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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: mougrim on Fri, 21 November 2014, 12:40:41

Title: Tactile non-clicky keyboard.
Post by: mougrim on Fri, 21 November 2014, 12:40:41
I love my AT Model F - but now I need something quiet for working at nights (I was threatened by my family - they say they'll kill me, and if you heard typing on any IBM keyboard, you know they MEAN it)

So... There are Code keyboard with MX Clears on Massdrop now. Will it be suital for my purpose?
Title: Re: Tactile non-clicky keyboard.
Post by: Flyersfan1 on Fri, 21 November 2014, 12:44:31
I love my AT Model F - but now I need something quiet for working at nights (I was threatened by my family - they say they'll kill me, and if you heard typing on any IBM keyboard, you know they MEAN it)

So... There are Code keyboard with MX Clears on Massdrop now. Will it be suital for my purpose?
Clears sound like they would be perfect for you! They are very tactile and are relatively quiet too!
Title: Re: Tactile non-clicky keyboard.
Post by: saturnotaku on Fri, 21 November 2014, 13:39:49
Something with Cherry MX clear or a Realforce 87U 55g (Topre switch) would be suitable. Most of the noise from Cherry switches comes from bottoming out, which you can mitigate by adding o-rings to the stems on the keycaps.

Topre switches are definitely quieter, but their noise can be reduced through the addition of thin dental bands and/or lubing the stems.
Title: Re: Tactile non-clicky keyboard.
Post by: mougrim on Fri, 21 November 2014, 14:04:59
Something with Cherry MX clear or a Realforce 87U 55g (Topre switch) would be suitable. Most of the noise from Cherry switches comes from bottoming out, which you can mitigate by adding o-rings to the stems on the keycaps.

Topre switches are definitely quieter, but their noise can be reduced through the addition of thin dental bands and/or lubing the stems.

Thankee for advice :) I'll think about it.
Title: Re: Tactile non-clicky keyboard.
Post by: jacobolus on Fri, 21 November 2014, 15:20:31
I recommend Matias quiet switches over MX or Topre, if you’re looking for something with snappy action and quiet.
Title: Re: Tactile non-clicky keyboard.
Post by: spiceBar on Fri, 21 November 2014, 23:24:38
I recommend Matias quiet switches over MX or Topre, if you’re looking for something with snappy action and quiet.

Yes. I am now the proud owner of a Matias laptop pro (compact Bluetooth), and I have been pleasantly surprised by the Matias quiet switches.

@OP: Cherry MX browns or clears, Topre or Matias quiet switches based keyboards seem to be what you are looking for. That gives you plenty of choices.
Title: Re: Tactile non-clicky keyboard.
Post by: JDorfler on Fri, 21 November 2014, 23:27:35
Would you say the Cherry Browns and Clears are very related in feel?  If so, what would be the difference?
Title: Re: Tactile non-clicky keyboard.
Post by: saint_james on Fri, 21 November 2014, 23:41:00
Would you say the Cherry Browns and Clears are very related in feel?  If so, what would be the difference?

Both are non-clicky tactile.  However, the tactile bump is much more pronounced with clears... at times I can barely feel the bump on browns... and of course, clears are a noticeably heavier switch.
Title: Re: Tactile non-clicky keyboard.
Post by: JDorfler on Fri, 21 November 2014, 23:43:01
Would you say the Cherry Browns and Clears are very related in feel?  If so, what would be the difference?

Both are non-clicky tactile.  However, the tactile bump is much more pronounced with clears... at times I can barely feel the bump on browns... and of course, clears are a noticeably heavier switch.

Thank you.
Title: Re: Tactile non-clicky keyboard.
Post by: spiceBar on Fri, 21 November 2014, 23:46:26
Would you say the Cherry Browns and Clears are very related in feel?  If so, what would be the difference?

Yes, they are very related in feel.

The tactile bump in browns is subtle. Less noticeable than on a rubber dome keyboard. You notice it only of you have a "light" typing style and do not bottom out hard.

In clears, the bump is much more noticeable. The spring is also stronger (~38% stronger), so with the same force you are less likely to bottom out hard on Cherry MX clears.

