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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: Zamorph on Tue, 19 April 2011, 20:21:26

Title: Silence!!!
Post by: Zamorph on Tue, 19 April 2011, 20:21:26
Tired of hearing your mx cherry keyboards make noise just like that annoying woman you call a wife?  Look no further!!!!

http://www.elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=access,slpads

LOL srsly, why would anyone want this o.o, I mean, you buy blues cuz you like the noise, right? :P
Title: Silence!!!
Post by: noodles256 on Tue, 19 April 2011, 20:24:01
u right
Title: Silence!!!
Post by: BucklingSpring on Tue, 19 April 2011, 20:47:53
Quote from: Zamorph;333814
LOL srsly, why would anyone want this o.o, I mean, you buy blues cuz you like the noise, right? :P


Thanks for the post. I didn't catch those on EK.

Now to answer your question; This will not affect the clickyness of the switch. It will only damper the sound when you are bottoming out.

It is useless if you are a boob cloudist.

I'm interested to ear comments from people who actually did this mod to their board. Anyone?
Title: Silence!!!
Post by: .XL on Tue, 19 April 2011, 20:49:11
Quote from: BucklingSpring;333836
boob cloudist.

$0.25
Title: Silence!!!
Post by: godofdeath on Tue, 19 April 2011, 20:49:48
like the sound dont know why i would ever want these
Title: Silence!!!
Post by: RiGS on Tue, 19 April 2011, 20:56:30
I think this is awesome.
Title: Silence!!!
Post by: RickyJ on Tue, 19 April 2011, 21:02:24
I made some like these for my Alps board with 2mm foam sheets, and the reduced travel was annoying.  1mm thick should be alright.
Title: Silence!!!
Post by: godofdeath on Tue, 19 April 2011, 21:03:37
someone try it out for us
Title: Silence!!!
Post by: BucklingSpring on Tue, 19 April 2011, 21:06:32
Quote from: RickyJ;333852
I made some like these for my Alps board with 2mm foam sheets, and the reduced travel was annoying.  1mm thick should be alright.

 
Did yours looked like this?
(http://www.elitekeyboards.com/proddata/images/th/sl120_cs_sw_th620x400.jpg)

The specs do not mention how thick they are.
Nevermind - Alps <> MX
Title: Silence!!!
Post by: Lpb45 on Tue, 19 April 2011, 21:10:27
I agree with Rigs, these look pretty interesting and lets not ignore the fact that its only 12 bux for 120 of em.
Title: Silence!!!
Post by: reaper on Tue, 19 April 2011, 21:10:27
For $12.50 I just might buy a set to try it out. lol
Title: Silence!!!
Post by: BucklingSpring on Tue, 19 April 2011, 21:12:14
The idea is not new though
(http://www.carryontravelling.co.uk/images/SITRING_PORTABLE_DONUT_CUSHION_Reduces_pressure_on_hemorrhoids_Promotes_post_op_recovery_and_ideal_for_post_natal_use_Complete_with_cotton_terry_cover_o.jpg)
Title: Silence!!!
Post by: guilleguillaume on Tue, 19 April 2011, 21:16:58
If this can be putted inside a packet will be an amazing option to buy from outside of USA like the single Keycaps since they will fit into a small packet so it will be cheaper to people outside of USA.
Title: Silence!!!
Post by: Lpb45 on Tue, 19 April 2011, 21:25:28
Quote from: guilleguillaume;333871
If this can be putted inside a packet will be an amazing option to buy from outside of USA like the single Keycaps since they will fit into a small packet so it will be cheaper to people outside of USA.

This will definatley be possible.  They will be able to fit in the standard fed-ex envelope
Title: Silence!!!
Post by: .XL on Tue, 19 April 2011, 22:26:45
Quote from: Lpb45;333882
This will definatley be possible.  They will be able to fit in the standard fed-ex envelope

You could even put them in a standard USPS letter envelope and send em USPS for $0.88 - $2.00
Title: Silence!!!
Post by: nhwhaup on Tue, 19 April 2011, 22:50:21
I just ordered both sets to try the difference between the soft and the firm ones.  I am all about feel of the keys but really like a more quiet key.  This could make my close to perfect Filco with the reds pretty near perfect.  I know most on this forum love the clicking.  I personally am all about the silence and my husband is definitely for silence.  Thanks for the heads up.  If not for this forum I wouldn't have seen these as really I have stopped searching for anymore keyboards.  I'll give some feedback to the group once I have the pads and have used them a bit.
Title: Silence!!!
Post by: Lpb45 on Tue, 19 April 2011, 23:03:24
Quote from: nhwhaup;333950
I just ordered both sets to try the difference between the soft and the firm ones.  I am all about feel of the keys but really like a more quiet key.  This could make my close to perfect Filco with the reds pretty near perfect.  I know most on this forum love the clicking.  I personally am all about the silence and my husband is definitely for silence.  Thanks for the heads up.  If not for this forum I wouldn't have seen these as really I have stopped searching for anymore keyboards.  I'll give some feedback to the group once I have the pads and have used them a bit.

