlot for simultaneously sparing me from buying a mess of keyboards before finding what I want, and at the same time pointing me towards the most expensive Cherry MX boards around. :biggrin1: I'll mail the STN out on the way to work tomorrow morning.
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: RiGS on Tue, 15 February 2011, 05:38:57
Nice review. Probably cherry clears are going to be my favourite as well.
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: Atranox on Thu, 17 February 2011, 08:06:44
Nice reviews guys.  Seems like most really like clears.  Too bad that they aren't more universally available.
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: kidchunks on Thu, 17 February 2011, 14:25:55
Just received the numpad and like many have stated, some of the switches are not responding. I'll provide a print out with the key layout and switches that are not responding so the future participants are in the know.
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: steeef on Thu, 17 February 2011, 17:57:13
Quote from: RiGS;295318
Nice review. Probably cherry clears are going to be my favourite as well.


Man, that's what I'm afraid of. I like my Filco with blues, but if I decide I want clears after my turn with the STN, it's either find an old one on Ebay or settle for Deck's high price and stupid font. Not to mention putting up with the extra space a 104-key board takes up.
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: SirClickAlot on Fri, 18 February 2011, 03:42:31
Quote from: kidchunks;296821
I'll provide a print out with the key layout and switches that are not responding so the future participants are in the know.

Alright, thank you very much! :-)

Regards.
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: 3one5 on Fri, 18 February 2011, 08:36:43
What an awesome project to put together!  I was unsure which switches I was going to like and decided on blues.  Having something like this out there could save members a good deal of money.  If this comes anywhere near CO I'd love to take a look at it.
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: whiteweazel21 on Sun, 20 February 2011, 02:48:32
Perfect, I'm guessing you don't game that much. My double tap is like lightning lol, out of 20 double taps I'd say the blues only registered both keys 9 times, slightly under 50% of the time. I don't think this is something you'd experience as much with typing, because you rarely double tap a key. I can still see a potential typing problem when trying to hover over a key, say typing a word with two of the same letters which does not require you to move your hand. In this case, in order to type the word as fast as possible, you would try to actuate the key once, hover over the actuation point, and actuate again, possibly causing a problem with the second letter registering. Sure, you can avoid this by releasing the switch completely or conclusively above the actuation point, but that creates delay, as well as uncertainty (which is ironic because the whole point of tactility is to know when you are above, below and at the actuation point, and use this feedback to your advantage), and an uneccesary change of key pressing style. Maybe if you don't game, or don't take gaming seriously, if you can't notice the problem...well then I don't think it would really matter which keyboard you use to game with.
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: SirClickAlot on Sun, 20 February 2011, 04:46:38
Quote from: 3one5;297183
If this comes anywhere near CO I'd love to take a look at it.


CO? Where is that?

Regards.
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: keyboardlover on Sun, 20 February 2011, 09:33:07
CO = Colorado, USA I believe.
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: Mr. Perfect on Sun, 20 February 2011, 13:48:12
Quote from: whiteweazel21;298138
Perfect, I'm guessing you don't game that much. My double tap is like lightning lol, out of 20 double taps I'd say the blues only registered both keys 9 times, slightly under 50% of the time. I don't think this is something you'd experience as much with typing, because you rarely double tap a key. I can still see a potential typing problem when trying to hover over a key, say typing a word with two of the same letters which does not require you to move your hand. In this case, in order to type the word as fast as possible, you would try to actuate the key once, hover over the actuation point, and actuate again, possibly causing a problem with the second letter registering. Sure, you can avoid this by releasing the switch completely or conclusively above the actuation point, but that creates delay, as well as uncertainty (which is ironic because the whole point of tactility is to know when you are above, below and at the actuation point, and use this feedback to your advantage), and an uneccesary change of key pressing style. Maybe if you don't game, or don't take gaming seriously, if you can't notice the problem...well then I don't think it would really matter which keyboard you use to game with.


In the case of the blue switches, we do agree. :smile: I game pretty much everyday, but must have a different typing style then you. I wasn't able to use the STN in-game, seeing as how there were to many keys not registering to use it as a WASD cluster, but when using Aqua's Key Test the double tap problem definitely came up. Which is why I said blues are not something I'm comfortable with. Clears are more like it!
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: whiteweazel21 on Sun, 20 February 2011, 17:16:19
I just used notepad to test.
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: steeef on Fri, 25 February 2011, 16:19:28
Just received this today. The only switch I hadn't tried yet was Reds, and like Blacks, it's too easy for me to bottom out. Even more so.

This pretty much confirms my fears: Clears are my favorites, followed by Blues. Guess I'll have to stick with my Filco until I can find a tenkeyless board with Clears. The MX 8100 with Clears is fun to type on, but I can't the huge footprint and the weird layout of the navigation cluster.

Interestingly, the clickiness of the Blues on this numpad aren't as pronounced as my Filco, which I'm guessing is due to their age. The Clears feel fine, or at least identical to my other board.
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: Mr. Perfect on Fri, 25 February 2011, 17:21:46
Quote from: steeef;301048
This pretty much confirms my fears: Clears are my favorites, followed by Blues. Guess I'll have to stick with my Filco until I can find a tenkeyless board with Clears. The MX 8100 with Clears is fun to type on, but I can't the huge footprint and the weird layout of the navigation cluster.


