Bottoming out is FINE to do. Especially with the ladies.
Red is brown without the bump.
Touch typing doesn't mean that you never bottom out...
Bottoming out is FINE to do. Especially with the ladies.
I had a Brown Leopold, then moved to a Majestouch2 red.
I like the reds a lot, pretty much equal to browns.
For gaming I like the reds a LOT. I'm not entirely sure why, but they are awesome. The reds are actually slightly boring when compared to the browns for typing.
For typing I slightly prefer the browns, mostly because the browns feel much more lively when typing.
Your sig says you already have a Leo with browns, so I don't think it's worth the money to get reds, especially if you are not touch typing. The reds are slightly harder for touch typing.
I enjoy typing on brown, blues, reds. They all have their pros so I just switch between them every time I feel like something else. It's great.
Haha this is exactly what I do too. Toss in Topres too for a little variety. :)
This can't be normal.
I think it is standard for Geekhack.
With red and brown, your fingers will be dancing on the keyboards. For browns, you can press with just the right force when you feel the bump, therefore you can touch type with confidence.
For most who don't touch type, they both are the same. Red may be preferable to them, since bumps are not needed.
Totally standard!
If you bottom out on browns and like them, it means you don't really care for the "bump". So I bet you will enjoy reds (and maybe even blacks).I tend to agree with you. I like to bottom out and so then, I'm wondering what I may get out of reds?
> Red is brown without the bump.
This is 100% untrue. Browns are nearly pure linear in force with just a bump in the middle. Reds have increasing force the more you depress them, hence the "Cloud of Boobs" effect. If you type on them side by side the difference is very noticeable. They're probably the two most similar boards I own but they have enough difference that I would tell someone to at least try both before making up their minds.
After using reds for a few weeks it feels really good to be back on ergo clears. They are definitely my preferred switch for both typing and gaming.
Red is brown without the bump during the last 2mm of the stroke. It's the same spring and it's compressed exactly the same way. I have both. The browns start off stiffer due to the friction involved, but if you push the switch up and down while keeping it below the bump (last 2mm of travel) you'll see they feel the same as the reds. The actuation graphs tell the same story, the brown starts a little stiffer and also has the bump, but by the time you approach the bottom-out point they are both at 60 cN of force.
Force charts for Browns and Reds:Show Image(http://geekhack.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=11339&d=1277307720)Show Image(http://geekhack.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=11347&stc=1&d=1277344560)
Images courtesy of the Cherry Wiki (http://geekhack.org/showwiki.php?title=Cherry+switches+and+boards)
Red is brown without the bump during the last 2mm of the stroke. It's the same spring and it's compressed exactly the same way. I have both. The browns start off stiffer due to the friction involved, but if you push the switch up and down while keeping it below the bump (last 2mm of travel) you'll see they feel the same as the reds. The actuation graphs tell the same story, the brown starts a little stiffer and also has the bump, but by the time you approach the bottom-out point they are both at 60 cN of force.
Force charts for Browns and Reds:Show Image(http://geekhack.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=11339&d=1277307720)Show Image(http://geekhack.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=11347&stc=1&d=1277344560)
Images courtesy of the Cherry Wiki (http://geekhack.org/showwiki.php?title=Cherry+switches+and+boards)
Red is brown without the bump.
I would like to quote myself from the first page of this thread.:o, didn't see that, cheers ;)
IMHO, reds are perfectly fine for typing, but some people really like to have that bump from tactile switches.Have you ever tried browns? If you did, do reds "feel" lighter then browns while typing on it?
On my personal experience, after using my reds for less than a week, I'm enjoying so much the feeling they give you of lightness. Right now, I had to leave my KB on the office, cause I'm home for my lunch break, and typing on this semi old rubber dome ACER keyboard, is not bad, but its trash compared to my filco with reds.
