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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: atomcracker on Thu, 21 November 2013, 19:30:51

Title: Double Spacing in Leopold TKL MX Brown
Post by: atomcracker on Thu, 21 November 2013, 19:30:51
Hey everyone,
I love  my Leopold, but I have  a problem with it that is kind of driving me nuts.

My spacebar enters space twice frequently whenever I press it while typing. It  is  not stuck  and it is clean. Is this a problem with bottoming out? Is the force needed to actuate the space too light for me?

I am open for recommendations. I love typing  on the MX Browns but if something  heavier  like  blues would solve this issue then I am more  than open to trying them. I'd even try the new greens  from Coolermaster.

Many thanks in advance,
atomcracker
Title: Re: Double Spacing in Leopold TKL MX Brown
Post by: Photoelectric on Thu, 21 November 2013, 19:34:35
You could try replacing your spacebar switch.  Are browns too light for you?  Just wondering if perhaps you're actually pressing space too long or too heavily.  Some switches have worse debounce behavior than others, and sometimes firmware doesn't compensate for it enough.
Title: Re: Double Spacing in Leopold TKL MX Brown
Post by: atomcracker on Thu, 21 November 2013, 20:36:14
I think that they are, but it has taken me a long time to realize that. I am used to almost fully depressing my keys and to me it feels like I have to barely touch my keys to activate them.

I don't know how to describe it, but I will try the best I can:  it  feels like I am wasting energy because it requires less effort/energy to actuate a key than I am actually using. It is either I change my way of typing or I get something that meets me.

I wish I had  a local store in NJ where I can try all mechanical keyboards to see  which one I like.
Title: Re: Double Spacing in Leopold TKL MX Brown
Post by: terran5992 on Thu, 21 November 2013, 20:37:46
I think that they are, but it has taken me a long time to realize that. I am used to almost fully depressing my keys and to me it feels like I have to barely touch my keys to activate them.

I don't know how to describe it, but I will try the best I can:  it  feels like I am wasting energy because it requires less effort/energy to actuate a key than I am actually using. It is either I change my way of typing or I get something that meets me.

I wish I had  a local store in NJ where I can try all mechanical keyboards to see  which one I like.

Umm try your local best buy
Title: Re: Double Spacing in Leopold TKL MX Brown
Post by: Computer-Lab in Basement on Thu, 21 November 2013, 20:40:13
I think that they are, but it has taken me a long time to realize that. I am used to almost fully depressing my keys and to me it feels like I have to barely touch my keys to activate them.

I don't know how to describe it, but I will try the best I can:  it  feels like I am wasting energy because it requires less effort/energy to actuate a key than I am actually using. It is either I change my way of typing or I get something that meets me.

I wish I had  a local store in NJ where I can try all mechanical keyboards to see  which one I like.

Sounds like you need a heavier switch. I had the same issue with Browns (they felt too light). Made many typos and just couldn't get used to it.

Then I found MX Blues, and eventually Clears. Both are quite wonderful switches.
Title: Re: Double Spacing in Leopold TKL MX Brown
Post by: Photoelectric on Thu, 21 November 2013, 20:52:03
Well, I asked because it could be two different things.  One is a debounce problem and could possibly be fixed by replacing that switch, but the other is entirely because Browns might be too light for you, and you're actuating them accidentally or don't release as quickly.  The spacebar would be the easiest to actuate too, due to the heavier keycap and stronger thumbs.  I second Clears--they could be just right for you.
Title: Re: Double Spacing in Leopold TKL MX Brown
Post by: atomcracker on Thu, 21 November 2013, 21:06:28
Thanks everyone!

