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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: nekohunter on Mon, 18 May 2015, 19:16:02

Title: What switches on these Cherry keyboards?
Post by: nekohunter on Mon, 18 May 2015, 19:16:02

I'm looking at a few Cherry brand keyboards online, but I can't tell what sort of switches are used in them.  My Google skills are leaving me wanting as well.  Do any of you know what switches were used in any of the following?
G86-62431
G86-61411
G83-14701
Thanks.

Title: Re: What switches on these Cherry keyboards?
Post by: Findecanor on Mon, 18 May 2015, 20:46:04

The Deskthority Wiki has a page that can help you decode Cherry article numbers (http://deskthority.net/wiki/Cherry_article_numbers).

Keyboards in the G86 series have spill-proof rubber membranes.
Keyboards in the G83 series also have rubber domes. The keycaps on G83 keyboards have same shapes and legends as on G80- and G81-series keyboards but are not compatible with mechanical Cherry MX switches.

* Keyboards in the G80 series have Cherry MX key switches.
* G81 series has Cherry MY switches, which consist of springs on top of membrane - the keycaps are mostly compatible with Cherry MX.
* The G84 series has Cherry ML switches that are mechanical low-profile tactile - somewhat like scissor switches but a completely different mechanism and mounted on rigid circuit boards. Not compatible with Cherry MX at all.

Sometimes the same basic model appears in several series. For instance, there are G80-3000, G81-3000 and G83-3000 that all look mostly the same but have different switches.
One big tell for the G80 series is that the F and J keys are scooped deeper instead of having homing bars.