Author Topic: Cherry Blues are too loud for my wife... What should I get? (Read 9051 times)

ChThoniC · « **on:** Mon, 27 December 2010, 17:01:28 »

Need to replace my Scorpius M10 that I got for Christmas with something my wife can stand for < $100. Any suggestions? I type and game a lot...

keyboardlover · « **Reply #1 on:** Mon, 27 December 2010, 17:04:57 »

Welcome to Geekhack! I'm sure Ripster will show up and recommend a new wife

Something with cherry browns would definitely be less loud...

Brian8bit · « **Reply #2 on:** Mon, 27 December 2010, 17:06:28 »

msiegel · « **Reply #3 on:** Mon, 27 December 2010, 17:08:18 »

hmm, what has cherry browns for under $100

keyboardlover · « **Reply #4 on:** Mon, 27 December 2010, 17:11:34 »

Used Compaq MX 11800 or a Das Silent w/ student discount come to mind...

CeeSA · « **Reply #5 on:** Mon, 27 December 2010, 17:12:05 »

http://geekhack.org/forumdisplay.php?f=36

listen to brown and blue, there is no worthy of mention difference
i guess, brown are to loud for your wife too

keyboardlover · « **Reply #6 on:** Mon, 27 December 2010, 17:16:10 »

I'm guessing Topre is the only mechanical switch quieter than cherry browns? Also it's worth mentioning that PCB-mounted browns are quieter than plate-mounted browns. The MX11800 is very quiet; but a Filco with browns is much louder.

theferenc · « **Reply #7 on:** Mon, 27 December 2010, 17:19:03 »

You think browns are nearly as loud as blues?

Um, something is wonky here. My browns are nearly as silent as my topres, but not nearly as fun to use.

Seriously, they are actually quieter than my sun rubber dome membrane boards. This is both the Kinesis and the Cherry board.

keyboardlover · « **Reply #8 on:** Mon, 27 December 2010, 17:22:11 »

Quote from: theferenc;269539

This is both the Kinesis and the Cherry board.

They're probably both PCB-mounted...I know at least the Cherry is. That would explain why. The plate mounted ones like Das and Filco are LOUD!

Lanx · « **Reply #9 on:** Mon, 27 December 2010, 17:23:01 »

browns are nearly silent, well at least as silent goes compared to a blue.
try this out!
http://geekhack.org/showwiki.php?title=Island:13046
this was the exact purpose of the mod.

WhiteRice · « **Reply #10 on:** Mon, 27 December 2010, 17:26:02 »

A new wife.

ChThoniC · « **Reply #11 on:** Mon, 27 December 2010, 17:27:27 »

Browns really aren't any quieter? I don't smash on my keys, I that makes a difference at all...
What should I do!? :O
I'm already in love with the mechanical switches too, I can't go back now.

CeeSA · « **Reply #12 on:** Mon, 27 December 2010, 17:36:05 »

http://geekhack.org/showwiki.php?title=Island:6617

try blue and brown filco!
if you bottom out - there is imo no worthy of mention difference

i also watch mrinterface video reviews with the same outcome

and i own brown and blue cherry.
if you come from rubberdome both are loud.

i only want the ts to preserve from buying the next "to loud" keyboard

ChThoniC · « **Reply #13 on:** Mon, 27 December 2010, 17:38:29 »

So the loudness of Cherry Browns depends on the board? Interesting...
I like the blues a lot, but the clickyness really is too loud. I can't take it to use in the library at school or something like that.

Are there any options in the not-too-much-over-$100 range?

CeeSA · « **Reply #14 on:** Mon, 27 December 2010, 17:43:36 »

as i sayd, check the audio clips.

tell your wife the topre is silent and buy it

ChThoniC · « **Reply #15 on:** Mon, 27 December 2010, 17:53:44 »

I don't think the audio clips do justice to just how loud they are, though.
I had a Logitech G15 (dome) before, and when I played Starcraft 2 it would wake up my wife >_>
But the Cherry Blues are so loud that I can't do any kind of surfing or typing while she's sleeping or else it will bother her. They're also annoyingly loud while she's trying to work on something on her computer.

If I use a keyboard with Browns and without smashing them, they're not much louder than a dome keyboard, correct?
And I was under the impression that the Topre units were all much more expensive than the Cherry ones, is that the wrong idea?