Haha, yeah, same here. With any luck, KeyboardLover's Geeckhack community board will see the light of day. That will be a tenkeyless Archiss\Leopold with clears.
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: steeef on Mon, 28 February 2011, 11:24:14
I'm pretty much done with this, so I'll be shipping it out to the next in line tomorrow or so. Thanks for the opportunity to try all these switches out, SirClickAlot! I still know Clears are my favorite, but now I don't have to shell out a bunch of money for Reds when I know I don't like them.
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: steeef on Tue, 01 March 2011, 11:21:09
I'm going to try shipping this out today. I'm including a Blue Cube PS2 to USB adapter, but I'll leave the original adapter in there just in case.
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: Bern on Tue, 01 March 2011, 11:28:11
Looking forward to trying it out.
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: Bern on Fri, 04 March 2011, 10:11:45
Got it today.  I'll have to wait until after work to play around with it though.
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: Bern on Sat, 05 March 2011, 11:00:30
Time for my review of the switches.

I'll go from favorite to least favorite.


   These are my favorite switch on here.  I love the smooth feeling of hitting the keys.  I had always worried they might be too light but they give enough resistance for me.


   These are my second favorite switch on the numpad.  They are similar in lightness to reds but the tactile bump feels weird to me.  Might just need getting used to though.


   I like the over all feel of blues, however the click is a little too pingy for me.  I can see how they would be fun to type on.  My wife really hates them though, so they are out of the question in my house.


   These have the same nice smooth feeling that I like in reds, but are just too stiff for my tastes.  I think it would definitely be tiring to type a whole lot on them.  Seem great in my mind for gaming though.  Assuming that's mostly what you do.


   These are last on my list simply because they are too stiff like blacks, and I actually prefer the linear feel rather than tactile.  If anyone thinks browns are too light I'm sure these would be great.
[/LIST]

It was great to get the numpad and be able to actually try out the different switch types.  I'll most likely be mailing it out on Monday to the next person on the list.
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: Atranox on Thu, 10 March 2011, 18:07:24
Got it this evening. I'll try it out & post impressions.

I'll send it back out on either Saturday or Monday.
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: Atranox on Sun, 13 March 2011, 16:40:30
The STN is boxed back up & ready to go.  I'll be sending it out tomorrow.

Anyways, my thoughts...

Browns
 - The browns seemed a bit "boring" at first and didn't seem too different from a typical rubber dome board at first.  With more use, the differences became much more apparent.  I really liked these - not too loud, easy to push, etc.  Probably my favorite of all of the switches.  I ended up ordering a U9BL-S because of these.

Blues
 - I liked the feel of the blues, but the clickiness seemed really unnecessary.  I found that after a while, the noise was just more annoying than anything else.  I loved the feel of the keys though and didn't have any issues with double-taps or gaming, though I can see why some people would.  If the sound was a bit less harsh, I probably would have ordered a BlackWidow or U9BL.

Reds
 - The reds basically felt like linear browns, so I also liked these.  I do believe that I would enjoy these the best overall, but they seem to be hard to come-by.  I can see why so many people would like these for gaming.

Blacks
 - Did not like black switches at all, as I had expected.  They seemed like they would be awful for typing, and only decent for a few genres of games.  I'm not sure why anyone would want keys to be this stiff, honestly.  They were horrible...but my least favorite by far.

Clears
 - I anticipated loving clears, but they were just so-so in my opinion.  I liked the tactile bump and "softer" sound/clacking, and also liked how difficult it was to bottom out...but the initial keypress seemed a bit too stiff.  They really didn't seem much lighter than the blacks.  I was considering a tactile Deck, but I pretty much ruled it out after trying these.  To me, clears basically felt like stiffer rubber domes in some ways.
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: mooremanifestation on Fri, 18 March 2011, 00:44:54
I received it yesterday.

My impressions:

Browns
- I'd already pre-ordered a Leopold w/browns from EK, so I assumed I'd like the browns, and I do.  They're simple, smooth, light, and the tactile bump tells you when the switch is activated.  The tactile bump is not nearly as precise as buckling springs, but it feels exactly like what it is - running a piece of metal over a soft plastic ridge.  I'd like something sharper and more pronounced, but this is still very good.

Reds
- I've been curious about reds, and I like them a lot.  I'm a fan of bottoming out, and that's pretty much all there is to these.  I can't decide whether I like them better than browns, but they feel...sexy.  Now that I've tried reds, I'm sold.  I'll definitely be getting a board with them.  

Blues
- I really like the click and feel of these at low typing speeds.  They feel and sound just about as good as buckling springs.  The tactile bump still feels imprecise, much like the browns, but the click is sharp and gives the illusion that the tactile bump is equally sharp.  At high typing speeds, though, they lose their appeal for me.  The clicks and bumps blur together, and the whole experience is a bit indistinct.  They also feel a little bit sloppy to me.  Maybe that's due to the white slider moving up and down inside the switch, but I can't be sure.  In any case, for a clicky switch I much prefer buckling springs at high speed.  I was planning to get a board with blues at some point, but I may just pass.

