Gateron Yellows, it's weighted between Cherry Red (too light) and Black (too heavy). So it's at the perfect cushiony weight of 50g, and at this weight I don't bottom out. This makes it rather silent, other than the clack while bouncing back up.
I really think it's the smoothest modern switches out there, even more so than Topre. By the way 45g Topre almost feels like linear when you type on it quickly, but it doesn't bounce back as responsively as Gateron Yellows though.
Gateron's clear switch top is perfect for RGB too.
Many people say Gateron make smooth linears. Gat clears might be a bit light, so try one heavier.
The Cherry MX RGB Silents are much scratchier than the Silents in the normal black housing from what I've noticed (bought a batch of each to play around with).
If you lube them, they'll be even smoother. I'm working on a board using Zealios housings, 67g springs, MX Silent stems, and lube on the slider rails, spring, and stem contact points. It feels smooth and silent to me, with a soft bottom out. They're a bit more wobbly than the stock Cherry housings though.
I dunno. "Smooth" linear is not the same as silenced linear. The only silenced linear in MX form is the new pink switch. I have a couple of Filcos with this switch and it does feel a little strange compared to a traditional red, but it is a lovely switch nonetheless. The latest Pok3r RGB is offered with MX pinks, so you might give that a try if you don't mind the smaller 60% form factor.
Topre isn't linear and doesn't feel linear. I'd try gateron black, lubed, perhaps with replacement sprit springs, maybe 62g. If you don't like that setup then you probably won't like any linear. Now, you can only get this setup with a custom board or desoldering an off the shelf board. Off the shelf try stock gateron blacks or yellows, maybe you can find a board with blacks, or a preassembled board with yellows from massdrop sometime.
always topre
I envy typists who don't bottom out. Unfortunately, I'm a bottom-out typist pure and simple. I always bottom out, and if a spring is strong enough to preven that from happening, then it is too stiff for comfort. In any case, the upstroke noise is just as unpleasant. A switch really needs to silence both or it isn't going to cut it.
That's why MX pinks and Matias Quiet switches are on the right track. Topre switches are great once you put silencing rings in, but without them they make as much upstroke noise as any MX switch.
I can find zero commercial Gateron yellow keyboards with RGB, I have to make one myself or have one built for me with a fee :/.
The Cherry MX RGB Silents are much scratchier than the Silents in the normal black housing from what I've noticed (bought a batch of each to play around with).
If you lube them, they'll be even smoother. I'm working on a board using Zealios housings, 67g springs, MX Silent stems, and lube on the slider rails, spring, and stem contact points. It feels smooth and silent to me, with a soft bottom out. They're a bit more wobbly than the stock Cherry housings though.
Sounds promising. I don't mind wobble in the switch housings as long as the stem isn't affected by it. Do you recommend buying a Silent Red MX RGB keyboard and lubing it up? I'm hoping for a smooth and soft switch like you mentioned. Do you think they hold up to Topre's switches without forking out $200+?
The mx silent reds in the Leopold FC980M are wonderful.
Topre is worth it to me. I have a RealForce RGB with silencing rings and Round 6 Space Cadet keycaps waiting for final assembly (I painted the top frame white and am waiting for the paint to cure). I expect it to be my endgame board. Final cost is unimportant to me when we're talking endgame.
While I am waiting, I am using a Filco Majestouch 2 HAKUA with MX pinks and Round 6 SPH keycaps. It is a very capable substitute and the MX pinks are much more pleasant to type on (in a work environment especially) than the MX reds I was using in my Varmilo VA108M.
And since there is no such thing as a Topre board with MX-compatible stems and a Pok3r layout, I am working on putting together a Vortex Pok3r RGB with MX pinks and Round 4 SPH keycaps.
Do you see a pattern here? If I can't get Topre switches with MX mounts, then the next best thing in my view are MX pinks.
Isn't having a clear switch top is what makes a switch a RGB switch?
Here's a link for them:
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Mechanical-keyboard-cherry-clone-gateron-mx-switch-transparent-case-mx-brown-blue-red-switch-lighting-translucent/32689057308.html?spm=2114.30010308.3.11.5oFF1t&ws_ab_test=searchweb0_0,searchweb201602_1_10065_10068_10501_10503_10000032_10000025_10000029_430_10000028_10060_10062_10056_503_10055_10054_10059_10099_501_10000022_10000012_10103_10102_10000015_10096_10000018_10000019_10052_10053_10107_10050_10106_10051_10000009_10084_10083_10080_10082_10081_10110_10111_10112_10113_10114_10115_10000041_10000044_10078_10079_10000038_429_10073_10000035-10503_10501,searchweb201603_9,afswitch_3_afChannel,single_sort_2_default&btsid=fc9f6237-b678-4b71-b9f5-a6a17b9bf65d
The Cherry MX RGB Silents are much scratchier than the Silents in the normal black housing from what I've noticed (bought a batch of each to play around with).
If you lube them, they'll be even smoother. I'm working on a board using Zealios housings, 67g springs, MX Silent stems, and lube on the slider rails, spring, and stem contact points. It feels smooth and silent to me, with a soft bottom out. They're a bit more wobbly than the stock Cherry housings though.
Sounds promising. I don't mind wobble in the switch housings as long as the stem isn't affected by it. Do you recommend buying a Silent Red MX RGB keyboard and lubing it up? I'm hoping for a smooth and soft switch like you mentioned. Do you think they hold up to Topre's switches without forking out $200+?
Sorry, I meant the stem is the wobbly part (gap between stem and housing).
The Silent Red RGB housings are extremely tight and hard to remove, I lost a bunch of switch tops to bent/broken plastic bits when removing switch tops. If you want RGB lighting, I would pick a board with SMD RGB lighting (so something like a Cooler Master Masterkeys Pro RGB), desolder all the switches, and replace them with Cherry MX Silents stem-swapped into a SMD-compatible or clear (Zealios) housing.
Seems like a big labor, big reward type of task.
Only two problems is I'm lacking in soldering equipment (only a soldering iron and solder) and Cooler Master lacks some quality.
https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=2230
Oh... and RGB MX Pinks are *very* high in demand.
I was a regular MX red user. I now prefer MX pink. I'm not quite sure what "snappy" means (when it comes to MX switches), but whatever it is I don't miss it.
One thing I can say for sure is that I don't ever want to go back to the noise of an MX red. I have made it my mission to replace all my MX red boards with silenced Topre and MX pink boards instead. Then all the fans of "snappy" MX red boards can buy my Filcos and Varmilos and Pok3rs if they want them, and everyone wins! :thumb:
I want to try a light and linear switch (45-55g) and hoping for RGB lighting, but the biggest trouble I'm having is which switch to go home with. I tried Cherry Reds as individual switches but not fully on a keyboard, they're exactly the linear feel I want but I want a soft landing. Topre seems like a fix to this but Topre is tactile and not completely linear. I heard Cherry MX Silent Reds felt somewhat like a Topre due to the rubber dampening in the switch but then I heard it's a completely different feel... Any recommendations or opinions?
I want to try Topre but there's only one backlit option for 260+ bucks.
I envy typists who don't bottom out. Unfortunately, I'm a bottom-out typist pure and simple. I always bottom out, and if a spring is strong enough to [prevent] that from happening, then it is too stiff for comfort...
Try Gateron Blacks and get back to us.
Try Gateron Blacks and get back to us.
If I had access to one, I'd certainly give it a try.
But how are they supposed to help me? They aren't silenced, so they are going to make as much bottoming out and upstroke noise as an MX or Gateron red, right? If you theorize that they are going to prevent me from bottoming out, then you don't quite understand my typing style.
I want to try Topre but there's only one backlit option for 260+ bucks.
