Brown vs. Blue

[whateverbro]

Before you jump to conclusions, this isn't your typical "oh what should I get" thread.

So I've owned a razer blackwidow for about 2 months now (don't judge, it was my first mechanical keyboard and I got it for pretty cheap) and I enjoy the way it feels but I would like to upgrade the quality of my keyboard and for some reason I'm always thinking about brown switches since I hear about them so much.

I've done a ton of research and all I ever get is that browns are basically blues without the "clicky" noise and I don't think that's the case. I think there's more to it.

So what I'm basically asking is how browns feel compared to blues. Apparently brown switches are lighter but how much lighter? Does the tactile feel different? Smoothness?

Any information will be greatly appreciated.

[alaricljs]

Imagine the blues as a retractable ballpoint.  There's stuff moving around in there and when it moves the change in force and the feeling of the click are quick.  Now browns.... there's this spot that it starts to feel like you're pushing an item through a slightly smaller hole, the hole is .5-1mm deep at that size and opens up afterward.  Also, whatever you're shoving through the hole is not lubricated, so there's a bit of scratchiness to it.

Enjoy the visuals.

[morethanless]

Lols
You can even stay inside or behind the hole to make very fast key repetitions. So you don't have to use the force to get into the hole again.

[foliolio]

You can even stay inside or behind the hole to make very fast key repetitions. So you don't have to use the force to get into the hole again.

[winterbear]

I basically agree with what alaricljs said: there's the feeling of "something inside moving" in the blues, while the browns just feel like you are given a slight warning you have reached the point... but you can continue on? It's much more "together"...

I think the browns are much smoother as well. If I am typing normally, I don't even feel the tactile point consistently, and it's a little nudge compared to the noticeable blues where you feel like you have 'something moving' and then a 'slowing' period where you naturally stop clicking to not bottom out...?  

And for lighter... it's only 5g, but you DO notice it, a little.

[whateverbro]

ah so I see. The tactile point on blues feels a tad strong for my likings.

I think it's time to switch over to the brown side.

[Findecanor]

I'd say that the tactile point on the Brown is very subtle. If you type fast, it is almost as if it is not there.

I recommend the brown if you are typing and gaming with the same keyboard. The tactile point is most noticeable when you press lightly.

[Lester]

I'd say that the tactile point on the Brown is very subtle. If you type fast, it is almost as if it is not there.

I recommend the brown if you are typing and gaming with the same keyboard. The tactile point is most noticeable when you press lightly.

So you're saying the bump isn't very heavy/bothering feeling?
Starting to lean more towards brown's now rather then reds if the bump isn't that big of a deal, just don't want the bump to be almost as heavy as my rubber dome keyboard that annoys me :/

[morethanless]

No, the bump of the browns is very slight.
MX clears would be more bumpy. (off-road )

[Lester]

No, the bump of the browns is very slight.
MX clears would be more bumpy. (off-road )

^_^

Double tapping on browns should also go smoothly then for playing games? If the bump isn't that heavy it shouldn't be a problem right?

[morethanless]

As I remember that is no problem. Blues are more slowing down to repeated key presses.

[Lester]

Ok cheers, most likely going for brownies then, since red's are so difficult to come by :/

[dreamingftw]

I have both blues and browns and game on both. I like gaming on blues because I like the clicky feedback but it does slow you down a bit if you need to double tap because I play sc2. Browns are better to play on. The black window keys feel lighter than the filco keys so I didn't have any problems playing on that. It comes down to preference. You really need to try both and see what you like. Slayers Boxer plays on a filco mx blue kb just for reference.

[Tony]

Ideally you should have keyboards of every switch just to be able to diversify your experience.

For limited budget, I prefer brown. Brown is softer on my hands, and the responsive time is faster. It is quieter too.

[Backward_Pawn]

I'm really liking my browns.  I know I complained about them at first, but I'm getting used to them.  Still not really feeling the bump, but getting used to the keyboard and not bottoming out.  I'm planning to get a blue keyboard for work, since I won't be gaming there and don't care about annoying my coworkers with it.  I probably won't go as expensive as a Filco.  Maybe and Adesso or an XArmor.  I'll let you know what I think between the two when I eventually get it.

[gl0ry]

Having used both, I personally enjoyed the browns even more than the blues.  It really just depends on your preference.  You can just think of brown as a more responsive and lighter rubber dome.  No clicks, no surprises.