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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: Roibhilin on Fri, 28 March 2014, 21:32:04

Title: GH's consensus on MX blues?
Post by: Roibhilin on Fri, 28 March 2014, 21:32:04: I actually haven't seen much about Cherry MX blues on GH, if you're a regular MX switch user what does everyone think of them?
love/hate/tolerate?
Title: Re: GH's consensus on MX blues?
Post by: whiskytango on Fri, 28 March 2014, 21:35:13: love, but I prefer greens or blues with heavier springs. Typing with 80g korean springs / blue stems right now. My work keyboard has blues with black springs which I think is my favorite combo. These 80g are really too stiff, I am just too lazy to swap them back out.
Title: Re: GH's consensus on MX blues?
Post by: Belfong on Fri, 28 March 2014, 21:40:54: Love Blues very much! But if I wanted something quiet and tactile it will be Clear.
Title: Re: GH's consensus on MX blues?
Post by: johndavis33 on Fri, 28 March 2014, 21:41:20: It's all just, like, your opinion, man. Wheter a key switch is good or not is relative.

I personally hate blues. They're too light for me. So light they feel linear. Also, they're not springy enough, especcially when it gets to the reset point on the return up. It feels like there's nothing pushing against my fingers. I'm using greens right now.
Title: Re: GH's consensus on MX blues?
Post by: billnye on Fri, 28 March 2014, 21:41:49: I'm a big fan of blues.

Gonna put them in the GH60 I'm building!
Title: Re: GH's consensus on MX blues?
Post by: Beca on Fri, 28 March 2014, 21:47:05: They are a switch I like, but I can't type on regularly as they are annoying as hell. I have other switches I prefer much more.
Title: Re: GH's consensus on MX blues?
Post by: pichu23 on Fri, 28 March 2014, 21:48:05: I have blues on my Poker II. I like it a lot. It just when my girlf's around I can't use it esp when she's asleep. lol. :D
But yeah no hate for blues. Not too bad for gaming(DotA) :D
Title: Re: GH's consensus on MX blues?
Post by: Sifo on Fri, 28 March 2014, 21:52:01: They sound nice
Title: Re: GH's consensus on MX blues?
Post by: Puddsy on Fri, 28 March 2014, 22:00:09: Dig them. Wish my camo worked so I could use them.
Title: Re: GH's consensus on MX blues?
Post by: jacobolus on Fri, 28 March 2014, 22:31:15: GH doesn’t have “consensus” about anything. Personally, I like MX blue better than other MX switches, but I’m not a big fan of Cherry switches in general. I like clicky Alps and SMK switches much better, not to mention Model F switches.
Title: Re: GH's consensus on MX blues?
Post by: RESPRiT on Fri, 28 March 2014, 22:35:29: The click drives me nuts after using one as my daily driver for several months. I understand how newer user love them, but they're not satisfying to me anymore.
Title: Re: GH's consensus on MX blues?
Post by: CPTBadAss on Fri, 28 March 2014, 22:38:19: I've got them on my work daily driver. Love them.
Title: Re: GH's consensus on MX blues?
Post by: epzy on Fri, 28 March 2014, 22:41:07: Love. But I rotate MX reds, Topre 45g and MX blues every week.
Title: Re: GH's consensus on MX blues?
Post by: Findecanor on Fri, 28 March 2014, 22:42:02: Love vintage blues with O-rings. Hate new scratchy blues without O-rings.
Title: Re: GH's consensus on MX blues?
Post by: eddie on Fri, 28 March 2014, 22:46:04: It's between good and tolerable. I couldn't use them for ever task
Title: Re: GH's consensus on MX blues?
Post by: HPE1000 on Fri, 28 March 2014, 22:47:44: I like them. 4 of my ~7 keyboards so far so far have been blues.

