geekhack
geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: nogoodnames444 on Fri, 26 January 2018, 13:15:44
-
I'm using on a keyswitch tester right now and it does not feel as heavy as the modern mx black that I tried
-
I'm using on a keyswitch tester right now and it does not feel as heavy as the modern mx black that I tried
Supposedly Gateron black have the same compression force on the spring, but I'm sure they have a different force curve, so they feel lighter to me. They are also much smoother than modern MX blacks. They seem lighter, but definitely not too light.
I bought about 1300 Gateron blacks for keyboard builds, if that tells you anything. I swapped out the switches on a full size Filco (and installed my replacement plate - see link in my sig) to Gateron blacks because I like them so much.
-
Yes they are different:
MX Black: Actuate at 60g, bottom out at 80g.
Gateron Black: Actuate at 50g, bottom out at 70g.
So they are about 10g lighter. For people who want inbetween MX Red and MX Black feel some people suggest:
Gateron Yellow: Actuate at 50g, bottom out at 60g.
Not sure what you're looking for but yes the switches were designed to be different. :)
-
Yeah, I find the Gateron blacks to feel noticeably lighter than Cherry blacks as well. I prefer heavy switches & Cherry blacks are just heavy enough for me with their stock spring, while Gateron blacks are definitely too light for my liking with their stock spring. I believe Hyde is correct with his weighting info. Although there are pros & cons for both brands, weight isn't a huge consideration considering you can get aftermarket springs to make either as heavy or light as you like.
The Gateron blacks are smoother than Cherry blacks, but Cherry has retooled their production line & now the difference in smoothness is much less of an issue. The new Cherry blacks are very smooth compared to pre retooling blacks. Then Gateron switches have more wobble than Cherry switches which can be pretty apparent if you're using higher profile caps like SA or even OEM due to how tall they are. This is due to Gateron having slightly looser tolerances than Cherry. Basically all the parts in a Cherry switch fit tighter together causing more friction with key presses hence them feeling scratchier. While all the parts in Gateron switches have a tiny bit more room with each other, which causes a smoother key press feel, but also a noticeable wobble of the key cap on off center presses.
This carries across the whole regular Gateron line up when comparing to their Cherry equivalent. Gaterons will be smoother, a bit lighter weighted, & more wobbly than their Cherry equivalents. This doesn't carry over into Gateron silent switches apparently though, as they have been reported to be pretty scratchy & haven't reviewed to well AFAIK. No personal experience with them yet so YMMV with them.
-
Much of the 'lighter' feel I attribute to the smoother sliders and looser enclosure. I think it has more of an affect of feeling lighter than the slightly lighter spring. That does make them feel 'wobbly', but it also makes the switch feel less restrictive when pushing them off axis. It makes them feel even smoother and lighter. Personally, I think linear switches are better off in a loose enclosure, while tactile and clicky are better off in a tight enclosure, but this is all subjective opinion.
-
Thanks for all of the responses. I have heard that smoother switches do feel lighter but it sounds like they are just physically smoother
-
Alternatively you can try Kailh Box Black switch it's suppose to be same weight as MX Black but super smooth and no wobble.
Only trade off is 3.6 mm key travel vs the usual 4.0 mm in Cherry.
:)
-
Alternatively you can try Kailh Box Black switch it's suppose to be same weight as MX Black but super smooth and no wobble.
Only trade off is 3.6 mm key travel vs the usual 4.0 mm in Cherry.
:)
Yeah I will have to try that switch I'm probably going to get the keyswitch tester for box switches of kbd fans
-
Alternatively you can try Kailh Box Black switch it's suppose to be same weight as MX Black but super smooth and no wobble.
Only trade off is 3.6 mm key travel vs the usual 4.0 mm in Cherry.
:)
+1
there are a few other minor issues with them but it doesn't really matter unless you're doing some really esoteric stuff
-
Alternatively you can try Kailh Box Black switch it's suppose to be same weight as MX Black but super smooth and no wobble.
Only trade off is 3.6 mm key travel vs the usual 4.0 mm in Cherry.
:)
Yeah I will have to try that switch I'm probably going to get the keyswitch tester for box switches of kbd fans
Box Black is also lighter than MX Black from my experience. You will want the "Heavy Dark Yellow" ones for something more similar to MX Black.
-
They may be too light, but as a jazz musician, I can't consider any switch "too black".
-
Alternatively you can try Kailh Box Black switch it's suppose to be same weight as MX Black but super smooth and no wobble.
Only trade off is 3.6 mm key travel vs the usual 4.0 mm in Cherry.
:)
Yeah I will have to try that switch I'm probably going to get the keyswitch tester for box switches of kbd fans
Actually definitely try out the tester first. After using Box Red for a few days the shortened travel distance start to bug me a little, I think I prefer full travel (4.0 mm as oppose to 3.6 mm).
I was like mah what can 0.4 mm difference make? But you actually do notice it.