Blacks
- These are a mixed bag.  They're a lot like the reds, but too much work.  Still sexy, but not for me.

Clears
- I already have a board full of these, and I know I don't like them.  The tactile bump is fairly close to the browns.  They feel fine at low speeds when pressing lightly, because I can really feel the tactile bump.  At high speeds they feel good if I press hard enough to bottom out, but I can't feel the tactile bump.  I normally type fast, and I don't like the extra effort.  With these, high speed + low-effort = springy mush.

I also noticed that the larger keys (+, Enter, and 0), which are all blues, feel and sound a bit different from the other blues.  It seems like the bottoming-out is dampened, with a softer feel and very little clack sound.  I assume this is the result of Cherry stabilizers.

I'll send this out in the next couple of days.  Thanks again, SirClickAlot!  Being able to try these switches is immensely helpful.
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: kachaffeous on Fri, 25 March 2011, 20:12:50
Got the STN in and played around with it for a bit.  I just started with mech boards recently and started with a filco brown.  Reading about mechanicals you hear about the noise first and foremost.  Hence the reason I bought browns, I wasn't sure I would like the 'click' and browns was a middle of the road pick.

Browns:  

     Light with small bump, easy to miss bump when going fast.  Only really feel it when typing slow.

Blues:  

     After playing with the blues, I was drawn to the click.  I was surprised at liking the noise.  Blues are pretty       light.  Probably the key I hit the most.


Red:

     Light and linear.  Quieter then browns.  I like the reds a lot.  After feeling the tactile bump and linear keys side by side I prefer linear all the way.

Black:

     Linear and stiff.  I could feel my fingers getting tired with these pretty fast.  Won't be buying a black.

Clears:  
   
     Seem stiffer then browns with a bump.  The sound is a lower pitch then the browns (not as clacky) when typing fast.


I would rate them by sound high->low.

         Blue, Brown, (Clear/Red/Black)  Blues make a nice noise though.

My personal preferences.

         Red, Blue, (Brown/Clear), Black

If i tried the STN before buying my first board it would have been a red mx followed by a blue mx.  While there is nothing wrong w/ my browns, I defiantly like linear better, and I ended up liking the blue click.  

If you are a lurker, I would post 10x and get added to the list.  Reading a ton of post doesn't do the different types of switches justice.
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: sam113101 on Fri, 25 March 2011, 22:39:51
Will I have to pack it on my own, or I can reuse the current package*?
How do I know who I have to send it to*?
I'm Canadian, I would like to send it to a Canadian too so it costs less.

I'm not familiar with shipping things since I'm only 17, but I guess that my family is going to guide me through it.
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: SirClickAlot on Sat, 26 March 2011, 05:43:24
Quote from: sam113101;318744
Will I have to pack it on my own, or I can reuse the current package*?
How do I know who I have to send it to*?
I'm Canadian, I would like to send it to a Canadian too so it costs less.

I'm not familiar with shipping things since I'm only 17, but I guess that my family is going to guide me through it.
Probably you will have to pack it on your own.
I will tell you where you need to send it to.
There are currently no canadian participants, so the chances are high you will need to ship it internationally.

Regards.
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: sam113101 on Sun, 27 March 2011, 17:29:56
I've sent you a PM.
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: kaiserreich on Tue, 29 March 2011, 09:35:46
Nice job with the switch try numpad and the switch try sack
Since it is unlikely that I can get any of these soon enough plus shipping cost a ton since I am living half a world a away from most of you. Thus I have decided to buy my own swtiches to do a switch try.

MX clears arrived first, with blues, brown and black on its way. I am going to make some ghetto reds since I can't. I do not have any keycaps with me, those are on its way from china together with the other switches.

By just playing around with the Clears, I find that I really like it. Since I could not wait for them to arrive, this thing has been bugging me, will there be a significant difference, with or without the keycaps on the switch?
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: SirClickAlot on Tue, 29 March 2011, 10:41:32
Quote from: kaiserreich;320635

By just playing around with the Clears, I find that I really like it. Since I could not wait for them to arrive, this thing has been bugging me, will there be a significant difference, with or without the keycaps on the switch?


Yes, there is a difference with or without the keycaps. I actually had the same questions when I first built my switch try board.... Without the keycap you will not have the 'clack'.

Regards.
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: Saffa on Thu, 31 March 2011, 15:42:40
I received the switch try numpad today in the mail and just had a chance to try it out. Before I write down my thoughts on the switch types, I'd like to mention that the 1, 6, and 8 keys don't register at all and the 7 key won't register consistently. Anyway, here are my thoughts:

Brown switches: I began writing how I really disliked the brown switches, and then, once I finished writing this short review, came back to revise this entry. I actually enjoy the browns. I don't quite like them as much as the blue switches -- their not tactile enough for me and it seems hard to feel the bump if you press it quickly. Feel a bit like mushier blues, but they're still decent.

