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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: Ir0n on Mon, 09 November 2015, 21:54:10

Title: Switch switching!
Post by: Ir0n on Mon, 09 November 2015, 21:54:10
Does it ever scare you guys to try a new switch when you are building, or buying a new board because you don't know if you'll like them?
it's a lot of money to throw down for something you might not like! D:
I've tried red, brown and blue, but those are pretty common and easy to try out from friends, or the store. I really like blues Lol I really like the sound, but I want to try something new like clears, or zealios switches.. but ima scared ;-;
 
Has anyone else felt this way? :o Or did you just man up and go for it?
Title: Re: Switch switching!
Post by: Steezus on Mon, 09 November 2015, 21:57:09
I'm a little anxious to see what I'll think of these vintage browns I want to put in my TGR-Jane, however I'm comforted by the fact that if I ever decide to change my mind I could always de-solder the switches and replace them with different ones. Yeah it takes a little time but it's better than getting a whole new board and starting over.
Title: Re: Switch switching!
Post by: raymogi on Mon, 09 November 2015, 22:01:06
Since I have no experience whatsoever in soldering switches and don't plan to learn to do so, whenever I feel like trying a switch I buy the cheapest keyboard I could find that has that exact switch on it.

This explains why I have a lot of unused MX keyboards now :p

Title: Re: Switch switching!
Post by: Ir0n on Mon, 09 November 2015, 22:12:17
Since I have no experience whatsoever in soldering switches and don't plan to learn to do so, whenever I feel like trying a switch I buy the cheapest keyboard I could find that has that exact switch on it.

This explains why I have a lot of unused MX keyboards now :p

Wow lol you could always build a keyboard fort!
Title: Re: Switch switching!
Post by: raymogi on Mon, 09 November 2015, 22:19:07
Since I have no experience whatsoever in soldering switches and don't plan to learn to do so, whenever I feel like trying a switch I buy the cheapest keyboard I could find that has that exact switch on it.

This explains why I have a lot of unused MX keyboards now :p

Wow lol you could always build a keyboard fort!

That's what I'm trying to do secretly without my wife knowing. Will be useful for my soon to be born baby boy :D
Title: Re: Switch switching!
Post by: hwood34 on Mon, 09 November 2015, 22:23:06
Luckily it didn't take very many tries to find all my favorite switches. And even if you don't like the switches, you can just solder new ones in or even sell the whole board (since mechs seems to retain value well)

I'm a little anxious to see what I'll think of these vintage browns I want to put in my TGR-Jane, however I'm comforted by the fact that if I ever decide to change my mind I could always de-solder the switches and replace them with different ones. Yeah it takes a little time but it's better than getting a whole new board and starting over.

Trust me, you won't be disappointed if they're real vintage browns.
Title: Re: Switch switching!
Post by: Steezus on Mon, 09 November 2015, 22:27:40
Luckily it didn't take very many tries to find all my favorite switches. And even if you don't like the switches, you can just solder new ones in or even sell the whole board (since mechs seems to retain value well)

I'm a little anxious to see what I'll think of these vintage browns I want to put in my TGR-Jane, however I'm comforted by the fact that if I ever decide to change my mind I could always de-solder the switches and replace them with different ones. Yeah it takes a little time but it's better than getting a whole new board and starting over.

Trust me, you won't be disappointed if they're real vintage browns.

Thanks that's good to know, they're not first gen g80-5000 switches but they were harvested from a g80-11801, the placement of the logo and springs matches up with pictures of vintage browns that I've seen and read about. They definitely feel a lot better than modern browns that's for sure, I put a gateron clear top since I sip socketed and added LEDs but the gateron top actually made the switch wobble less and feels a little smoother.
Title: Re: Switch switching!
Post by: Ir0n on Mon, 09 November 2015, 22:33:41
Luckily it didn't take very many tries to find all my favorite switches. And even if you don't like the switches, you can just solder new ones in or even sell the whole board (since mechs seems to retain value well)

I'm a little anxious to see what I'll think of these vintage browns I want to put in my TGR-Jane, however I'm comforted by the fact that if I ever decide to change my mind I could always de-solder the switches and replace them with different ones. Yeah it takes a little time but it's better than getting a whole new board and starting over.

