Thoughts on browns?

[AksarBhai]

I'm going to be in the market for a new keyboard some time in the near future. My current board has red switches, but I have a feeling the tactile bump of a brown switch will be better for me. The way reds actuate without any indication leads to slight issues with games where I'll rest my fingers on the keys and accidentally press them.

I like typing on them well enough, and the clickyness of a blue switch isn't an option for me.

So, what do you guys think of brown switches? Responsive and tactile, or finicky and mushy?

[Findecanor]

Browns are common enough that you might be able to test a keyboard with browns in a store.
Only you can decide whether then will be better for you or not.

Others' opinions vary widely. I have written thousands of lines of program code on browns, and don't dislike them but I like other switches better.

[rxc92]

Imo it depends on what weighting you’re used to. If you feel that Red switches are too light, Brown switches won’t be any heavier; the next step up in weight and tactility would be Clears, which are snappier and heavier but consequently significantly less common; few brick and mortars would carry them.

[Sorachi.Ace]

I had the same issue with accidental switch actuation when gaming and went to tactile switches. Then I experienced an issue with the tactile bump messing up timing in games like warframe and overwatch. I eventually went to heavier, than reds, linear switches and haven't had any issues.

That's only one person's experience though.
If I were you I would definitely test out brown switches and maybe some heavier weighted linear switches before making a purchase.

[mlev6]

I think "silent" red switches should be given a try. I hear the their dampening makes them feel more tactile than standard reds, even if that is perceptual.
clears are probably too heavy but they are at least the only switch from cherry that is actually tactile. never bothered with browns personally and went for clears directly.

browns are common enough that you can find a keyboard with them and type a bit to see if they suit you. but I get it, on reds it is so jarring over the long term to always bottom out hard. with clears I generally do not bottom out anymore.

If budget is no concern zealios v2 62g or 65g is probably ideal for you...but yeah they are a pain for the wallet to get.

[frydaja]

The tactility may be a little weaker and drawn out, but Browns still feel just right to me. Tactile without feeling stiff, light and comfortable. My QF TK has the older batches, but this board has seen about <4 years of use, so they're quite smooth. My other board with Outemu Reds feel stiff now, to be honest.

[Riverman]

Browns have always been my favorite MX switch.  I despise reds with a passion, but silent reds, and also silent blacks, are much more enjoyable to type on to me than the non-silenced versions.  I had been using a silent black Cherry G80-3494 at work for a while and forgot how noisy regular browns were in comparison.  I did a switch swap on the board one night and brought it into work the next day.  I really liked the "new" feel the keyboard had, but I felt like my coworkers were going to kill me at any moment.  I placed an order for a set of QMX Clips that same day. 

[ddrfraser1]

IMO browns are poop. They lack tactility and are scratchy. There are clones out there like zealios and box royals that are far superior or better yet, holy pandas.

[ArchDill]

[ImperfectLink]

I like the fact that Browns get so much hate. It keeps availability higher. Given the choice between Cherry Red Blue or Brown, I'd buy the browns. That said, I haven't finished my tour of the other tactile switches.

[Prelim]

browns = sandy reds 

[Kevadu]

I like the fact that Browns get so much hate. It keeps availability higher. Given the choice between Cherry Red Blue or Brown, I'd buy the browns. That said, I haven't finished my tour of the other tactile switches.

To be fair, reds and blues are both pretty bad too...

[_rubik]

Browns were my first switch, and probably is the case for many people here. I think we're all spoiled by these gorgeous, hybrid switches -- the quality of available switches has gone through the roof, and Cherry hasn't iterated all that much.

That said, browns are a fine switch. If you like tactile switches, I'd recommend going for clears instead, but that's personal preference though.

See if you can find browns in store, or maybe a friend/coworker has some? If you're really unsure, buy a handful of just the switches for next to nothing and play around with them. It's far less painful to decide you don't like them _before_ you buy a new board.

[DALExSNAIL]

Not even gonna read above because I'm lazy.

