Lurker for a while, decided to take the plunge

[tysoncrosby21]

Built my own board for the first time.  I took a video that isn't great but it lets you hear and see how things turned out.  I don't love the stabilizers (but they're getting better as I use the board more and more.)  I ordered Durock stabilizers, but I may just keep the stocks and see how it goes.  Went with a full size board ( I know, BOO HISS) because occasionally I use my pc for productivity things and spreadsheets and need the 10 key.

Picture:



Video:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=IYIR1NS2D8I

Specs:

GMMK Full Size in White Ice
NK Cream switches lubed with Krytox
Stock GMMK stabilizers that may get replaced (Wanting opinions)
HK Gaming Dye Sublimation Keycaps in the White/Red

[selsik]

Entry level boards like that are gateway drugs into custom kits. Enjoy with measure!

[Maledicted]

Nice. Looks good.  Welcome to Geekhack.

The only time to not ignore the naysayers is if they suggest something you've never tried that might be applicable. I think a lot of tiny keyboards are unusable, depending on the application. Unless you need desk space and/or portability there's no reason to not have a keyboard whatever size you like. There are users here who use old battleship keyboards that are way bigger than this.

What switches have you tried? Heard good things about the creams, but I'm not a linear person. I know I would want to look into contactless linears if I were.

Wise of you to get an affordable hot swap board, as your tastes will develop with time.

[Leslieann]

Went with a full size board ( I know, BOO HISS) because occasionally I use my pc for productivity things and spreadsheets and need the 10 key.

Use what works for you, that's the whole point of all of this for most people.

Nice selection, all really good bang for the buck parts.

[tysoncrosby21]

Nice. Looks good.  Welcome to Geekhack.

The only time to not ignore the naysayers is if they suggest something you've never tried that might be applicable. I think a lot of tiny keyboards are unusable, depending on the application. Unless you need desk space and/or portability there's no reason to not have a keyboard whatever size you like. There are users here who use old battleship keyboards that are way bigger than this.

What switches have you tried? Heard good things about the creams, but I'm not a linear person. I know I would want to look into contactless linears if I were.

Wise of you to get an affordable hot swap board, as your tastes will develop with time.

Haven't really tried many others, I've watched some videos and really liked the sound of the creams when lubed properly. I've used linear switches for a while, tried tactile and click and just don't enjoy the typing experience.

Liking the feel of this one so far tho!

[Maledicted]

Nice. Looks good.  Welcome to Geekhack.

The only time to not ignore the naysayers is if they suggest something you've never tried that might be applicable. I think a lot of tiny keyboards are unusable, depending on the application. Unless you need desk space and/or portability there's no reason to not have a keyboard whatever size you like. There are users here who use old battleship keyboards that are way bigger than this.

What switches have you tried? Heard good things about the creams, but I'm not a linear person. I know I would want to look into contactless linears if I were.

Wise of you to get an affordable hot swap board, as your tastes will develop with time.

Haven't really tried many others, I've watched some videos and really liked the sound of the creams when lubed properly. I've used linear switches for a while, tried tactile and click and just don't enjoy the typing experience.

Liking the feel of this one so far tho!

Which ones? Cherry browns (and most clones, but not all) rub a lot of people the wrong way. If they're your first introduction to tactiles, you may swear them off entirely prematurely, especially if you tried Outemus. Those are even scratchier than Cherry ... somehow.

If you have not, I hope you get the opportunity to try Topre, Niz, Matias or Alps switches. Personally I much prefer even a decent dome with slider board to anything MX I have tried for tactiles.

The same goes for Cherry blues and most clones. Even the best of them are really not fantastic clickies. I would try at least box pinks and/or jades before swearing off clickies.

How do you like those caps? Always seemed like a great value, but I have never picked any up.

[tysoncrosby21]

Can't say for certain which switches I have tried in the tactile/clicky spectrum.  All I know is I haven't enjoyed the feel of the few I have used.  I love these switches.  They sound great and feel awesome.  The jury is still out on the keycaps/stabilizers.  Keycaps are a bit too smooth and as a result my fingers kind of slide around on the keys.  Not sure if I love it, but besides that they look great and type really well.  We'll see how new stabilizers and some more time with these keycaps will feel.

[Maledicted]

Can't say for certain which switches I have tried in the tactile/clicky spectrum.  All I know is I haven't enjoyed the feel of the few I have used.  I love these switches.  They sound great and feel awesome.  The jury is still out on the keycaps/stabilizers.  Keycaps are a bit too smooth and as a result my fingers kind of slide around on the keys.  Not sure if I love it, but besides that they look great and type really well.  We'll see how new stabilizers and some more time with these keycaps will feel.

I'm sure they're better than any modern linears I have, besides maybe Matias, but an argument can be made that those aren't even really linear. Linears are linears either way, there's only so much variation in feel you can get without tactility. The latest new wizbang linear's other subjective characteristics, even outside of traditional MX contact-based switches, may or may not appeal to you anyway and you may stick with those creams forever.

Analogue linears with customizable/multiple actuation points are probably the most dynamic application of the technology though, if you end up exploring that.

Personally, outside of the weighting being too little (accidental presses), I don't mind just using MX reds for things like gaming. They're the only switch type where "good enough" is a low bar for me. I also don't typically do a lot of typing with them though either.

Speaking of which, how do you like the weighting?

Pictures do suggest the texturing on the caps isn't very aggressive, but they shouldn't wear totally smooth like ABS. I'm weird and like smooth caps.

[ander]

Built my own board for the first time.  I took a video that isn't great but it lets you hear and see how things turned out.  I don't love the stabilizers (but they're getting better as I use the board more and more.)  I ordered Durock stabilizers, but I may just keep the stocks and see how it goes.  Went with a full size board ( I know, BOO HISS) because occasionally I use my pc for productivity things and spreadsheets and need the 10 key...

Hey man, welcome! And congratulations on your build. It looks swell.

You shouldn't be self-conscious about preferring 104's. I appreciate TKLs when space is at a premium. But as primarily a typist rather than a gamer, full-size keebs seem that much bigger, heavier and more solid-feeling to use. Which is a good thing.

And like these other guys have said, preferences in switches, key ("cap") design, typing sound, layout, colours, fonts—in other words, everything—is entirely subjective. You can have some real fun here, reading conversations where people alternatingly rave, rant, and "meh" about exactly the same thing. When it comes to MKs, as with so many things, everyone must make their own judgments.

Which is why my philosophy is, the only sure way to have everything you like is to try to acquire at least one of everything, so you can use it regularly. It's amazing I've managed to stay married, though, so I can't recommend this approach to everyone.

Cheers!