Post by: Nikelu on Wed, 15 April 2015, 07:48:27
Post by: Dihedral on Wed, 15 April 2015, 08:08:37
Clear has a larger 'bump'. This means that there's a larger amount of tactile feedback.
Clear has a stronger spring. It provides a springy feel near the bottom of the keystroke which some people find useful when trying not to bottom out.
Both are inherently quiet switches, however Clear is probably quieter as the increased resistance results in a less forceful 'bottom out' sound when the keycap hits the switch housing.
Many people like the clear, some people for its weight and cushiony feel, but most often for the large tactile bump that many prefer to the minimally tactile brown switch. Those that appreciate the bump but not the weight have created the popular Ergo Clear mod where a lighter spring, usually between the Brown and the Clear in weight, is substituted for the Clear's stock spring.
Because you are presumably going to be buying a keyboard stock and not modding switches - this is how you should make your decision:
Would I prefer the lighter Brown (lighter then your average rubber dome - same weight as MX Blues) or would I prefer the heavier Clear (Heavier than most rubberdomes, comparable to MX Green)?
Do I want the extra tactility of the Clear or would I be fine with the smaller tactile bump of the Brown switch?
Buying a couple of the switches from a site such as TheKeyboardCo may help you make this decision, however single switches are not representative of the feel of a whole keyboard.
Post by: Nikelu on Wed, 15 April 2015, 08:20:59
Clear is to Green as Brown is to Blue. The main differences between clear and brown are:
I guess you mean clear is to brown as green is to blue here. Thanks for the complete reply.So I guess they are both really quiet switches but clear has better tactility.Now how much heavier is it again practically.I think I tried Browns once in a g710 from a shop,but my only board is a blue one.I got some orings for it now,but haven't installed them yet.Are they a lot heavier than blues,and how much heavier than browns
Post by: Dihedral on Wed, 15 April 2015, 08:26:00
Clear is to Green as Brown is to Blue. The main differences between clear and brown are:
I guess you mean clear is to brown as green is to blue here. Thanks for the complete reply.So I guess they are both really quiet switches but clear has better tactility.Now how much heavier is it again practically.I think I tried Browns once in a g710 from a shop,but my only board is a blue one.I got some orings for it now,but haven't installed them yet.Are they a lot heavier than blues,and how much heavier than browns
No I mean what I said, though both are logical. I meant that Clear and Green are the contemporary 'heavy' switches in the categories of tactile and clicky, while Brown and Blue are the lightweight counterparts.
Yes, they are a lot heavier than blues. I haven't used a complete clear board, but I have 4 of them which I have used in a switch holder (see left signature picture) , and in comparison to a blue board they require much stronger fingers. I started a thread here (https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=70926.0) that you may find interesting. Blues and Browns are the same weight, but if you imagine the heaviest rubberdome board you've used, Clears are probably a bit heavier than that.
Post by: greath on Wed, 15 April 2015, 08:32:20
I prefer clears slightly over browns for typing.
I prefer browns HEAVILY over clears for gaming. Reds are my favorite for gaming so far however.
So depending on your primary use this might have an effect.
Post by: Nikelu on Wed, 15 April 2015, 08:50:47
Post by: greath on Wed, 15 April 2015, 09:00:13
I usually game more tbh.
I would SERIOUSLY consider reds or blacks then.
Post by: Dihedral on Wed, 15 April 2015, 09:08:32
Post by: metalliqaz on Wed, 15 April 2015, 09:26:27
Let me tell you, the number 1 difference between browns and clears is the friction. Clears have WAY more friction. They also have stiffer springs, but that is because you have to press harder to get over the bump and that force has to be absorbed. When you are typing fast, they feel fairly similar except more friction on the clears.
The only way to figure out what you need is to try them and see what you like.
Post by: Yslen on Wed, 15 April 2015, 09:40:33
That said, my JD40 has 68g (Korean) clears in it and it's pretty nice. Got some slightly lighter springs on route from Spirit so hopefully they'll be even better.
Post by: Dihedral on Wed, 15 April 2015, 09:41:29
I prefer browns over clears for typing, and reds for gaming. And WASD movement games just *feel* nicer with linear switches, and as a general rule I prefer light switches to heavy.