Yes, please post a review of both when you recieve.  I have a red aswell so I will be eager to hear how these are.
Title: Silence!!!
Post by: sordna on Tue, 19 April 2011, 23:06:58
From the photos they look like they are at least 1.5mm. Please measure them once you receive them and let us know!
Title: Silence!!!
Post by: MrPhil on Wed, 20 April 2011, 00:14:33
I just ordered both as well, just funny that we were talking about the issue of loud keyboards :)
Title: Silence!!!
Post by: MrSneis on Wed, 20 April 2011, 00:16:29
Looks like a good experiment to try along with the dental bands mod.
Title: Silence!!!
Post by: nhwhaup on Wed, 20 April 2011, 03:22:40
Quote from: MrSneis;333994
Looks like a good experiment to try along with the dental bands mod.

What is the dental bands mod and what does it do?
Title: Silence!!!
Post by: RiGS on Wed, 20 April 2011, 07:13:44
http://geekhack.org/showwiki.php?title=Island:8857&redirect=no (http://geekhack.org/showwiki.php?title=Island:8857&redirect=no)
Title: Silence!!!
Post by: AcidSouL on Wed, 20 April 2011, 07:22:01
here my mode...this is the bottom of very cheap mouse pad :)
(http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm20/neychev/DSC00110.jpg)
(http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm20/neychev/DSC00118.jpg)
(http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm20/neychev/DSC00124.jpg)
(http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm20/neychev/DSC00123.jpg)
they are like 2.5mm but its soft material and when they work a little more time with this  "+" thing inside the key dont know how it calls they go like 1.5mm and its fine for me...
its a little strange now...because the keys dont down all 4mm now... and the feel its a little fleet but...not bottoming out anymore..and a lot more quiet now ;) and i am kinda type more fast...i think :)
Title: Silence!!!
Post by: The Solutor on Wed, 20 April 2011, 07:33:32
Just tried to build one.

(http://img638.imageshack.us/img638/1319/silencer.png)

Very effective.

Obviously black is not the better color to use it on a backlit keyboard.

BTW I'm not sure I like the final effect, is something like silencing an Harley Davidson...
Title: Silence!!!
Post by: Larry Dallas on Wed, 20 April 2011, 08:09:47
Quote from: .XL;333931
You could even put them in a standard USPS letter envelope and send em USPS for $0.88 - $2.00

 
For those living in Canada, that's probably $.88+$54.23 tax. Better to keister them.
Title: Silence!!!
Post by: BucklingSpring on Wed, 20 April 2011, 08:28:49
Quote from: The Solutor;334095
Obviously black is not the better color to use it on a backlit keyboard.

BTW I'm not sure I like the final effect, is something like silencing an Harley Davidson...


Silencing a Harley makes everyone happy but the driver. That's what I call socially effective.

Yep I guess backlit are not ment to be silenced, unless you release a 2.0 with a second hole for the LED.
Title: Silence!!!
Post by: The Solutor on Wed, 20 April 2011, 08:48:14
Quote from: BucklingSpring;334106
Silencing a Harley makes everyone happy but the driver..

 

Yes, exactly like here

Quote
Yep I guess backlit are not ment to be silenced, unless you release a 2.0 with a second hole for the LED.


Black foam doesn't kill the backlit, I think that white foam should be sufficient
Title: Silence!!!
Post by: Tallon on Wed, 20 April 2011, 14:52:24
I emailed elitekeyboards to see how thick these pads are (to see how much they reduce key travel). His response - he can't give specifics because they are unable to patent these items. However, he was able to give some info --

The soft ones barely reduce key travel, but do not effect the sound as much. The firm pads reduce key travel more noticeably but also have a very significant reduction in noise.

