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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: CorsairJames on Wed, 12 February 2014, 15:20:08

Title: Ask Cherry Anything! (3/5-Answers Have Been Provided)
Post by: CorsairJames on Wed, 12 February 2014, 15:20:08
Hi guys,

If there is ever a place where people were interested in getting answers from Cherry, I'd assume this is the place! With the cooperation of Cherry, we are able to host a "Ask Cherry Anything" typ of discussion. This will allow keyboard enthusiasts, such as you all here, to ask and get answers to questions directly from the source. Whether its about the RGB project, Cherry MX Switches, etc. feel free to ask anything you'd like to know more about. I created a Facebook discussion here: http://on.fb.me/1g88AoN

After about a week, I will collect all the questions and pass them on. Then they will answer them, email me back, and I'll post it here to share. If you don't have a FB account or don't care to use one, post it on this thread so I can track the questions.

Feel free to PM me if there is anything you're unsure of, or you can ask me directly here.

EDIT:

The answers can be found now on this post: http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=54697.msg1247237#msg1247237
Title: Re: Ask Cherry Anything!
Post by: Flyersfan1 on Wed, 12 February 2014, 15:21:32
Looking forward to this!
Title: Re: Ask Cherry Anything!
Post by: CPTBadAss on Wed, 12 February 2014, 15:21:44
Did the material in Black stems change over time? If so, are there known dates as to when the material was changed?
Title: Re: Ask Cherry Anything!
Post by: Wildcard on Wed, 12 February 2014, 15:23:28
Cherry could you give me us a list of all the commercial customers whom you have built custom boards for. And as a follow up question, what are the model numbers of said boards?

Also to piggyback off of CPT. When did the MX blues change? Why were the new (non vintage) switch tops created?
Title: Re: Ask Cherry Anything!
Post by: Photoelectric on Wed, 12 February 2014, 15:24:30
Did the material in Black stems change over time? If so, are there known dates as to when the material was changed?

Good question!!

I'd also love to know why some batches of brand new switches have very noticeable friction while others don't.  It's not a matter of factory lubrication either.  I was under the impression that they come from the same factory, so I'm curious why such variation.

Also, please release some windowed Cherry novelty caps for us in Row E and Row B for us enthusiasts :D

(http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy316/tinlong117/IMG_1254_zpsadc375d3.jpg) 
Title: Re: Ask Cherry Anything!
Post by: CPTBadAss on Wed, 12 February 2014, 15:25:32
Are there Cherry Hall Effect Switch keyboards? Could we do a special order?

Do MX Whites have special or extra lubing from the factory?

What is the normal lube used on MX switches?

Are MX Whites still being made? Or are they being phased out?
Title: Re: Ask Cherry Anything!
Post by: SpAmRaY on Wed, 12 February 2014, 15:27:05
Are any of the cherry MX switches being discontinued?

Are white mx switches factory lubed? What makes the white mx click different than blue mx?

What sort of testing if any does cherry do to determine the variance in the weights of the MX switch springs?

edit: ninja'd mostly  :p
Title: Re: Ask Cherry Anything!
Post by: Wildcard on Wed, 12 February 2014, 15:27:36
 Are there any plans to bring the G80-5000 back due to the rise in demand for ergo boards?
Title: Re: Ask Cherry Anything!
Post by: Computer-Lab in Basement on Wed, 12 February 2014, 15:29:36
Will there ever be an MX Purple switch?  :eek:
Title: Re: Ask Cherry Anything!
Post by: CPTBadAss on Wed, 12 February 2014, 15:33:51
Is it true Logitech has placed a huge order for MX Brown switches? If so, how does ZF/Cherry anticipate keeping up with the MX Brown order and the other switches?

Does Cherry plan on partnering with other companies like MechanicalKeyboards.com to offer switches/stabilizer kits?

Title: Re: Ask Cherry Anything!
Post by: Wildcard on Wed, 12 February 2014, 15:35:01
Are there, or have there been any plans to redesign cherry stabilizers?
Title: Re: Ask Cherry Anything!
Post by: SpAmRaY on Wed, 12 February 2014, 15:39:43
Are there, or have there been any plans to redesign cherry stabilizers?

^^ to add to this what about having white and/or translucent/clear stabilizers instead of black.
Title: Re: Ask Cherry Anything!
Post by: Photekq on Wed, 12 February 2014, 15:50:41
Did the material in Black stems change over time? If so, are there known dates as to when the material was changed?

Good question!!

I'd also love to know why some batches of brand new switches have very noticeable friction while others don't.  It's not a matter of factory lubrication either.  I was under the impression that they come from the same factory, so I'm curious why such variation.

Also, please release some windowed Cherry novelty caps for us in Row E and Row B for us enthusiasts :D

Show Image
(http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy316/tinlong117/IMG_1254_zpsadc375d3.jpg)

Yessssss E profile please!

(http://i.imgur.com/whlrA.jpg)
Title: Re: Ask Cherry Anything!
Post by: dorkvader on Wed, 12 February 2014, 16:04:35
We know that hirose was cherry's official distributor in Japan for some time. Can you explain, then, why the hirose / cherry switches have different cross stems than international cherry switches?

For you people at home, here's a picture:
http://deskthority.net/wiki/Cherry_MX_Orange
Title: Re: Ask Cherry Anything!
Post by: tricheboars on Wed, 12 February 2014, 16:06:50
Who is the source for Cherry POM caps found on many G80 keyboards? 
Title: Re: Ask Cherry Anything!
Post by: lowpoly on Wed, 12 February 2014, 16:21:23
Why is the Fujitsu Siemens KBPC-E so similar to the MX5000 but yet entirely different?
Title: Re: Ask Cherry Anything!
Post by: Snarfangel on Wed, 12 February 2014, 16:24:25
What's the cheapest place in the U.S.  to buy about 140 of Cherry part number 8371-0003?

Hey, you said to ask Cherry anything!

In case anyone is wondering, those are the 1x1 keycaps/lenses for an SPOS, specifically the G86-63400. I need them for my new acquisition. Some places have a MOQ of 250 or 400, and I've seen prices online from 33 cents apiece to quoted prices of several dollars apiece, the latter which is frankly ridiculous. So I have been sending out emails, and hey, Cherry offered to help.  :))
Title: Re: Ask Cherry Anything!
Post by: Zeal on Wed, 12 February 2014, 16:42:25
Could Cherry please release an official catalogue (with part numbers) of all the different MX Switches that they have ever manufactured? Alongside with the colour of the stem next to the description? The 1994 one is a bit outdated and doesn't include all of their current offerings.

Does Cherry have any plans on manufacturing new MX switch types? I noticed that Cherry has omitted some letters in their part numbers. Are they reserved for future switch types?
Title: Re: Ask Cherry Anything!
Post by: CorsairJames on Wed, 12 February 2014, 16:53:42
Great initial response. Keep it going as I'll be checking it up on a daily basis for a week before I sort all the questions out.
Title: Re: Ask Cherry Anything!
Post by: Daniel Beardsmore on Wed, 12 February 2014, 17:16:17
I wish :°(

All the stuff I desperately want to know, is mostly sunk like Atlantis. We did have breakthrough last year: HaaTa found some strange Cherry switches, which I put to my contact in ZF US (Ed Ferraton). He asked Germany, who recognised it as being similar to an M10, but they suspected it was fake. Ed had a rummage and found a data sheet for the M11, and that was it! Perfect match. So we assume M10 existed (as that's all Germany remembers), and we have physical proof of the M11. We saved the knowledge of two switches from complete extinction. However, we really are on the edge of losing every last trace of data from pre-MX now.

However, what would be exceptionally useful, is a copy of every Keyboards & Switches, and Switches & Keyboards catalogues that they have in their archives. I only have 1973, 1974, and 1982 as PDF.

Q: Are any Keyboards & Switches/Switches & Keyboards catalogues still kept on file at Cherry, and are Cherry able to officially release any of them to the community/wiki?

I've tried Hirose directly and had no luck finding out anything about their M8 and MX switches, and we won't solve all of yab's custom batches (yellow, Alps mount, etc), but if we can fill in some of these intermediate years for their mainstream switch range, we may get M10 and M11 details, suggested start dates for known switches, a suggestion of what went on with MX White and MX Blue, and maybe even a clue as to when and why Cherry changed from M6 to M7 part numbers (no-one left at Cherry seems to have any idea).

OK, here's a really evil one — answer this and they can have a whole bag of gold stars:

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=45470.0

See that Cherry USA keyboard? That's a Cherry PCB, onto which is mounted a block of "praying hands" switches.

Q: Who made the "praying hands" monobloc switch assembly used in the Cherry USA–made DECwriter LA36(?) keyboard? (See URL above for details)

It may be the same company who made many other DEC keyboards of that design (e.g. DEC Gigi, VT100); I don't need to know why DEC had such a frankenboard constructed; I simply want to know who made the switch block. It will be either Hi-Tek Corporation or Stackpole Components Corporation; I'm trying to get manufacturer confirmations to strengthen my theory of how you differentiate the Hi-Tek and Stackpole versions of those early monobloc assemblies, so this would be another important data point.

(Edited to contain direct questions!)
Title: Re: Ask Cherry Anything!
Post by: IvanIvanovich on Wed, 12 February 2014, 17:51:57
What I would most like to see is a complete catalog of all MX keyboards... preferably with color pictures... and for all models no longer in production complete documentation of technical specs, pcb schematics what protocols they speak and so on so we can more easily repair them/adapt them to modern computer systems.
Title: Re: Ask Cherry Anything!
Post by: C5Allroad on Wed, 12 February 2014, 18:02:30
1.Why is Cherry choosing Corsair over other companies for RGB?
2. Will Corsair ever offer clears?
Title: Re: Ask Cherry Anything!
Post by: demik on Wed, 12 February 2014, 18:09:57
Dear cherry. Why aren't you topre.

Love, the topre elite.


But really, can we have different colored clicky switches? And heavier (than green) clicky switches?
Title: Re: Ask Cherry Anything!
Post by: Zeal on Wed, 12 February 2014, 18:18:55
Dear cherry. Why aren't you topre.

Love, the topre elite.


But really, can we have different colored clicky switches? And heavier (than green) clicky switches?

Cherry MX Clicky grey!
Title: Re: Ask Cherry Anything!
Post by: ChronoBodi on Wed, 12 February 2014, 18:23:51
Why is Cherry MX Clears so hard to get? I prefer them to Browns now, they're like the beefy version of Browns.

If Greens is somewhat available to Cooler Master, there should be option for Clears.
Title: Re: Ask Cherry Anything!
Post by: CPTBadAss on Wed, 12 February 2014, 18:25:05
Why is Cherry MX Clears so hard to get? I prefer them to Browns now, they're like the beefy version of Browns.

If Greens is somewhat available to Cooler Master, there should be option for Clears.

They're readily available at Mechanicalkeyboards.com (http://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_list&c=43).
Title: Re: Ask Cherry Anything!
Post by: ChronoBodi on Wed, 12 February 2014, 18:29:13
Why is Cherry MX Clears so hard to get? I prefer them to Browns now, they're like the beefy version of Browns.

If Greens is somewhat available to Cooler Master, there should be option for Clears.

They're readily available at Mechanicalkeyboards.com (http://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_list&c=43).

Yea.... i meant as in full built keyboards with them in it already. Anyone can get individual switches, getting actual keyboards with them is the hard part.
Title: Re: Ask Cherry Anything!
Post by: CPTBadAss on Wed, 12 February 2014, 18:31:15
I meant as in full built keyboards with them in it already. Anyone can get individual switches, getting actual keyboards with them is the hard part.

You do know Cherry doesn't decide what switches goes into say a CoolerMaster or a Ducky keyboard right? That's up to the company.
Title: Re: Ask Cherry Anything!
Post by: damorgue on Wed, 12 February 2014, 18:34:20
Were the molds for the switch housings designed and produced before the stem mounts where finalized?

The notches in the housings to allow for the cylindrical stem mount look a lot like modifications done afterwards.
Title: Re: Ask Cherry Anything!
Post by: C5Allroad on Wed, 12 February 2014, 18:37:57
Will more different types of switches be available one day?
Title: Re: Ask Cherry Anything!
Post by: HPE1000 on Wed, 12 February 2014, 18:41:44
Some awesome questions here, much better than what I can come up with off the top of my head.

Sorry if someone asked already and I read over it.

Why do click switches have a little bump, or mold mark(?) on the top of the switch?
It is present on blues, greens and whites, but not on any of the linear or tactile switches from what I have seen.

Not a great picture, but like this
(http://forums.vr-zone.com/photopost/data/500/medium/IMG_01994.JPG)
The little bump to the left of the blue stem.


Also, will super black switches ever be produced again?
Title: Re: Ask Cherry Anything!
Post by: Daniel Beardsmore on Wed, 12 February 2014, 19:06:04
Were the molds for the switch housings designed and produced before the stem mounts where finalized?

The notches in the housings to allow for the cylindrical stem mount look a lot like modifications done afterwards.

This is the patent for the MX switch:

http://www.google.com/patents/US4467160

I don't know if that helps you any — the only major change appears to be the shape of the movable contact. Note that the patent is about hysteresis, not sound!

So there's another question:

Q: When designing the Cherry MX switch, how relevant was the click sound to the design? At what point did Cherry start marketing blue switches for their click sound instead of for the movement differential (hysteresis)?
Title: Re: Ask Cherry Anything!
Post by: AKIMbO on Wed, 12 February 2014, 21:44:17
Will there ever be an MX Purple switch?  :eek:

Yes, this! I want ergo clears stock from the cherry factory.
Title: Re: Ask Cherry Anything!
Post by: jonathanyu on Wed, 12 February 2014, 22:30:54
where did the pbt scooped f&j keycaps' mod go  :mad:
Title: Re: Ask Cherry Anything!
Post by: Photekq on Wed, 12 February 2014, 22:36:31
where did the pbt scooped f&j keycaps' mod go  :mad:
That's a question for BSP I think.. Which reminds me..

Who manufactured the spacebars/ISO enters/short left shifts for your keyboards that used sublimation dyed PBT keycaps?
Title: Re: Ask Cherry Anything!
Post by: IvanIvanovich on Wed, 12 February 2014, 22:48:21
Cherry says they make some keys in house still, like those above... and if that's not true they probably won't tell us since I have asked about getting those keys many many many times. They also outright refuse to sell keycap separate for some reason. It's really annoying since no other manufacturer seem to have those particular keys in Cherry profile either.
Title: Re: Ask Cherry Anything!
Post by: jabar on Wed, 12 February 2014, 23:02:46
When designing keyboards, how does/did Cherry determine the importance of NKRO in production keyboards? Some programmable ones are obvious (G80-2100), but NKRO seems haphazardly applied elsewhere.

Are 5mm LEDs a possibility with an updated version of MX?

When Cherry used to manage doubleshot keycap production, were use of other plastics (PBT, POM) ever explored?

What is the full list of production MX switch types?

Also, sell me a G80-2000, thanks!
Title: Re: Ask Cherry Anything!
Post by: Photekq on Wed, 12 February 2014, 23:10:08
Cherry says they make some keys in house still, like those above... and if that's not true they probably won't tell us since I have asked about getting those keys many many many times. They also outright refuse to sell keycap separate for some reason. It's really annoying since no other manufacturer seem to have those particular keys in Cherry profile either.
Interesting.. That is quite annoying if they do still have the ability to make these keycaps. It's odd that they'd get BSP to produce all the keys except those few keys though.

Also, sell me a G80-2000, thanks!
Me too please! ;D

Title: Re: Ask Cherry Anything!
Post by: demik on Wed, 12 February 2014, 23:12:44
Dear cherry. Why aren't you topre.

Love, the topre elite.


But really, can we have different colored clicky switches? And heavier (than green) clicky switches?

Cherry MX Clicky grey!

Interesting. Wish they were another color. Grey is so boring.
Title: Re: Ask Cherry Anything!
Post by: Techno Trousers on Wed, 12 February 2014, 23:31:26
I meant as in full built keyboards with them in it already. Anyone can get individual switches, getting actual keyboards with them is the hard part.

You do know Cherry doesn't decide what switches goes into say a CoolerMaster or a Ducky keyboard right? That's up to the company.
Sure, but come on, Cap, when the "Code" keyboard with clears appears, sells out within hours, and is never restocked, there has to be something else going on. Surely WASDkeyboards would have preferred to produce more units to meet demand, especially seeing how used Code boards now fetch 50-100% over original sale price in the aftermarket. But instead, they switch to MX greens?

Needless to say, it's also my question to Cherry if they know the reason why MX clear switch keyboards are so rare in the marketplace. I don't expect anything nefarious is going on, but there has to be a logical reason for this.
Title: Re: Ask Cherry Anything!
Post by: lowpoly on Thu, 13 February 2014, 03:15:18
They also outright refuse to sell keycap separate for some reason.
Probably not talking about the same here but as far as I understand it, the symbols are applied after the caps are already mounted to the 'boards. Which means they have to take keyboards out of the production line and manually remove the caps to be able to sell them to you. The logistics required here with a company of that size are probably more expensive than somebody just buying a complete 'board.

Title: Re: Ask Cherry Anything!
Post by: CPTBadAss on Thu, 13 February 2014, 07:59:31
I meant as in full built keyboards with them in it already. Anyone can get individual switches, getting actual keyboards with them is the hard part.

You do know Cherry doesn't decide what switches goes into say a CoolerMaster or a Ducky keyboard right? That's up to the company.
Sure, but come on, Cap, when the "Code" keyboard with clears appears, sells out within hours, and is never restocked, there has to be something else going on. Surely WASDkeyboards would have preferred to produce more units to meet demand, especially seeing how used Code boards now fetch 50-100% over original sale price in the aftermarket. But instead, they switch to MX greens?

I guess I don't care as much about switches on stock keyboards as others since I don't mind modding keyboards to have switches I want.



On Topic: Does Cherry/ZF's USA division still make any switches or keyboards?
Title: Re: Ask Cherry Anything!
Post by: kod on Thu, 13 February 2014, 09:32:37

Sure, but come on, Cap, when the "Code" keyboard with clears appears, sells out within hours, and is never restocked, there has to be something else going on. Surely WASDkeyboards would have preferred to produce more units to meet demand, especially seeing how used Code boards now fetch 50-100% over original sale price in the aftermarket. But instead, they switch to MX greens?

I thought wasdkeyboards claimed that lack of supply for clears was the reason for not restocking?
Title: Re: Ask Cherry Anything!
Post by: C5Allroad on Thu, 13 February 2014, 09:35:30
I don't think so. Keycool has some boards with clears.
Title: Re: Ask Cherry Anything!
Post by: IvanIvanovich on Thu, 13 February 2014, 09:49:20
They also outright refuse to sell keycap separate for some reason.
Probably not talking about the same here but as far as I understand it, the symbols are applied after the caps are already mounted to the 'boards. Which means they have to take keyboards out of the production line and manually remove the caps to be able to sell them to you. The logistics required here with a company of that size are probably more expensive than somebody just buying a complete 'board.



I've always requested blank key... and they are not formed on the ****ing keyboards.  I really can't see how it would be so much inconvenience for them to run X keycaps and put them in a box for shipment instead send to keyboard assembly.
Title: Re: Ask Cherry Anything!
Post by: Fire Brand on Thu, 13 February 2014, 14:03:29
Q: What is the favorate switch/overall most commonly used switch used by Cherry workers within their job?

Q: What Keyboard/Switch does the Head/CEO/Big Cheese use to type on daily?

Thought these may be a bit more of a fun set questions to ask also nice to know what the Cherry folks like to type on ( Maybe they are all secretly Topre users O: ) Also I just wanted to know what the big cheese uses to type on :)
Title: Re: Ask Cherry Anything!
Post by: Snarfangel on Thu, 13 February 2014, 14:28:23
Q: What is the favorate switch/overall most commonly used switch used by Cherry workers within their job?


I bet the answer will be a bunch of BS.

Don't look at me like that!  :eek: Everyone knows Model M's last forever. Cherry isn't going to waste money on new keyboards.  :p

Title: Re: Ask Cherry Anything!
Post by: Lu_e on Thu, 13 February 2014, 15:38:46
- Surely Cherry Corp. has seen a growing demand for their MX switches, has this caused them to expand into more factories than before?

- Would Cherry ever allow the TV show 'How its Made' to do a segment on MX switches?
Title: Re: Ask Cherry Anything!
Post by: SpAmRaY on Thu, 13 February 2014, 15:40:15
- Would Cherry ever allow the TV show 'How its Made' to do a segment on MX switches?

^^ yes 1000x :thumb:
Title: Re: Ask Cherry Anything!
Post by: Zeal on Thu, 13 February 2014, 15:42:05
- Would Cherry ever allow the TV show 'How its Made' to do a segment on MX switches?

^^ yes 1000x :thumb:

That would be cool to watch :)
But I think the majority of the viewers will be confused why they care and continue to use their Rubber domes.
Title: Re: Ask Cherry Anything!
Post by: CPTBadAss on Thu, 13 February 2014, 15:44:05
- Would Cherry ever allow the TV show 'How its Made' to do a segment on MX switches?

Question of the thread. Give Lu_e a cookie! :P



On topic, can Cherry comment on their tolerances for their actuation forces? I've heard it's +/- 5g but I'm not 100%  sure that it is.
Title: Re: Ask Cherry Anything!
Post by: Dubsgalore on Thu, 13 February 2014, 17:13:10
Good question!!

I'd also love to know why some batches of brand new switches have very noticeable friction while others don't.  It's not a matter of factory lubrication either.  I was under the impression that they come from the same factory, so I'm curious why such variation.

Also, please release some windowed Cherry novelty caps for us in Row E and Row B for us enthusiasts :D

Show Image
(http://i803.photobucket.com/albums/yy316/tinlong117/IMG_1254_zpsadc375d3.jpg)


This is still very possible but very expensive  :(
Title: Re: Ask Cherry Anything!
Post by: Dubsgalore on Thu, 13 February 2014, 17:14:39
Did the material in Black stems change over time? If so, are there known dates as to when the material was changed?

This I would love to know as well. Material in the housings as well
Title: Re: Ask Cherry Anything!
Post by: Parak on Thu, 13 February 2014, 17:30:50
Are there Cherry Hall Effect Switch keyboards? Could we do a special order?

Seconded for my question. Any and all details, pictures, specsheets, etc, on cherry hall effect switches for keyboard use are highly desired as they haven't been seen in the wild to my knowledge.
Title: Re: Ask Cherry Anything!
Post by: CorsairJames on Wed, 19 February 2014, 11:20:54
Thanks for all the questions everyone! I'll collect these and sort them out with the others. Once I get the answers, I'll post it here for everyone to see.
Title: Re: Ask Cherry Anything!
Post by: pyro on Thu, 20 February 2014, 12:55:29
Will there ever be a tenkeyless keyboard from Cherry?

Will they fix ML switches at some point in the future? These are the most pleasant switches I typed on, they feel like a silky smooth low profile version of MX Brown. Unfortunately if you press a key too far off center, it won't be possible to press the key down, which is why they're pretty much unusable.
Title: Re: Ask Cherry Anything!
Post by: Daniel Beardsmore on Thu, 20 February 2014, 16:21:49
Well, see, that's the strange thing: I have a NIB G84-4400 and I can't replicate the off-centre binding problem. (Well, it was NIB …)

Nothing anyone has ever said would suggest that the switch quality degraded, as I seem to be the only person not to have any binding issues. They're a bit scratchy (nowhere near as smooth as MX brown, and I've even had a Cherry insider agree with me on the scratchiness, so that's not just me), but overall they're a really nice switch. I just hate the layout on the G84-4400, and the Windows key ISO G84 keyboards are even worse. The trackball isn't particularly good though, but then again it is a Logitech .... ;-)

For me, the problem isn't the switches, it's the dearth of proper full-size 104/105-key ML keyboards.
Title: Re: Ask Cherry Anything!
Post by: jacobolus on Thu, 20 February 2014, 19:52:43
Maybe the caps used affect whether it binds when hit off-center?
Title: Re: Ask Cherry Anything!
Post by: QuadGMoto on Fri, 21 February 2014, 13:17:43
I'm kind of late to the party, here. But here goes nothin':

Will Cherry make a lighter version of the MX Clear? (The Ergo Clear with Red/Blue/Brown springs.)
Title: Re: Ask Cherry Anything!
Post by: CPTBadAss on Fri, 21 February 2014, 13:18:42
I'm kind of late to the party, here. But here goes nothin':

Will Cherry make a lighter version of the MX Clear? (The Ergo Clear with Red/Blue/Brown springs.)

They would but the MOQ is 750,000 switches (http://deskthority.net/wiki/Cherry_MX_Ergo_Clear).
Title: Re: Ask Cherry Anything!
Post by: Kouni on Fri, 21 February 2014, 13:23:29
Holy crap that's a little high  :eek:
Title: Re: Ask Cherry Anything!
Post by: SpAmRaY on Fri, 21 February 2014, 13:24:57
Holy crap that's a little high  :eek:

But that would also get a custom colored stem also :D
Title: Re: Ask Cherry Anything!
Post by: noisyturtle on Fri, 21 February 2014, 13:39:05
Not really a question so much as a hopeful demand. Please gather your top men and have them design a light linear-clicky switch. I don't know how you would do this without the clicking 'leaf' causing some sort of tactility, but a light linear-clicky would be the pinnacle of switch technology for me as well as many other enthusiasts out there. Bonus points if the stem is purple.

Come on people let's push that MOQ. Screw stock ergo-clears!
Title: Re: Ask Cherry Anything!
Post by: QuadGMoto on Fri, 21 February 2014, 14:30:11
I'm kind of late to the party, here. But here goes nothin':

Will Cherry make a lighter version of the MX Clear? (The Ergo Clear with Red/Blue/Brown springs.)

They would but the MOQ is 750,000 switches (http://deskthority.net/wiki/Cherry_MX_Ergo_Clear).

I don't mean as a special order, but as a normal production item. (It could even be given the mythical purple stem!)  :thumb:
Title: Re: Ask Cherry Anything!
Post by: CPTBadAss on Fri, 21 February 2014, 14:31:51
I'm kind of late to the party, here. But here goes nothin':

Will Cherry make a lighter version of the MX Clear? (The Ergo Clear with Red/Blue/Brown springs.)

They would but the MOQ is 750,000 switches (http://deskthority.net/wiki/Cherry_MX_Ergo_Clear).

I don't mean as a special order, but as a normal production item. (It could even be given the mythical purple stem!)  :thumb:

That's what my post means. It can be a normal production item but there's an MOQ of 750,000. MOQ doesn't mean it's a special production item. Just that that's the minimum quantity they'd be willing to make.
Title: Re: Ask Cherry Anything!
Post by: QuadGMoto on Fri, 21 February 2014, 14:37:46

I don't mean as a special order, but as a normal production item. (It could even be given the mythical purple stem!)  :thumb:

That's what my post means. It can be a normal production item but there's an MOQ of 750,000. MOQ doesn't mean it's a special production item. Just that that's the minimum quantity they'd be willing to make.

That makes sense. Obviously, they wouldn't do it if they didn't think they could sell them. After playing with exactly that concept (I ordered a handful from a distributor) I have to say it's a beautiful setup, IMHO better than the stock Clear, Blue, and Brown. (At least for typing.) Obviously I think they could sell them. The question is whether they think so.
Title: Re: Ask Cherry Anything!
Post by: Findecanor on Fri, 21 February 2014, 14:49:47
People these days who are young and/or not geeks don't remember typewriters or the IBM Model M and seem to prefer more quiet keyboards.
Many of us enthusiasts modify our Cherry MX keyboards with various types of dampeners between the switch and keycap to minimize noise on bottoming out, but there is no similar noise cancellation on the rebound.
At the same time, noise-dampened switches have been introduced by competitors (Topre, Matias) and some Cherry MX keyboards come with O-rings already installed (WASD, Logitech).

Are there any plans for any new Cherry MX-like keyboard switch with noise-dampening built in?
Title: Re: Ask Cherry Anything!
Post by: Techno Trousers on Fri, 21 February 2014, 22:42:35
I wonder what the per-switch cost would be for an order of 750,000? Would Cherry answer that question? A well-heeled keyboard enthusiast could probably order it himself or herself, then resell switches to businesses and individuals. It's a great money making scheme! Is anyone out there buying this?
Title: Re: Ask Cherry Anything!
Post by: justin.wu on Sat, 22 February 2014, 03:13:24
I want buy 100K Cherry RGB switch from Corsair , is it possible ??

haha !! ;D

Title: Re: Ask Cherry Anything!
Post by: QuadGMoto on Sat, 22 February 2014, 11:47:20
That's what my post means. It can be a normal production item but there's an MOQ of 750,000. MOQ doesn't mean it's a special production item. Just that that's the minimum quantity they'd be willing to make.

In researching other stuff, I stumbled across this: http://deskthority.net/wiki/Cherry_MX_Ergo_Clear (http://deskthority.net/wiki/Cherry_MX_Ergo_Clear).

Quote
Cherry has stated that they would actually produce Ergo Clears in a slider-colour of choice, provided that they get an order of at least 750,000 switches.

So that's what you were talking about! The light is now on.
Title: Re: Ask Cherry Anything!
Post by: nubbinator on Sat, 22 February 2014, 12:27:28
Hopefully Corsair is still checking this thread and asking.

Here's a contentious question, what gives Whites their soft click and why are they sometimes inconsistent?  I've seen claims of all kinds, from the plastic that's used, to the size or length of the tactile leg, to lube being present, and so on.
Title: Re: Ask Cherry Anything!
Post by: QuadGMoto on Sat, 22 February 2014, 13:31:02
In disassembling and experimenting with the switches I bought for that purpose, I noticed that the base of the switches (all plate mount) appear to be identical; at least for the blues and clears. Is this actually the case?

If so, that means it should be possible to change the switch type without doing any soldering—that is, if the top of the switch can be removed.
Title: Re: Ask Cherry Anything!
Post by: ebacho on Sat, 22 February 2014, 15:29:31
Hopefully Corsair is still checking this thread and asking.

Here's a contentious question, what gives Whites their soft click and why are they sometimes inconsistent?  I've seen claims of all kinds, from the plastic that's used, to the size or length of the tactile leg, to lube being present, and so on.

Whites are lubed from the factory; if you jostle them around enough the lube can get displaced and dampen the click in some switches more than others.
Title: Re: Ask Cherry Anything!
Post by: SpAmRaY on Sat, 22 February 2014, 15:31:35
In disassembling and experimenting with the switches I bought for that purpose, I noticed that the base of the switches (all plate mount) appear to be identical; at least for the blues and clears. Is this actually the case?

If so, that means it should be possible to change the switch type without doing any soldering—that is, if the top of the switch can be removed.

Many people already do just that, you can swap springs, stems etc the housings are the same.
Title: Re: Ask Cherry Anything!
Post by: Daniel Beardsmore on Sat, 22 February 2014, 15:31:55
Not really a question so much as a hopeful demand. Please gather your top men and have them design a light linear-clicky switch. I don't know how you would do this without the clicking 'leaf' causing some sort of tactility …

That's difficult. Where is the energy going to come from to work the clicker? If you want to charge the clicker on the downstroke, and have mid-travel actuation, then at mid travel, the energy requirements of the switch will decrease suddenly, making it tactile. Maybe you could use the return spring to charge the clicker on the upstroke and simply trip it on the downstroke, but that would require an increase of the spring weight. Is what you're asking even possible? The only other thing I can think of is (assuming this is possible) a progressive spring (or spring arrangement) that is stiffer from half-way down, so once the clicker is charged and released, the spring becomes stiffer to cover the drop in force.

More to the point, do you believe that enough people would want this to justify the design and development costs, tooling and marketing? You may find that you can't use use any existing Cherry parts for this.
Title: Re: Ask Cherry Anything!
Post by: nubbinator on Sat, 22 February 2014, 15:43:16
Hopefully Corsair is still checking this thread and asking.

Here's a contentious question, what gives Whites their soft click and why are they sometimes inconsistent?  I've seen claims of all kinds, from the plastic that's used, to the size or length of the tactile leg, to lube being present, and so on.

Whites are lubed from the factory; if you jostle them around enough the lube can get displaced and dampen the click in some switches more than others.

That's what I always thought, but I've seen people with more experience with them have totally different answers, hence why I wanted to hear from Cherry directly.
Title: Re: Ask Cherry Anything!
Post by: ebacho on Sat, 22 February 2014, 15:54:00
Hopefully Corsair is still checking this thread and asking.

Here's a contentious question, what gives Whites their soft click and why are they sometimes inconsistent?  I've seen claims of all kinds, from the plastic that's used, to the size or length of the tactile leg, to lube being present, and so on.

Whites are lubed from the factory; if you jostle them around enough the lube can get displaced and dampen the click in some switches more than others.

That's what I always thought, but I've seen people with more experience with them have totally different answers, hence why I wanted to hear from Cherry directly.

You can prove it yourself, honestly.  Anyone who's done spring swaps with stock whites can tell you that there is a visible amount of lube on the legs of the slider.  If you get a blue switch and lightly lube the "legs" on the slider with krytox oil or something and switch the stock blue spring for a heavier one, it'll feel pretty much equivalent to a white switch.  You can also replicate the switches losing the click by lubing the contact points between the stem part of the slider and the part with the click legs.
Title: Re: Ask Cherry Anything!
Post by: TheSoulhunter on Sat, 22 February 2014, 17:55:55
Why no stock ergo clears?
Why no clicky clears?
Title: Re: Ask Cherry Anything!
Post by: CorsairJames on Tue, 04 March 2014, 15:53:51
Hi all,

I got Cherry's responses back and we're preparing them for public access for tomorrow. I got most of your questions here answered and if it works out, I don't mind doing this on a more regular basis (even a live AMA for example just for Cherry).
Title: Re: Ask Cherry Anything!
Post by: HPE1000 on Tue, 04 March 2014, 15:55:52
Exciting, I can't wait to see the answers  :thumb:
Title: Re: Ask Cherry Anything!
Post by: Zeal on Tue, 04 March 2014, 16:07:07
Oooh, excited to hear the response!  :)
Title: Re: Ask Cherry Anything!
Post by: Photoelectric on Tue, 04 March 2014, 18:46:24
Hi all,

I got Cherry's responses back and we're preparing them for public access for tomorrow. I got most of your questions here answered and if it works out, I don't mind doing this on a more regular basis (even a live AMA for example just for Cherry).

Thanks for the update, James!  Will be exciting to see what Cherry had to say.
Title: Re: Ask Cherry Anything!
Post by: damorgue on Wed, 05 March 2014, 15:16:15
Not really a question so much as a hopeful demand. Please gather your top men and have them design a light linear-clicky switch. I don't know how you would do this without the clicking 'leaf' causing some sort of tactility …

That's difficult. Where is the energy going to come from to work the clicker? If you want to charge the clicker on the downstroke, and have mid-travel actuation, then at mid travel, the energy requirements of the switch will decrease suddenly, making it tactile. Maybe you could use the return spring to charge the clicker on the upstroke and simply trip it on the downstroke, but that would require an increase of the spring weight. Is what you're asking even possible? The only other thing I can think of is (assuming this is possible) a progressive spring (or spring arrangement) that is stiffer from half-way down, so once the clicker is charged and released, the spring becomes stiffer to cover the drop in force.

Since there would have to be a sharp increase in force caused by the spring at the point of actuation as you say, designing a progressive spring to meet that would be difficult and expensive. Using two springs would however be quite cheap. Just make one spring a bit shorter than the other, so that the second spring starts to be compressed at the point of actuation?

Edit: A shorter and a longer spring of different lengths, something like this:
(http://i.imgur.com/tKOHi5O.png)(http://i.imgur.com/XWjeDc1.png)(http://i.imgur.com/9oufN1E.jpg)
Title: Re: Ask Cherry Anything!
Post by: Zeal on Wed, 05 March 2014, 15:25:37
Not really a question so much as a hopeful demand. Please gather your top men and have them design a light linear-clicky switch. I don't know how you would do this without the clicking 'leaf' causing some sort of tactility …

That's difficult. Where is the energy going to come from to work the clicker? If you want to charge the clicker on the downstroke, and have mid-travel actuation, then at mid travel, the energy requirements of the switch will decrease suddenly, making it tactile. Maybe you could use the return spring to charge the clicker on the upstroke and simply trip it on the downstroke, but that would require an increase of the spring weight. Is what you're asking even possible? The only other thing I can think of is (assuming this is possible) a progressive spring (or spring arrangement) that is stiffer from half-way down, so once the clicker is charged and released, the spring becomes stiffer to cover the drop in force.

Since there would have to be a sharp increase in force caused by the spring at the point of actuation as you say, designing a progressive spring to meet that would be difficult and expensive. Using two springs would however be quite cheap. Just make one spring a bit shorter than the other, so that the second spring starts to be compressed at the point of actuation?

Edit: A shorter and a longer spring of different lengths, something like this:
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/tKOHi5O.png)
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/XWjeDc1.png)
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/9oufN1E.jpg)


OMG
Why has no one ever tried doing this? The amount of customization would be endless!!!
Title: Re: Ask Cherry Anything!
Post by: damorgue on Wed, 05 March 2014, 15:31:36
Not really a question so much as a hopeful demand. Please gather your top men and have them design a light linear-clicky switch. I don't know how you would do this without the clicking 'leaf' causing some sort of tactility …

That's difficult. Where is the energy going to come from to work the clicker? If you want to charge the clicker on the downstroke, and have mid-travel actuation, then at mid travel, the energy requirements of the switch will decrease suddenly, making it tactile. Maybe you could use the return spring to charge the clicker on the upstroke and simply trip it on the downstroke, but that would require an increase of the spring weight. Is what you're asking even possible? The only other thing I can think of is (assuming this is possible) a progressive spring (or spring arrangement) that is stiffer from half-way down, so once the clicker is charged and released, the spring becomes stiffer to cover the drop in force.

Since there would have to be a sharp increase in force caused by the spring at the point of actuation as you say, designing a progressive spring to meet that would be difficult and expensive. Using two springs would however be quite cheap. Just make one spring a bit shorter than the other, so that the second spring starts to be compressed at the point of actuation?

Edit: A shorter and a longer spring of different lengths, something like this:
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/tKOHi5O.png)
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/XWjeDc1.png)
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/9oufN1E.jpg)


OMG
Why has no one ever tried doing this? The amount of customization would be endless!!!

Making the molds for an entirely new switch type is expensive, and I don't think the market for this is very large. It took Cherry how many years to launch their new MX switch? And it is only slightly different in the housing to allow RGB LEDs or something.

I like the idea though. customization galore.

Since it needs to add a lot of force instantly at the point of actuation in this particular case , the spring needs to be preloaded. Otherwise it will increase the force from 0 if it is left with the upper end free. That is why I added something to hold the spring compressed. This further complicates it all.
Title: Re: Ask Cherry Anything!
Post by: CorsairJames on Wed, 05 March 2014, 17:22:40
Hi all,

I have made the answers live here on our blog: http://bit.ly/1id6hUR (http://bit.ly/1id6hUR)

I also have it available as a PDF which I attached to the post in case our webpage goes down. Thanks everyone who participated in this.  :thumb:

If you guys like this stuff and want to be notified every time we release something related to the RGB project, don't forget we have a newsletter here: www.corsair.com/mx-rgb (The website URL is different now because of our transition to a new site/engine).

As always, feel free to let me know of any questions here directly too.
Title: Re: Ask Cherry Anything!
Post by: riotonthebay on Wed, 05 March 2014, 17:32:07
From the horse's mouth:

Quote
There’s no special lubing on white stem switches.
Title: Re: Ask Cherry Anything!
Post by: Zeal on Wed, 05 March 2014, 17:32:31
Quote
What is the normal lube used on MX switches?

Sorry, but we can’t give further information here.  It’s all CHERRY magic technology know-how!


 :( :( :( :(

------
Quote
“night glow” ABS

WHAT?!

Quote
We have not produced PBT or POM ones yet

I thought the black G80 keyboards used POM...
Title: Re: Ask Cherry Anything!
Post by: Flyersfan1 on Wed, 05 March 2014, 17:34:31
Hi all,

I have made the answers live here on our blog: http://bit.ly/1id6hUR (http://bit.ly/1id6hUR)

I also have it available as a PDF which I attached to the post in case our webpage goes down. Thanks everyone who participated in this.  :thumb:

If you guys like this stuff and want to be notified every time we release something related to the RGB project, don't forget we have a newsletter here: www.corsair.com/mx-rgb (The website URL is different now because of our transition to a new site/engine).

As always, feel free to let me know of any questions here directly too.
Thanks again for doing this, really cool reading through all of the questions!
Title: Re: Ask Cherry Anything!
Post by: Photekq on Wed, 05 March 2014, 17:50:04
Quote
We have not produced PBT or POM ones yet

I thought the black G80 keyboards used POM...
The doubleshot black G80 keyboards were ABS. The lasered/blank black G80 keyboards were POM.
Title: Re: Ask Cherry Anything!
Post by: nubbinator on Wed, 05 March 2014, 17:56:58
Quote
What is the normal lube used on MX switches?

Sorry, but we can’t give further information here.  It’s all CHERRY magic technology know-how!


 :( :( :( :(

------
Quote
“night glow” ABS

WHAT?!

Quote
We have not produced PBT or POM ones yet

I thought the black G80 keyboards used POM...

Now I must see the glow in the dark ABS caps.

And the POM caps are lasered, not doubleshot.
Title: Re: Ask Cherry Anything!
Post by: Zeal on Wed, 05 March 2014, 18:17:33
Quote
We have not produced PBT or POM ones yet

I thought the black G80 keyboards used POM...
The doubleshot black G80 keyboards were ABS. The lasered/blank black G80 keyboards were POM.

Somehow missed that Doubleshot part in the question :p

Quote
What is the normal lube used on MX switches?

Sorry, but we can’t give further information here.  It’s all CHERRY magic technology know-how!


 :( :( :( :(

------
Quote
“night glow” ABS

WHAT?!

Quote
We have not produced PBT or POM ones yet

I thought the black G80 keyboards used POM...

Now I must see the glow in the dark ABS caps.

And the POM caps are lasered, not doubleshot.

Agreed. How come we've never heard about this Glow in the Dark ABS keycaps from Cherry? Genuinely curious now...

---

Some R2 questions for Cherry:

What keyboards used Cherry MX Lock? What was the main purpose of this switch back in the day?

Which keyboards had Cherry MX Click Gray? (Muffled Spacebar switch to go with MX White) is it still in production? If not, does Cherry have a stockpile somewhere?   

---

Did Cherry skip the question regarding Purple "ergo clears"?
Title: Re: Ask Cherry Anything! (3/5-Answers Have Been Provided)
Post by: nubbinator on Wed, 05 March 2014, 19:17:37
Looks like Cherry mainly did marketing speak without good technical answers, so not surprising that they skipped some.
Title: Re: Ask Cherry Anything! (3/5-Answers Have Been Provided)
Post by: luis911 on Wed, 05 March 2014, 19:19:40
Looks like Cherry mainly did marketing speak without good technical answers, so not surprising that they skipped some.
They dont wanna give away any trade secrets, gosh... >:D
Title: Re: Ask Cherry Anything! (3/5-Answers Have Been Provided)
Post by: jabar on Wed, 05 March 2014, 20:30:48
Looks like Cherry mainly did marketing speak without good technical answers, so not surprising that they skipped some.
They answered all three of my questions and I'm happy with their responses. I'm sure their marketing team had some engineers do their homework.  ^-^
Title: Re: Ask Cherry Anything!
Post by: Photoelectric on Wed, 05 March 2014, 20:38:56
Quote
We have not produced PBT or POM ones yet

I thought the black G80 keyboards used POM...

Reading the full question,

"When Cherry used to manage doubleshot keycap production, were the use of other plastics (PBT, POM) ever explored?" and the full answer:

"Doubleshot keycaps where only explored with ABS and once with “night glow” ABS.  We have not produced PBT or POM ones yet, but we are working on some new innovative solutions for keycaps."

you can see that they are talking about doubleshot keycaps specifically, which have not been made in POM or PBT by Cherry.
----

Overall great Q&A!!  Had fun reading it--thank you again, James!

My favorite replies are about Cherry confirming that vintage Black materials are the same, but perhaps there was slight difference in physical molds / manufacturing tolerances, claim that MX Whites do not start out lubricated (is that true?), and that Cherry is looking to improve smoothness of its switches (which I think is a serious issue with how variable the variation can be for brand new switches: from smooth to very scratchy).
Title: Re: Ask Cherry Anything!
Post by: 1pq on Wed, 05 March 2014, 21:00:21
Did the material in Black stems change over time? If so, are there known dates as to when the material was changed?

This was one of the best questions, IMHO, and it didn't get answered. Cherry must not want to admit that the material changed because now they're using cheaper plastics :p
Title: Re: Ask Cherry Anything!
Post by: Photoelectric on Wed, 05 March 2014, 21:02:30
Did the material in Black stems change over time? If so, are there known dates as to when the material was changed?

This was one of the best questions, IMHO, and it didn't get answered. Cherry must not want to admit that the material changed because now they're using cheaper plastics :p

Until someone tests chemical composition, we don't have proof of the opposite either.  So conspiracy theories aside, the difference might be simply due to different machinery which most certainly underwent some evolution and repairs and replacement with some fine differences.  The question did get answered, just not in detail.
Title: Re: Ask Cherry Anything! (3/5-Answers Have Been Provided)
Post by: SpAmRaY on Wed, 05 March 2014, 21:06:54
Did the material in Black stems change over time? If so, are there known dates as to when the material was changed?

This was one of the best questions, IMHO, and it didn't get answered. Cherry must not want to admit that the material changed because now they're using cheaper plastics :p

Quote
Did the material in Black stems change over time? If so, are there known dates as to when the material was changed?

No, it has been the same proven material every time. The fluctuations are caused by the different tools we‘re using here in the production. But we always optimize our production processes to realize a standardized stem quality. 

^^ seems like an answer to me  ;D
Title: Re: Ask Cherry Anything! (3/5-Answers Have Been Provided)
Post by: damorgue on Thu, 06 March 2014, 03:10:50
Quote
Quote
Can we get a 3d printer design template to print custom keycaps?

Good idea we will think about this in the future.

I don't think this is an issue in this community. We need to modify them anyway to make the tolerances just right different materials and machines.


Quote
Quote
Are MX Whites still being made and do they have special
or extra lubing from the factory?

The whites have been made on special request from business customers. There’s no special lubing on white stem switches.

We have observed great lumps of lubrication on them. I believe this answer to be false. I am curious what they would say makes them so different if this isn't the case.


Quote
Quote
Did the Cherry MX Blue Keys change at any point?

No, the design is still based on the first products.

Old blues are very consistent and very different. New blues even when used do not really compare. Some even mentioned NIB vintage blues to feel different in the same way. "based on the first products" doesn't really say that much, but I am certain they have changed a fair bit at some point.
Title: Re: Ask Cherry Anything! (3/5-Answers Have Been Provided)
Post by: lowpoly on Thu, 06 March 2014, 07:15:13
Why is the Fujitsu Siemens KBPC-E so similar to the MX5000 but yet entirely different?

My question was skipped, the mystery remains. :(
Title: Re: Ask Cherry Anything! (3/5-Answers Have Been Provided)
Post by: Parak on Thu, 06 March 2014, 07:56:11
Quote
Are there Cherry Hall Effect Switch keyboards?

Users all over the world really like the mechanical tactile feeling of our mx-technology. So we focus on our MX key switch program.

...wat? Oh of course, how silly of me, clearly http://www.cherrycorp.com/index.htm is full to the brim of only 'mx technology' devices and switches. Yep. Just MX technology everywhere. :rolleyes:

What an utterly useless answer to a perfectly clear and reasonable question.

'I'm just here to talk about Rampa^H^H^H^H^H MX switches.'
Title: Re: Ask Cherry Anything! (3/5-Answers Have Been Provided)
Post by: Zeal on Thu, 06 March 2014, 12:49:08
Quote
Are MX Whites still being made and do they have special
or extra lubing from the factory?

The whites have been made on special request from business customers. There’s no special lubing on white stem switches.

We have observed great lumps of lubrication on them. I believe this answer to be false. I am curious what they would say makes them so different if this isn't the case.

Well, Cherry only said "no special lubing". Maybe it's just the regular "magic stuff"?
Quote
What is the normal lube used on MX switches?

Sorry, but we can’t give further information here.  It’s all CHERRY magic technology know-how!
Title: Re: Ask Cherry Anything! (3/5-Answers Have Been Provided)
Post by: SpAmRaY on Thu, 06 March 2014, 12:50:41
Quote
Are MX Whites still being made and do they have special
or extra lubing from the factory?

The whites have been made on special request from business customers. There’s no special lubing on white stem switches.

We have observed great lumps of lubrication on them. I believe this answer to be false. I am curious what they would say makes them so different if this isn't the case.

Well, Cherry only said "no special lubing". Maybe it's just the regular "magic stuff"?
Quote
What is the normal lube used on MX switches?

Sorry, but we can’t give further information here.  It’s all CHERRY magic technology know-how!


Probably just the state of the art machinery that makes there switches sprung a fluid leak  :))
Title: Re: Ask Cherry Anything! (3/5-Answers Have Been Provided)
Post by: tricheboars on Thu, 06 March 2014, 12:51:44
Hey Cherry are you making the new switches Razer is advertising? 
Title: Re: Ask Cherry Anything! (3/5-Answers Have Been Provided)
Post by: CorsairJames on Thu, 06 March 2014, 13:45:02
Hey Cherry are you making the new switches Razer is advertising?

The new switches on Razer's keyboard aren't Cherry MX switches.
Title: Re: Ask Cherry Anything! (3/5-Answers Have Been Provided)
Post by: davkol on Thu, 06 March 2014, 13:55:06
Quote
Quote
Did the Cherry MX Blue Keys change at any point?
No, the design is still based on the first products.

Maybe the design, but according to a certain thread over at Deskthority, at least material of springs has changed over time.

Quote
and once with “night glow” ABS

I believe those were sold as accessories for the Raptor gaming keyboards, weren't they?

Otherwise, I'm somewhat disappointed... too much marketing in one place.
Title: Re: Ask Cherry Anything! (3/5-Answers Have Been Provided)
Post by: BlueBär on Thu, 06 March 2014, 15:14:47
@Cherry:
Is Cherry going to take legal action against Razer as the switches look like clones of the MX series?

@Corsair & Cherry:
Did Razer abandon all cooporation with Cherry? If yes, do you think this was a response to Corsairs exclusive deal on the RGB switches?
I would love to see a comparison of both switches from Cherry's/Corsair's side, since Razer seems to brag with how much better they are (which I doubt).
Title: Re: Ask Cherry Anything! (3/5-Answers Have Been Provided)
Post by: Lu_e on Thu, 06 March 2014, 22:34:59
They welcome How its Made :D

...and so i've emailed How its Made!

I also submitted the idea on their suggestion page! Where we can up-vote OUR idea! for a Mechanical Keyboard 'How its Made' segment!

http://www.sciencechannel.com/tv-shows/how-its-made/show-talk/submit-your-ideas.htm

DO EEET! ^^ (submitted under the name 'Lou', in case you have trouble finding it later)
Title: Re: Ask Cherry Anything! (3/5-Answers Have Been Provided)
Post by: TheSoulhunter on Thu, 06 March 2014, 22:56:11
Humm, the answers are not really satisfying, too much marketing, dodging and guessing...
Title: Re: Ask Cherry Anything! (3/5-Answers Have Been Provided)
Post by: Photoelectric on Fri, 07 March 2014, 00:11:23
Humm, the answers are not really satisfying, too much marketing, dodging and guessing...

Yeah, but that's to be expected.  They probably can't reveal certain things for legal reasons.  Much better than this interview in terms of actual information revealed by manufacturer:
http://www.keyboardlover.com/carlmatsuinterview.php
Title: Re: Ask Cherry Anything! (3/5-Answers Have Been Provided)
Post by: Zeal on Fri, 07 March 2014, 00:23:55
Humm, the answers are not really satisfying, too much marketing, dodging and guessing...

Yeah, but that's to be expected.  They probably can't reveal certain things for legal reasons.  Much better than this interview in terms of actual information revealed by manufacturer:
http://www.keyboardlover.com/carlmatsuinterview.php

Oh my..these questions! hahaha

Quote
6. Do you feel that the Leopold is better designed than the Filco? Why or why not?
"Yes, of course! I cannot tell you. Because I cannot tell the FILCO weak point."

8. Do you believe that the future market for mechanical keyboards will be strong? Why or why not?
"Yes, it will be strong..."
Title: Re: Ask Cherry Anything! (3/5-Answers Have Been Provided)
Post by: davkol on Fri, 07 March 2014, 02:35:55
It's funny how much the market and community have changed in just three years or so.
Title: Re: Ask Cherry Anything! (3/5-Answers Have Been Provided)
Post by: Fire Brand on Fri, 07 March 2014, 07:40:25
Ohh eee I am super happy they answered my question to what the most used switch is evening getting a photo, I feel special now :p Thank you CorsairJames and Cherry people :)
Title: Re: Ask Cherry Anything! (3/5-Answers Have Been Provided)
Post by: 1pq on Fri, 07 March 2014, 10:12:32
Did the material in Black stems change over time? If so, are there known dates as to when the material was changed?

This was one of the best questions, IMHO, and it didn't get answered. Cherry must not want to admit that the material changed because now they're using cheaper plastics :p

Quote
Did the material in Black stems change over time? If so, are there known dates as to when the material was changed?

No, it has been the same proven material every time. The fluctuations are caused by the different tools we‘re using here in the production. But we always optimize our production processes to realize a standardized stem quality. 

^^ seems like an answer to me  ;D

Ahh, I didn't realize they were still adding answers. Wasn't up there when I first looked at the FAQ page.
I'm surprised it hasn't changed. Vintage switches feel so different—but I guess that goes to show you how much slight modifications to the machining process can affect the product.
Title: Re: Ask Cherry Anything! (3/5-Answers Have Been Provided)
Post by: Daniel Beardsmore on Sun, 09 March 2014, 08:49:29
Humm, the answers are not really satisfying, too much marketing, dodging and guessing...

I'm disappointed, even though I knew we'd learn very little. The only question of mine that made it in, I don't believe the answer. I doubt that whoever answered those questions even knows or cares — these switches are over 30 years old! The ones I'm most interested in are the M6–M11, and the oldest of those are over 40 years old! Information on those is extremely scarce now.

A lot of the answers lie in contemporary product information: Cherry catalogues and brochures from the past 40 years or more. We just don't have most of these.

What's sad is that Cherry are so paranoid, that they reject any non-stock switch as "fake" — they won't recognise all their interesting specialist production runs as real. Sadly these won't be in any of the catalogues. I would love to know about the pale yellow and grey-green ones from the Xerox 1190:

http://deskthority.net/keyboards-f2/cherry-switches-t1939.html#p33646

(When the page has loaded, click the address bar and press enter to force phpBB to actually go the correct post. The retards who programmed it don't understand that you can specify the size of an image before it loads.)