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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: moonexe on Thu, 26 December 2013, 02:00:03

Title: Best/cheapest place to buy MX switches?
Post by: moonexe on Thu, 26 December 2013, 02:00:03
I'm looking to buy a full set of switches (for 104 keys).
originativeco.com has them for $60/110 switches(If I order these I'll get a few keycaps as well to make it worth it). Are there any cheaper places?
Title: Re: Best/cheapest place to buy MX switches?
Post by: domoaligato on Thu, 26 December 2013, 02:01:23
7bit on deskthority http://deskthority.net/marketplace-f11/cherry-mx-taking-pre-orders-t2760.html
Title: Re: Best/cheapest place to buy MX switches?
Post by: terran5992 on Thu, 26 December 2013, 02:07:23
Thiss ^^
Title: Re: Best/cheapest place to buy MX switches?
Post by: Reomero on Thu, 26 December 2013, 02:56:53
Uhh... isnt €0.65 approx. $0.90US [per switch]? If that's the case, then buying switches from Originative/Mechanicalkeyboards would be better.
Title: Re: Best/cheapest place to buy MX switches?
Post by: dragonxx21 on Thu, 26 December 2013, 03:01:33
7bit on deskthority http://deskthority.net/marketplace-f11/cherry-mx-taking-pre-orders-t2760.html
Euros and shipping fees makes this MORE expensive than the CONUS alternatives, unless OP is located in Europe.
Title: Re: Best/cheapest place to buy MX switches?
Post by: terran5992 on Thu, 26 December 2013, 04:30:49
0.o I could have sworn that 7bit gb was in USD
Title: Re: Best/cheapest place to buy MX switches?
Post by: moonexe on Thu, 26 December 2013, 05:07:53
Actually it's more expensive even before conversion and shipping :rolleyes:
Title: Re: Best/cheapest place to buy MX switches?
Post by: Shadovved on Thu, 26 December 2013, 05:08:41
0.o I could have sworn that 7bit gb was in USD

It has been, and always will be in EUR, which is why I dont buy from 7bit
Title: Re: Best/cheapest place to buy MX switches?
Post by: moonexe on Thu, 26 December 2013, 05:36:22
It's a bit frustrating to see that each component of the keyboard is worth more than half of its total price. I paid $80 for the damn thing, and could easily pay $100 for a set of keycaps that aren't even printed. :rolleyes:
Title: Re: Best/cheapest place to buy MX switches?
Post by: tuxsavvy on Thu, 26 December 2013, 05:52:14
Uhh... isnt €0.65 approx. $0.90US [per switch]? If that's the case, then buying switches from Originative/Mechanicalkeyboards would be better.
I was pointed out by dragonxx21 awhile ago about mechanicalkeyboards website selling a pack of Cherry MX (100) in somewhat cheaper amounts in CONUS region.

http://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_list&c=43 (http://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_list&c=43)

It's a bit frustrating to see that each component of the keyboard is worth more than half of its total price. I paid $80 for the damn thing, and could easily pay $100 for a set of keycaps that aren't even printed. ::)



It is cheaper in some places to buy them in bulk but don't forget that usually paying a higher price may also mean bettrer quality of stuff. For instance there are people who prefer PBT keycaps on their ABS keyboard. Then there are those who would like dye-sublimated key caps (which lasts for a very long time). Then there are those who would pay lots of money for just a (1) single keycap.

Mechanical keyboards are really an entrance (in my opinion) into the more "professional" world. You generally have to pay a bit for quality stuff probably because that is how it works. Generally rare (as opposed to common as hell membrane keyboards) and also possibly a sign of good quality workmanship that has been accounted for.
Title: Re: Best/cheapest place to buy MX switches?
Post by: moonexe on Thu, 26 December 2013, 06:29:11
I'm looking for blank white PBT cherry, so even if I shop around, so far I've got exactly two options, and not currently in stock. :p
I'm cool with the $60 for switches though, it'd just be really nice if someone knows of cheaper
Title: Re: Best/cheapest place to buy MX switches?
Post by: BlueBär on Thu, 26 December 2013, 07:12:49
Sometimes you can get cheaper switches in the classifieds. Another alternative would be getting a cheap board and desoldering.
Title: Re: Best/cheapest place to buy MX switches?
Post by: yasuo on Thu, 26 December 2013, 07:15:39
mouser?
Title: Re: Best/cheapest place to buy MX switches?
Post by: terran5992 on Thu, 26 December 2013, 07:21:01
mouser?


mouser?
Title: Re: Best/cheapest place to buy MX switches?
Post by: yasuo on Thu, 26 December 2013, 07:22:31
mouser (http://id.mouser.com/?gclid=CKyKqrj8zbsCFUtV4god1kIAWg)
Title: Re: Best/cheapest place to buy MX switches?
Post by: terran5992 on Thu, 26 December 2013, 07:25:22
mouser (http://id.mouser.com/?gclid=CKyKqrj8zbsCFUtV4god1kIAWg)

Do they sell cherry mx switches?
Title: Re: Best/cheapest place to buy MX switches?
Post by: yasuo on Thu, 26 December 2013, 07:27:25
mouser (http://id.mouser.com/?gclid=CKyKqrj8zbsCFUtV4god1kIAWg)

