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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: iri on Thu, 12 March 2026, 05:11:06
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Hi,
A bit of context: I like complicated Alps, more or less like Niz's capacitive switches, don't like Cherry and especially their hackjob clones, and can't use Topre. As Niz has apparently stopped making 45g domes and only left the 35g which are too weak and linear for me, my interest in buying modern keyboards vanished completely.
Until recently.
I got into a situation where I had to purchase a new, transportable keyboard for work. I opened Amazon and found out that I whilst I was asleep, new switches appeared. I didn't know what to choose, so I randomly bought a Keychron with Hall effect switches. They're a bit too short throw for my taste, but otherwise I like them as much as I can like linears.
Are there any other keyboards, readily available on the market, that have new magnetic, optical, whatever switches that you could recommend me to try?
Thanks
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https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=124076.0 (https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=124076.0)
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Sorry zegonix, I'm unsure how that topic is supposed to help me?f
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Ready to use? Or is a kit fine? KBDFans offers most keyboard kits in a HE version...
You really dislike ALL Cherry type switches? There is so much variety, and quality improvements (over OG Cherry) available.
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ready to use
Yeah I'm not really ready to get into the world of 90000 random mx clones, sorry. Also I'm super unsure if I could trust their quality really.
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Gateron Melodics are clicky switches with click leaf, similar to Alps. Gateron Harmonics are the newest version that doesn't have many reviews yet but some people like over Melodics. The Harmonics are less tactile than Melodics. [1,2,3] It's a higher pitch than Alps, but the closest you'll get new in 2026.
If you like topre-clones, Agar EC is a kit keyboard compatible with EC switches from Tecsee and Aeboards. [4] DynaCap makes their own EC kits as well and you can switch between MX and EC. [5] These are all kits you need to assemble yourself. I didn't realize Niz stopped making 45G switches, I actually like the sound of my Atom68 more than my HHKB.
[1] https://www.amazon.com/GATERON-Harmonic-Keyboard-Pre-lubed-Mechanical/dp/B0G2XVQT7J?th=1
[2] https://www.gateron.com/products/gateron-harmonic-clicky-switch-set?VariantsId=11505
[3] https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicalKeyboards/comments/1qih8yg/first_impressions_review_gateron_harmonic/
[4] https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/products/kbdfans-agar-ec-barebones-diy-keyboard-kit?variant=51845597266220
[5] https://www.theverge.com/tech/868153/dynacap-diy-electrocapacitive-keyboard-hands-on
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Gateron Melodics are clicky switches with click leaf, similar to Alps. Gateron Harmonics are the newest version that doesn't have many reviews yet but some people like over Melodics. The Harmonics are less tactile than Melodics. [1,2,3] It's a higher pitch than Alps, but the closest you'll get new in 2026.
If you like topre-clones, Agar EC is a kit keyboard compatible with EC switches from Tecsee and Aeboards. [4] DynaCap makes their own EC kits as well and you can switch between MX and EC. [5] These are all kits you need to assemble yourself. I didn't realize Niz stopped making 45G switches, I actually like the sound of my Atom68 more than my HHKB.
[1] https://www.amazon.com/GATERON-Harmonic-Keyboard-Pre-lubed-Mechanical/dp/B0G2XVQT7J?th=1
[2] https://www.gateron.com/products/gateron-harmonic-clicky-switch-set?VariantsId=11505
[3] https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicalKeyboards/comments/1qih8yg/first_impressions_review_gateron_harmonic/
[4] https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/products/kbdfans-agar-ec-barebones-diy-keyboard-kit?variant=51845597266220
[5] https://www.theverge.com/tech/868153/dynacap-diy-electrocapacitive-keyboard-hands-on
Thanks. No readily available keyboards though, right?
I re-checked the Niz website and some 45g keyboards are back in stock, together with the silicon domes that go up to 50g. Of course, in Niz's best traditions, there is no description whatsoever on the domes.
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The DAO Keyboard has 45g electrocapacitive switches with MX sliders and is prebuilt. HHKB format. FK also made the URSA keycap profile which is the only affordable spherical high-profile keycap set for Topre.
https://shop.fkcaps.com/products/dao-keyboard
What's your issue with official Topre? I use my HHKB way more than my Atom68 (firmware on the NIZ isn't reliable). The Realforce R4 is readily available now and has 45g variants.
Gateron Type R switches are advertised as 100% tactile switches, with no pre-travel. Gateron Azure Dragon is similar to Type R, but have a very small pre- and post-travel.
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What's your issue with official Topre?
Joint pain.
Gateron Type R switches are advertised as 100% tactile switches, with no pre-travel. Gateron Azure Dragon is similar to Type R, but have a very small pre- and post-travel.
Looks extremely like MX, sorry.