I'm guessing after some time more, I'll get so much used to the reds, I'll bottom out a lot less, and when going to someone elses keyboard would not feel nice since they are so much stiffer compared to my cloud of boobs ^^
Have you ever tried browns? If you did, do reds "feel" lighter then browns while typing on it?
Thx for your opinions all!
So big dilemma, red vs brown :/
Brown's are easier to get and cheaper, but red's feel more lighter and I think I'd love a very light / easy to press keyboard.
I've been using a Razer Tarantula for a few years, and it's annoying me inside-out.
Glossy-ness, stiff / annoying rubber dome keys, useless macro keys, etc.
How are the browns compared to a rubber dome? Do they feel really light or is it just a small difference? I'd love to have very light keys!
I'm now at the same point as Lester.What is this a switch try bag? And how to aquire one?
I don't have a mechanical keyboard yet, but participated in an switch try bag.
My two favorites are brown and red.
I shall buy both, but I don't know which to buy first
It was over at deskthority.Hmm interesting, thx for the link!
There is one, that is for Germans and in the 2nd round for Europeans. http://deskthority.net/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=780
I don't now how the one from mr.interface is going http://deskthority.net/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=64
I have both and reds feel lighter. The most force you need to apply to register the keystroke with reds is about 45 grams. With browns, even though the spring resistance at the operating point is also 45g, you first have to apply 50-55g to overcome the bump.
Engine, have you tried ergo clears yet?
Actually, I was thinking on asking you where to get them? I thought that clears were relatively stiff, at I think 55g? What makes them ergo?
Ok, thanks for that explaination on touch typing. But, apparently, Reds have a distinct feel as opposed to Browns. This "cloud" feeling in Reds sounds good but can someone like me who bottoms out, enjoy Reds?
Chobopants?
I'm just the opposite. I'm a fairly light typist myself, but I have such big hands that even when I type lightly I still apply plenty of force. I find that browns are better for me as an everyday driver, with reds/blacks being relegated to my home/gaming rig.
It's all about personal preference. To Lester: I wouldn't worry about it right now. Get whichever one you're gut tells you to. I guarantee that you'll be itchin to get another one fairly soon, and then you can try the other switch :)
I just received my white Filco with MX red. It is very light. Lighter than brown, as well as my Realforce 86U. It is actually very nice to type with. I do bottom out most of the time, the bottom out sound is nice. I have been using it today and I enjoy typing on it.
Where did you get these shiny white key caps from?
For Typing Reds are okay for me, but for gaming halleluja !!! Best so far. Buying one for my gaming rig for sure.Browns are mushy? :S
I love-hate browns. Love less resistance, hate that awful tactil response. It's mushy. If you spamming hard, you don't feel the bump at all. If you typing slow, there you feel this mushy bump.
For Typing i love mx blues. Precise bump, very direct and I love the resistance and the click. Gaming on them is still good.
Conclusion: Typing - Blues, Gaming - Reds.
Yeah man, it's my favorite 'board. :) I probably love my Brown just a tad more as a general use workhorse but this is the keyboard I'd bring with me on a trip and show off to the ladies at the club.Show Image(http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5149/5765346097_56d96b4000_z.jpg)
Sorry, I missed this. People were posting so much I missed a page!
Anyway, I bottom out just not super hard. I've learned to use the force slope of the reds to moderate my bottoming out. I hit the PCB with almost every keystroke but I can type gently enough that it's not really stressing anything in my hands. This is actually greatly beneficial to me as it forces me to not slam my fingers down and possibly hurt my tendons.
I love browns a little bit more for gaming but I feel the bump reduces my ability to gently type because the force that I use to get over the bump makes it tougher for me to gently moderate me slamming down on the keys. Now that was a sentence.
Anyway, I love all three of my light switches quite a bit. When TKC has those bright white boards with black switches in stock I'll probably grab one just to see what I think about it. If I want a bit more resistance and feedback while typing I grab my Realforce and feel some oneness with cup rubber but Reds are my daily driver at work.