That said, my JD40 has 68g (Korean) clears in it and it's pretty nice. Got some slightly lighter springs on route from Spirit so hopefully they'll be even better.
62g? I'd like to hear how you get on.
Post by: Nikelu on Wed, 15 April 2015, 09:51:06
Post by: Dihedral on Wed, 15 April 2015, 10:03:21
I know about the gaming switch bs.I think I prefer a bit tactility,I ve been with a Cherry MX blue for a really long time.I think I am in for the browns then.Clears seem really heavy-stiff and I never had the chance to actually try them
Have you at all considered ergo clears? They sound like they would match you fairly well.
Post by: greath on Wed, 15 April 2015, 10:43:24
All the "best for gaming" talk is usually from people that are new to MX switches. They all work pretty much the same and none of it will make you a better gamer. It's all about the feel you prefer.
Let me tell you, the number 1 difference between browns and clears is the friction. Clears have WAY more friction. They also have stiffer springs, but that is because you have to press harder to get over the bump and that force has to be absorbed. When you are typing fast, they feel fairly similar except more friction on the clears.
The only way to figure out what you need is to try them and see what you like.
My reasoning for saying I think he should look seriously at liner is not that it is "best for gaming" as in it will "make him better at gaming." It's that in my opinion liner switches are more comfortable for gaming. Browns/clears imo can be scratchy, even after wear in (I've yet to lube a switch but I'm leaving this option out and am assuming Nikelu is going to leave the board stock) and I think scratchiness almost everyone would consider a negative. In my experience, this scratchiness is exaggerated more when a user is playing a game vs typing: you aren't always hitting the key from the top down, your hand is often more spread out on the board because you are hitting multiple keys at once (Ctrl+number row for example), and your depresses are sometimes slower and at least partially held.
Yes, it *might* help Nikelu double tap faster for twitch FPS, but that is not the main reason I think he should at least be open to the idea of linear switches.
I've played at least 1000 hours on browns, 200 hours on clears, and 500 hours on reds (looking at my steam page) and I can tell you that, for me at least, reds are DRASTICALLY more comfortable to game on than the browns or clears.
Post by: Yslen on Wed, 15 April 2015, 10:49:16
Yes, 62g. Will try to remember to post back! Have tried 'standard' ergo clears several times and always concluded the spring was too light, sometimes got caught on the bump and didn't fully return etc. Hoping lubed 62g are the perfect setup. That said, I'll happily tap away on browns for hours, I don't mind the smaller tactile bump, it's still very very noticeable for me, I know others find it too subtle. Switches are all about personal taste really... with the possible exception of Cherry MY switchesI prefer browns over clears for typing, and reds for gaming. And WASD movement games just *feel* nicer with linear switches, and as a general rule I prefer light switches to heavy.
That said, my JD40 has 68g (Korean) clears in it and it's pretty nice. Got some slightly lighter springs on route from Spirit so hopefully they'll be even better.
62g? I'd like to hear how you get on.
Post by: Novus on Wed, 15 April 2015, 15:26:39
All the "best for gaming" talk is usually from people that are new to MX switches. They all work pretty much the same and none of it will make you a better gamer. It's all about the feel you prefer.
Or from people that actually game :P
Post by: Dihedral on Thu, 16 April 2015, 12:41:57
Yes, 62g. Will try to remember to post back! Have tried 'standard' ergo clears several times and always concluded the spring was too light, sometimes got caught on the bump and didn't fully return etc. Hoping lubed 62g are the perfect setup. That said, I'll happily tap away on browns for hours, I don't mind the smaller tactile bump, it's still very very noticeable for me, I know others find it too subtle. Switches are all about personal taste really... with the possible exception of Cherry MY switchesI prefer browns over clears for typing, and reds for gaming. And WASD movement games just *feel* nicer with linear switches, and as a general rule I prefer light switches to heavy.
That said, my JD40 has 68g (Korean) clears in it and it's pretty nice. Got some slightly lighter springs on route from Spirit so hopefully they'll be even better.
62g? I'd like to hear how you get on.
Yep - once tried MY, like really bad MX Black
Post by: Rodgaroon on Thu, 16 April 2015, 12:55:39
I usually game more tbh.
I would SERIOUSLY consider reds or blacks then.
I have used red and blacks. honestly; i like brown over both of them for gaming. maybe its because I like the feed back.