Are clears new switches? I have never heard of them. Are they used for gaming as well?
Title: Re: Double Spacing in Leopold TKL MX Brown
Post by: Reomero on Thu, 21 November 2013, 21:09:58
Are clears new switches? I have never heard of them. Are they used for gaming as well?
Nope, they're just not as common. As for whether or not they're "used for gaming", that comes down to personal preference.
Title: Re: Double Spacing in Leopold TKL MX Brown
Post by: atomcracker on Thu, 21 November 2013, 22:07:18
I've googled them and see that wasd sells them but they have no keyboards with them on their site
Title: Re: Double Spacing in Leopold TKL MX Brown
Post by: Photoelectric on Thu, 21 November 2013, 22:21:18
There aren't many still.  CM QFR has been in future plans for a while now.  You can always get a Deck keyboard with clears.  Otherwise, look for DASD Code or V2 on the classifieds, or Ducky keyboards with Clears--there have been a couple of limited editions.  The cheapest method would be getting Clear switches from mechanicalkeyboards.com and soldering them into your existing one--if you are proficient with a soldering iron.
Title: Re: Double Spacing in Leopold TKL MX Brown
Post by: mapple on Fri, 22 November 2013, 07:16:19
Well, I asked because it could be two different things.  One is a debounce problem and could possibly be fixed by replacing that switch, but the other is entirely because Browns might be too light for you, and you're actuating them accidentally or don't release as quickly.  The spacebar would be the easiest to actuate too, due to the heavier keycap and stronger thumbs.  I second Clears--they could be just right for you.

well there's always third option as i had before although it was with blue switches from sh***y company aka razer....... anyways in my case keyboard controller was broken....... at least i did get my $ back....
Title: Re: Double Spacing in Leopold TKL MX Brown
Post by: CPTBadAss on Fri, 22 November 2013, 07:36:24
I think that they are, but it has taken me a long time to realize that. I am used to almost fully depressing my keys and to me it feels like I have to barely touch my keys to activate them.

Seems like you need a heavier switch like Photoelectric and others were saying.

I wish I had  a local store in NJ where I can try all mechanical keyboards to see  which one I like.

If you live near Patterson, there's a Microcenter you could visit to try out keybords.
Title: Re: Double Spacing in Leopold TKL MX Brown
Post by: atomcracker on Fri, 22 November 2013, 08:58:38
Yeah I'm not far from microcenter. I didn't know that they let you open up keyboards and try them.
Title: Re: Double Spacing in Leopold TKL MX Brown
Post by: atomcracker on Sat, 14 December 2013, 17:05:45
Hey guys, I bought the cooler master switch faster and I think that clears are the best bet for me. I really loved blues I think the clicking would annoy me. I wish I could get an led backlit clear keyboard. It's kind of ironic that cooler master sells a tester with a switch that they don't sell
Title: Re: Double Spacing in Leopold TKL MX Brown
Post by: Photoelectric on Sat, 14 December 2013, 17:07:24
They are planning on selling it.  I think those switches on the tester are the ones that are supposed to be representing everything that's offered by CM.  Clears are coming.
Title: Re: Double Spacing in Leopold TKL MX Brown
Post by: atomcracker on Sat, 14 December 2013, 23:16:34
Oh nice. I was eyeing the code keyboard but they won't be back in stock for a year
Title: Re: Double Spacing in Leopold TKL MX Brown
Post by: Photoelectric on Sat, 14 December 2013, 23:22:33
You can always get a Deck keyboard with Clears, but those only come in full-size, I believe.  I don't know if 87-key Francium models will come in Clear at any point.  WASD seems to have a shortage of Clear switches for v2 and Code.  But CM's been talking about a keyboard with Clears for a while now, but no update for a few months :(
Title: Re: Double Spacing in Leopold TKL MX Brown
Post by: atomcracker on Sun, 15 December 2013, 13:40:43
You can always get a Deck keyboard with Clears, but those only come in full-size, I believe.  I don't know if 87-key Francium models will come in Clear at any point.  WASD seems to have a shortage of Clear switches for v2 and Code.  But CM's been talking about a keyboard with Clears for a while now, but no update for a few months :(

I took a look at the Decks. they look ugly to me.

I wish there were more clears...I find that funny about myself. Whenever I find something perfect, it is rare.