You enjoy it more then brown switches? Or they're just "different" and none of them is better then the other?
Thanks for the welcome!
I saw those soft-landing pads, has anyone tried & reviewed them yet? I'm not sure I don't mind the clack, but I'd be curious if they give the keyboard more of a topre switch feel because of the sound?
This is rad, thanks! I just ordered one of each (soft & hard) pads from elitekeyboards.com. I'll try them in both my red & brown filcos, I'm real curious if it'll make me like the mx brown switches more. I already really like the reds, this might make me like them more, we shall see.
For me I absolutely love the reds and the soft landing pads just make them that much better. Do you have the full sized keyboards or the tenkeyless?
Touch typing doesn't mean that you never bottom out...
Bottoming out is FINE to do. Especially with the ladies.
I have the Kinesis with browns at work, but it has been hard for me to get used to it. It doesn't help that I keep trying to type on my other new, regularly-shaped keyboards. I can type OK with it, but I need to look at the keyboard for my shortcut keys with CTRL and ALT, and I always screw up with the arrow keys. Any tips on how to get better at typing on the Kinesis?
And how would ghetto reds compare?
Chobopants,
What rank does your Red Filco land at for favorite "typing" switch? I know this is a pref question but I'm interested in why/if you like Reds for typing?
Also, for the extra premium, is the Red Filco worth the cost for the "difference" in feel, say vs the Browns, etc?
Also, is the Topre 55g a bit stiff on your tendons? How does it compare to Browns/Reds for ease on your tendons? I'm considering getting a Topre "55g".
I had to give up my Unicomp and I think the Blues might be alright but the Topre variable and Browns are really nice on my hands.
Thanks for all of that. I too really dig my Browns and consider them to be the perfect "middle" ground keyboard. While my Topre is still my favorite, I consider Browns to be "little bro" to Topre, as they have a lighter, yet similar thock and for that reason, run second to Topre for me . I also have and really like Blues but switch to them when I'm in the mood for that light "hardware" sound. At least that's how it sounds to me anway.
Reds, then will wait as I was between serious curiosity and economic sense.
I may spring for one down the road after I finish reeling from all the keyboard expense I've suffered in the last few months.
In the end, I'm planning to sell my Leos and my Wife's black variable Topre, as she actually prefered the Filco Brown I just got her.
I got one of those for my Mom as well. She prefered it too.
I'm still working on getting my Filco line up and my sig should be updated soon.
I have a Filco Blue NIB here and a Brown coming soon. I'm watching for a uniform Topre next.
Oh, I see. Well, I wonder what they'll go for from EK, as He says he's working on one, although no date yet. It'll be white but the weight is unknown. I'm gonna guess 45g but would hope for 55g, as I see little difference from 45g uniform to variable.
Thanks for the ebay headsup.
Keyboardco should be getting uniform black TKL 45g topres in about a month. I know because I'm getting one. :D
TKL makes mediocre guitar cases.
You really should try Ameritage.Show Image(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2458/5841956363_749d9ec2f1_z.jpg)
Blerg with the TKL. Tenkeyless! Too many acronyms throw people off!
Oqsy complains about me not being helpful to noobs?
If you touch type in Red, you will never be sure whether a key is pressed or not, which makes you slow down a bit.
If you don't touch type, then Red are very good for typing, since you are bottoming out each key.
If you touch type, ability to feel the actuation point of brown can help you type faster. You don't have to bottom out each key, so you are able to hover over your keyboard and type with just enough force.
If you touch type in Red, you will never be sure whether a key is pressed or not, which makes you slow down a bit.
I'm gonna take a different approach here and say that I do like the reds for typing (I'm on my MJ2 Linear-R right now), but I prefer the browns more. As awesome as the light touch of the reds is, I do prefer the feedback and general "snappy-ness" of the browns for coding/writing. The reds are on my gaming machine, and I have my Browns at work (I'm a programmer).
Holy necro-thread, Batman.