Here's an idea then: Just use your keyboard for typing, and realize that putting pretty little LEDs under the keys is a marketing gimmick that makes as much sense as embedding LEDs in your car's steering wheel. :?)
Well if you get Gaterons into that mx, I must say that Yellow gaterons are definitely smoother than Silent MX Reds.
Also by "snappy" I mean, "feeling faster". It's very subjective though. I feel factory silenced Realforce being "snappier" than HHKB with Hypersphere's rings. Same way I feel stock MX Reds snapper than silenced Reds.
But please note my silenced reds are in WASD keyboard which may be the reason I don't quite like it. I once had Code with MX Blues from them and honestly if it was only keyboard with MX Blues I tried I'd say I hate Blues (which is one of my favourite switches btw).
My personal opinion is that:I'm possibly going to snag a 45g gram or a weighted over a 55g. I had a non-vintage MX Black board and it felt too stiff and the switches were resisting too much force.
30g = Too light and mushy
45g = Just right, more along the line of MX Brown.
55g = Too heavy, unless you already like heavy switch like MX Black / MX Clear then go for it.
Sound:
Topre Silence = I think this is your best bet.
Topre Regular = To be honest I find this is acceptable in terms of noise, it's pretty inline with rubber domes.
MX Red Silent = I think I finally realize what bugs me, it's the rubbery buttom out + reduced travel (rubber adds thickness). I think I was expecting full travel then got stopped by the rubberyness.
MX Red = To be honest I vastly prefer this over MX Red Silent but this will be your loudest option.
But again everyone have different preference so there is a chance you might like MX Red Silent. See if you can find a local computer store to try it out.
Corsair do carry RGB keyboard + MX Red Silent.
Personally, I think Topre NEEDS to be silenced and lubed. Silencing brings out the thock heavily, and lubing the modifies and spacebar virtually removes rattle.
I own a hypersphered and lubed HHKB Pro 2 and a MF68 with Gateron Reds w/ Orings.
They are completely different, the Gateron Reds are buttery smooth, but light and really do nothing for me. I personally do not like linear switches, I find them boring. I bottom out heavily on the reds so I installed the Orings, they dampened the bottom out but the plastic "clack" is still there, very cheap sounding but not annoying like clicky switches. It would definitely be better with thicker keycaps.
My HHKB on the other hand is my favorite board, Topre is a different kind of "smooth". Its more of a pop, collapses nice and "inflates" back smoothly, it doesn't feel cheap and hollow like a lot of MX switches. Personally, I think Topre NEEDS to be silenced and lubed. Silencing brings out the thock heavily, and lubing the modifies and spacebar virtually removes rattle.
Personally, I think Topre NEEDS to be silenced and lubed. Silencing brings out the thock heavily, and lubing the modifies and spacebar virtually removes rattle.
I feel exactly the same about that. Moreover, I don't feel that Topre should ever release an unsilenced and unlubed keyboard. Ever. There's just no good reason for it (and no, saving a few bucks isn't a good reason...Topres are premium products for a reason).
MX Silent Red provides a cushiony feel when you bottom out which IMO is quite similar to topre but it doesnt have the tactility offered by topre.
Mx Red is a no no. I have both gateron yellow and Mx Red and Mx Red is scratchy as hell when side by side compared to gateron yellow.
Today I've received my Cooler Master switch tester, which includes a Topre switch. It's been interesting to test Topre. It doesn't differ much from a regular rubber dome keyboard. It's just smoother and with a longer travel. In contrast to MX Red, which feels like a uniform spring from the top to the bottom, Topre has a initial opposition and then it's smooth to the bottom, where you don't feel tor heard the key suddently hitting the bottom, but a kind of slightly soft touch with a deep sound. I like that it feels really smooth. However, it's also slow, as if it is lubricated. The key doesn't go up as fast as MX switches. Despite its long travel, it shares with regular rubber domes the characteristic that it's hard to type softly without bottoming out. I'm not sure but maybe this is not an advantage in terms of comfort nor typing performance. What I don't fully understand is its tactility. If you are forced to bottom out, there's not much use in tactile feedback. As regard weight, this is a 45g switch and I don't find it too light. I'd very much like to try a full keyboard, but for the moment, I prefer to stay with Cherry, especially with MX brown, which is light, comfortable, has a slight tactile feedback which is welcome and doesn't have the irritating click of the blues.
