geekhack
geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: Chloe on Mon, 24 November 2008, 12:16:49
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I'm interested in others' experiences with different keycaps over the same switches.
I found this article which explains differences between materials used:
http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=cn&u=http://blog.dengzhe.com/article.asp?id=253
The Compaq MX 11800 I own have PBT keycaps. I was wondering how dual-colour molded keycaps might feel in comparison.
I prefer the soft stone-like texture on my Cherry G84-4100PTMGB. They're made of ABS and have already started to get shiny. To me they sound quite high-pitched and hollow. The keycap seems to cause most of the noise.
Does anyone have POM keycaps?
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I dont think I can tell what the material is, in general. I know I dont like the high pitched "tinny and hard" keycaps (like on the Endurapro). I generally like the soft touch dense plastic ones (like on the smk88) which have a much duller or low pitched sound. I like the "thock thock" they make. They're probably abs. They seem more dense and soft.
Thats also why I like the 2-part keys on the model M's (rather than the 1 piece), because I think the tone is different. With the 2-part keys, its thicker and denser and lower-pitched. The endurapro has the hard single piece keys and has a much higher pitched sound as far as I can tell.
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In my experience, the shape and design of the key has more to with the feel than the material it's made of. The Model M has these bold square shaped keys that feel really good to type on (I'm on my blue logo Mini enjoying them right now). The Topre's keys are tapered more from the bottom to the top, which results in a little less accuracy IMO.
Other than that, I have a set of Northgate double molded keys on my MK96, and they do feel so much better than it's original keys, I threw them away. One of the downfalls of the more industrial Northgate keys is the MK96 is now loud enough to get me evicted.
That being said, no key feels more solid than those on the Model M.
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On the inside of the keycaps I have there is tiny ABS or PBT. I wouldn't be able to tell from looking. Although, the keys on older keyboards such as the Model M tend to be glossy and feel more dense to me. Maybe they are simply thicker.
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Does anyone have POM keycaps?
If that's the black version of a Cherry G80, then yes. The material is kind of soft compared to ABS but tough. The white lettering is 3-dimensional. It looks like it is applied in thin layers. I tried to remove the lettering on two keys and it was nearly impossible. It looks like paint but seems to be made from the same material as the keycap itself. The lettering is sunk into the keycap like double injection molding applied from the top.
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In my experience, the shape and design of the key has more to with the feel than the material it's made of.
Having played with some netbooks, I can even go so far as to say that certain "stylish" keys with no taper at all can ruin a keyboard with otherwise excellent tactile feedback (for a laptop, anyway.)