They are annoying to listen to all day though. so blacks, clears, etc are more preferable to use in my case.
Title: Re: GH's consensus on MX blues?
Post by: EvillePanda on Fri, 28 March 2014, 22:48:05: I'm new to mechanical keyboards, but I love the click. Reminds me of my mother's old typewriter, which I played with incessantly as a little girl. Got in a lot of trouble for it, too, but I loved the sound. And really, they're (blues) not that loud.
Title: Re: GH's consensus on MX blues?
Post by: CommonCurt on Fri, 28 March 2014, 23:11:53: My favorite switch :thumb:
Title: Re: GH's consensus on MX blues?
Post by: divito on Fri, 28 March 2014, 23:17:38: Blue was my first because I like clicky and tactile, but Clear and Greens (heavier Blues) are more preferable.
Title: Re: GH's consensus on MX blues?
Post by: t2russo on Fri, 28 March 2014, 23:26:03: Blues were my first switch and are in my current keyboard. I was on a huge brown kick for a while but really did miss the audio feedback for non-gaming purposes. I have a board with reds coming in for gaming, since I strongly dislike blues for FPS games and CS:GO has got me good, but I'm not which one will end up being the default option at my home desktop.

There's something so distinct about blues which makes them wonderful for introducing people to the world of mechanical keyboards. They are worlds away from rubber dome with tactile and audio feedback making them unmistakeably not a placebo. Some people may get tired of the clatter, but I still love the rapid fire clicking and thunking every time I sit down and use my blues.
Title: Re: GH's consensus on MX blues?
Post by: Linkbane on Fri, 28 March 2014, 23:44:12: I love them personally, they're so much better for typing than any other MX switch besides Browns, and still surpass them slightly. However, because of the noise I tend to use a 45g Topre most of the time, but ipthere are probably close to no 140+ typists using the really heavy switch. Shows you what I care about, haha.
Title: Re: GH's consensus on MX blues?
Post by: johndavis33 on Fri, 28 March 2014, 23:46:50: Quote from: jacobolus on Fri, 28 March 2014, 22:31:15
GH doesn’t have “consensus” about anything. Personally, I like MX blue better than other MX switches, but I’m not a big fan of Cherry switches in general. I like clicky Alps and SMK switches much better, not to mention Model F switches.

I think there's a general concensus that mechanical > rubber dome, as that's pretty much a given. But once you go mechanical everything is relative
Title: Re: GH's consensus on MX blues?
Post by: Wildcard on Sat, 29 March 2014, 00:13:01: They're one of my favorite MX switches. I really enjoy the ASMR effect of the click :)
Title: Re: GH's consensus on MX blues?
Post by: nubbinator on Sat, 29 March 2014, 00:58:23: Love the feel of blues, hate the sound of them. Like it's already been stated though, switches are personal, find one you love. For me, that means linear or tactile, no Blues or Greens or any permutation thereof.
Title: Re: GH's consensus on MX blues?
Post by: ComradeSniper on Sat, 29 March 2014, 01:01:07: They're my favorite MX switch. I think buckling springs feel less "cheap", though.
Title: Re: GH's consensus on MX blues?
Post by: tbc on Sat, 29 March 2014, 01:26:37: ^ this.

the BS switch itself is superior.

it's just the keyboard AROUND the switch sucks. nearly no form factor options, high profile only keycaps, no case color options, etc.
Title: Re: GH's consensus on MX blues?
Post by: nubbinator on Sat, 29 March 2014, 01:28:37: Quote from: tbc on Sat, 29 March 2014, 01:26:37
^ this.

the BS switch itself is superior.

it's just the keyboard AROUND the switch sucks. nearly no form factor options, high profile only keycaps, no case color options, etc.