Be sure to let us know how you like it :)
I decided I'm going to go with a Cherry MX Pink (Silent Red) on a Corsair Strafe keyboard, I'm switching the keycaps for Vortex PBT backlit caps. Thinking about buying Kyrox to lube it up too.
If anyone wants to buy the default Corsair keycaps just message me.
Be sure to let us know how you like it :)
Keep in mind if you want to lube them, you are going to have to desolder all of the switches.
I used mx reds for 2 years on a Poker 2 with imsto thick pbt blanks. I wanted a light linear switch. Mx Reds seemed a little too light at first, my index finger kept inadvertently hitting the f key, so I ordered some Gateron blacks. By the time I received the Gateron blacks, I had already adjusted to the reds, so I decided against the changeover. Gaterons are definitely smoother but when typing at speed I didn't notice the grittiness of the mx reds so much.
Having said that, I wanted something clicky this year and just went to a Model F and probably won't ever go back to linear or cherry mx style switches. Capacitive buckling spring is just so satisfying to type on, and I'm liking the sculpted keys for my fingers to rest on vs the thick flat pbt. It makes cherry mx seem like toys, really. :p P.S. - My son picked the emoji.
If light linear is your thing, I think you made the wise decision. Yeah, it's hard to find a keyboard without the fugly keycap syndrome anymore. More money in their pockets I guess. Topre = alotta money in their pockets. :)) Let us know how the board feels.I used mx reds for 2 years on a Poker 2 with imsto thick pbt blanks. I wanted a light linear switch. Mx Reds seemed a little too light at first, my index finger kept inadvertently hitting the f key, so I ordered some Gateron blacks. By the time I received the Gateron blacks, I had already adjusted to the reds, so I decided against the changeover. Gaterons are definitely smoother but when typing at speed I didn't notice the grittiness of the mx reds so much.
Having said that, I wanted something clicky this year and just went to a Model F and probably won't ever go back to linear or cherry mx style switches. Capacitive buckling spring is just so satisfying to type on, and I'm liking the sculpted keys for my fingers to rest on vs the thick flat pbt. It makes cherry mx seem like toys, really. :p P.S. - My son picked the emoji.
:D It's kinda ironic because you're going from linear to clicky and I'm going from clicky to linear. Just personal preference, I find tactility or clicky feedback to be an interruption during typing. I experimented with switches and found out this: I like light switches but I bottom them out by nature, if I train my fingers to press them only to actuation instead it comes with the drawback of slowing my typing. I tried MX Blacks and Gateron blacks, didn't like them, it fought against my fingers and I ghost pressed numerous times. I'd say I can comfortably actuate 45-50 grams, maybe 55 grams, but any heavier and it's unpleasant to type on.
So I decided Topre or a Silent MX Red. It was a hard pick but I'm going with an option $100-150 cheaper than Topre, Silenced Topres was going to eat up 300 plus 50 to have it imported overseas!
Best Buy lured me in with it's 30 dollars off the keyboard so I was snagged into buying it, I got some PBT caps from the saved money instead of the hideous ABS caps (They should only serve as demonstration keycaps. Look up the STRAFE's keycaps, bring a barf bag).
I've used reds since 2008. After using them years and trying to switch nothing comes close for me. The typos aren't a problem once you adjust. Having said that I kept buying Topre boards for the sound and selling them due to the feel (mostly found them slow in games as I like to hover the switch on the strafe keys) I just bought a silent red board and I'm totally in love with it. I get my feels right and the sound has a slight air of Topre about it.
