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geekhack Community => Keyboard Keycaps => Topic started by: Ramage on Sun, 26 July 2015, 21:18:16

Title: Key Cap Weight. Do you have a preference? Why?
Post by: Ramage on Sun, 26 July 2015, 21:18:16

Do you prefer heavier or lighter key caps? Do heavier ones feel significantly different?

Title: Re: Key Cap Weight. Do you have a preference? Why?
Post by: rowdy on Mon, 27 July 2015, 05:35:43

I have never weighed a keycap, however I prefer stiffer switches, and thicker (and consequentially heavier) keycaps seem to go well on such boards.

However for a lighter board (e.g. MX reds or blues) I definitely prefer lighter keycaps, something like SP DCS or even not-too-thick GMK ABS.

Title: Re: Key Cap Weight. Do you have a preference? Why?
Post by: kurplop on Mon, 27 July 2015, 07:34:36

I can't tell much of a difference in use but I think that in theory lighter caps should respond quicker.

Title: Re: Key Cap Weight. Do you have a preference? Why?
Post by: Oobly on Tue, 28 July 2015, 08:36:30

Heavy caps all the way. My SA profile caps weigh around 2g each and I'm loving it. Lighter caps all feel "cheap" to me. It's thick Cherry or SA profile for me.

62g ErgoClears.

Title: Re: Key Cap Weight. Do you have a preference? Why?
Post by: Ramage on Tue, 28 July 2015, 13:31:53

That's good to know, thanks for the replies.

Title: Re: Key Cap Weight. Do you have a preference? Why?
Post by: Hue on Tue, 28 July 2015, 17:28:32

Is there a huge difference with weight? I have only owned two keycaps and I don't seem to see a difference :/

Title: Re: Key Cap Weight. Do you have a preference? Why?
Post by: rowdy on Tue, 28 July 2015, 21:36:11

Quote from: Hue on Tue, 28 July 2015, 17:28:32

Is there a huge difference with weight? I have only owned two keycaps and I don't seem to see a difference :/

Yes.

With weaker springs (MX reds, browns, blues) heavier keycaps (SA) tend to take much less effort to push the keys down, almost collapsing under the weight of your breathing.  Well, slight exaggeration, but you get the point.

SA keycaps are generally very thick, as well as being very tall, hence a lot of plastic, which is quite heavy on a weak-springed switch.