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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: Kruen on Wed, 09 January 2013, 10:19:13

Title: clear actuation point
Post by: Kruen on Wed, 09 January 2013, 10:19:13

Hello Geekhack

I've noticed that cherry mx browns seem to have an actuation point just below the bump, which means that when I hold the key down by depressing it and releasing it to the point where it hits the bump it does not reliably actuate. Do cherry mx clears have this same 'issue'?

Thanks

Title: Re: clear actuation point
Post by: absyrd on Wed, 09 January 2013, 10:23:41

How long have you been using them? Took me a bit on browns to get used to "reliably" actuating the keypress without bottoming out every time. If you give it enough force to feel the tactility, then it should register. As for holding the key down, you should release to feel the bump and then just press enough to feel it again. It isn't going to register on the release bump as you describe it, but rather on the bump when you press down.

Clears are the same for me. The bump is just a bit more noticeable.

Title: Re: clear actuation point
Post by: Kruen on Wed, 09 January 2013, 18:23:47

What I mean is that when I bottom out the key and then release it until it rests just below the bump the switch it's not reliably actuated. It feels as though the actuation point is just the tiniest bit below the bump, or at least it feels that way.

Title: Re: clear actuation point
Post by: Saturn on Wed, 09 January 2013, 18:32:37

You can see the force graph here:
http://www.wasdkeyboards.com/media/guide/graph-mx-brown.jpg

The actuation point isn't just after the bump, but after the dip that follows it.  It's possible to hover around the actuation point and double-tap there without ever going back above the bump.  Not sure if any of that helps; I found your post confusing.

Title: Re: clear actuation point
Post by: lazerpointer on Wed, 09 January 2013, 18:54:27

I can't make my browns do the bump without making a letter appear....

Title: Re: clear actuation point
Post by: xDezor on Wed, 09 January 2013, 18:59:24

Brown's really suck for double tapping...

Title: Re: clear actuation point
Post by: rknize on Wed, 09 January 2013, 22:22:36

The back slope of the bump is what spreads the contacts apart when you release.  So if you stop just short of the bump, you won't reliably open the switch each time.  It has to get part-way up the bump.  Clears work the same.  Blues do as well, but it's harder not to reset the switch completely because the stem is in two pieces.

Seems like you might prefer a linear switch?

Title: Re: clear actuation point
Post by: Turbo Slaab on Thu, 10 January 2013, 01:24:58

Quote from: xDezor on Wed, 09 January 2013, 18:59:24

Brown's really suck for double tapping...

Ehh. Im going to have to beg to differ. I spam the "q" spot button in bf3 and can ride the actuation point pretty consistantly.

Title: Re: clear actuation point
Post by: Kruen on Thu, 10 January 2013, 08:12:35

I see, thanks. The graph certainly made things clearer.

Title: Re: clear actuation point
Post by: davkol on Thu, 10 January 2013, 10:03:44

Pun intended?

Title: Re: clear actuation point
Post by: lazerpointer on Thu, 10 January 2013, 10:41:49

Agreed Turbo. I "double-tap" just fine. Actually I like browns the best of all switches atm.

Title: Re: clear actuation point
Post by: JPG on Thu, 10 January 2013, 10:47:01

Quote from: Flip on Thu, 10 January 2013, 10:41:49

Agreed Turbo. I "double-tap" just fine. Actually I like browns the best of all switches atm.

Have you tried ergo clears?

Title: Re: clear actuation point
Post by: lazerpointer on Thu, 10 January 2013, 11:15:39

Not yet. Kind of scared to try soldering in new switches on my current boards XD I'll wait until WASD or some major company decides to put them in a board, stock.