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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: phinix on Tue, 05 August 2025, 17:20:24

Title: Hall effect switches vs standard ones
Post by: phinix on Tue, 05 August 2025, 17:20:24
Apart from that variable actuation levels, what else is different in Hall effect switches?
Are they better cause they dont have leafs? I like heavy linears, like oil kings with 85g springs.
Could I mod he switches to have heavy springs as well as regular ones?
Title: Re: Hall effect switches vs standard ones
Post by: YALE70 on Tue, 05 August 2025, 18:34:47
Are they better cause they dont have leafs?

You'd think that, but honestly I don't find they're dramatically smoother compared to a competently designed lubed linear - if at all.

Could I mod he switches to have heavy springs as well as regular ones?

Apparently you should be able to - I haven't tried it - but I would test the new springs in a switch or two just to be sure. I don't think interference is much of a problem with standard MX springs but specifically non-magnetic ones for HE switches are readily available. Worst case, you might just have to recalibrate each switch.
Title: Re: Hall effect switches vs standard ones
Post by: phinix on Wed, 06 August 2025, 06:48:09
Are they better cause they dont have leafs?

You'd think that, but honestly I don't find they're dramatically smoother compared to a competently designed lubed linear - if at all.

Could I mod he switches to have heavy springs as well as regular ones?

Apparently you should be able to - I haven't tried it - but I would test the new springs in a switch or two just to be sure. I don't think interference is much of a problem with standard MX springs but specifically non-magnetic ones for HE switches are readily available. Worst case, you might just have to recalibrate each switch.

Thanks for confirming that.
Meeeeh, sounds like it would not be a huge upgrade for me, I dont need that actuation level customisation.
Title: Re: Hall effect switches vs standard ones
Post by: edbods on Wed, 06 August 2025, 09:06:35
They're good for durability but unless you're a professional gamer needing absolute maximum and precise response they're not really worth getting
Title: Re: Hall effect switches vs standard ones
Post by: phinix on Fri, 08 August 2025, 20:21:59
Anyone know where I could find heavier springs fro HE switches?
Like 70g at least.
Title: Re: Hall effect switches vs standard ones
Post by: YALE70 on Fri, 08 August 2025, 22:14:36
One source for HE specific springs that I know of: https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256806086739065.html?gps-id=pcDetailTopMoreOtherSeller&_t=gps-id:pcDetailTopMoreOtherSeller,scm-url:1007.40050.354490.0,pvid:8f07769d-9efd-4d7c-9a39-181177e2a170,tpp_buckets:668%232846%238107%231934&utparam-url=scene%3ApcDetailTopMoreOtherSeller%7Cquery_from%3A (https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256806086739065.html?gps-id=pcDetailTopMoreOtherSeller&_t=gps-id:pcDetailTopMoreOtherSeller,scm-url:1007.40050.354490.0,pvid:8f07769d-9efd-4d7c-9a39-181177e2a170,tpp_buckets:668%232846%238107%231934&utparam-url=scene%3ApcDetailTopMoreOtherSeller%7Cquery_from%3A)
Title: Re: Hall effect switches vs standard ones
Post by: Findecanor on Sat, 09 August 2025, 07:34:27
Could I mod he switches to have heavy springs as well as regular ones?
I think that would need to be answered for each switch brand.
In the past, there have been mechanical switch types where the spring wasn't interchangeable with Cherry MX. Kailh BOX comes to mind.

BTW, I have seen that there now are keyboards with NMR technology and sockets, that can fit both magnetic and mechanical switches.
Title: Re: Hall effect switches vs standard ones
Post by: tp4tissue on Sun, 10 August 2025, 13:08:34
Standardization is probably impossible for now given the novelty of designs.

The 1 drawback from induction / hall effect will be clicky switches, because it would introduce wobble in the detection.