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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: Kavik on Sun, 03 March 2019, 23:56:17

Title: Linear Kailh BOX Switches
Post by: Kavik on Sun, 03 March 2019, 23:56:17
I do not own any linear Kailh BOX switches, but I'm considering BOX Blacks or BOX Dark Yellows.

To get an idea of what they might feel like, I pushed the click bar down on a BOX Navy so that it is stuck out of the way. It seems fairly smooth, but it feels a little tactile. I can't find any good pictures of a BOX Black, Red, or Dark Yellow stem to see if there is a difference where the stem contacts the green nub on the contact; that's the only part I can think of that would cause tactility without the click bar.

Is my modded BOX Navy analogous to BOX linears, or are the stems different and truly linear feeling? I just want to make sure they really are linear before buying some.
Title: Re: Linear Kailh BOX Switches
Post by: vegs on Mon, 04 March 2019, 02:27:26
I haven't tried modded Navies, but Box Blacks are definitely proper linears.
Title: Re: Linear Kailh BOX Switches
Post by: _GMK_ on Mon, 04 March 2019, 02:28:27
kailh box switches, even the retooled ones, are known to destroy and stretch keycaps.
Title: Re: Linear Kailh BOX Switches
Post by: Kavik on Tue, 05 March 2019, 11:02:28
Quote from: vegs on Mon, 04 March 2019, 02:27:26
I haven't tried modded Navies, but Box Blacks are definitely proper linears.

Thanks for the feedback. Do you find BOX Blacks rather smooth? I am becoming somewhat disillusioned with MX Blacks since, even with lube, only about 20% actually feel good. My one linearized BOX Navy feels pretty smooth (it just has that weird bump feeling in it).

I've thought about getting Tealios, but they are really expensive, and they don't sound great from the test videos I've seen. I was hoping BOX Blacks or Dark Yellows might fit the bill (box switches also fit in the polycarb plate more snugly, which is a plus). Though I'd probably need a stemshaver apparatus since my Dev TTY are really tight even on MX Blacks.
Title: Re: Linear Kailh BOX Switches
Post by: vegs on Wed, 06 March 2019, 01:10:26
Quote from: Kavik on Tue, 05 March 2019, 11:02:28
Quote from: vegs on Mon, 04 March 2019, 02:27:26
I haven't tried modded Navies, but Box Blacks are definitely proper linears.

Thanks for the feedback. Do you find BOX Blacks rather smooth? I am becoming somewhat disillusioned with MX Blacks since, even with lube, only about 20% actually feel good. My one linearized BOX Navy feels pretty smooth (it just has that weird bump feeling in it).

I've thought about getting Tealios, but they are really expensive, and they don't sound great from the test videos I've seen. I was hoping BOX Blacks or Dark Yellows might fit the bill (box switches also fit in the polycarb plate more snugly, which is a plus). Though I'd probably need a stemshaver apparatus since my Dev TTY are really tight even on MX Blacks.
Yes, Box Blacks are definitely among the smoother linears. However because of their design, they have a lot of contact points as well as a drain/opening in the bottom of the switch, so they are a bit tedious to lube. They are still great stock though.

I would however recommend you watch some Box Blacks typing videos first. They sound more similar to Tealios than MX Blacks. And yeah I'd recommend a stemshaver tool to avoid ruining your keycaps :rolleyes: