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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: Trueepower on Sun, 10 July 2011, 04:18:11

Title: Tested red switch at 39 grams actuation
Post by: Trueepower on Sun, 10 July 2011, 04:18:11

I purchased a Filco linear R. I was curious about the weight of it since I know my old membrane was 50g, and my wife's scissor switch is about 39g. I tested this red switch, and its about 39 grams to actuate. I think cherry officially has reds at 44 grams. I heard rip say they usually run about 5 grams higher on the site. Has anyone else tested their red switches?

Title: Tested red switch at 39 grams actuation
Post by: ch_123 on Sun, 10 July 2011, 05:06:08

For one, it depends on how you test it, the coins method isn't completely accurate. Secondly, the manufacturers of switches always specify some margin of error on force ratings due to variances in the parts used to make the switches, so its not unusual to see switches that can deviate by 5g or more from the specification. Thus you need to measure multiple switches on the board to get an average.

Title: Tested red switch at 39 grams actuation
Post by: Trueepower on Sun, 10 July 2011, 05:59:43

Thanks for the reply, yeah I only tried a couple. But, they seemed less than the 44 or 45 grams. Which is not necessarily a bad thing, just was interesting to see. The membrane I tried out that was 50 felt a lot more than this red switch, which made me curious. I think its a difference of more than 5 grams.

Title: Tested red switch at 39 grams actuation
Post by: ch_123 on Sun, 10 July 2011, 06:09:46

Actuation force ratings are misleading because the stiffness you perceive is a product of the entire travel of the switch, and not just how stiff it is at the point of actuation. Black Cherry switches actuate at 60g, Blue Cherry switches are also 60g at their stiffest point, despite being much easier to type on than Black switches. Many find the buckling spring, whose peak/actuation force is 65-70g, to be less tiring than the Black Cherry, and so on.

Oh, hate to be anal, but a "membrane keyboard" doesn't necessarily imply rubber domes. A Model M, for example, has a membrane in it.

Title: Tested red switch at 39 grams actuation
Post by: The Solutor on Sun, 10 July 2011, 06:38:19

Quote from: ch_123;377373

Oh, hate to be anal, but a "membrane keyboard" doesn't necessarily imply rubber domes. A Model M, for example, has a membrane in it.

 
And rubber domes doesn't imply a membrane...

BTW this is not real red, but a ghetto red, and 42g are not enough to press the key.

(http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/716/imag0393l.jpg)

Title: Tested red switch at 39 grams actuation
Post by: theferenc on Sun, 10 July 2011, 10:41:26

That second picture is totally bad ass, ripster. I wonder how long that took him. Hope he doesn't sneeze...

Title: Tested red switch at 39 grams actuation
Post by: HaveANiceDay on Sun, 10 July 2011, 10:48:34

Quote from: theferenc;377465

That second picture is totally bad ass, ripster. I wonder how long that took him. Hope he doesn't sneeze...

Or opens the window, or the door.

Title: Tested red switch at 39 grams actuation
Post by: Tempy on Sun, 10 July 2011, 16:25:48

i just tested my linear-r and i got actuation at 44.69 grams but not at 44.02 grams... i'd say it is pretty dead on...

Title: Tested red switch at 39 grams actuation
Post by: sordna on Sun, 10 July 2011, 23:33:27

Quote from: The Solutor;377378

And rubber domes doesn't imply a membrane...

BTW this is not real red, but a ghetto red, and 42g are not enough to press the key.

Show Image

(http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/716/imag0393l.jpg)

For best accuracy, use a keycap that is straight (has no angle/slant) and also make sure the key stem is 100% vertical... it doesn't seem to be the case in your photo.

Title: Tested red switch at 39 grams actuation
Post by: IvanIvanovich on Mon, 11 July 2011, 00:00:00

My Poker reds need 10 nickles average.

Title: Tested red switch at 39 grams actuation
Post by: The Solutor on Mon, 11 July 2011, 06:57:22

Quote from: sordna;377907

For best accuracy, use a keycap that is straight (has no angle/slant) and also make sure the key stem is 100% vertical... it doesn't seem to be the case in your photo.

 
Nothing is more flat than a boring Deck style keycap, and yes the keyboard was leveled, just misleading perspective.