FWIW: I can't stand typing on reds. The bump is subtle, but it's important. Reds make my hands strain and hurt. Browns, not so much.
I don't have much to add to the discussion aside from my own opinion. I was using a Topre RealForce for years and never thought I would buy or use another keyboard. Started getting into looking at different keycaps and artisans and bought some Miami double shots on mass drop on a whim. I thought it would be a waste but decided to build an MX board for the heck of it and got a cheap MX Red board off Amazon. Got some cheap o-rings and now... I love this damn thing. Reds are great for typing, I never game and just use mine for work and I love the feel, especially with the dampening rings on them. Try em out!
That aside I'm curious to trying some other light linear switches to compare. Hate clicks or tactile switches personally, clicky is too damn loud and tactile just feels gritty and awful to me. What's better than Cherry Reds aside from Topre?
I don't have much to add to the discussion aside from my own opinion. I was using a Topre RealForce for years and never thought I would buy or use another keyboard. Started getting into looking at different keycaps and artisans and bought some Miami double shots on mass drop on a whim. I thought it would be a waste but decided to build an MX board for the heck of it and got a cheap MX Red board off Amazon. Got some cheap o-rings and now... I love this damn thing. Reds are great for typing, I never game and just use mine for work and I love the feel, especially with the dampening rings on them. Try em out!
That aside I'm curious to trying some other light linear switches to compare. Hate clicks or tactile switches personally, clicky is too damn loud and tactile just feels gritty and awful to me. What's better than Cherry Reds aside from Topre?
Go for silent reds or maybe zilents. You'll get more key travel than a MX red with an o-ring mod.
I don't have much to add to the discussion aside from my own opinion. I was using a Topre RealForce for years and never thought I would buy or use another keyboard. Started getting into looking at different keycaps and artisans and bought some Miami double shots on mass drop on a whim. I thought it would be a waste but decided to build an MX board for the heck of it and got a cheap MX Red board off Amazon. Got some cheap o-rings and now... I love this damn thing. Reds are great for typing, I never game and just use mine for work and I love the feel, especially with the dampening rings on them. Try em out!
That aside I'm curious to trying some other light linear switches to compare. Hate clicks or tactile switches personally, clicky is too damn loud and tactile just feels gritty and awful to me. What's better than Cherry Reds aside from Topre?
Go for silent reds or maybe zilents. You'll get more key travel than a MX red with an o-ring mod.
Just ordered a 40% with silent red Gaterons. Always assumed Gaterons were inferior to Cherry because they were cheaper but I've heard good things to contrary so looking forward to trying these out!
- Silent linears : Cherry > GateronI don't have much to add to the discussion aside from my own opinion. I was using a Topre RealForce for years and never thought I would buy or use another keyboard. Started getting into looking at different keycaps and artisans and bought some Miami double shots on mass drop on a whim. I thought it would be a waste but decided to build an MX board for the heck of it and got a cheap MX Red board off Amazon. Got some cheap o-rings and now... I love this damn thing. Reds are great for typing, I never game and just use mine for work and I love the feel, especially with the dampening rings on them. Try em out!
That aside I'm curious to trying some other light linear switches to compare. Hate clicks or tactile switches personally, clicky is too damn loud and tactile just feels gritty and awful to me. What's better than Cherry Reds aside from Topre?
Go for silent reds or maybe zilents. You'll get more key travel than a MX red with an o-ring mod.
Just ordered a 40% with silent red Gaterons. Always assumed Gaterons were inferior to Cherry because they were cheaper but I've heard good things to contrary so looking forward to trying these out!
At this point I think the general consensus re. MX switches is that:
- Linear: Gateron > Cherry.
- Clicky: Kailh Box > Cherry.
- Tactile: Zealio > Cherry, depending on where you stand re. graininess and wobbleness.
The best switch for you is the one you are most happy with. Keyboards are one of those things that are a matter of preference - there is no right or wrong answer. :thumb: