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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: Jixr on Wed, 05 March 2014, 15:10:19

Title: square vs round leds
Post by: Jixr on Wed, 05 March 2014, 15:10:19

I just got my leds in for my poker2.

I ordered round 3mm ones, and square 2mmx3mm ones.

I've heard the squares are better to use, but would like some others info before I decide to go with one.

Title: Re: square vs round leds
Post by: exitfire401 on Wed, 05 March 2014, 16:54:18

What kind of information are you looking for?

Title: Re: square vs round leds
Post by: tbc on Thu, 06 March 2014, 02:35:37

i think photoelectric (or maybe it was photokq?) posted a guide.  the conclusion was 2x3x4 had better light diffusion.

Title: Re: square vs round leds
Post by: margo baggins on Thu, 06 March 2014, 03:49:38

3mm LEDs are troublesome as they all come in different heights - at least all the hundreds I have bought were all different heights depending where I purchased them. The round LEDs - if they are too tall foul with some profile keycaps, so whenever I use 3mm round (which I don't anymore) I use a dremmel to take the top down. Now I just use 2x3x4 LEDs. The other good thing about 2x3x4, is, you can pull it right down into the switch, and it wedges in the small circle depression that is on the top of the switch for an unjacketed normal 3mm led, this means you can turn the board upside down and the unsoldered LED won't drop out. For both those reasons I find working with 2x3x4mm LEDs far easier and better, and I prefer the look at the end anyway.

Title: Re: square vs round leds
Post by: Hyde on Thu, 06 March 2014, 06:37:31

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=55520.0

^ This, though as people said 2x3x4 LED is better  :)

Title: Re: square vs round leds
Post by: Jixr on Thu, 06 March 2014, 08:57:22

Cool good to know guys.

I had ordered some 3mm rounds, but then ordered the square ones afterwards, got the rounds in and the squares should be in soon.