Browns are awful when you first get them. They feel like ****, and have no tactility.

But after a few months, they start to get better. A few months after, damn they get smooth. A few months after that, damn these things are smooth and sound great. Then you lube the worn in Browns and heaven is achieved.

New browns are my least favorite switch, browns worn in over a year or more, are one of my favorite switches.

[Surefoot]

Terrible noise, noticeably scratchy, no real tactility. When anyone used to rubber domes try them it's an instant "no way" and they get back to their rubber domes... Blues may be rattly and poor too but at least they are smooth thanks to the click jacket.

[demik]

Worst switch ever made. And that’s saying something cause all cherry sucks. Buy an hhkb and forget everything else.

[rxc92]

Worst switch ever made. And that’s saying something cause all cherry sucks. Buy an hhkb and forget everything else.

 
 
HOT TAKE l HOT TAKE l HOT TAKE l HOT TAKE l HOT TAKE l HOT TAKE l HOT TAKE l HOT TAKE l HOT TAKE l HOT TAKE l HOT TAKE l

[DB24]

I like Cherry browns. If I had to use a cherry switch it would be either browns or clears. But if you are looking into tactile switches I would suggest that there are better options out there. It's all personal preference of course, but in my opinion I think Kailh Box browns are way better than cherry. Nice and light and just lightly tactile, but more stable and "snappy". (I personally would take any Kailh switch over any Cherry switch any day tbh.)

But in this same category I like even better than any brown, I love Hako Violet switches! Similar in some ways, light and smooth. And a much nicer light tactility better than browns.

These days though since I started building my own keyboards Holy Pandas are on the top of my list for tactiles, and at number two are gonna be Zilent V2s and/or Zealios. 

[thebilgerat]

Browns are my usual go to.  Rocking Blues rn on my iKBC and they're fine as well.  A considerable amount more clicky, but with that comes a better bump.  YMMV. 

[thebilgerat]

Worst switch ever made. And that’s saying something cause all cherry sucks. Buy an hhkb and forget everything else.

Gibe me 300 doll hairs, b0ss.

[HungerMechanic]

There's a lot of webpages on the internet making recommendations to first-time buyers, but they tell you a blinkered version of the truth. They basically lay out the standard MX switches: blues, reds, browns, blacks, and maybe clears. They'll say "Blues are great for typing and are clicky, Reds are light and good for gaming, Browns are a 'middle ground' between Blue and Red as they have a 'tactile bump' for typing but no clicky noise." Truth is, Browns are simply a Red with a small bump, and none of those switches are particularly great in stock form.

All the criticisms of Browns posted on this thread are accurate. They are scratchier than they should be (although the post-2016 ones are not as bad as in the past), they barely have any perceptible tactile bump at all, they are not particularly satisfying to use. Basically, they have no personality, that is the truth.

On the other hand, they are ergonomic, they won't hurt you, and they are light. Once worn-in, they are even somewhat smooth. (New Browns are terrible until worn-in). They are a truly 'mediocre' switch: they get the job done, but without any style or pizzazz.

If the original poster truly wants to enjoy his keyboard, he should buy a big switch tester and try different tactiles. There's a decent amount of choice by non-Cherry manufacturers now. He could find out what he likes and order a custom.

But to answer the original question: Browns are responsive, but not very tactile. They're more sandy and scratchy than "mushy." Imagine a 'mechanical' keyboard that produces a consistent keystroke, but the keys don't go up and down as smooth as they should, and the so-called 'tactile bump' is nebulous. They'll never be as smooth as Gateron/Zealios, nor as interesting as some of the Kailh and OUTEMU options.

For gaming, they are fine. They don't get in the way, and I don't accidentally actuate them. More versatile than reds. But ultimately boring. BTW I typed this on MX Browns.

[actualglacier]

they are amazing. buy them right now.

[Sintpinty]

Browns have an unusual sound, but Cherry MX Browns are great for both typing and gaming due to their light , tactile bump. I find that i make less mistakes with mx brown vs typing with mx red because the bump is there letting me know my keystroke has been pressed so i may not need to repeat it.

