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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: aquatic on Tue, 14 May 2013, 19:58:42

Title: Does o rings make keys heavier to actuate?
Post by: aquatic on Tue, 14 May 2013, 19:58:42
I just bought a Filco Majestouch 2 with blue switches. I love the feel of the keys, but I'm not so fond of the noise. So I read on this forum that you can use o-ring switch dampeners to quiet them down a bit. My question is: does dampeners make the keys heavier to actuate?

Also are there any online stores in europe selling them?
Title: Re: Does o rings make keys heavier to actuate?
Post by: CPTBadAss on Tue, 14 May 2013, 19:59:46
The o-rings don't add weight. They just dampen the noise slightly and shorten the travel distance.
Title: Re: Does o rings make keys heavier to actuate?
Post by: nubbinator on Tue, 14 May 2013, 20:07:05
Like CPTBadAss said, they don't change the actuation point.  They do change the feel of the key if you bottom out.  To me, it adds a little mush to the bottom
Title: Re: Does o rings make keys heavier to actuate?
Post by: dndlmx on Tue, 14 May 2013, 20:11:06
O-rings won't do anything for that infernal tactile click, I don't think.  :confused:
Title: Re: Does o rings make keys heavier to actuate?
Post by: aquatic on Tue, 14 May 2013, 20:24:58
Good news, thanks.

Now I just have to find someplace to buy them.
Title: Re: Does o rings make keys heavier to actuate?
Post by: rationull on Tue, 14 May 2013, 20:35:13
O-rings won't do anything for that infernal tactile click, I don't think.  :confused:

They won't do anything for the click but they may significantly impact the noise of the keyboard overall. I haven't used a Filco like the OP's but I added WASD's red o-rings to my MX blue WASD V1 and the keyboard is substantially quieter. IME there are three noises:

1) The key click (depending on switch type)
2) The bottom-out clack
3) The "top-out" clack on release

The o-rings get rid of (2). My perception is that my keyboard is much quieter due to this, because (again, on my keyboard at least) (1) and (3) are quieter than (2). Noises (2) and (3) are also why Kinesis Advantage boards (with MX browns) have a reputation around my office for being loud/clacky, even through browns are technically a silent switch.

Hope this helps... FWIW I really like the feel of my keyboard with WASD's lower travel-reduction o-rings, and it still sounds good as well IMO.
Title: Re: Does o rings make keys heavier to actuate?
Post by: fohat.digs on Tue, 14 May 2013, 20:35:46
imsto

buy multiple sets to spread out the shipping

get the thinnest and softest ones, the 40L
Title: Re: Does o rings make keys heavier to actuate?
Post by: Leslieann on Tue, 14 May 2013, 22:08:43
Blues have a part that causes click, the only way to stop that is a different switch, or Jailhouse Blues. Both require de-soldering every switch.

O-rings help in two ways, the first is bottoming out, O-rings stop you from bottoming out as hard, decreasing noise and finger impact. The second is that keycaps can amplify any noise from the switch, o-rings dampen them.

And no, they do not increase the force required to activate, they actually lower it an imperceptible amount by adding weight to the keycap.