You'd better not be lumping the F AT into that mix. It is perfect in every way...except for that damn plate.
Title: Re: GH's consensus on MX blues?
Post by: rowdy on Sat, 29 March 2014, 01:31:01: I like them, but they are a bit too light. Therefore I use greens. Or BS. Or Topre.
Title: Re: GH's consensus on MX blues?
Post by: demik on Sat, 29 March 2014, 01:34:28: Greens are better
Title: Re: GH's consensus on MX blues?
Post by: MOZ on Sat, 29 March 2014, 01:36:33: My avatar, although I am shifting to the heaver ghetto greens now, blues with 80g springs.
Title: Re: GH's consensus on MX blues?
Post by: jacobolus on Sat, 29 March 2014, 01:40:40: Quote from: tbc on Sat, 29 March 2014, 01:26:37
the BS switch itself is superior.

it's just the keyboard AROUND the switch sucks. nearly no form factor options, high profile only keycaps, no case color options, etc

Quote from: nubbinator on Sat, 29 March 2014, 01:28:37
You'd better not be lumping the F AT into that mix. It is perfect in every way...except for that damn plate.
Still unfortunately has no way to easily change the layout, which kinda sucks, since the standard Sholes/QWERTY/IBM keyboard layout is pretty suboptimal.

And in particular, on the F AT, in addition to the problems with a standard modern ANSI layout, it also has: silly bigass enter key, alt very difficult to reach, unreasonably large spacebar, no real usable thumb modifiers (in general not enough modifiers to properly use a Mac).
Title: Re: GH's consensus on MX blues?
Post by: nubbinator on Sat, 29 March 2014, 01:51:03: Quote from: jacobolus on Sat, 29 March 2014, 01:40:40
Quote from: tbc on Sat, 29 March 2014, 01:26:37
the BS switch itself is superior.

it's just the keyboard AROUND the switch sucks. nearly no form factor options, high profile only keycaps, no case color options, etc

Quote from: nubbinator on Sat, 29 March 2014, 01:28:37
You'd better not be lumping the F AT into that mix. It is perfect in every way...except for that damn plate.
Still unfortunately has no way to easily change the layout, which kinda sucks, since the standard Sholes/QWERTY/IBM keyboard layout is pretty suboptimal.

And in particular, on the F AT, in addition to the problems with a standard modern ANSI layout, it also has: silly bigass enter key, alt very difficult to reach, unreasonably large spacebar, no real usable thumb modifiers (in general not enough modifiers to properly use a Mac).

(http://31.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_melif5gGVQ1r7a2bao1_400.gif)
Title: Re: GH's consensus on MX blues?
Post by: False_Dmitry_II on Sat, 29 March 2014, 02:07:07: I think the layout is far too entrenched for me to change, because otherwise I'd have to build custom for every switch type I rotate through, which just isn't feasible.

That said, Space Invaders >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> MX Blues. They're the reason I sold my Das.
Title: Re: GH's consensus on MX blues?
Post by: Txduck on Sat, 29 March 2014, 02:27:35: I love my blues. I added O-rings and that made them even better!
I really like the sound of the blue switches, but not the sound of bottoming out. The O-rings greatly reduce the sound of bottoming out.
Blues are great for typing, but probably not as popular with serious gamers, so it depends on what you're going to do with them.
Title: Re: GH's consensus on MX blues?
Post by: kaz on Sat, 29 March 2014, 04:10:07: Definitely great to have in a typing keyboard. Not sure why they're so popular in gaming keyboards.
Title: Re: GH's consensus on MX blues?
Post by: QuadGMoto on Sat, 29 March 2014, 08:49:45: I think the only consensus on GH is that rubber dome membrane keyboards suck.

I'm definitely liking the blue switches I'm currently using. I can see why their action makes them a poor choice for gaming.

To me they're about a perfect weight. But though I don't have a keyboard using them yet(!), I think I prefer the ergo clear switch better. Surprisingly, they (blues) feel like they might be a bit too light in my numeric keypad. (I'm still trying to figure that one out.)