Some people say that clears are what browns were designed to be, and would never go back to browns.

Other people say that clears are too stiff and after trying clears they go back to browns.

It all depends on your typing style, or your ability to adapt your style to a new switch.
Title: Re: Tactile non-clicky keyboard.
Post by: mougrim on Sat, 22 November 2014, 03:28:52
Matias... Well, I keen to try it, but keycaps... Let's say, you pretty much limited to stock ones. And I have this nice new Granite keyset sitt ;)

I doubt clears will be too stiff for me. Because, buckling spring :)
Title: Re: Tactile non-clicky keyboard.
Post by: kaiteoki on Sat, 22 November 2014, 03:35:00
Go wit topre
Title: Re: Tactile non-clicky keyboard.
Post by: berserkfan on Sat, 22 November 2014, 06:29:06
mougrim my friend

let me take advantage of the moment to introduce my favorite switch type... the jailhouse blues. It is truly tactile and ultra quiet. It's the quietest Cherry switch you'll ever have. And tactile as clears too!

As long as you are willing to put the time in to produce the jailhouse effect.

I do recommend that you be using a PCB mounted keyboard or a board with switch moddable plate, because sometimes you need to adjust the switch based on my method. But my method is quick and painless and I'm proud of it. (Not going to publicize to geekhack at large until I have convinced a few friends to try and they are equally satisfied after some time of real usage.)

I'll send you what you need for a six buck donation to Dorkvader's Hall Effect project. You can always do the mod while hiding under your F AT in your bomb shelter when Putin's Platoons storm in.
Title: Re: Tactile non-clicky keyboard.
Post by: terrpn on Sat, 22 November 2014, 09:58:24
Dell Quiet Key RT7D5JTW

Save yourself a bunch of money.........some people compare pressure to Topre

It is a slider over rubber dome- tactile and quiet

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-DELL-QUITEKEY-KEYBOARD-RT7D5JTW-/170933972759?pt=PCA_Mice_Trackballs&hash=item27cc756f17

I spruced mine up a little because I was bored..........

Title: Re: Tactile non-clicky keyboard.
Post by: vivalarevolución on Sat, 22 November 2014, 10:19:27
I recommend Matias quiet switches over MX or Topre, if you’re looking for something with snappy action and quiet.

I echo this sentiment, although MX Clears with 65g springs and thick metal plate underneath it are not too bad.  But it won't be cheap to all those elements together, that's for sure.
Title: Re: Tactile non-clicky keyboard.
Post by: Oobly on Sat, 22 November 2014, 15:30:40
I recommend MX Clears with orings (or trampoline mod if you're willing and able to desolder the switches to open them). They're quiet, very tactile and have a nice spring profile. And of course you have a large range of keycap sets that fit.

Topre switches are quiet, too, but even the 55g ones may seem a bit "weak" if you're used to Model F springs. At least Model F are lighter than Model M :)

Personal favourite switch is 62g ErgoClears with trampoline mod. If you're going to open the switches I highly recommend trying this combination. The 62g spring increases the tactility while decreasing the force required and the trampolines dampen the bottom out.
Title: Re: Tactile non-clicky keyboard.
Post by: Puddsy on Sat, 22 November 2014, 15:58:21
KUL ES-87 with clears, my favorite board.
Title: Re: Tactile non-clicky keyboard.
Post by: elecplus on Sat, 22 November 2014, 18:11:16


I spruced mine up a little because I was bored..........