-Tallon
Title: Silence!!!
Post by: CeeSA on Wed, 20 April 2011, 14:58:11
http://geekhack.org/showwiki.php?title=Island:14621 (http://geekhack.org/showwiki.php?title=Island:14621)

"RutschStop" ftw
Title: Silence!!!
Post by: RiGS on Wed, 20 April 2011, 15:07:06
Quote
His response - he can't give specifics because they are unable to patent these items.

rofl
Soft-Landing Pads must be a serious business! We should definitely reverse engineer it...
Title: Silence!!!
Post by: DrunkenDonut on Wed, 20 April 2011, 15:58:07
Quote from: Tallon;334355
His response - he can't give specifics because they are unable to patent these items.

 
wha? that's a pretty weird statement to make... But still, kudos to bring something like this for those that don't feel like DIYing their own solution. I might want to try this for blues and maybe the fukka xm. I like the sound of the blues without caps. It's a different sound with caps on. I haven't tried reds so can't comment on those. I don't see myself doing this for browns or blacks though. Also, making holes in 100+ foam bits is not that fun if you don't have a punch or other good clean quick way of making them.
Title: Silence!!!
Post by: Tallon on Wed, 20 April 2011, 16:30:52
I agree - but at least he was honest. I am very likely to order some soon. If I can lower the loud "clack", I'll be much happier (as will my wife) and I won't have to spend 300 bucks for a topre :). Hell, if I don't get a topre, I can probably finagle a way to get the new Zibel and the Deck so I can try out clears and blacks :).

I thought about trying to make my own pads, but I don't have the materials here that would work right without having to cut them out of large foam blocks. Having them pre-cut to perfection would be pretty nice.
Title: Silence!!!
Post by: brkim1324 on Wed, 20 April 2011, 16:42:15
yea.. maybe it's for the people who cannot afford brown switch but just doesn't wanna bother other ppl around...
but true, u wanna type on the those keyboards to hear that audio feedback! :)
Title: Silence!!!
Post by: J888www on Wed, 20 April 2011, 17:06:17
How the World changes so quickly, I had always thought until now that MX Blues are more expensive that Browns. When I had a few MX Brown kbds, I had difficulties trying to obtain Blue switches.

Others may not like the idea of reducing the music but the option is now available without the necessity to have dexterity for cutting little squares, especially when you have paws.
Title: Silence!!!
Post by: Tallon on Wed, 20 April 2011, 20:12:37
Well, I went ahead and ordered one of each type, so I'll chime in when they arrive with my opinion of them...
Title: Silence!!!
Post by: The Solutor on Wed, 20 April 2011, 20:37:03
Quote from: The Solutor;334095
Just tried to build one.

Show Image
(http://img638.imageshack.us/img638/1319/silencer.png)


Very effective.

Obviously black is not the better color to use it on a backlit keyboard.

BTW I'm not sure I like the final effect, is something like silencing an Harley Davidson...

 
New experiment with LDPE closed cell foam.

(http://img51.imageshack.us/img51/310/imag0192v.jpg)

Feels different, because the closed cell (better IMHO) and is absolutely unnoticeable on the backlit key.
Title: Silence!!!
Post by: godofdeath on Wed, 20 April 2011, 23:03:01
So who ordered both?

Can I get like 2 pieces of each?
I want to see if they can silence that metal vibration sound from the enter key when i smack it down
Title: Silence!!!
Post by: calavera on Thu, 21 April 2011, 02:01:26
Anyone have a youtube clip of this? I'm curious as to what difference it makes.
Title: Silence!!!
Post by: nhwhaup on Thu, 21 April 2011, 03:02:59
Quote from: godofdeath;334674
So who ordered both?

Can I get like 2 pieces of each?
I want to see if they can silence that metal vibration sound from the enter key when i smack it down

So the sets come with 120 pads - so being a newbie and never having taken off a key - how many of these pads would I need for a 103 keyboard?  Do any keys other than the space bar have multiple switches?  Looks like with the 120 I should have extras and will be happy to mail you a couple of each. PM me your address.
Title: Silence!!!
Post by: godofdeath on Thu, 21 April 2011, 06:49:13
Quote from: nhwhaup;334746
So the sets come with 120 pads - so being a newbie and never having taken off a key - how many of these pads would I need for a 103 keyboard?  Do any keys other than the space bar have multiple switches?  Looks like with the 120 I should have extras and will be happy to mail you a couple of each. PM me your address.

103 as in a topre?
Title: Silence!!!
Post by: patrickgeekhack on Thu, 21 April 2011, 12:59:22
I am curious. As time goes by and the material degrade, will not some of it get into the switch internal mechanism? We know Cherry switches can be very susceptible to dust.
Title: Silence!!!
Post by: RiGS on Thu, 21 April 2011, 13:04:41
Quote
We know Cherry switches can be very susceptible to dust.


Really? Do you have any reference to support that claim?
Title: Silence!!!
Post by: patrickgeekhack on Thu, 21 April 2011, 13:12:48
Quote from: RiGS;334968
Really? Do you have any reference to support that claim?