There may be better switches out there, but IMHO, the blues are right up there.
Title: Re: GH's consensus on MX blues?
Post by: swill on Sat, 29 March 2014, 08:58:13: Some people love them, some people hate them, so a consensus is not really realistic. I personally have a problem with them because the bump and the actuation point on the way down and the way back up do not match and it messes with my typing, but thats just me...
Title: Re: GH's consensus on MX blues?
Post by: uzoc on Sat, 29 March 2014, 09:15:34: Like I've said before, I like Blues, but they are too loud.
They should be like mouse micro switches and with the same travel (or 2mm or less).
Title: Re: GH's consensus on MX blues?
Post by: Computer-Lab in Basement on Sat, 29 March 2014, 09:23:45: I like Blues. Favorite MX switch.
Title: Re: GH's consensus on MX blues?
Post by: Roibhilin on Sat, 29 March 2014, 10:06:06: Quote from: nubbinator on Sat, 29 March 2014, 01:51:03
Quote from: jacobolus on Sat, 29 March 2014, 01:40:40
Quote from: tbc on Sat, 29 March 2014, 01:26:37
the BS switch itself is superior.

it's just the keyboard AROUND the switch sucks. nearly no form factor options, high profile only keycaps, no case color options, etc

Quote from: nubbinator on Sat, 29 March 2014, 01:28:37
You'd better not be lumping the F AT into that mix. It is perfect in every way...except for that damn plate.
Still unfortunately has no way to easily change the layout, which kinda sucks, since the standard Sholes/QWERTY/IBM keyboard layout is pretty suboptimal.

And in particular, on the F AT, in addition to the problems with a standard modern ANSI layout, it also has: silly bigass enter key, alt very difficult to reach, unreasonably large spacebar, no real usable thumb modifiers (in general not enough modifiers to properly use a Mac).

Show Image
(http://31.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_melif5gGVQ1r7a2bao1_400.gif)

(http://stream1.gifsoup.com/view1/20140114/4952691/what-have-i-done-o.gif)
Title: Re: GH's consensus on MX blues?
Post by: Xrayz0r on Sat, 29 March 2014, 10:11:24: Quote from: johndavis33 on Fri, 28 March 2014, 21:41:20
It's all just, like, your opinion, man. Wheter a key switch is good or not is relative.

I personally hate blues. They're too light for me. So light they feel linear. Also, they're not springy enough, especcially when it gets to the reset point on the return up. It feels like there's nothing pushing against my fingers. I'm using greens right now.

This agression against blues will not stand, man.
Title: Re: GH's consensus on MX blues?
Post by: CK Briefs on Sat, 29 March 2014, 10:47:42: I loved blues until I got to try out ergo clears haha
Blues feel a bit too scratchy after that; but they felt heavenly when I was typing on them for around 6-10 months.

Think of blues as rewarding you with noise and a small bump after actuating it. Definitely a well-worth first buy
Title: Re: GH's consensus on MX blues?
Post by: davkol on Sat, 29 March 2014, 10:51:28: Quote from: Xrayz0r on Sat, 29 March 2014, 10:11:24
Quote from: johndavis33 on Fri, 28 March 2014, 21:41:20
It's all just, like, your opinion, man. Wheter a key switch is good or not is relative.

I personally hate blues. They're too light for me. So light they feel linear. Also, they're not springy enough, especcially when it gets to the reset point on the return up. It feels like there's nothing pushing against my fingers. I'm using greens right now.

This agression against blues will not stand, man.

I hate them too.

I hate them with a passion.

The click is just annoying. More annoying then buckling springs (which I hate because of loudness, my ears are very sensitive) or even complicated white ALPS (which I hate as well). It feels cheap and inconsistent. Surprisingly enough, I like the buzzer on Kinesis Advantage, it improves MX Brown (which I strongly dislike too) a lot.

The tactility is wrong too. Nothing, sharp tactility, decrease in force, bottoming out with full force. Exact opposite of stock MX Clear. Required force is wrong too. Higher than on reds/browns, high enough to make me miss actuations, when trying not to bottom out heavily, but not high enough to let me stop the keystroke before hitting the bottom. Greens are somewhat better in this regard, but I'm not sure, if I could used to them.

