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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: dougy on Wed, 07 January 2009, 21:50:46

Title: Advanced keyboard switch
Post by: dougy on Wed, 07 January 2009, 21:50:46

Has anyone else noticed this keyboard?
http://mykeyboard.co.uk/microswitch/

Title: Advanced keyboard switch
Post by: bhtooefr on Wed, 07 January 2009, 22:18:30

I think it's been mentioned on here before. I'd like to type on it, but... I suspect it's lighter than I'd actually want. (I like long travel, medium force (with the average 1391401 being high force.))

(Although, I do fine on my ThinkPad's short travel, medium force keyboard.)

Title: Advanced keyboard switch
Post by: Chloe on Thu, 08 January 2009, 06:58:55

Here you can see they have very short travel:
http://mykeyboard.co.uk/microswitches/

Title: Advanced keyboard switch
Post by: itlnstln on Thu, 08 January 2009, 07:19:22

Wow, a 1.2 mm travel.  That, IMO, would suck.  I already have enough trouble with typing accuracy.  Adding a hair trigger to the keyboard would be disasterous. :)

Title: Advanced keyboard switch
Post by: Chloe on Thu, 08 January 2009, 08:09:33

I wonder how they feel to type on. Apparently they have more travel beyond the activation point and lack initial resistance. Based on my ALPS surgery, long travel for light switches is important. I don't like the feeling of bottoming out.

Title: Advanced keyboard switch
Post by: andb on Thu, 08 January 2009, 16:24:58

Quote from: itlnstln;17458

Wow, a 1.2 mm travel.  That, IMO, would suck.  I already have enough trouble with typing accuracy.  Adding a hair trigger to the keyboard would be disasterous. :)

I didnt re-read the article, which I saw a while back, but I think the SWITCH has 1.2mm of travel, however notice the keypress operates on a lever, not directly on the switch, increasing the actual key travel. These are lever based switches, not vertical as you are used to in Cherry or Alps switches. Or maybe I've forgotten and should have re-read the article :)

Title: Advanced keyboard switch
Post by: dougy on Thu, 08 January 2009, 20:54:49

The switches had the levers removed. Apparently he was able to stick a Cherry keycap directly on the plunger. The activation travel is 1.2mm, total travel 4mm.

Title: Advanced keyboard switch
Post by: itlnstln on Fri, 09 January 2009, 06:39:49

You might be able to press it 4mm, but it still only takes 1.2mm of travel to activate the switch.  With a switch with, apparently, as light as the ones he is using, it would be very easy to activate the switch.  My Dell's Alps do not travel far to actually activate the switch, but the actuation force is much higher and prevents accidental keypresses (other than my bad typing).