Since when do u have time to get bored, terrpn?
Title: Re: Tactile non-clicky keyboard.
Post by: 0100010 on Sat, 22 November 2014, 19:06:03
Matias... Well, I keen to try it, but keycaps... Let's say, you pretty much limited to stock ones. And I have this nice new Granite keyset sitt ;)

I doubt clears will be too stiff for me. Because, buckling spring :)

I am used to buckling springs myself, and after finding that even the heaviest Cherry switches are not as strong as buckling springs; I would say go for Cherry MX Light Greys (tactile).  But a stock board with MX Clears would probably be easier to get a hold of.
Title: Re: Tactile non-clicky keyboard.
Post by: jacobolus on Sat, 22 November 2014, 19:35:19
I am used to buckling springs myself, and after finding that even the heaviest Cherry switches are not as strong as buckling springs; I would say go for Cherry MX Light Greys (tactile).  But a stock board with MX Clears would probably be easier to get a hold of.
For someone who likes a Model F, MX clear is going to be tiring to type on.
Title: Re: Tactile non-clicky keyboard.
Post by: mougrim on Mon, 24 November 2014, 03:12:13
I recommend MX Clears with orings (or trampoline mod if you're willing and able to desolder the switches to open them). They're quiet, very tactile and have a nice spring profile. And of course you have a large range of keycap sets that fit.

Topre switches are quiet, too, but even the 55g ones may seem a bit "weak" if you're used to Model F springs. At least Model F are lighter than Model M :)

Personal favourite switch is 62g ErgoClears with trampoline mod. If you're going to open the switches I highly recommend trying this combination. The 62g spring increases the tactility while decreasing the force required and the trampolines dampen the bottom out.

Yep, even Greens are too light for me now :)

First I need to get hold of some board with Clears... then I'll think ;)
Title: Re: Tactile non-clicky keyboard.
Post by: berserkfan on Mon, 24 November 2014, 06:24:49
I recommend MX Clears with orings (or trampoline mod if you're willing and able to desolder the switches to open them). They're quiet, very tactile and have a nice spring profile. And of course you have a large range of keycap sets that fit.

Topre switches are quiet, too, but even the 55g ones may seem a bit "weak" if you're used to Model F springs. At least Model F are lighter than Model M :)

Personal favourite switch is 62g ErgoClears with trampoline mod. If you're going to open the switches I highly recommend trying this combination. The 62g spring increases the tactility while decreasing the force required and the trampolines dampen the bottom out.

Yep, even Greens are too light for me now :)

First I need to get hold of some board with Clears... then I'll think ;)

WE can talk over PM. Am interested in having a new guinea pig for my jailhouse blues. And I should have one or two clears and tactile grays I can send you, again for the price of a donation to the main project I am supporting now.
Title: Re: Tactile non-clicky keyboard.
Post by: katushkin on Mon, 24 November 2014, 10:43:25
What about Greys?
Title: Re: Tactile non-clicky keyboard.
Post by: mougrim on Mon, 24 November 2014, 11:08:26
What about Greys?

They're pretty much unobtanium, if we're talking about mass-produced boards ;) Or not?
Title: Re: Tactile non-clicky keyboard.
Post by: katushkin on Mon, 24 November 2014, 11:15:12
What about Greys?

They're pretty much unobtanium, if we're talking about mass-produced boards ;) Or not?

You could buy a load from mechanicalkeyboards.com and get someone to desolder old switches and resolder on the greys? Clears are getting easier to come by but they aren't massively available, and I've seen greens available on about 3 boards in the last 6 months.
Title: Re: Tactile non-clicky keyboard.
Post by: inanis on Mon, 24 November 2014, 11:41:25
I have a Code with Clears. I also have a IBM SSK, but sadly no F. I'm typing on the SSK right now and I have the CODE sitting right in front of me. The CODE is much quieter than my SSK, but it certainly isn't what I would call "quiet" either. I see people say that Clears are considered a quite switch, and maybe that is true, but it isn't the case on my CODE. I don't have any other experience with clear switches to compare it against. In my case the noise isn't really a problem, but if you are aiming for quite, this CODE I have sure doesn't fit that bill.
Title: Re: Tactile non-clicky keyboard.
Post by: mougrim on Mon, 24 November 2014, 11:55:27
Hmm... I kinda tempted about Novatouch... But I think it will be too light and too un-tactile.

Maybe later. When they'll release V2. With 55g domes :)
Title: Re: Tactile non-clicky keyboard.
Post by: mougrim on Mon, 24 November 2014, 16:45:52
https://www.massdrop.com/buy/v60-matias-mini-keyboard

This?