Blue switches: I pretty much love these. They are quite loud (maybe a bit too loud) and I could see how they could easily get on a roommate's or house-mate's nerves. They feel a decent bit heavier than the browns and I can definitely tell when I've actuated the key. Seems like the best to type on. Despite this, I am slightly worried about gaming on blues. The reset point is pretty high and hovering doesn't work well. This is absolutely not a problem if you come off the key when double tapping. Not a pro gamer of course, so I'm sure I could learn to play on a blue keyboard fairly quickly and live with the slight decrease in speed.

Red switches: I have really mixed feelings about linear switches in general. I DO miss the tactile bump, but at the same time, the smoothness isn't a totally bad thing. The reds seem slightly too light and, since I tend to type pretty hard, I bottom out way too easily. But, then again, I'm sure I could learn to type correctly on them...

Blacks: These seem slightly too heavy. Really, they should make a key in between red and blacks! Definitely the best for gaming I'd say, but seem like they might not be great typing on. Some of the what I've read about them being way too heavy seems like an exaggeration though.

Clears: I anticipated really liking these, but decided I didn't. As others have said, they actually feel somewhat like a rubber dome keyboard (though quite a bit better!). They feel slightly too heavy and the tactile bump isn't quite big enough.

Basically, I think I'll end up getting a blue keyboard to start and then later getting a brown or black (probably black so I have a linear switch to game on).
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: NimbleRabit on Fri, 08 April 2011, 18:19:36
I spent some time trying out all the different keys and just trying to imagine what it would feel like on a full keyboard.  Owning a keyboard with browns and trying the browns on the STN makes it very clear to me that you really don't get the full experience without a full keyboard, but it's nice to at least have an idea.

Browns:  Pretty nice feel.  They seem boring at first and the bump almost makes them seem a tad mushy for some reason, perhaps because it's so light you don't really perceive it as a bump and instead it just makes the keypress feel strange at first (I've started to enjoy it the more I use them though, keep pressing the keys and really give them all a chance).  I love these on my keyboard, and if I had to pick any key I think this still might be my #1 choice after trying everything on the STN.

Blues: I was surprised by just how crisp these feel.  I think the sound changes my perception a bit and makes these seem more crisp than they are, but still they definitely have a nice feeling.  They are a bit harder to press than the browns but feel great, and if it wasn't for the super annoying noise I would really like the blues.

Reds: I was surprised when I first tried the reds.  They get so much love and praise around here that I was disappointed.  I don't really know what I was expecting, but I don't see how anybody that thinks browns are boring could like reds.  The linear feel was kind of neat in that it felt so smooth, but I really prefer the browns to these.  There's nothing particularly interesting about them, and now I definitely know that I'm not a fan of the linear switches.

Blacks: Talk of them being hard to press seems a bit exaggerated, these didn't feel too hard at all.  The actuation force of reds is 45 and blacks is 60, so honestly it's not night and day.  Somebody who thinks reds are just a touch too light would probably like blacks, and I don't think they would be the worst for typing on.  Personally I like really light switches so these aren't for me, but they aren't bad.

Clears:  These felt really difficult to press for some reason, but I did like the feel of the bump.  A lighter version of clears would be pretty awesome I think, but as it stands I'd rather stick with the browns even though I do prefer the more pronounced bump of the clears.

I'd just like to note that I personally don't think the blacks would be any better than browns for gaming on.  I find double tapping to be really easy on browns, and I don't see how the linear switches would be any better.  Maybe I just need to experience it on a keyboard, but after trying all the switches I'm really happy I decided to go with browns and I don't see myself switching any time soon.
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: Lpb45 on Mon, 11 April 2011, 14:12:29
Just recieved the switch try numpad, will post thoughts a bit later after I get home from work.
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: Lpb45 on Mon, 11 April 2011, 19:46:10
Here are my thoughts on the differant switches.

Blues - I have 2 MX boards so these were nothing new, love them, my favorite switch to type with and thats why I have a fullsize blue at work.

Browns - Surprised by how much I liked the browns although the bump is even less then what i thought it would be.

Red - I have a red board aswell and love it, the only board I use when gaming.

Black - Didn't like these at all, to much force required.  Just blah

Clears - Really really liked these and the increased force you need as you get closer to bottoming the key out, I could really see these as being on the next board I buy (or mod).

Let me know who it needs to goto next.  Although if extra time is needed I wouldnt mind an extra day or two with it.
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: godofdeath on Mon, 11 April 2011, 21:45:28
haha i thought it was a buy list
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: Lpb45 on Thu, 14 April 2011, 22:08:10
hi Sirclickalot,

Let me know when you have the next person ready to recieve this, I can send it by next day or 2 day fed-ex.
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: Lpb45 on Fri, 15 April 2011, 13:41:17
For funzies, I didnt see anyone else take any pics with it.

(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5025/5622557488_bd4677598b_b.jpg)
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: Saffa on Fri, 15 April 2011, 17:45:50
Quote from: Lpb45;331531
For funzies, I didnt see anyone else take any pics with it.

Show Image
(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5025/5622557488_bd4677598b_b.jpg)


OH NO! Don't get cake on it!

But yum... :) Nice pic
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: Khaotik55 on Fri, 15 April 2011, 17:51:28
How would I go about getting one of these, how much does it cost? I suck at reading.
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: Khaotik55 on Fri, 15 April 2011, 18:02:34
Quote from: ripster;331749
Once you pass the reading test it's free.