I can tolerate blues only with thick keycaps and soft-landing pads... and closed headphones playing some metal.
Title: Re: GH's consensus on MX blues?
Post by: Zeal on Sat, 29 March 2014, 11:12:49: They feel nice when you're typing on them, and may be music to your ears, but when you're trying to rest/have a headache and someone else is typing at 100+WPM, it REALLY annoys me.
Title: Re: GH's consensus on MX blues?
Post by: BucklingSpring on Sat, 29 March 2014, 11:55:43: Quote from: Roibhilin on Fri, 28 March 2014, 21:32:04
I actually haven't seen much about Cherry MX blues on GH, if you're a regular MX switch user what does everyone think of them?
love/hate/tolerate?

You might want to invest in this keytester thing and see for yourself. It samples Blue, Green, Black, Clear, Red and Brown.
(http://cdn1.bigcommerce.com/server3900/9dd4a/products/868/images/2690/Tester_01__00319.1385388043.1280.1280.jpg)
I'm not a fan of Coolermaster products but I applaud their guts for making it.
Title: Re: GH's consensus on MX blues?
Post by: MiBe on Sat, 29 March 2014, 12:43:59: I really like Blues because of the fact that they are clicky. Tried greens as well but they're a bit too heavy in my opinion. My girlfriend hates the sound of clicky switches though. When she's in the living room I use Browns (which I don't really like actually) with o-rings.
Title: Re: GH's consensus on MX blues?
Post by: aref on Sat, 29 March 2014, 14:06:24: After trying many MX switches (Red, Brown, Blue, Black, Green), I prefer
MX Blue KBs. I quite like the aural feedback and the tactility of the switch.
Title: Re: GH's consensus on MX blues?
Post by: False_Dmitry_II on Sat, 29 March 2014, 16:07:12: Quote from: MiBe on Sat, 29 March 2014, 12:43:59
I really like Blues because of the fact that they are clicky. Tried greens as well but they're a bit too heavy in my opinion. My girlfriend hates the sound of clicky switches though. When she's in the living room I use Browns (which I don't really like actually) with o-rings.

You should try quiet matias in place of the browns, or some variation of dampened cream/white from an AEKII or similar.
Title: Re: GH's consensus on MX blues?
Post by: MiBe on Sat, 29 March 2014, 19:16:17: Quote from: False_Dmitry_II on Sat, 29 March 2014, 16:07:12
Quote from: MiBe on Sat, 29 March 2014, 12:43:59
I really like Blues because of the fact that they are clicky. Tried greens as well but they're a bit too heavy in my opinion. My girlfriend hates the sound of clicky switches though. When she's in the living room I use Browns (which I don't really like actually) with o-rings.

You should try quiet matias in place of the browns, or some variation of dampened cream/white from an AEKII or similar.

Interesting suggestion. I've never gotten my hands on one of those so far. Would like to try one but Matias keyboards are not exactly common in The Netherlands unfortunately :(
Title: Re: GH's consensus on MX blues?
Post by: esko997 on Sat, 29 March 2014, 22:48:17: Quote from: Beca on Fri, 28 March 2014, 21:47:05
They are a switch I like, but I can't type on regularly as they are annoying as hell. I have other switches I prefer much more.

Agree with this sentiment a lot. I see how other people could like them, and theyre easy for ones fingers to glide across, but theyre just too light for me, prefer greens.
Title: Re: GH's consensus on MX blues?
Post by: lotus1109 on Sat, 29 March 2014, 23:22:38: I would prefer heavy spring on clicky switch… so blue is not my choice but I like green :)
Title: Re: GH's consensus on MX blues?
Post by: davkol on Sun, 30 March 2014, 03:51:09: Quote from: MiBe on Sat, 29 March 2014, 19:16:17
Quote from: False_Dmitry_II on Sat, 29 March 2014, 16:07:12
Quote from: MiBe on Sat, 29 March 2014, 12:43:59
I really like Blues because of the fact that they are clicky. Tried greens as well but they're a bit too heavy in my opinion. My girlfriend hates the sound of clicky switches though. When she's in the living room I use Browns (which I don't really like actually) with o-rings.

You should try quiet matias in place of the browns, or some variation of dampened cream/white from an AEKII or similar.