 
I don't have to give any reference, if you have been here long enough, you'll know that this is common knowledge. But if you insist: http://geekhack.org/showwiki.php?title=Island:6300

Build Quality. Even though the Das is heavier the Filco is a solid chunk as well, especially for such a small keyboard. The matte finish on the Filco is even and quite nice whereas you can see some molding patterns on the side of the Das. Now that the firmware has been fixed on the Das I'd call it a draw (although save your receipt - by their nature mechanical switches are prone to dust/hair/contamination and Blue Cherries appear especially susceptible).
Title: Silence!!!
Post by: BucklingSpring on Thu, 21 April 2011, 13:13:05
Quote from: patrickgeekhack;334963
I am curious. As time goes by and the material degrade, will not some of it get into the switch internal mechanism? We know Cherry switches can be very susceptible to dust.

 
I don't know about susceptibility but I was asking myself the same thing.
Title: Silence!!!
Post by: RiGS on Thu, 21 April 2011, 13:39:20
Quote
I don't have to give any reference, if you have been here long enough, you'll know that this is common knowledge. But if you insist: http://geekhack.org/showwiki.php?title=Island:6300

I have read the whole thread. There isn't anything about dust.

Thanks for wasting my time!
Title: Silence!!!
Post by: patrickgeekhack on Thu, 21 April 2011, 13:46:55
Somewhere in the article you have this: "(although save your receipt - by their nature mechanical switches are prone to dust/hair/contamination and Blue Cherries appear especially susceptible)."

There have been some threads about dust/hair preventing a blue Cherry switch from clicking.
Title: Silence!!!
Post by: The Solutor on Thu, 21 April 2011, 13:48:35
Quote from: BucklingSpring;334972
I don't know about susceptibility but I was asking myself the same thing.

 
It really depends on the material.

The black foam i used on my first test should be "mousse of caoutchouc" (natural rubber) so, it will likely degrade

The white one is LDPE and likely will last for ages.

That said most of the degradation in polymers is mainly due to the UV light and the underside of keycaps should be a pretty safe place.

So, I think that shouldn't be a major concern.
Title: Silence!!!
Post by: RiGS on Thu, 21 April 2011, 14:03:46
This is hardly an evidence. It is a personal opinion of ripster.
Dust, hair or spooge are not even remotely the same.
You are supposed to clean your keyboards occasionally.
I harvested springs from a heavily used old g80 keyboard with cherry blue switches.
When I opened up the switch housing and looked inside, it was almost perfect.
Title: Silence!!!
Post by: patrickgeekhack on Thu, 21 April 2011, 14:19:13
Quote from: RiGS;335007
This is hardly an evidence. It is a personal opinion of ripster.
Dust, hair or spooge are not even remotely the same.
You are supposed to clean your keyboards occasionally.
I harvested springs from a heavily used old g80 keyboard with cherry blue switches.
When I opened up the switch housing and looked inside, it was almost perfect.

I understand that. My original question was whether the pads would degrade and get into the switches. We don't have hard evidence most of the time, because we are not carrying highly controlled testing processes. Sometimes we think something caused something else on a keyboard, but it would well have been a coincidence. And since we don't have hard evidence, how can we know if these pads won't cause more harm than good? We just cannot know. Only time will tell.
Title: Silence!!!
Post by: RiGS on Thu, 21 April 2011, 14:27:22
Quote from: patrickgeekhack;335013
I understand that. My original question was whether the pads would degrade and get into the switches. We don't have hard evidence most of the time, because we are not carrying highly controlled testing processes. Sometimes we think something caused something else on a keyboard, but it would well have been a coincidence. And since we don't have hard evidence, how can we know if these pads won't cause more harm than good? We just cannot know. Only time will tell.


I agree with you on that. I just questioned the "royal we" part of your original assumption.
Title: Silence!!!
Post by: patrickgeekhack on Thu, 21 April 2011, 14:45:39
Quote from: RiGS;335023
I agree with you on that. I just questioned the "royal we" part of your original assumption.

 
LOL. My mistake. I should have qualified this instead of a universal "we." You would think that I should know better having just taken a "Critical Thinking" course.
Title: Silence!!!
Post by: digitalleftovers on Thu, 21 April 2011, 16:19:02
I inquired about opinions on the topre "silent" models a while back.  The response that was given to me was that the dampening rings wear after a few months, so some people felt that the key feel was uneven due to some keys being used more than others.  I could understand a similar issue occurring with these things, but I think everyone needs to just assume this will be the case going into a mod like this.  I don't think they will need to be replaced, but there are always going to be people who feel that they "need" to.

I am excited to try them. I want add them to a board and go use it in a library and see how quiet it is.