Many people don't.  Usually the ones that came from OCN.

Nice way to make fun of me. To be honest what I meant to say was I didn't bother reading, but now that I read it I assume we get it and then pass it onto the next person. (Meaning the only cost is whatever it costs to ship it to the next guy in line.)

But to be fair, the term "Sinklist" isn't exactly thrown around too much in my neck of the woods.
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: RiGS on Fri, 15 April 2011, 18:07:37
Quote from: ripster;331749
Once you pass the reading test it's free.

Many people don't.  Usually the ones that came from OCN.

Hey, somebody SNITCHED on me there (http://www.overclock.net/13138447-post96.html)!  If this was in my neighborhood the snitch would be DEAD!
Show Image
(http://img821.imageshack.us/img821/6317/douchebags.jpg)


Hey! What about your bull**** code of honor?
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: keyboardlover on Fri, 15 April 2011, 18:22:09
I guess Ripster won't get to be an OCN moderator now...

Shame. I might have joined OCN if that happened.
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: Mr. Perfect on Sat, 16 April 2011, 14:35:12
Quote from: Khaotik55;331752
To be honest what I meant to say was I didn't bother reading, but now that I read it I assume we get it and then pass it onto the next person. (Meaning the only cost is whatever it costs to ship it to the next guy in line.)


That is correct. I think it cost me all of $6 to send it to the next person via USPS, which is a great price compared to buying five separate keyboards.
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: sam113101 on Fri, 22 April 2011, 14:12:34
The guy that had to send it to me did it wrong.
It came back to him that fedex tells me, I think he made a mistake while recopying my address.
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: Lpb45 on Fri, 22 April 2011, 14:21:09
There was no mistake, it was being sent through my company fed-ex and they want me to generate a commercial invoice which would show up as my companies name which I cannot do.  I work at a logistics company, sending anything to canada is a pain in the ass unless you have a pars number ahead of time.
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: SirClickAlot on Fri, 22 April 2011, 15:43:15
I reshuffled the sinklist a bit.... Sam113101 needs to wait a bit more...

Regards.
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: Khaotik55 on Mon, 25 April 2011, 16:01:30
Ok within the first 15 seconds of me using these I knew it was going to be a battle between blues and reds.

Blues+Reds: My first and only mechanical keyboard was a Blue from XArmor and this brought back memories. I liked this the best at first but I turned to reds after pretending like I was typing. Trying to pretend to type on 3 keys is quite difficult but it gave me an idea. I also pretended like I was playing a game using WASD. The WASD w/ reds felt boring compared to blues which is a con, but every once in a while I would not come all the way up with the blues when gaming, it wasn't an issue but it happened occasionally. (I remember this from my XArmor.) So I figured reds would be less of a problem and to be honest I was never a fan of tactile points anyways, I just like the click that comes with blues. So reds win on both fronts for me typing/gaming. However still in the back of my mind I think the blues are.. interesting....which I like, but I get that same sort of feeling when bottoming out with the reds. I enjoy the clack.

Browns: The tactile point on these made them feel cheap for some reason. Do not want.

Clears: I think these are the worst, they are heavy and have that same cheap tactile point feel. Do not want.

Blacks: To be honest I think these would be better for typing than gaming... Seems too heavy to use as WASD 24/7. But they are soft for typing, maybe a little too soft. (Hard to press gives it a soft feeling.) Do not want.
(Also the Num4 is harder than Num 5/6, and Num 5 is lighter than Num6. = All black switches.)

*Cherry stabilizers that are on the big keys: Not sure what to think about these, I don't like the 0 because it feels mushy. However the + has the same stabilizers but feels way easier to press, I think this would make a great Left Shift / Enter key. Not sure how to compare them to Filco's because I had those metal bar stabilizers that are similar (if not are) the Filco's on my old XArmor and IT felt mushy and I hated the big keys because of it.

**1,6,7,8 do not work. (I only tried USB so far.) (* works, I was just using that as a symbol for an addition to my post.)
(7 only works when you push the switch down and wiggle it back towards you, it will keep registering without you even letting up, all you need to do is push back. Definitely bad. :p)

[video=youtube;4xi7tW1wI6s]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xi7tW1wI6s[/video]
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: dr/owned on Mon, 25 April 2011, 21:29:21
I would buy a red board if I could find one that isn't Filco.  The narrowness of the keys on my brown piss me off.  Thanks for the video though.  You can really see the linearity of the red and black switches and how your muscles strain more to push down the black.
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: Khaotik55 on Mon, 25 April 2011, 23:02:42
Quote from: dr/owned;337278
...and how your muscles strain more to push down the black.

LOL!? caps avoidance
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: Zamorph on Tue, 03 May 2011, 17:41:52
So I just tried the keypad.  I liked the blues and red the best.  Blue felt good and I liked the feed back and Red felt good too (and the bottom out sound was nice :P).  I didnt like browns and the clears/black felt inferior to the red, blue was a class of its own and I liked that.  I decided to buy a mx red keyboard after all was said and done.
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: Khaotik55 on Tue, 03 May 2011, 21:02:16
Quote from: Zamorph;341253
So I just tried the keypad.  I liked the blues and red the best.  Blue felt good and I liked the feed back and Red felt good too (and the bottom out sound was nice :P).  I didnt like browns and the clears/black felt inferior to the red, blue was a class of its own and I liked that.  I decided to buy a mx red keyboard after all was said and done.