[L0rdN1k0n]

Not even gonna read above because I'm lazy.

Browns are awful when you first get them. They feel like ****, and have no tactility.

But after a few months, they start to get better. A few months after, damn they get smooth. A few months after that, damn these things are smooth and sound great. Then you lube the worn in Browns and heaven is achieved.

New browns are my least favorite switch, browns worn in over a year or more, are one of my favorite switches.

What do you lube them with? I have two broken-in brown boards but have never experimented with lube beyond KY Jelly.

[chyros]

Tactility is the MX design's weakest point, and nowhere is this more evident than in MX brown.

What a complete crock of ****.

[frydaja]

I really like them. I stood by my opinion that rubber domes are better than Browns - but now I think Browns are better. The tactility is weak, I'm not going to argue with that, but it's much more comfortable to type on than domes. Domes are often so tactile it feels like the keyboard is fighting you. Browns have noticeable tactility while not feeling like they're trying to break your fingers. It's really subtle, but it's there.

[mizzoperator]

Tactility is the MX design's weakest point, and nowhere is this more evident than in MX brown.

What a complete crock of ****.

Yeah, I'm definitely going to have to agree with you there. The tactility of the grand majority of MX switches is mediocre at best and nonexistent at worst.
I could probably get a rubber dome that's more tactile if I really wanted to.

[Surefoot]

Yeah, I'm definitely going to have to agree with you there. The tactility of the grand majority of MX switches is mediocre at best and nonexistent at worst.
I could probably get a rubber dome that's more tactile if I really wanted to.

Box Navy switches are maybe *too* tactile, and they are MX variants..

[HungerMechanic]

Tactility has to be reasonable and satisfying, not simply 'strong.' There are some MX switches out there, like Box Royals, that are 'too tactile.'

The question is, does the MX mechanism allow for sophisticated tactility? How does it compare to ALPS, Buckling Springs, or Topre? MX originated as a linear switch, and it shows. The tactile elements often feel 'jury rigged,' or 'tacked on.'

[chyros]

Yeah, I'm definitely going to have to agree with you there. The tactility of the grand majority of MX switches is mediocre at best and nonexistent at worst.
I could probably get a rubber dome that's more tactile if I really wanted to.

Box Navy switches are maybe *too* tactile, and they are MX variants..

I don't consider BOX switches to be MX, and clickbar switches DEFINITELY not.

[mizzoperator]

Box Navy switches are maybe *too* tactile, and they are MX variants..

MX Mount =/= MX Variant

All vaguely humorous remarks aside, the Box Navy is a clickbar switch afaik, considerably different than Cherry's design.
Box Navys also have a shorter total travel, pretravel, and are overall the better switch. 

[Surefoot]

Oh so you meant Cherry MX series then, in which case yeah options are quite limited. I was thinking "MX = MX mount and casing" which does include Box and Gaterons / Zeal...

[mizzoperator]

Oh so you meant Cherry MX series then, in which case yeah options are quite limited. I was thinking "MX = MX mount and casing" which does include Box and Gaterons / Zeal...

Nine times out of ten, the only reason a switch manufacturer includes MX mount and casing in a switch is to maximize compatibility with existing keycap sets and modular KBs.
No sense in making a proprietary mount and then killing off a good chunk of your customers in the process.

[Surefoot]

Nine times out of ten, the only reason a switch manufacturer includes MX mount and casing in a switch is to maximize compatibility with existing keycap sets and modular KBs.
No sense in making a proprietary mount and then killing off a good chunk of your customers in the process.

Well, yeah, i was referring to your (and Chyros San's) original post, not to manufacturers ability to create and distribute a new switch mount type

[Kevadu]

I mean, the majority of MX clones are just that: clones.  There may be minor differences but for the most part they're doing the same things the original MX designs did.

Box switches are the only real exception that I know of.  Yes they're pin and keycap compatible with MX switches but internally they're completely different.