SA Retro brought me here

[flamf]

Hi everyone, fellow from Denmark checking in.
I came across this place looking for a keyboard that would look something along the lines of my old, beloved C64. Nothing really turned up, except for the SA True Retro keyset. So I've bought, and now I have to get seriously into mechanical, and find a board that will be fitting. A world is opening before me...

[rowdy]

Welcome to Geekhack!

The SA Retro set is a good choice for a first keycap set, but is setting the bar fairly high.  Although keycap manufacturers are getting better all the time.

Suggestion: for SA keycaps you'd want a keyboard with fairly stiff springs.  The thicker SA keycaps are generally a bit too heavy to work well with lighter switches.

[flamf]

Thank you, for the advice as well. So in your opinion, I would have to go with 50-55g even heavier? MX Black?

[meow a cat]

Welcome to Geekhack!

The SA Retro set is a good choice for a first keycap set, but is setting the bar fairly high.  Although keycap manufacturers are getting better all the time.

Suggestion: for SA keycaps you'd want a keyboard with fairly stiff springs.  The thicker SA keycaps are generally a bit too heavy to work well with lighter switches.

I've heard this before Rowdy. I like to use 50-55g springs in my MX blacks. Does the weight of the SA caps make the switches feel even lighter to press? Or do they have trouble springing back up?

Also, welcome to GeekHack Flamf. Really nice choice for your first set, I wish I had the cash to get in on SA Retro.. but too many keyboard things were going on at the time.  )

Any ideas what board you'd like to get to put the caps on?

[flamf]

Hi meow,
I have limited knowledge, but what my few weeks of rummaging have narrowed in on is either a heavy, high-quality modern board like the Ducky Legend, or going traditional with a G80-3000, in black.
Undecided regarding switches, I've only really tried MX Red and Black but been very happy with both. I think linear is the way to go for me.
Just yesterday I discovered the G80-1800 & G80-11900, and I'm really fascinated by the 11900. Both of the latter appear to be very hard to track down in my layout (ISO Nordic) though, so I will get something else in the meantime.

[meow a cat]

Hi meow,
I have limited knowledge, but what my few weeks of rummaging have narrowed in on is either a heavy, high-quality modern board like the Ducky Legend, or going traditional with a G80-3000, in black.
Undecided regarding switches, I've only really tried MX Red and Black but been very happy with both. I think linear is the way to go for me.
Just yesterday I discovered the G80-1800 & G80-11900, and I'm really fascinated by the 11900. Both of the latter appear to be very hard to track down in my layout (ISO Nordic) though, so I will get something else in the meantime.

Personally, I would pick the 1800. Full-size board in a TKL size? Yes, please. I've been meaning to pick one up some time. The track pad in the 11900 is very cool too! You'd have to double check that you have the right keys in SA Retro for those though. I think it's 1.75x right shift, and some extra 1x mods that you need. Spacebar might  be 6x as well? A few rows change in the 6-pack as well, but that's not as big of a deal.

The only thing about the G80-1800s is that they're PCB mount. I prefer plate mount, but that's all personal preference ofc. But with PCB mount, you can open the switches without desoldering to lube and spring swap and such.

I prefer TKL or smaller over full-size, which is pretty common around here. Better ergonomics, and more desk space. Plus you can get a standalone numpad if you use it for work or whatever.

[rowdy]

I have tried SA sets on MX blues, blacks and greens.  Blacks and greens definitely gave the best feel.  With the blues the keycaps felt too heavy and not much force was required to press the keys.

Do bear in mind that I have fairly strong fingers and bottom out all switches all the time.

Once you get a bag of SA keycaps in your hand, you can really feel how heavy they are compared to even thick PBT Cherry profile caps.

[meow a cat]

I have tried SA sets on MX blues, blacks and greens.  Blacks and greens definitely gave the best feel.  With the blues the keycaps felt too heavy and not much force was required to press the keys.

Do bear in mind that I have fairly strong fingers and bottom out all switches all the time.

Once you get a bag of SA keycaps in your hand, you can really feel how heavy they are compared to even thick PBT Cherry profile caps.

I'd love to pick up a set, but then I'd have to build another keyboard. I already have one too many sets. 

They sound like something I might like on my boards though, I love the floaty no effort to type feeling on my linears. I have an SSK and Model F for giving my fingers a workout.  )

Thanks for telling me your opinion Rowdy!

[flamf]

What I gather from a lot of the custom builds, either workshops or DIY, is that heavier springs are used frequently, usually 60g+. Does that have something to do with enthusiasts using heavier keycaps, heavier "typing style" or just personal preference. Or all?

[meow a cat]

What I gather from a lot of the custom builds, either workshops or DIY, is that heavier springs are used frequently, usually 60g+. Does that have something to do with enthusiasts using heavier keycaps, heavier "typing style" or just personal preference. Or all?

I would say personal preference. SA on light springs sounds nice to me, from Rowdys descriptions.

I like extremely light springs because it has a soft bottom out, and it hardly takes any effort at all to type. I'm also a sucker for buttery smooth linears. I can see why someone would want to use a heavier spring with heavier caps, as more weight on a switch results in a lighter force needed to actuate it.

I don't have a particular typing style (aside from my touch-typing), I use a light touch on my MX boards, and I slam my buckling springs. I always bottom out though.

I would consider 60/62g a light spring. I prefer 50-55 for linears, and 62g for ergo-clears. 65-70 is medium, 78 and up is heavy. I dislike all clicky Cherry switches, and MX browns. Just my opinions and preferences though.

[rowdy]

I have tried SA sets on MX blues, blacks and greens.  Blacks and greens definitely gave the best feel.  With the blues the keycaps felt too heavy and not much force was required to press the keys.

Do bear in mind that I have fairly strong fingers and bottom out all switches all the time.

Once you get a bag of SA keycaps in your hand, you can really feel how heavy they are compared to even thick PBT Cherry profile caps.

I'd love to pick up a set, but then I'd have to build another keyboard. I already have one too many sets. 

They sound like something I might like on my boards though, I love the floaty no effort to type feeling on my linears. I have an SSK and Model F for giving my fingers a workout.  )

Thanks for telling me your opinion Rowdy!

What does "too many sets" mean?  I have dozens of spare keycap sets - it's nice to be able to swap them around from time to time and get a different colour effect, or different plastic for the feels

What I gather from a lot of the custom builds, either workshops or DIY, is that heavier springs are used frequently, usually 60g+. Does that have something to do with enthusiasts using heavier keycaps, heavier "typing style" or just personal preference. Or all?

Heavier switches are a personal preference for me.  I have fairly strong fingers, and tend to bottom out everything, even buckling springs, so the stiffer the spring the better it feels.  MX reds and blues are way too light for me - I make too many typos.