 
How'd you like the fact that I covered 100% of the box in packaging tape. (I got the idea from Lpb.) Hahaha

Any hair you found in the box was also from Lpb. :boink:
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: Zamorph on Tue, 03 May 2011, 21:14:33
Quote from: Khaotik55;341307
How'd you like the fact that I covered 100% of the box in packaging tape. (I got the idea from Lpb.) Hahaha

Any hair you found in the box was also from Lpb. :boink:

ROFL it was a pain in the ass to open.  I did it very carefully and saved it all.  I am sending it the same way I got it :P
PS. - hair... itchy...and gross :P

Btw, think they will let me send it in the same box?
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: RickyJ on Tue, 03 May 2011, 22:17:51
As long as you remove or cover up the old shipping labels, you're fine.  When I got the Topre keyring, it had been sent in the same USPS box that it first entered Canada in, and I reused the box when I sent it! :)
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: RedCloudFuneral on Wed, 04 May 2011, 00:40:24
Quote from: dr/owned;337278
I would buy a red board if I could find one that isn't Filco.  The narrowness of the keys on my brown piss me off.  Thanks for the video though.  You can really see the linearity of the red and black switches and how your muscles strain more to push down the black.
offtopic: I got a KBC Poker with reds, would you be interested in that?
ontopic:  I PMed you, I got to thank you for offering this service, I haven't liked any of the switches I've tried so far and my mom is getting mad at me for buying and selling all my stuff.
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: Khaotik55 on Wed, 04 May 2011, 15:36:36
Quote from: Zamorph;341312
ROFL it was a pain in the ass to open.  I did it very carefully and saved it all.  I am sending it the same way I got it :P
PS. - hair... itchy...and gross :P

Btw, think they will let me send it in the same box?

 
Yeah, that box is actually Lpb's box. He sent it in 100% packaging tape that's why the cardboard is all ripped up, because it came off with Lpb's tape.
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: sam113101 on Wed, 04 May 2011, 21:03:28
God, I'll never have it if we keep adding new people.
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: Khaotik55 on Wed, 04 May 2011, 21:41:44
Quote from: sam113101;341850
God, I'll never have it if we keep adding new people.

In all fairness, who's fault is that? :p

Oh wait, you're not that guy. You're in Canada. Ignore everything I've said.
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: Zamorph on Thu, 05 May 2011, 14:29:41
Quote from: sam113101;341850
God, I'll never have it if we keep adding new people.
I guess we should stop bumping this thread :P
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: RedCloudFuneral on Fri, 13 May 2011, 23:41:14
Wow... the different switches really surprised me, the blues are not as loud as you would expect from the clips, they are about the same volume wise as bottoming out on any other key, but more high pitched sounding, with my headphones on I can slightly hear the blues, while I can't hear the other switches, they feel good to type on, but the noise is a deal breaker for me. What really surprised me were the browns, I figured I would hate them seeing as they are almost as light as my Poker with reds which I find too light. Its hard to tell from just trying out a few keys, but I can tell I would prefer them to blacks for gaming. The clears... I am never touching again, it only takes a few presses and my hands hurt. I'm so glad I ditched that Deck last year, I'm positive the clears would have given me RSI.

Cheers to Geekhack, Head-Fi, and OCN for keeping my wallet empty
(http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/9100/img0432vo.jpg) (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/90/img0432vo.jpg/)


The board will be on its way to the Great White North next week.
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: sam113101 on Fri, 20 May 2011, 14:06:39
I've just received the STN.

Browns*: They are my favorite. They are easy to press, they do not cause any fatigue.
It would be a good switch to become a standard (like rubber dome for the moment), I can't see why people would hate them.
Blues*: I hate them. It was the first mechanical switch that I tried (I have a DAS),
I was loving them at first because they feel better than regular domes. But god, I've come to hate that high-pitched sound.
Red*: They feel almost exactly the same as browns. They feel a little heavier because they miss the bump.
I prefer browns over reds because the bump of the browns makes them less tiring to type on. The lack of bump
on the reds also makes them a little quieter I think. But browns are quiet enough (and they sound VERY nice).
Reds feel like typing on butter.
Black*: They feel like typing on butter too, but HARD butter. They are very tiring and I would never buy a keyboard using them.
Clears*: They are interesting, I wonder why they aren't used so much. They are like browns but a bit heavier, the bump is more distinctive too.
The thing I like about them is that you'll never bottom them out. They are a bit too heavy, though.