Pylon · « **Reply #16 on:** Mon, 27 December 2010, 18:13:59 »

It might have something to do with bottoming out.

keyboardlover · « **Reply #17 on:** Mon, 27 December 2010, 18:25:04 »

Bottoming out does depend on the wife...

NamelessPFG · « **Reply #18 on:** Mon, 27 December 2010, 18:45:55 »

If you're like me, you'd probably think the tactile bump on the Browns would be too subtle, especially when hammering on the keys.

I'd personally go for Clears...if you can find a board with them that isn't insanely expensive (like the Deck Legend is). Judging by the Switch Try Numpad, they seem to make less noise, but it's probably because the Clears are stiffer (spring force is closer to, but not quite, the Blacks), and because the tactile bump is actually noticeable this time, I can easily keep from bottoming out, which adds to the noise.

And as for Topre, good luck getting such a board for under $200.

Oqsy · « **Reply #19 on:** Mon, 27 December 2010, 18:52:44 »

Ninja-ed by the best. My first thought when I read the thread title was "I wonder who has already said 'A new wife.'?" Oh well, I suggest a Model F AT or a Northgate Omnikey.

microsoft windows · « **Reply #20 on:** Mon, 27 December 2010, 18:53:35 »

I'd suggest a good speaker set. That'll drown out the clicky keyboard pretty well.

ChThoniC · « **Reply #21 on:** Mon, 27 December 2010, 19:22:06 »

Quote from: NamelessPFG;269566

If you're like me, you'd probably think the tactile bump on the Browns would be too subtle, especially when hammering on the keys.

I'd personally go for Clears...if you can find a board with them that isn't insanely expensive (like the Deck Legend is). Judging by the Switch Try Numpad, they seem to make less noise, but it's probably because the Clears are stiffer (spring force is closer to, but not quite, the Blacks), and because the tactile bump is actually noticeable this time, I can easily keep from bottoming out, which adds to the noise.

And as for Topre, good luck getting such a board for under $200.

I read up on the Clears a bit, and they sound like just what I wanted... The cheapest one I found was the Deck Legend, which is like $60 over my MAX budget.
It looks like I'll probably have to settle for Browns and type quietly (no gaming) while my wife is sleeping.
What's the best Cheery Brown (or Clear) I can get for <$110 shipped?

microsoft windows · « **Reply #22 on:** Mon, 27 December 2010, 19:27:21 »

Here's a brown Cherry keyboard. Look for these on ebay till you find one that's $20.

didjamatic · « **Reply #23 on:** Mon, 27 December 2010, 19:40:49 »

These.

J/K. Try cherry browns or blacks, preferrably PCB mounted as it's even quieter.

ChThoniC · « **Reply #24 on:** Mon, 27 December 2010, 19:46:48 »

Quote from: didjamatic;269599

These.

J/K. Try cherry browns or blacks, preferrably PCB mounted as it's even quieter.

I'm getting that I want cherry browns (or preferably clears) and PCB mounted, but are there any keyboards that fit both those qualities and are in the ~$100 range.

Pylon · « **Reply #25 on:** Mon, 27 December 2010, 20:32:30 »

This mod?
http://geekhack.org/showwiki.php?title=Island:13046

ManjyomeThunder · « **Reply #26 on:** Mon, 27 December 2010, 20:44:14 »

Quote from: microsoft windows;269592

Here's a brown Cherry keyboard. Look for these on ebay till you find one that's $20.

Ha, not going to happen, at least not any time soon. I've been stalking eBay for them for months and only one's been listed for close to that.

Some jackass decided to list one for $50, and now everyone that finds one in storage thinks that must be the actual value. They used to go for as cheap as AT101Ws, and now they're apparently hot **** (except, none of them ever SELL at that price. Weird ain't it?)

ManjyomeThunder · « **Reply #27 on:** Mon, 27 December 2010, 20:50:13 »

For gaming? The ABS M1 isn't too loud at all as long as you don't bottom out. Tactile, non-clicky Black ALPS switches. If you do bottom out, on the other hand, all hell will break loose.

Can probably buy one off a GeekHacker fairly easily. Most will have better (read: louder) keyboards for gaming and if they really need a Black ALPS in their collection, they probably already have an AT101W.

theferenc · « **Reply #28 on:** Mon, 27 December 2010, 20:58:28 »

If the large size isn't an issue, you can make an offer of $35 on this: http://cgi.ebay.com/Cherry-Credit-Card-KeyBoard-POS-USB-MX8100-MX-8100-/200557636191

I got one, and apparently got lucky in that it came with doubleshot keys.