Do they sell cherry mx switches?
Sorry i mean,This (http://id.mouser.com/Search/Refine.aspx?Keyword=cherry+mx)
Title: Re: Best/cheapest place to buy MX switches?
Post by: moonexe on Thu, 26 December 2013, 07:37:18
...So which part numbers are which switches? :rolleyes:
EDIT: Nevermind, they're all more expensive as well.
Title: Re: Best/cheapest place to buy MX switches?
Post by: RabRhee on Thu, 26 December 2013, 08:07:00
Conrad list white and black switches at £0.39 (60 cents) each for 100 plus posting. UK only delivery, but someone may be willing to proxy. Not cheaper than Originative, but if you wanted whites it may be an option. Haven't bought from them myself though.

http://www.conrad-electronic.co.uk/ce/en/product/706351/Cherry-Switches----12-VDC-button-module----MX1A-A1NN----Without-locating-pin----NA
Title: Re: Best/cheapest place to buy MX switches?
Post by: moonexe on Thu, 26 December 2013, 08:33:53
Guess I'll go with originative. I want browns.
Title: Re: Best/cheapest place to buy MX switches?
Post by: regack on Thu, 26 December 2013, 09:10:28
I'd say that $0.54/switch for brand new seems pretty good.   About a year ago I ordered 250 blues from Onlinecomponents (http://www.onlinecomponents.com/keywordsearch.aspx?text=mx1a&inorder=true) for $0.63/sw (including shipping)... but it was 250 switches, and they don't seem to have any browns right now (http://www.onlinecomponents.com/keywordsearch.aspx?text=mx1ag1).
Title: Re: Best/cheapest place to buy MX switches?
Post by: moonexe on Thu, 26 December 2013, 10:03:43
Hopefully I'll be able to sell my black springs/stems and make back some of that money :p
Title: Re: Best/cheapest place to buy MX switches?
Post by: dragonxx21 on Fri, 27 December 2013, 04:48:37
Hopefully I'll be able to sell my black springs/stems and make back some of that money :p
how much? I may be interested in those in the near future.
Title: Re: Best/cheapest place to buy MX switches?
Post by: moonexe on Fri, 27 December 2013, 07:00:47
Hmm how much do they usually go for around here? :rolleyes:
Title: Re: Best/cheapest place to buy MX switches?
Post by: terran5992 on Fri, 27 December 2013, 07:36:11
Hmm how much do they usually go for around here? :rolleyes:

Less than a dollar each
Title: Re: Best/cheapest place to buy MX switches?
Post by: moonexe on Fri, 27 December 2013, 08:03:37
Less than a dollar each
We're talking 104 switches here, that's a lot of range. :p
Title: Re: Best/cheapest place to buy MX switches?
Post by: terran5992 on Fri, 27 December 2013, 08:11:38
I think the cheapest would be from originatve at about 0.60 USD per switch
Title: Re: Best/cheapest place to buy MX switches?
Post by: SpAmRaY on Fri, 27 December 2013, 09:54:48
Hmm how much do they usually go for around here? :rolleyes:

Stems and springs don't bring much.
Title: Re: Best/cheapest place to buy MX switches?
Post by: ideus on Fri, 27 December 2013, 10:03:20
It's a bit frustrating to see that each component of the keyboard is worth more than half of its total price. I paid $80 for the damn thing, and could easily pay $100 for a set of keycaps that aren't even printed. ::)


Welcome to the mechanical boards world  ;D .
Title: Re: Best/cheapest place to buy MX switches?
Post by: domoaligato on Fri, 27 December 2013, 11:19:55
It's a bit frustrating to see that each component of the keyboard is worth more than half of its total price. I paid $80 for the damn thing, and could easily pay $100 for a set of keycaps that aren't even printed. :rolleyes:


and the blanks are twice as thick as the stock keycaps.
Title: Re: Best/cheapest place to buy MX switches?
Post by: 1pq on Fri, 27 December 2013, 11:41:57
Mechanicalkeyboards.com has 100 switches for $50 (free shipping if you order soon). Just got some clears there.
Title: Re: Best/cheapest place to buy MX switches?
Post by: moonexe on Fri, 27 December 2013, 18:25:27
Gah, too late. I ordered from originative this morning. But I'm still happy with my order, I'm excited about the extra keycaps I got as well. :D
Title: Re: Best/cheapest place to buy MX switches?
Post by: lilky on Fri, 27 December 2013, 23:58:27
mechanicalkeyboards.com sells switches for $0.50 per switch (any type, including clears)
Title: Re: Best/cheapest place to buy MX switches?
Post by: dustinhxc on Fri, 27 December 2013, 23:59:10
Mouser
Title: Re: Best/cheapest place to buy MX switches?
Post by: 1pq on Sat, 28 December 2013, 00:09:51
Mechanicalkeyboards.com has 100 switches for $50 (free shipping if you order soon). Just got some clears there.

mechanicalkeyboards.com sells switches for $0.50 per switch (any type, including clears)

Copy cat! :P
You also copied my location lol
Title: Re: Best/cheapest place to buy MX switches?
Post by: berserkfan on Sun, 29 December 2013, 03:15:51
Just get a secondhand board and desolder yourself. If you're looking for brown or blue switches, Razer is a fantastic alternative. They always have broken old Razer boards going for like $40 shipped, which means you'll get 110 switches for just 40.

I'm looking for blank white PBT cherry, so even if I shop around, so far I've got exactly two options, and not currently in stock. :p
I'm cool with the $60 for switches though, it'd just be really nice if someone knows of cheaper