Trust me, you won't be disappointed if they're real vintage browns.

Thanks that's good to know, they're not first gen g80-5000 switches but they were harvested from a g80-11801, the placement of the logo and springs matches up with pictures of vintage browns that I've seen and read about. They definitely feel a lot better than modern browns that's for sure, I put a gateron clear top since I sip socketed and added LEDs but the gateron top actually made the switch wobble less and feels a little smoother.

I've never tried a vintage switch, but the clear tops sound smexy!
Title: Re: Switch switching!
Post by: Steezus on Mon, 09 November 2015, 22:36:11
Luckily it didn't take very many tries to find all my favorite switches. And even if you don't like the switches, you can just solder new ones in or even sell the whole board (since mechs seems to retain value well)

I'm a little anxious to see what I'll think of these vintage browns I want to put in my TGR-Jane, however I'm comforted by the fact that if I ever decide to change my mind I could always de-solder the switches and replace them with different ones. Yeah it takes a little time but it's better than getting a whole new board and starting over.

Trust me, you won't be disappointed if they're real vintage browns.

Thanks that's good to know, they're not first gen g80-5000 switches but they were harvested from a g80-11801, the placement of the logo and springs matches up with pictures of vintage browns that I've seen and read about. They definitely feel a lot better than modern browns that's for sure, I put a gateron clear top since I sip socketed and added LEDs but the gateron top actually made the switch wobble less and feels a little smoother.

I've never tried a vintage switch, but the clear tops sound smexy!

Vintage switches tend to just be made slightly better and when some are worn in they feel really nice. Here's a pic of my vintage blues that I also added sip sockets, LEDs, and a clear switch top to.
(https://geekhack.org/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=75520.0;attach=111884;image)
Title: Re: Switch switching!
Post by: Ir0n on Mon, 09 November 2015, 22:39:16
Luckily it didn't take very many tries to find all my favorite switches. And even if you don't like the switches, you can just solder new ones in or even sell the whole board (since mechs seems to retain value well)

I'm a little anxious to see what I'll think of these vintage browns I want to put in my TGR-Jane, however I'm comforted by the fact that if I ever decide to change my mind I could always de-solder the switches and replace them with different ones. Yeah it takes a little time but it's better than getting a whole new board and starting over.

Trust me, you won't be disappointed if they're real vintage browns.

Thanks that's good to know, they're not first gen g80-5000 switches but they were harvested from a g80-11801, the placement of the logo and springs matches up with pictures of vintage browns that I've seen and read about. They definitely feel a lot better than modern browns that's for sure, I put a gateron clear top since I sip socketed and added LEDs but the gateron top actually made the switch wobble less and feels a little smoother.

I've never tried a vintage switch, but the clear tops sound smexy!

Vintage switches tend to just be made slightly better and when some are worn in they feel really nice. Here's a pic of my vintage blues that I also added sip sockets, LEDs, and a clear switch top to.
Show Image
(https://geekhack.org/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=75520.0;attach=111884;image)


Those look nice! almost like zealios switches too bad the bottoms aren't also clear.
Title: Re: Switch switching!
Post by: CPTBadAss on Mon, 09 November 2015, 22:41:17
I hate buying to try anything. The reason I started going to a lot of meetups and stores was to be able to try switches and boards without buying them.
Title: Re: Switch switching!
Post by: Steezus on Mon, 09 November 2015, 22:47:17
I hate buying to try anything. The reason I started going to a lot of meetups and stores was to be able to try switches and boards without buying them.

I feel like that is the best option, sadly there aren't really meetups near me. You can't always get the best feeling just buying cheap boards as well, typing on different material plates makes a big difference. I really enjoy typing on aluminum plate, I haven't tried a steel plate yet but I will be having an a polycarbonate one for my Orion.
Title: Re: Switch switching!
Post by: rowdy on Tue, 10 November 2015, 04:02:53
Nope - only lack of funds prevents me from buying all sorts of keyboards.

