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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: Karura on Mon, 09 February 2015, 08:52:15

Title: Ergo-Clears vs Vintage Blacks
Post by: Karura on Mon, 09 February 2015, 08:52:15: Hello everyone,

I'm going to be building two keyboards and have yet to decide what to use between Vintage Blacks and Clears, both lubed and modded with springs.

In the end, I will probably still build two keyboards with both switches, but I need to figure out what are the reasons for preferring either one of these over the other.

I have to ask:

Please only post if you either own keyboards with both switches, or have used both for a period of time. Thank you.

What are the reasons why you prefer one switch over the other?

If it helps, please describe if you type or game on it, and what your general usage of the keyboard consists of.

Cheers!
Title: Re: Ergo-Clears vs Vintage Blacks
Post by: Defect on Mon, 09 February 2015, 10:18:40: Gaming: Linear
Typing: Buckling Spring or ALPS
Compromise: Ergo Clear

My Choc Mini with 62g lubed blacks:
(http://i.imgur.com/l7zOlsk.jpg)

62g lubed ergo clear watermelon board: http://imgur.com/a/O3w39
(http://i.imgur.com/jKR69e6.jpg)

45g Cherry Unlubed Clears: http://imgur.com/a/V0mnJ
(http://i.imgur.com/bJ51S0g.jpg)
Title: Re: Ergo-Clears vs Vintage Blacks
Post by: noisyturtle on Mon, 09 February 2015, 12:02:33: Agreed, I find ergo-clears (or better yet, pandas) to be the best all around switch for any given task. Jack-of-all comfort levels.
Title: Re: Ergo-Clears vs Vintage Blacks
Post by: jacobolus on Mon, 09 February 2015, 12:06:56: Quote from: Karura on Mon, 09 February 2015, 08:52:15
What are the reasons why you prefer one switch over the other?
I’ve only tried other people’s boards, but lubed 62g vintage blacks are very very smooth, though just slightly too lightweight for me (I’d go 5 grams-force stiffer)

Lubed “ergo”-clears are also nice, but still feel to me like wannabe orange Alps switches that couldn’t quite make the cut. :P
Title: Re: Ergo-Clears vs Vintage Blacks
Post by: Sygaldry on Mon, 09 February 2015, 12:14:52: I had a GON HHKB with Ergo-Clears (62g gold springs) and a Duck Viper with super light Vintage Blacks (50g gold springs).

I liked the Viper just a bit more for all intents and purposes simply because of the switches (gaming and typing, etc). They just felt so good! Like slicing through butter with a hot knife. Simply orgasmic.

This is not to say I didn't enjoy the Ergo-Clears. Ergo-Clears can be nice, especially when you're having an off day with typing. With the Vintage Blacks, you sometimes have to be more deliberate with your keystrokes or risk mistyping.

I used to be all for clicky and tactile switches but Vintage Blacks just feel so much better than any of the other Cherry MX flavors available.

(Topre > MX still)
Title: Re: Ergo-Clears vs Vintage Blacks
Post by: Karura on Mon, 09 February 2015, 20:30:54: Thanks for all the replies.

So it seems like well modded clears are super smooth, but you still can't beat the slickness of a nicely lubed up vintage black. Maybe one of each is in order.
Title: Re: Ergo-Clears vs Vintage Blacks
Post by: Karura on Mon, 09 February 2015, 20:33:39: Quote from: Defect on Mon, 09 February 2015, 10:18:40
Gaming: Linear
Typing: Buckling Spring or ALPS
Compromise: Ergo Clear

My Choc Mini with 62g lubed blacks:
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/l7zOlsk.jpg)

62g lubed ergo clear watermelon board: http://imgur.com/a/O3w39
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/jKR69e6.jpg)

45g Cherry Unlubed Clears: http://imgur.com/a/V0mnJ
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/bJ51S0g.jpg)

Could you elaborate on which ones you like better? Also, are those modern blacks or vintage blacks?
Title: Re: Ergo-Clears vs Vintage Blacks
Post by: Oobly on Tue, 10 February 2015, 04:21:52: Quote from: Karura on Mon, 09 February 2015, 20:30:54
Thanks for all the replies.

So it seems like well modded clears are super smooth, but you still can't beat the slickness of a nicely lubed up vintage black. Maybe one of each is in order.

Yup... I don't like linear switches, personally, but I have found 62g to feel best on Blacks (although I hear 65g also feel amazing) and the same on Clears.

Worn in and lubed 62g ErgoClears are really smooth and massively tactile. My current favourite switch, although there are still a few I haven't tried long term.

So I would recommend you go with 62 or 65g Blacks on one board, 62g Clears on the other. After using them both a while you can decide whether one stands out as your favourite and convert the other board or just keep them both as is.

It pays off while you have the switches open to "shave" the sliders. That'll improve the feeling of them immediately and allow them to wear smooth more quickly. The mold line on the outside edges of the tactile bump parts seem to be the worst offenders.
Title: Re: Ergo-Clears vs Vintage Blacks
Post by: hwood34 on Tue, 10 February 2015, 06:12:04: Quote from: Karura on Mon, 09 February 2015, 20:30:54
Thanks for all the replies.

So it seems like well modded clears are super smooth, but you still can't beat the slickness of a nicely lubed up vintage black. Maybe one of each is in order.
or some gateron blacks ;)
Title: Re: Ergo-Clears vs Vintage Blacks
Post by: Defect on Tue, 10 February 2015, 08:34:06: Quote from: Karura on Mon, 09 February 2015, 20:33:39
Quote from: Defect on Mon, 09 February 2015, 10:18:40
Gaming: Linear
Typing: Buckling Spring or ALPS
Compromise: Ergo Clear

My Choc Mini with 62g lubed blacks:
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/l7zOlsk.jpg)

62g lubed ergo clear watermelon board: http://imgur.com/a/O3w39
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/jKR69e6.jpg)

45g Cherry Unlubed Clears: http://imgur.com/a/V0mnJ
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/bJ51S0g.jpg)

Could you elaborate on which ones you like better? Also, are those modern blacks or vintage blacks?

Gaming: Linear
Typing: Buckling Spring or ALPS
Compromise: Ergo Clear

Reason I have more than one keyboard.
Title: Re: Ergo-Clears vs Vintage Blacks
Post by: ideus on Tue, 10 February 2015, 09:29:58: The board with tex acrylic case is nice. The Noppo is just to squared to be nice. The report on ergo-clears is encouraging, as I waiting for my set of clears and I already have 62g springs waiting for them.
Title: Re: Ergo-Clears vs Vintage Blacks
Post by: Karura on Thu, 12 February 2015, 20:27:29: Well, I would love to hear more people's thoughts on whether they prefer ergo clears or vintage blacks, and for what purposes... keep the discussion coming!
Title: Re: Ergo-Clears vs Vintage Blacks
Post by: katushkin on Thu, 12 February 2015, 20:31:39: If someone would send me a single vintage black switch, I may have an opinion...
Title: Re: Ergo-Clears vs Vintage Blacks
Post by: fohat.digs on Thu, 12 February 2015, 20:35:48: My son is a gamer and loves the blacks, but I just have to have something tactile. Otherwise, "it just ain't right" ....