geekhack
geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: zakazak on Sun, 17 June 2012, 16:14:51
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So I used the mx brown switches (Filco) for ~ 1 year now. I really like them and wonder if MX red switches would be any better for me.
I bottom out a lot (actually all I do is bottoming out) which makes the keyboard a bit too noise when using vent/ts3. I play a lot of fps games (also on a very high lvl.. nationscup & similiar) but also type a lot as I have to do a lot of things for work at home.
So I wonder if MX-Red switches would be more comfortable/better for me as I am a "bottom out only" guy ?
Thanks :)
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you can go O-rings to soften the bottoming out and to make less noise.
Also, your bottoming out problem will be worse on reds.
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I dont see my bottoming out as a problem. It's jsut my way of typing ?
What do u mean with O-rings ?
@edit: ah you mean putting o-rings inside the keys so I cant press them that much down anymore? I can use random o-rings that fit?
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I have browns and reds, they are both a very similar. The only real difference is the bump and a slight noise with browns, but I doubt that would have any effect on your game play.
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And what about the difference when typing ?
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The most popular choice for o-ring is the red 40a. Inner diameter 3/16", outer diameter 5/16". Look up some of the o-ring threads if you want to learn more. You can go to wasdkeyboards.com and buy a set for about $20 shipped. Cheaper alternatives is to get dental bands for braces
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Yep, reds are very similar to browns. You would probably like them better since you bottom out all the time. Try the o-rings from WASDkeyboards.com. I would recommend the 40A hardness ones. It will soften the impact of the keys as you bottom out.
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I dont see my bottoming out as a problem. It's jsut my way of typing ?
I don't think he's saying himself it's a problem; I think he's just referencing your situation where you seem to imply it may be a problem. "a bit too noise... better for me as I am a 'bottom out only' guy". But yeah, the reds are easier to bottom out on, so your noise issue won't be resolved. The only switches that would lessen bottoming out for you would be clears or blacks, but most people don't like these switches. Ergo clears are another option (clear stems, blue/red/brown springs). Or o-rings seems like a good idea for you.
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I dont see my bottoming out as a problem. It's jsut my way of typing ?
What do u mean with O-rings ?
@edit: ah you mean putting o-rings inside the keys so I cant press them that much down anymore? I can use random o-rings that fit?
It's even easier to bottom out on reds, since they are more light, and aren't tactile. So you'll hurt your joints more, and do more noise.
This is or is not a problem. It's just that you will bottom out more. So it definitively isn't a solution against bottoming out.
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It's even easier to bottom out on reds, since they are more light, and aren't tactile. So you'll hurt your joints more, and do more noise.
This is or is not a problem. It's just that you will bottom out more. So it definitively isn't a solution against bottoming out.
Haha.. I experienced the opposite.
The force you require to overcome the bump leads me to bottom out more since the rest of the way requires almost no additional force. (That's how it feels at last)
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I find the blue click helps more, for me, to prevent bottoming out than the brown bump. I don't see how bottoming out can be worse with reds if already bottoming out all the time. And yes would agree o-rings are a good idea both to limit noise and cushion your finger joints. Seems some folks like reds and some hate them, not sure how to predict that. I found them to feel very different and odd but got used to them and liking them now. I put dental bands on mine, might switch to o-rings in future after evaluating them, not sure. But the dental bands did quiet down the clack a bit.
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I've never tried them personally, but MX clears are supposed to be more tactile than browns and harder to bottom out.
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Well, as I bottom out a lot (and I dont think this will ever change): Would you guys recommend me mx-red + o-rings (for easier key pressing, better typing/gaming over my mx-brown) ?
Also: Does the strength of the r-ring (so actually how "soft" it is) matter? Cause I have random ones here at home (right diameter and I think the height is fine as well). And another question:
As I have a otaku version, whats the best way to disassemble all keys , clean them and correctly put the keyboard together again ? Last time it was pain in the ass since a lot of keys have different sizes.
Thanks
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Well, as I bottom out a lot (and I dont think this will ever change): Would you guys recommend me mx-red + o-rings (for easier key pressing, better typing/gaming over my mx-brown) ?
Also: Does the strength of the r-ring (so actually how "soft" it is) matter? Cause I have random ones here at home (right diameter and I think the height is fine as well). And another question:
As I have a otaku version, whats the best way to disassemble all keys , clean them and correctly put the keyboard together again ? Last time it was pain in the ass since a lot of keys have different sizes.
Thanks
We can't recommand you anything. Switchs has always been about personal preference :P.
Yes the strength matters. You really want something soft. Most O-rings are way too hard for you to feel something. Try to join the O-ring try GB (you get 5 orings of each sort to make your choice). The GB should happen soon, the IC thread is currently in the group buy section.
keep each different profile separated from the rest?