This is not my video but this is what mine sounds like in my room
I was a diehard MX red user up until very recently. I like light linear switches, but once the MX silent red came out, I got spoiled by its quietness and now I can't go back to a normal red switch.
I also love a silenced Topre switch; with Hypersphere's rings installed, Topre switches have a very subtle tactility that makes it feel almost linear, but with just a teeny bit of "bite", which I love.
So as great as I think MX reds are, I think silent reds and silenced Topre are even better.
I was a diehard MX red user up until very recently. I like light linear switches, but once the MX silent red came out, I got spoiled by its quietness and now I can't go back to a normal red switch.
I also love a silenced Topre switch; with Hypersphere's rings installed, Topre switches have a very subtle tactility that makes it feel almost linear, but with just a teeny bit of "bite", which I love.
So as great as I think MX reds are, I think silent reds and silenced Topre are even better.
Speaking of Topre, I wonder what it would feel like if there was a ergonomic weighted Cherry MX keyboard. Hmm....
I was a diehard MX red user up until very recently. I like light linear switches, but once the MX silent red came out, I got spoiled by its quietness and now I can't go back to a normal red switch.
I also love a silenced Topre switch; with Hypersphere's rings installed, Topre switches have a very subtle tactility that makes it feel almost linear, but with just a teeny bit of "bite", which I love.
So as great as I think MX reds are, I think silent reds and silenced Topre are even better.
Speaking of Topre, I wonder what it would feel like if there was a ergonomic weighted Cherry MX keyboard. Hmm....
Tried it with purple (tactile) Zealios and Vintage MX Blacks using 62g, 65g and 68g Gold plated Korean springs. It's interesting but somehow more distracting than Topre approach as it's easier to feel the differences between the weights, while in Topre it feels more organic (there are variations in weights throughout the board anyways, remember +- 15g Topre variation).
I was a diehard MX red user up until very recently. I like light linear switches, but once the MX silent red came out, I got spoiled by its quietness and now I can't go back to a normal red switch.
I also love a silenced Topre switch; with Hypersphere's rings installed, Topre switches have a very subtle tactility that makes it feel almost linear, but with just a teeny bit of "bite", which I love.
So as great as I think MX reds are, I think silent reds and silenced Topre are even better.
Speaking of Topre, I wonder what it would feel like if there was a ergonomic weighted Cherry MX keyboard. Hmm....
Tried it with purple (tactile) Zealios and Vintage MX Blacks using 62g, 65g and 68g Gold plated Korean springs. It's interesting but somehow more distracting than Topre approach as it's easier to feel the differences between the weights, while in Topre it feels more organic (there are variations in weights throughout the board anyways, remember +- 15g Topre variation).
Oh yeah, just remembered Topre weighs their switches with rubber rather than the spring like Cherry or Alps.
Makes me more eager to know what an ergo Topre feels like, but I hope Cherry Pinks feel good when I get them in mail. ;D
I've used reds since 2008. After using them years and trying to switch nothing comes close for me. The typos aren't a problem once you adjust. Having said that I kept buying Topre boards for the sound and selling them due to the feel (mostly found them slow in games as I like to hover the switch on the strafe keys) I just bought a silent red board and I'm totally in love with it. I get my feels right and the sound has a slight air of Topre about it.
This is not my video but this is what mine sounds like in my room
I HATE that it's generally assumed that the Cherry MX Red was designed as a gaming switch and should not be considered for typing. ALL Cherry Switches are made for typing (except for the Silver MX), in 2008 when they made the MX Red switch I doubt they had any interest in the gaming market back then.
The Cherry MX Red was designed in mind as a light linear switch for typing, some love it some hate it, it's personal preference and it's not designed for gaming.
MX Silent Red provides a cushiony feel when you bottom out which IMO is quite similar to topre but it doesnt have the tactility offered by topre.
Mx Red is a no no. I have both gateron yellow and Mx Red and Mx Red is scratchy as hell when side by side compared to gateron yellow.
mx blue is still by far the most smooth mx switch.
MX Silent Red provides a cushiony feel when you bottom out which IMO is quite similar to topre but it doesnt have the tactility offered by topre.
Mx Red is a no no. I have both gateron yellow and Mx Red and Mx Red is scratchy as hell when side by side compared to gateron yellow.
mx blue is still by far the most smooth mx switch.
Not so fast there.
It definitely varies between batches, as many people have complained about scratchy MX blues /RGB blues recenetly, but I did find my linear Nature Whites to be a bit scratchy also.
Some Corsair RGB blue early samples were horrible. My iKBC F108 had pretty scratchy switches on some of them. My ducky shine 6 blues are pretty good. Same goes for the MX Greens on my Ducky Fire 69.
The MX Browns on my Ducky Year of the Goat are quite smooth for a MX switch and also feel naturally dampened. While there is resistance when the stem touches the edge of the casing, I wouldn't exactly call that scratchy. It's no gateron, but they're smooth enough to feel nice to me.
The Green gaterons feel very smooth though.
Well, I'm back to mx reds on 60% for now and feeling awkward on it. Left hand gettin sore with nothing to rest it on in gaming. Never did get a wrist rest. I think I'm happiest with a full size board and some feedback on the keys. My blue cube adapter for my Model F met an untimely end at the hands of my 2 yr old. Just a good excuse to get a converter from Orihalcon I guess. ;)
The only linear switch I can imagine being better than a lubed MX pink would be a properly silenced (XMIT) Hall Effect switch.
The only linear switch I can imagine being better than a lubed MX pink would be a properly silenced (XMIT) Hall Effect switch.
Just lubed my pinks, I can barely hear the sound of keyboard now, it's incredibly quiet. Feels more smoother and consistent to type on too. Can't wait to work these babies in and never touch any other cherry switch ever again. Especially not rubber domes.
Dabbed each corner of the switch with a drop of a oil using the GPL 105's nozzle (I poked a pin-hole inside of the nozzle, from a small safety pin) and actuated the switch with a precision flathead (accidentally got some lubricant on my finger. Stuff's nasty, don't recommend touching it), the oil seeps inside of the switch and lubricates the housing of the switch. Then you clean the excess by dabbing away the oils with a q-tip or cotton ball. Yes and I tried these on two plate mounted keyboards, a G710+ and a Corsair STRAFE, all were noticeably quieter than usual after lubing. Only drawback is the oil probably doesn't seep and lubricate the spring or spring leaf.The only linear switch I can imagine being better than a lubed MX pink would be a properly silenced (XMIT) Hall Effect switch.
Just lubed my pinks, I can barely hear the sound of keyboard now, it's incredibly quiet. Feels more smoother and consistent to type on too. Can't wait to work these babies in and never touch any other cherry switch ever again. Especially not rubber domes.
Please kindly explain how did you lube them? Are they plate mounted?
Please kindly explain how did you lube them? Are they plate mounted?Dabbed each corner of the switch with a drop of a oil using the GPL 105's nozzle (I poked a pin-hole inside of the nozzle, from a small safety pin) and actuated the switch with a precision flathead (accidentally got some lubricant on my finger. Stuff's nasty, don't recommend touching it), the oil seeps inside of the switch and lubricates the housing of the switch. Then you clean the excess by dabbing away the oils with a q-tip or cotton ball. Yes and I tried these on two plate mounted keyboards, a G710+ and a Corsair STRAFE, all were noticeably quieter than usual after lubing. Only drawback is the oil probably doesn't seep and lubricate the spring or spring leaf.Show Image(http://i.imgur.com/9q2Amdt.png)
Can you be more specific as to where exactly you placed the oil? Did you press down the stem and insert the nozzle inside to deposit oil?
The stem doesn't actually make any contact with the corners of the switch. It operates along sliders in the center.