The one I like the most to the one I like the least*:
brown > red > clear > blue > black

Thank you Mr Interface, now all I need to know is if I'll like browns or topres better.
That for sure saved me a lot of money.
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: sam113101 on Mon, 30 May 2011, 23:13:16
Is it PCB-mounted*? Blues felt different than blues on my DAS, and the sound was a lot nicer.
As it was not really heavy, I guess it is PCB-mounted.
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: Lpb45 on Tue, 31 May 2011, 09:56:20
Quote from: Khaotik55;341307
How'd you like the fact that I covered 100% of the box in packaging tape. (I got the idea from Lpb.) Hahaha

Any hair you found in the box was also from Lpb. :boink:

 
I shipped it the same way I got it aswell, and it also had PLENTY of hair in it when I opened it lol
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: RedCloudFuneral on Wed, 01 June 2011, 00:43:30
When I had the STN one of the top keys was jammed full of hair, even after I puled it out the key would not sit flat. Who here has long brown hair?
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: RiGS on Wed, 01 June 2011, 08:29:47
Who knows. Maybe it was pubic hair.
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: RickyJ on Sun, 05 June 2011, 00:05:31
I received the numpad earlier this week when rumblings of a Canada Post strike came to light.  I PM'd SirClickAlot about it and he told me to hold onto it until the strike is over, lest an irate postal worker makes it disappear.

Initial impressions:
Clears:  The clear switches on the STN are not as smooth and nice as on my G80 with clears.  The ramp feels scratchy, but I don't want to open up these switches to check since they're not mine.
Blacks:  Definitely feel like linear clears.
Reds:  Interesting, since I prefer tactile feedback and didn't like the linear green Alps board I've got.  Very light and smooth
Browns:  I was most interested to try these switches.  Pressing slowly they feel like light clears, pressing quickly they feel like dirty reds.
Blues:  I've "tried" these through the box of a Black Widow and could feel the lagged reset point and wasn't impressed.  The blues in the STN feel better, but now there's no box dampening the switch chatter.  It really sounds like the light and hard plastic jumping bean rattles around once it jumps, rather than coming to an abrupt stop.  I really do prefer the more solid tone of my complicated Alps, and the complete lack of jumping bean hysteresis, but that might change with time spent with a full blue board.

I'm still unsure if the next board I buy will have blues or browns in it.  I'd like to give ergo clears a try since I've got the clears now, but I'd rather gut a brown board to do it than neuter a blue board.  The proper answer is obviously to get both and take turns with them, but I've got a lot of competing expenses for the foreseeable future.
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: kaiserreich on Sun, 05 June 2011, 03:36:17
Can you tell me more about them Green ALPS vs Cherry Reds?
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: RickyJ on Mon, 06 June 2011, 00:51:43
I'll dig out my green board and clean switches to test.  The springs are different, but I can't remember if they're lighter or stronger.  I think I documented some of it in the Alps wiki comments section.
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: gmorf33 on Thu, 15 September 2011, 09:37:38
ah, just found this sinklist.  I signed up for the other one (STB), but this one looks like it might be a bit better for testing out which switch(es) I'd want to buy.   Is this sinklist still active?  It looks like it might have gone home and been sitting there for 4ish months.   If its going to start up again i'd probably have my name moved over to this one.
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: SirClickAlot on Thu, 15 September 2011, 10:06:20
The STN is still not at its home base.... It's been a while since it vanished out of canada. Soon I will have to start an investigation as to the whereabouts of the STN. Luckily it was posted with tracking but that only shows it left canada about a month ago.

Regards.
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: RickyJ on Fri, 16 September 2011, 00:14:54
That's not good.  I scribbled/scratched out the old addresses on the box when I sent it to you, hoping that some postal numpty wouldn't get confuzzled. :(
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: SirClickAlot on Tue, 20 September 2011, 10:50:48
IT ARRIVED!

Yooo hooooooo! :-)

Now I am pondering as to what to do with it next. Might put non-cherry switches in there. Wondering if that would work with my mediocre soldering skills....

Regards.
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: SirClickAlot on Tue, 20 September 2011, 14:38:08
Working on my FCP skills :-)


Thats weird... Youtube states : "you may have content that is owned or licensed by Symbolic Digital". I only used the internal sounds from Final Cut Pro? Now a banner pops up with every view of the vid.... :-(
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: crazing on Tue, 20 September 2011, 18:37:51
Quote from: SirClickAlot;419097
Now I am pondering as to what to do with it next. Might put non-cherry switches in there. Wondering if that would work with my mediocre soldering skills....
Maybe some modded stuff? Ergo clears and ghetto whatevers?
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: sinis on Tue, 20 September 2011, 19:35:39
Wonderful keypad you have there. Nice video also.

I would love to get this thing one day. My place seems to be near you. Are you still shipping it?
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: gmorf33 on Wed, 21 September 2011, 01:10:23
nice video mr. interface!
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: DWishR on Wed, 21 September 2011, 02:17:21
Is this coming back around to the US anytime soon? Cuz I would love it!
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: F u r u y á on Wed, 21 September 2011, 03:14:15
Quote from: SirClickAlot;419195
Working on my FCP skills :-)


Thats weird... Youtube states : "you may have content that is owned or licensed by Symbolic Digital". I only used the internal sounds from Final Cut Pro? Now a banner pops up with every view of the vid.... :-(

Nice edit.

