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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: phototristan on Mon, 03 May 2010, 11:30:38

Title: The space bar is always the worse switch on a keyboard
Post by: phototristan on Mon, 03 May 2010, 11:30:38
Doesn't it seem strange that the spacebar is just a normal switch like any letter switch, yet it gets many more presses than any other key?

I think this is why on the Model Ms, (and likely most all other boards as well), the space bar always feels a bit weak compared to other keys.

Should they have made that one switch a bit more robust than all the others?
Title: The space bar is always the worse switch on a keyboard
Post by: kishy on Mon, 03 May 2010, 11:37:14
Quote from: phototristan;178500
Doesn't it seem strange that the spacebar is just a normal switch like any letter switch, yet it gets many more presses than any other key?

I think this is why on the Model Ms, (and likely most all other boards as well), the space bar always feels a bit weak compared to other keys.

Should they have made that one switch a bit more robust than all the others?

Although the spacebars on Ms generally feel different from the rest of the keys, I wouldn't say they feel weaker or more abused. I have yet to find a case of Model M spring inconsistency, in fact...just overall different feeling from board to board, no true variance within a particular keyboard except between types of keys (small vs large).

I wonder what could be accomplished by using two switches for a spacebar? Put them in parallel electrically, one at each end of the spacebar, with a stabilizer rod between them.
Title: The space bar is always the worse switch on a keyboard
Post by: ch_123 on Mon, 03 May 2010, 11:37:22
Some Cherry keyboards used higher strength switches for the space bar. The Model F had a stabilizer mechanism that made it much harder to press than other keys (about 90g vs 65g)

A lot of people find such arrangements unpleasant and engage in various mods to make the space bar as light as the other switches.
Title: The space bar is always the worse switch on a keyboard
Post by: Nonmouse on Mon, 03 May 2010, 11:45:04
Quote from: ch_123;178506
Some Cherry keyboards used higher strength switches for the space bar.

Not to mention a stabilizer bar.  The spacebar on most of my keyboards is noticeably stiffer than the other keys.  Of course, since I'm thwapping it with my thumb, I don't notice the additional force when I'm typing.
Title: The space bar is always the worse switch on a keyboard
Post by: itlnstln on Mon, 03 May 2010, 13:07:09
I hate when Cherry does this.  The first thing I do is swap the spacebar switch with Scroll Lock.
Title: The space bar is always the worse switch on a keyboard
Post by: JBert on Mon, 03 May 2010, 15:02:27
Quote from: ripster;178504
[strike]If you want stiff get a Model F AT.[/strike]
If you want a decent spacebar get a model F AT.

There, fixed that for you.
Mine is no NIB but it works perfectly fine, thank you very much.

Also, webwit can prove that you don't need a spacebar. Just watch.
Title: The space bar is always the worse switch on a keyboard
Post by: ricercar on Mon, 03 May 2010, 16:29:34
Quote from: webwit;178596
Youdon'tneedaspacebar.


But then how will I scroll down in my browser?
Title: The space bar is always the worse switch on a keyboard
Post by: audioave10 on Sat, 15 May 2010, 10:06:11
It seems there is a better chance to hit the space-bar at a non-optimum angle.
I'm suprised they last as long as they do. As a gamer, my "W" key gets more abuse.