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geekhack Community => Keyboard Keycaps => Topic started by: pixelpusher on Fri, 07 October 2016, 22:59:18

Title: Question about SA profile vs DSA
Post by: pixelpusher on Fri, 07 October 2016, 22:59:18

So, I've been typing on my first set of DSA caps for about a week now.  It definitely took some time to get used to, but I like them.  I remember reading in an old thread that they are like high heels.  You don't use them for comfort but for fashion.  I would agree.  I don't know that I type any slower on them, but I do think that the reduced surface area makes them more challenging.  That and the non-sculpted profile.  I do like the scoop of the keys though, that part is nice.

So, my question:  Do SA caps have the same reduced surface area for typing?

I know they are taller, but what about the size of the top of the key, the strikeable area?  I was thinking about getting something in the SA profile down the road, possibly Dasher or maybe Originative will surprise us with something for quick order.  Anyway, if anyone out there has experience with both profiles that can comment on the size of the key tops.

Title: Re: Question about SA profile vs DSA
Post by: zslane on Sat, 08 October 2016, 15:03:22

The surface area of SA keycaps vary depending on the row. Row 3 has the widest, while row 1 has the narrowest.

Having said that, SP's diagrams state that the top surface area is the same between SA and DSA (exactly 0.500" on a side). I'm not sure how accurate that is, but maybe it is true when comparing a row 3 SA keycap with a DSA keycap.

Title: Re: Question about SA profile vs DSA
Post by: pixelpusher on Sat, 08 October 2016, 15:39:55

Hmmmm

That makes it complicated.  I like the idea of a larger surface area but I always figured that I would like/want the fully sculpted set, not all row 3.

Title: Re: Question about SA profile vs DSA
Post by: rowdy on Sun, 09 October 2016, 04:01:14

Or get uniform profile SA, usually R3.  This is somewhat similar to DSA, although the keycaps are higher and heavier.

Title: Re: Question about SA profile vs DSA
Post by: zslane on Sun, 09 October 2016, 10:31:41

Quote from: reececonrad on Sat, 08 October 2016, 15:39:55

Hmmmm

That makes it complicated.  I like the idea of a larger surface area but I always figured that I would like/want the fully sculpted set, not all row 3.

Bear in mind that the SA and DSA families have a wider but less tall top surface than cylindrical families like DCS or OEM/Cherry. The surface areas between the two are almost the same (0.25 sq.in. vs 0.26 sq.in. roughly).

Title: Re: Question about SA profile vs DSA
Post by: pixelpusher on Sun, 09 October 2016, 11:02:48

Okay that makes a lot of sense because the extra space on top and bottom of the caps is definitely what makes DSA  feel so different from DCS and Cherry.

I think I'll probably be waiting on Dasher as my first SA profile.