It's also virtually silent. I think it's quieter than my topre, but I don't bottom out as much, which is likely why.

And you'd still have enough money left over in your budget to get a standard and function set of the round three double shots!

It *is* a wee bit on the large side. But the stripe reader is kinda fun to play with.

keyboardlover · « **Reply #29 on:** Mon, 27 December 2010, 20:59:55 »

Does that have cherry browns or clears?

theferenc · « **Reply #30 on:** Mon, 27 December 2010, 21:01:51 »

Mostly browns. A few clears.

I'm pretty sure those were from the refurb process, though.

quadibloc · « **Reply #31 on:** Mon, 27 December 2010, 21:22:34 »

I thought the only good tactile keyboard that's quieter than the tactile Cherry and ALPS switches... certainly isn't a buckling spring... would be a Topre. And those are expensive.

There are things which aren't true mechanical switch keyboards, however, that are decent in tactile response. The old Dell QuietKey keyboards - the ones made in Thailand - but while I've been lucky in finding a few of them, that's a hit or miss thing.

If there were a way to just move the computer somewhere that you wouldn't be disturbing your wife while using it...

keyboardlover · « **Reply #32 on:** Mon, 27 December 2010, 21:28:57 »

Scissor switches are an option too. Ripster got an "$18 HHKB killer" for Christmas that he's pretty much obsessed with

I like the Compaq MX11800 a lot though.

theferenc · « **Reply #33 on:** Mon, 27 December 2010, 21:35:07 »

Scissor switches on short throw, chiclet style keys...ewwwwwww. Also, at least on the Macs, noisier than my all of my boards except my Model Ms. Oh, and my Dell. But I don't currently have that.

keyboardlover · « **Reply #34 on:** Mon, 27 December 2010, 21:37:16 »

The 'perfect stroke' logitechs aren't very noisy. I dunno if any are in this guy's price range though.

Pylon · « **Reply #35 on:** Mon, 27 December 2010, 21:37:49 »

Quote from: quadibloc;269647

The old Dell QuietKey keyboards - the ones made in Thailand -

Louder than you think, though a good deal quieter than say, buckling springs.

Look for RT7D5JTW on Ebay.

ChThoniC · « **Reply #36 on:** Tue, 28 December 2010, 00:47:43 »

Geez why is it so hard to find a decently priced normal cherry brown keyboard when there are so many blues around? I'll wait until I can find someone selling a used one here or something.

That mod looks cool, by the way, but pretty irreversible and nobody seems to have results on a full set of nodded keys yet. I'd like it to be small enough to travel with (tenkeyless would e prime)

ManjyomeThunder · « **Reply #37 on:** Tue, 28 December 2010, 00:49:11 »

Das is $100ish with student discount for browns. Not too terrible.

Personally I wish there was something in the $80 price range like the BlackWidow. I'd buy an MX11800 off eBay but $50 is too much for something used IMO.

ChThoniC · « **Reply #38 on:** Tue, 28 December 2010, 00:55:16 »

Oh what? How do I get the student discount (I am a student).
And any drawbacks to the Das keyboards? They look ultra cool.

EDIT: just sent them an email about the discount. Thanks for the tip! Their moving contact form was tough to type on with my iPhone browser though haha.

db_Iodine · « **Reply #39 on:** Tue, 28 December 2010, 03:07:21 »

The Das will get fingerprints and dust on those shiny bezels easily. I have to clean mine once a day to keep it looking good. Cleaning only takes a few minutes to it's not really a big deal to me.

ChThoniC · « **Reply #40 on:** Tue, 28 December 2010, 16:48:18 »

Thanks for the advice everyone! I think I've settled on the Das keyboard with blank keys and brown switches. I hope my wife can sleep easier... Hahaha.
Thanks again!!!

keyboardlover · « **Reply #41 on:** Tue, 28 December 2010, 18:32:54 »

Topre clacking is "baby making" music in my opinion

keyboardlover · « **Reply #42 on:** Tue, 28 December 2010, 18:47:58 »

Good point. Where's Panda-R?

keyboardlover · « **Reply #43 on:** Tue, 28 December 2010, 18:57:19 »

Quote from: ripster;270027

I doubt Panda-R is a woman.

Oh.

****!

News:

Author Topic: Cherry Blues are too loud for my wife... What should I get? (Read 9051 times)