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Yes. just keep all the keys from Row 1 in one bag, from Row 2 in another bag, etc.
I think you would like MX reds, but you might not feel that much of a difference. If you ever decide to try and change how you type, i.e. not bottoming out, you will probably find the browns helpful, though. I thought I would always bottom out, but I'm getting better at not doing it now.
I would go with 40A hardness O-rings. You can try 50A, but they won't dampen the sound as much. Make sure I.D. is 3/16". O.D. should be no larger than 5/16".
Hope this helps.
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So the key size is the same per row? Okay thanks, that will help a lot then.
Well I just thought that the lighter pressing force with the mx-red would make a huge difference (or atleast feel a lot easier to type with). + the shorter travel time due to the o-rings might increase writing speed again.
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reds are marginally lighter, they use the same spring as browns. The difference is in the tactile bump providing resistance in the browns.
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And the bump will be less noticeable due to the o-rings anyway?
Well if it is just about the bump I would rather stay with my current mx-brown keyboard I guess.
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no, the bump is at ~2mm. The Oring only changes something at 3~3.5 mm.
The reds however have no bump at all. You don't « feel » where the key is typed.
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Well.. the key is typed when the button is bottomed out? :P So I wouldn't need the bump anyway?
And another question: 0.4mm reduction or 0.2mm ?
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no, the key is typed when the button is half way on cherry MX switchs (2/4).
That's why you don't need to bottom out, as you don't need to push the key all the way in.
4 mm is the full course. 2 mm is halfway, where the key registers. an O-ring is somewhere between 0.5 mm or 1 mm, don't remember.
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I started out with browns myself. If you bottom out all the time like me, you won't have any difficulty typing on reds. They feel a little weird at first, but they work just fine. It's kind of fun to change things up now and then. I prefer ergo-clears myself, which are nice and snappy with lots of travel.
When using reds with o-rings, the reduced travel coupled with the slight bounce at the bottom gives them an almost tactile feel. They are quiet, too. Browns with o-ring almost feel like scissor switches to me. As others have said, if you want to avoid bottoming out, you'll want a stiffer spring.
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Okay so the thing is.. I dont know if I want to stop :P I can't imagine writing without bottoming out.
So I thought it wouldn't matter if bump-feedback or not. Key goes completely down anyway. + The short the key travel (o-ring) the better for "bottoming out" again as I am used to press the key the whole way down but with the o-ring only have to press e.g. half the way.
Never used scissor switches, no idea what they are :S
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Well.. the key is typed when the button is bottomed out? :P So I wouldn't need the bump anyway?
And another question: 0.4mm reduction or 0.2mm ?
Unfortunately, I cannot tell you from experience which to get. as the only O-rings I could find at the time I bought mine were the 0.2mm reduction ones. I think I would like the reduced travel of the 0.4mm ones, though.
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Never used scissor switches, no idea what they are :S
Never used a laptop?
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only using a laptop tbh. This is my review if interested:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/sager-clevo-reviews-owners-lounges/620694-malibal-satori-p170hm-120hz-3d-matte-i7-2760qm-3-5ghz-8gb-ram-gtx-560m-intel-510-ssd.html
I see so that is how mx-brown switches will feel with o-rings. Well I like that I think :)
Too bad I have no mx-reds to compare them but from what I read the red's are easier to bottom out (since they don't have the resistance from the bump) which in my case makes writing more comfortable as I always bottom out (I think).
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That is just IMO, of course. :) I didn't care for the reduced travel on my Rosewill (browns), but I am a Model M guy. I still have them on my WASD with reds, because they feel nice enough for typing and are still good for gaming. O-rings are a cheap trick to try. I will probably try some of the thinner ones from WASD at some point.
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If I were you I would look into blacks or clears instead. A heavier switch may suit you better.
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We can't recommand you anything. Switchs has always been about personal preference :P.
This is where the problem lies for many, me included, where it is not possible to try all of the switch types (and backlighting, if applicable) before purchase, and thus rely on the testimonials of others in making a choice.
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There are a few switch tryers on this forum and on deskthority.
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In the US and Europe, not Australia :(
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They are a few worldwide rounds I believe.
But OUCH shipping :s.
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Yes indeed!
Plus for the sort of shipping costs involved, I would want to try a full keyboard for at least a week, not a keypad for a few days.
A good idea though :)
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Anybody knows a european reseller for the "40A-R (0.4mm Reduction)" o-rings ?
Thanks
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Anybody knows a european reseller for the "40A-R (0.4mm Reduction)" o-rings ?
Thanks
Shipping from WASD is pretty cheap for Orings. It's something like 4$.