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geekhack Community => Keyboard Keycaps => Topic started by: ihatefirewalls on Tue, 22 July 2014, 17:03:52

Title: Faux-pas to mix different profile keycaps?
Post by: ihatefirewalls on Tue, 22 July 2014, 17:03:52
I'm pretty new to custom keycaps and was wondering what you guys thought about mixing different profile keys.

Is it acceptable to mix things like Cherry keys on the function rows with OEM alphanumerics+mods? What about mixing spherical and cylindrical caps?

Any rules you guys generally follow?
Title: Re: Faux-pas to mix different profile keycaps?
Post by: rowdy on Tue, 22 July 2014, 17:18:50
A lot of people don't like mixing profiles.

If it is all over the place, like random profiles on different keys, you might find it difficult to type on.  Unergonomic at the very least.

But if you do it row by row with similar profile keycaps - shouldn't be too bad.

I'm not sure about mixing DSA with DCS with SA though - that would stand out a bit!
Title: Re: Faux-pas to mix different profile keycaps?
Post by: FrostyToast on Tue, 22 July 2014, 17:25:36
A different profile spacebar would be acceptable, and different profile (preferably not lower than the rest) escrow keys would also be acceptable
However, those are the only two areas where I would consider mixing profiles.
Title: Re: Faux-pas to mix different profile keycaps?
Post by: Puddsy on Tue, 22 July 2014, 17:34:22
it's not that bad

DSA and DCS are ok togerther

as are OEM and DCS
Title: Re: Faux-pas to mix different profile keycaps?
Post by: rowdy on Tue, 22 July 2014, 17:36:00
it's not that bad

DSA and DCS are ok togerther

as are OEM and DCS

Depending on where you put them.  In teh same row would be slightly awkward.
Title: Re: Faux-pas to mix different profile keycaps?
Post by: ihatefirewalls on Tue, 22 July 2014, 18:01:41
Are arrow keys pretty much free to do anything with?
Title: Re: Faux-pas to mix different profile keycaps?
Post by: rowdy on Tue, 22 July 2014, 18:14:36
Are arrow keys pretty much free to do anything with?

Up to a point, yes ;)

Ultimately it is your keyboard, and you can do what you like with it.
Title: Re: Faux-pas to mix different profile keycaps?
Post by: TheAngleOfDeath on Tue, 22 July 2014, 20:21:11
Are arrow keys pretty much free to do anything with?

I have a DSA cap on an OEM board for my W key and I really like the different feel of the cap, especially since it's used quite a bit when gaming. As for everyday typing I don't notice the difference when I'm typing. It does make a slightly louder, higher pitched click on MX Blues though.
Title: Re: Faux-pas to mix different profile keycaps?
Post by: swill on Tue, 22 July 2014, 20:34:14
I was running cherry profile caps other than the bottom row, on which I used OEM profile. I did it so it was easier to reach the keys on the bottom row and because the cherry spacebar was higher than the keys next  and that bothered me. 
Title: Re: Faux-pas to mix different profile keycaps?
Post by: Beca on Tue, 22 July 2014, 21:14:05
it's your own preference. some people like to mix profiles on keys they use exclusively for gaming so that it's easier to rest your fingers on certain keys
Title: Re: Faux-pas to mix different profile keycaps?
Post by: thatsalongusername on Wed, 23 July 2014, 08:58:30
I was thinking about buying an old Cherry G80 or G81 to put them on my Filco. If I only put them on the alphabet keys and mixed Cherry and Filco, would that be weird?
Title: Re: Faux-pas to mix different profile keycaps?
Post by: CPTBadAss on Wed, 23 July 2014, 09:02:27
I had PBT OEM profile caps on a Leopold FC700R keyboard with the stock PBT caps. The profiles weren't the same so the Alpha keys were much higher than the modifiers or number row. It drove me *insane*. I couldn't hit the numbers and it was so frustrating, I sold the keycap set after using them for a week. I haven't mixed profiles since then.
Title: Re: Faux-pas to mix different profile keycaps?
Post by: swill on Wed, 23 July 2014, 10:26:54
I had PBT OEM profile caps on a Leopold FC700R keyboard with the stock PBT caps. The profiles weren't the same so the Alpha keys were much higher than the modifiers or number row. It drove me *insane*. I couldn't hit the numbers and it was so frustrating, I sold the keycap set after using them for a week. I haven't mixed profiles since then.

Ya, I tried to mix profiles with mods and alphas.  That lasted all of about 30 seconds.  The bottom row worked because the cherry profile bottom row is super low, so having OEM on the bottom row made things more reachable...
Title: Re: Faux-pas to mix different profile keycaps?
Post by: Findecanor on Wed, 23 July 2014, 12:32:46
[attach=1]
My (Schm)ergoDox was made with two profiles to give a slight dip for the longer fingers compared to the shorter fingers. I was inspired by the Logitech Wave.
The caps are BTC caps in same profile as DCS and WASD custom lasered in OEM profile. I designed the WASD keys to use the same font and font sizes as had been printed on the BTC caps, but I did not get it 100% right on the numeric row. The colours match better in real life than in this photo.
Title: Re: Faux-pas to mix different profile keycaps?
Post by: GSimon on Wed, 23 July 2014, 23:24:02
Not necessarily, I actually had a lot of fun with my Cherry/SA key hybrid.

(http://i.imgur.com/8krVwGl.jpg)

more pics: http://imgur.com/a/5r9Wg
Title: Re: Faux-pas to mix different profile keycaps?
Post by: tbc on Sun, 27 July 2014, 06:00:28
dsa with oem on the bottom row.

too awesome.

it keeps you from 'falling off' the bottom of the board.
Title: Re: Faux-pas to mix different profile keycaps?
Post by: Grim Fandango on Sun, 27 July 2014, 06:39:26
It is up to you really. I guess the two reasons why people do not like to mix them is because of the inconsistent look and because of the inconsistent feel between the keycaps on the keyboard.

However, it can look and feel decent of you think about where you place them.

Personally I have never done it. Just something that would set off my OCD I guess.
Title: Re: Faux-pas to mix different profile keycaps?
Post by: swill on Sun, 27 July 2014, 07:23:43
dsa with oem on the bottom row.

too awesome.

it keeps you from 'falling off' the bottom of the board.

Ya. I was doing the same thing.
Title: Re: Faux-pas to mix different profile keycaps?
Post by: rowdy on Sun, 27 July 2014, 19:59:55
dsa with oem on the bottom row.

too awesome.

it keeps you from 'falling off' the bottom of the board.

Heh your hands would have jump over the hurdle each time to start typing :p
Title: Re: Faux-pas to mix different profile keycaps?
Post by: tbc on Sun, 27 July 2014, 22:26:27
dsa with oem on the bottom row.

too awesome.

it keeps you from 'falling off' the bottom of the board.

Heh your hands would have jump over the hurdle each time to start typing :p

no pain no game! :D