I guess I  will wait for CM or WASD to re release those clears.

or find out how to get rid of this spacebar issue.
Title: Re: Double Spacing in Leopold TKL MX Brown
Post by: Photoelectric on Sun, 15 December 2013, 13:57:56
If you have no experience with soldering or don't wish to do it yourself, you could find someone to help you replace your spacebar switch with a stock Clear swtich.  That would be most economical and an easy solution.
Title: Re: Double Spacing in Leopold TKL MX Brown
Post by: atomcracker on Sun, 15 December 2013, 14:06:14
That doesn't sound like a bad idea. What forum do I post that in?
Title: Re: Double Spacing in Leopold TKL MX Brown
Post by: Linkbane on Mon, 16 December 2013, 11:07:39
I think that they are, but it has taken me a long time to realize that. I am used to almost fully depressing my keys and to me it feels like I have to barely touch my keys to activate them.

I don't know how to describe it, but I will try the best I can:  it  feels like I am wasting energy because it requires less effort/energy to actuate a key than I am actually using. It is either I change my way of typing or I get something that meets me.

I wish I had  a local store in NJ where I can try all mechanical keyboards to see  which one I like.

It probably would be beneficial to try to type more softly, it would take a week or so of practice, but you'd be a better typist at the end and only bottoming out some of the time. However, heavier switches would make this easier. Blues aren't really much heavier; the linear part is the same, but the click takes more force than the bump (5-10g more, I think), and is of course more tactile and auditory. Unless you press space very slowly, though, the double spacing shouldn't be a problem. Perhaps the debounce on your keyboard is not what it's supposed to be.
Title: Re: Double Spacing in Leopold TKL MX Brown
Post by: atomcracker on Sun, 29 December 2013, 08:39:53
I think that they are, but it has taken me a long time to realize that. I am used to almost fully depressing my keys and to me it feels like I have to barely touch my keys to activate them.

I don't know how to describe it, but I will try the best I can:  it  feels like I am wasting energy because it requires less effort/energy to actuate a key than I am actually using. It is either I change my way of typing or I get something that meets me.

I wish I had  a local store in NJ where I can try all mechanical keyboards to see  which one I like.

It probably would be beneficial to try to type more softly, it would take a week or so of practice, but you'd be a better typist at the end and only bottoming out some of the time. However, heavier switches would make this easier. Blues aren't really much heavier; the linear part is the same, but the click takes more force than the bump (5-10g more, I think), and is of course more tactile and auditory. Unless you press space very slowly, though, the double spacing shouldn't be a problem. Perhaps the debounce on your keyboard is not what it's supposed to be.

I've tried learning how to type softer but that doesn't help. The actuation of the spacebar is too soon. I was figuring out why double spacing was happening and I barely even pressed my spacebar when the key press registered. It is like the spacebar has an actuation force of 10g
Title: Re: Double Spacing in Leopold TKL MX Brown
Post by: tp4tissue on Sun, 29 December 2013, 09:32:24
You can always get a Deck keyboard with Clears, but those only come in full-size, I believe.  I don't know if 87-key Francium models will come in Clear at any point.  WASD seems to have a shortage of Clear switches for v2 and Code.  But CM's been talking about a keyboard with Clears for a while now, but no update for a few months :(

I took a look at the Decks. they look ugly to me.

I wish there were more clears...I find that funny about myself. Whenever I find something perfect, it is rare.

I guess I  will wait for CM or WASD to re release those clears.

or find out how to get rid of this spacebar issue.

Mx-Clear is neither perfect, nor rare..
Title: Re: Double Spacing in Leopold TKL MX Brown
Post by: ideus on Sun, 29 December 2013, 09:39:52
You can always get a Deck keyboard with Clears, but those only come in full-size, I believe.  I don't know if 87-key Francium models will come in Clear at any point.  WASD seems to have a shortage of Clear switches for v2 and Code.  But CM's been talking about a keyboard with Clears for a while now, but no update for a few months :(

I took a look at the Decks. they look ugly to me.

I wish there were more clears...I find that funny about myself. Whenever I find something perfect, it is rare.

I guess I  will wait for CM or WASD to re release those clears.

or find out how to get rid of this spacebar issue.

Mx-Clear is neither perfect, nor rare..


It is just another of the many GH urban legends.