Look up Hysteresis for an explanation on why blues are inefficient for gaming.
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Blues use a two part slider to emulate a click within the limitations of MX'S linear - by - nature design.
But you can game on blues if you learn how (full release of key, rather than hovering). I can double tap much faster and with better consistency using linear switches and hovering. But it's all doable and keyboard only has a small impact on your gaming performance.
More important is Key rollover (KRO). I recommend no less than 6KRO for gaming boards.
Clears (especially spring swapped) are more tactile than blues and are a bit louder than browns. They are much MUCH more tactile than browns.
Blues are most popular for newcomers and are a great place to start. Most enthusiasts start moving towards linear later in their "career"
See the thing is I use a very unconventional key binding for gaming. I actually do not use WASD for movement but the left and right mouse button and ctrl and alt to fire. I know its strange but its what Ive always used and it works for me. So Im not so sure id be as affected by the blues and other people would be. Also about the rollover I never considered that thanks..Ill definitely watch for that.
I hear you man! Cherry linears didn't impress me either. There's just nothing there, nothing exciting going on. I use them sometimes but I'm definitely a tactile and/or clicky guy.
Since you're used to domes, they just feel like a KB to you, so trying linears doesn't offer you anything new.
Here's how you can tell the difference between them and a dome. On your dome KB. focus on the tactile point, when the dome just collapses. Try to isolate that point, by letting up just a little, then pressing down. (or try one dome at microcenter? I've never been in one so I dunno what they have out). Then on the cherry red/black, try the same. there;s no tactile point! it's just the same all the way down.
Another thing to think about is you only have to press it halfway for it to actuate. Cherry switches are a lot lighter than domes, so you're probably bottoming them out.
I agree that tactile and clicky blues feel great! They might be the switch for you. Clears are also very nice, especially for gaming. TO me the "click" on blues is too "light"; it almost sounds like a toy.
The reason they say blues aren't the best for gaming is that you have to release the switch somewhat to "reset" it before you can press it again. This is called hysteresis, and it means you cant just vibrate your finger at the actuation point for a lot of presses in a row. This matters for some games like SC2 I guess, but I gamed on greens (like blues but with a heavier spring) for many months, and I never had any issues. Other than my roommate yelling at me to quit pounding on my noisy keyboard :p
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My recommendation: clears or "ergo-clears" are probably the switch for you. Blues being the second choice. Start there and see where your KB journey takes you. One good part about mechanical keyboards is that you can resell them for a good price. So if you buy a used board with clears and don't like it, you're not out much. same thing for a new board even: you can usually resell it for most of what you paid.
One other way to try the switch before you buy is to find a GHer in your area with a board. Another is to get in on a switch tester tour (they happen every few months I would say). Hope this helps!
See your explanation of the linears helped a lot. I get it now.....with my dome keyboard the dome breaks and the key just drops to the bottom..with linear that doesn't happen..its just consistent pressure all the way to the bottom.
The KUL 87 looks decent albeit no frills, which is fine. Id rather have the manufacturer pout the extra time into quality then back lights and funky colors. Its probably on the high end of my budget but it seems that if I wanted clears..thats what Ill have to spend.
is 120-130ish basically the area id want to be in for a good keyboard regardless of switches? I know there are under a hundred dollar options if I were to go with say Blues..but I dont want a significant quality drop or to give up too many features...again aside from things like back lights and such which I dont need.