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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: ika on Thu, 01 October 2015, 12:50:37

Title: Preferences for different switches on modifiers vs alphas?
Post by: ika on Thu, 01 October 2015, 12:50:37

I'm planning a few keyboard builds and wanted to stretch the number of Zealios I'm getting, so I'm considering putting Zealios on my alphas and putting different switches on my modifiers. For those who have done this, what is your preference? Do you go heavier on the mods, or dial it back since it's your pinkies and ring fingers? Do you prefer linear, tactile, or clicky? Just looking to gauge what other people are doing.

Title: Re: Preferences for different switches on modifiers vs alphas?
Post by: Findecanor on Thu, 01 October 2015, 13:01:51

Light tactile Zealios on mods (Ctrl, Shift, Alt, GUI), regular Cherry MX Clear on the rest.

On highly tactile switches such as the Clears/Zealios, the spring force determines mostly the force below the actuation point. Lighter spring makes mods easier to hold down. Heavier spring cushion the strokes on alphas, preventing bottoming out and helping to bounce back out of the stroke.

Title: Re: Preferences for different switches on modifiers vs alphas?
Post by: ika on Sun, 04 October 2015, 17:31:38

Anyone else? My current plan is to do lubed blues for soft clicks on modifiers and an MX White on spacebar.

Title: Re: Preferences for different switches on modifiers vs alphas?
Post by: ideus on Sun, 04 October 2015, 17:46:26

Zealios for alphas, ergo-clears for the rest.

Title: Re: Preferences for different switches on modifiers vs alphas?
Post by: Data on Sun, 04 October 2015, 20:36:46

I haven't done it with Zealios yet, obviously, but on 2 recent builds I did Greetech browns with MX  clears on the mods and Greetech reds with MX blacks on the mods.  They both turned out great.  I like a little more force on the mods to give a very positive feedback that you've hit the right keys.

Title: Re: Preferences for different switches on modifiers vs alphas?
Post by: bcredbottle on Thu, 15 October 2015, 12:56:05

Always lighter the farther you get from home row. I have stock clears on my Ergodox, 62 g springs on the pinkie keys, and MX blue springs on the mods (except space bar).

Title: Re: Preferences for different switches on modifiers vs alphas?
Post by: astrafo on Sun, 18 October 2015, 19:10:32

I'm building a 60% with Zealios and thinking about to use stock MX blacks for the keys I push with more force. My reasons:
- Spacebar: Maybe I'm wrong here, but I think I'll get better noise control with a black switch
- Control, alts & shifts: Because I normally hold them, a heavier spring can help
- Backspace and escape: Because I normally hit them with brute force and random fingers.

_{I still have doubts, though...}

Title: Re: Preferences for different switches on modifiers vs alphas?
Post by: nathanrosspowell on Sun, 18 October 2015, 19:35:55

I've been using this set up for a while and really like it:

MX Clear alphas
Gateron Clear mods
(both lubed with 68g springs)

(http://i.imgur.com/n8bkNhd.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/6D6IPT3.jpg)

Title: Re: Preferences for different switches on modifiers vs alphas?
Post by: tararais on Mon, 19 October 2015, 19:03:54

From what I have seen, it's heavier switches on the mods and lighter switches on the alphas. Which is a bit strange considering that your pinkies are weaker, but who knows.