Interesting suggestion. I've never gotten my hands on one of those so far. Would like to try one but Matias keyboards are not exactly common in The Netherlands unfortunately :(

IIRC 7bit has some Matias switches over at DT and plenty of members live in that part of Europe too. You could always convert an old keyboard with something ALPS-like to Matias switches.
Title: Re: GH's consensus on MX blues?
Post by: avtar on Sun, 30 March 2014, 13:27:48: Quote from: jacobolus on Fri, 28 March 2014, 22:31:15
GH doesn’t have “consensus” about anything.

This +1.

I tried to blues and initially they sounded and felt great but as a couple of weeks passed the high pitched clicking really started to get to me. I briefly tried browns and didn't like how they felt and have been on the Topre train since. From what I've been reading clears might be worth a shot.
Title: Re: GH's consensus on MX blues?
Post by: rowdy on Sun, 30 March 2014, 13:58:16: Quote from: avtar on Sun, 30 March 2014, 13:27:48
Quote from: jacobolus on Fri, 28 March 2014, 22:31:15
GH doesn’t have “consensus” about anything.

This +1.

So do we have a consensus on that?
Title: Re: GH's consensus on MX blues?
Post by: Zeal on Sun, 30 March 2014, 13:59:41: Quote from: rowdy on Sun, 30 March 2014, 13:58:16
Quote from: avtar on Sun, 30 March 2014, 13:27:48
Quote from: jacobolus on Fri, 28 March 2014, 22:31:15
GH doesn’t have “consensus” about anything.

This +1.

So do we have a consensus on that?
:)) :))
Appears so.
Title: Re: GH's consensus on MX blues?
Post by: avtar on Sun, 30 March 2014, 14:25:48: Quote from: rowdy on Sun, 30 March 2014, 13:58:16
Quote from: avtar on Sun, 30 March 2014, 13:27:48
Quote from: jacobolus on Fri, 28 March 2014, 22:31:15
GH doesn’t have “consensus” about anything.

This +1.

So do we have a consensus on that?

I'm going to -1 that.
Title: Re: GH's consensus on MX blues?
Post by: lunr on Sun, 30 March 2014, 14:34:39: I love blues but I just can't stand the noise. I only tried browns and blues but overall blues are my favourite besides the annoying clicking noise (If only I can find clears somewhere...).
Title: Re: GH's consensus on MX blues?
Post by: acsim on Sun, 30 March 2014, 15:48:34: Tried blues for a couple of months with Das and a filco ninja. I think I've got really weak fingers because I've always felt that they're too stiff for me though the tactility and click noise is quite awesome. Stuck with them for quite some time until I was one with the cup rubber.

Agree with some of people here. It's great for first buy.. :cool:
Title: Re: GH's consensus on MX blues?
Post by: zflamewing on Sun, 30 March 2014, 16:10:36: I enjoy blues a lot. I'm using a Duckyshine2 with Blues and my at work keyboard is the CM Storm XT in Greens which I also enjoy. I've also had a QFR in blues that I replaced with the XT because I missed the number pad and wanted to try greens. I've been waffling on trying clears but that's for another topic.
Title: Re: GH's consensus on MX blues?
Post by: rowdy on Sun, 30 March 2014, 16:12:55: Slightly back on topic, I've been using greens and blacks for a while.

I booted up my old games machine on the weekend with my original Ducky Shine with MX blues.

Although the keyboard is still in pristine condition, the MX blue switches just felt so light.

Probably too light for me to use on a regular basis now.
Title: Re: GH's consensus on MX blues?
Post by: Candyflip on Sun, 30 March 2014, 16:16:26: Started with them and they are my favorite switch even after trying the other MX variants, the only MX I haven't tried yet are greens which I think I would like even more than blues.
Title: Re: GH's consensus on MX blues?
Post by: JaccoW on Sun, 30 March 2014, 16:17:56: I don't care for blues. In tried Greens for a while but I still keep coming back to my first love Clears. Greens still feel too light and too noisy for me.
Recently bought a board with vintage Clears so I'm really curious to see how those feel.