As it is I am trying to get hold of a Model F at the moment, and a 55g RealForce is still on my wish list.
Title: Re: Switch switching!
Post by: UTEster750 on Tue, 10 November 2015, 05:43:35
I just want to try as many switches as I can get my hands on!  :D
Have 67g Zealios and got a board with Gateron blues on the way too.  :thumb:
Title: Re: Switch switching!
Post by: ideus on Tue, 10 November 2015, 08:22:48
With the Zealios I have the concern on getting them faulty after soldering, because I am not that good at desoldering them.
Title: Re: Switch switching!
Post by: UTEster750 on Wed, 11 November 2015, 04:15:07
With the Zealios I have the concern on getting them faulty after soldering, because I am not that good at desoldering them.

Yeah I posted in that thread what I think a good solution would be, I won't be able to know if it is the right way to go about things as I don't have a pcb even ordered for it yet...  :(
Title: Re: Switch switching!
Post by: chyros on Wed, 11 November 2015, 05:19:35
I mix it up as much as possible to expand my knowledge of them, both to new types as well as to ones I've used before. That way I keep a strong frame of reference; mandatory for my video reviews, really.
Title: Re: Switch switching!
Post by: 1swt2gs on Thu, 12 November 2015, 16:47:09
I have tried quite a few keyboards in my time interested in mech boards! Never know what a switch feels like or if you'll like it unless you try it!

Out of all the MX I have tried, clears/blues seem to be the favorite!
Title: Re: Switch switching!
Post by: Steezus on Thu, 12 November 2015, 16:51:44
I have tried quite a few keyboards in my time interested in mech boards! Never know what a switch feels like or if you'll like it unless you try it!

Out of all the MX I have tried, clears/blues seem to be the favorite!

I'm really liking my blues, I enjoy the clears on my Pok3r but I never type on it. I have three board projects coming up and am planning on using vintage browns, zealios, and I'm going to try and get some vintage ergo clears as well.

People tend to like the tactile switches at home but most can't use them at work. For gaming people prefer reds.
Title: Re: Switch switching!
Post by: 1swt2gs on Thu, 12 November 2015, 17:15:53
I have tried quite a few keyboards in my time interested in mech boards! Never know what a switch feels like or if you'll like it unless you try it!

Out of all the MX I have tried, clears/blues seem to be the favorite!

I'm really liking my blues, I enjoy the clears on my Pok3r but I never type on it. I have three board projects coming up and am planning on using vintage browns, zealios, and I'm going to try and get some vintage ergo clears as well.

People tend to like the tactile switches at home but most can't use them at work. For gaming people prefer reds.

I have yet to try anything besides Cherry switches. I have heard good things about Torpe and zealious, really need to get around trying them!
Title: Re: Switch switching!
Post by: azhdar on Thu, 12 November 2015, 17:18:08
Buy a keyboard that is popular enough that you can resell easily if you end up not liking the switch or figure way to try them out without buying.
Title: Re: Switch switching!
Post by: Shawn5pencer on Thu, 12 November 2015, 18:09:44
An option would be to get the CM Storm Cherry MX switch tester, since it has all of the cherry MX switches, including clears, greens, blacks, etc.

It doesn't really cost that much, although I'm lucky enough to have a microcenter near me where I can try most switches  :thumb:
Title: Re: Switch switching!
Post by: Steezus on Thu, 12 November 2015, 19:27:05
An option would be to get the CM Storm Cherry MX switch tester, since it has all of the cherry MX switches, including clears, greens, blacks, etc.

It doesn't really cost that much, although I'm lucky enough to have a microcenter near me where I can try most switches  :thumb:

Switch testers don't reel the same as typing on a board, they're nice to know the difference in feel between the switches but once they're on a board they will feel different.
Title: Re: Switch switching!
Post by: Shawn5pencer on Thu, 12 November 2015, 20:04:52
An option would be to get the CM Storm Cherry MX switch tester, since it has all of the cherry MX switches, including clears, greens, blacks, etc.

It doesn't really cost that much, although I'm lucky enough to have a microcenter near me where I can try most switches  :thumb:

Switch testers don't reel the same as typing on a board, they're nice to know the difference in feel between the switches but once they're on a board they will feel different.
That's true, it'd be pretty cool if you could get something like this tester:

(http://i.imgur.com/83ceiNb.jpg)