Watching that video inevitably gives the following ideia: if there's a lot of people in the list, then imposing a logistically good order of dispatching (overwriting the previous "first come first served" order) might achieves less overall waiting time and less overall shipping costs as well, thus speeding up the whole process, with the cost of added complexity to the system and added waiting time/shipping cost for some people (despite the total waiting time/shipping costs being lesser).
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: SirClickAlot on Wed, 21 September 2011, 05:57:15
Quote from: F u r u y á;419458
Nice edit.

Watching that video inevitably gives the following ideia: if there's a lot of people in the list, then imposing a logistically good order of dispatching (overwriting the previous "first come first served" order) might achieves less overall waiting time and less overall shipping costs as well, thus speeding up the whole process, with the cost of added complexity to the system and added waiting time/shipping cost for some people (despite the total waiting time/shipping costs being lesser).


Several things might change for the next iteration of the Switch Try Numpad :

1. Decentralized control -> Ceesa over at deskthority.net proved this method to be pretty fast and secure ( Link here (http://deskthority.net/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=780) ). This would mean the participants on the list will have to figure out for themselves who they send the sinklist item to. They just need to check the sinklist which I will maintain.
2. No FCFS ( First Come First Serve ) anymore. The sinklist will start sometime and participants will be added until it is sent out for the first time. The order in which the sinklist item will be sent is largely influenced by geographic constraints so the overall followed route will be close to optimal. ( Like furuya pointed out ) I already implemented this on a smaller scale ( I reordered sinklist members according to their location ).
3. The STN will have more diverse keyswitches
4. In the future I'd like to have a major sinklist item per continent , so the sinklist item stays in that continent indefinitely.
5. Sinklist item threads will be merged : this will make overall sinklist maintenance less of a hassle.
6. I will add the following requirement to participate : You PLEDGE you will send the sinklist item out to the next member within 2 days(!) after receiving it.
7. I'd like to create a website to track the sinklist items so you can see the path it followed ( from city to city detail ). Any web-developers willing to help me out with this are very welcome(!) since I lack the skills to create it myself.

Regards.
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: SirClickAlot on Wed, 21 September 2011, 14:39:08
Quote from: sinis;419315
Are you still shipping it?

Quote from: DWishR;419456
Is this coming back around to the US anytime soon? Cuz I would love it!

Soon.....
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: Mazora on Wed, 21 September 2011, 14:45:32
Isis con akaroundtth anim soon? zIould lovet!

Quote from: DWishR;419456
Is this coming back around to the US anytime soon? Cuz I would love it!
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: F u r u y á on Wed, 21 September 2011, 15:23:44
Quote from: SirClickAlot;419478
Several things might change for the next iteration of the Switch Try Numpad :

1. Decentralized control -> Ceesa over at deskthority.net proved this method to be pretty fast and secure ( Link here (http://deskthority.net/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=780) ). This would mean the participants on the list will have to figure out for themselves who they send the sinklist item to. They just need to check the sinklist which I will maintain.
2. No FCFS ( First Come First Serve ) anymore. The sinklist will start sometime and participants will be added until it is sent out for the first time. The order in which the sinklist item will be sent is largely influenced by geographic constraints so the overall followed route will be close to optimal. ( Like furuya pointed out ) I already implemented this on a smaller scale ( I reordered sinklist members according to their location ).
3. The STN will have more diverse keyswitches
4. In the future I'd like to have a major sinklist item per continent , so the sinklist item stays in that continent indefinitely.
5. Sinklist item threads will be merged : this will make overall sinklist maintenance less of a hassle.
6. I will add the following requirement to participate : You PLEDGE you will send the sinklist item out to the next member within 2 days(!) after receiving it.
7. I'd like to create a website to track the sinklist items so you can see the path it followed ( from city to city detail ). Any web-developers willing to help me out with this are very welcome(!) since I lack the skills to create it myself.

Regards.

Nice improvements.
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: gmorf33 on Wed, 21 September 2011, 19:13:05
sounds groovy.  I'd be game with whatever iteration you decide on.
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: RickyJ on Thu, 22 September 2011, 20:08:16
I wonder if we can get Canada Post to pledge not to go on strike during the next sinklist item.
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: DWishR on Thu, 20 October 2011, 15:05:54
Quote from: Mazora;419648
Isis con akaroundtth anim soon? zIould lovet!
Quote from: DWishR;419456
Is this coming back around to the US anytime soon? Cuz I would love it!
I don't get it... was that because I used the word "Cuz?"
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: gulfar on Sun, 08 January 2012, 13:03:37
I want one of these, is possible?

Hi SirClickAlot, I sent you a PM

thanks
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: gulfar on Sun, 08 January 2012, 15:54:10
Ok SirClickAlot, I have seen your answer
thanks
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: gmorf33 on Tue, 10 January 2012, 08:37:37
*hopes this thing shows back up*  I was next in line :(   Been holding off my WASDKeyboard order.  Really wanna know if i'll like mx blacks or not.
Title: Sinklist : STN ( Switch Try Numpad ) open for participants.
Post by: SirClickAlot on Tue, 10 January 2012, 08:42:56
Quote from: gmorf33;487229
*hopes this thing shows back up*  I was next in line :(   Been holding off my WASDKeyboard order.  Really wanna know if i'll like mx blacks or not.

This item is postponed.

You mean this one : http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?12313-First-iteration-switch-try-board-ready

Regards.