Looking for advice -- tactile keyboard?

[reduc3r]

Hey guys. I recently got a WASD CODE with MX clears. At first I was like "this thing rules," but after a couple days of working on it all day, it's starting to get uncomfortable because the switches are so hard to press down. It's fatiguing.

The thing I like about it is that it has a distinct, noticeable tactile bump. I really appreciate that about it. I just wish it was easier on my fingers.

In terms of "force" or "weight," my comfort level is around the Cherry MX blues. That feels just about right to me.

But I'd love to find a nice tactile non-clicky board.

I tried the MX browns. They aren't very tactile -- they felt almost linear to me.

I'm not sure what else to try. I've guess I've run through all the Cherry switches at this point.

What else is out there?

I found this Royal Kludge with Greetech Brown switches, but I have no idea what those switches are like or whether they'd be good.

I prefer a TKL layout. MX compatible would be ideal because I like to be able to change the keycaps.

Any guidance or advice would be much appreciated. Thanks!

[frogthejam19]

Hey guys. I recently got a WASD CODE with MX clears. At first I was like "this thing rules," but after a couple days of working on it all day, it's starting to get uncomfortable because the switches are so hard to press down. It's fatiguing.

The thing I like about it is that it has a distinct, noticeable tactile bump. I really appreciate that about it. I just wish it was easier on my fingers.

In terms of "force" or "weight," my comfort level is around the Cherry MX blues. That feels just about right to me.

But I'd love to find a nice tactile non-clicky board.

I tried the MX browns. They aren't very tactile -- they felt almost linear to me.

I'm not sure what else to try. I've guess I've run through all the Cherry switches at this point.

What else is out there?

I found this Royal Kludge with Greetech Brown switches, but I have no idea what those switches are like or whether they'd be good.

I prefer a TKL layout. MX compatible would be ideal because I like to be able to change the keycaps.

Any guidance or advice would be much appreciated. Thanks!

INB4the church pf Topreology and demik hijack this thread

 ) )

Topre would be a good alternative though.

[Elaeagnifolia]

Most other ____ Browns will probably feel similar to how Cherry Browns were, so I would probably avoid going in that direction.

Based on what you want, it sounds like you have three options here: Zealio, Topre, or Matias Quiet Clicks.

Zealio have the tactile bump like Clears but are lighter; however, you would either have to build your own custom keyboard or buy a pre-puilt custom keyboard from someone else since there are no manufactured boards with Zealio in them. This probably would not be the most ideal option.

Topre is more available from your normal online retailer like mechanicalkeyboards.com or elitekeyboards.com. You could also buy a used one off someone more easily than a Zealio board as well. Topre is hard to describe compared to Cherry switches. It's so smooth, but still has tactility. Definitely a switch worth trying. Although, it might be worth noting it does not have a very distinguishable bump like Zealio/Clears do.

Since TKL is your layout of choice, I think a 45g Realforce would be a good start. If you don't like it, you can usually sell the Realforce out for a small loss which is also a benefit. Downside being that Topre boards are pretty pricy compared to your average mechanical keyboard and customization options are limited since Topre switch. If you want to keep keycap customization options and want a slightly cheaper board, a Novatouch is a decent consideration although can be a bit more "rattle-y" than other Topre boards.

If you're willing to explore other layouts, the FC660C is another good option. And since it's bound to be mentioned, the HHKB as well.

Matias Quiet Clicks are cheaper options to the other two and, like Topre, are readily available in manufactured keyboards. For TKL, your best (only?) option is the KBParadise V80 keyboard with Matias Quiet Click switches. Like Topre, keyboard customization options are very limited (Even fewer options than Topre).

I might've mentioned this in my text above, but the links I posted are all to the retail versions. If you want to save a bit ($20-$40), you could also look into Classified section or /r/mechmarket for used ones which are usually in pretty good condition.

[Olumin]

Hey guys. I recently got a WASD CODE with MX clears. At first I was like "this thing rules," but after a couple days of working on it all day, it's starting to get uncomfortable because the switches are so hard to press down. It's fatiguing.

The thing I like about it is that it has a distinct, noticeable tactile bump. I really appreciate that about it. I just wish it was easier on my fingers.

In terms of "force" or "weight," my comfort level is around the Cherry MX blues. That feels just about right to me.

But I'd love to find a nice tactile non-clicky board.

I tried the MX browns. They aren't very tactile -- they felt almost linear to me.

I'm not sure what else to try. I've guess I've run through all the Cherry switches at this point.

What else is out there?

I found this Royal Kludge with Greetech Brown switches, but I have no idea what those switches are like or whether they'd be good.

I prefer a TKL layout. MX compatible would be ideal because I like to be able to change the keycaps.

Any guidance or advice would be much appreciated. Thanks!

INB4the church pf Topreology and demik hijack this thread

 ) )

Topre would be a good alternative though.

Topre gives feedback, but no tactile bump at the actuation point. Therefore, I wouldn't even consider it "tactile", sorry. 

[tp4tissue]

what keyboard did you have before the code.

[reduc3r]

what keyboard did you have before the code.

For the last couple decades, I've used Apple keyboards. My favorite, and the one I used the longest was their Bluetooth keyboard.

About a month ago or maybe six weeks I was like, "alright what's up with these mechanical keyboards?" and I got a CM Storm QuickFire Rapid-i with blue switches. I've been using that one every day and I do like it. But I was hoping to find something even better because I can't just be content with anything, ever.

That's why I got the CODE with clears. Now that's what I call "tactile" -- those clears. And they'd be perfect if they weren't so brutal to type on.

[Olumin]

what keyboard did you have before the code.

For the last couple decades, I've used Apple keyboards. My favorite, and the one I used the longest was their Bluetooth keyboard.

About a month ago or maybe six weeks I was like, "alright what's up with these mechanical keyboards?" and I got a CM Storm QuickFire Rapid-i with blue switches. I've been using that one every day and I do like it. But I was hoping to find something even better because I can't just be content with anything, ever.

That's why I got the CODE with clears. Now that's what I call "tactile" -- those clears. And they'd be perfect if they weren't so brutal to type on.

Ever thought about doing a Ergo clear-mod? That means swapping out the springs inside your clears with lighter springs, you could also lube them while you are at it. I think that would be the best solution. But it takes some tinkering and potentially de-soldering. Just Google ergo clear, there are probably a lot of tutorials and a lot of information about it out there.

[reduc3r]

Most other ____ Browns will probably feel similar to how Cherry Browns were, so I would probably avoid going in that direction.

Based on what you want, it sounds like you have three options here: Zealio, Topre, or Matias Quiet Clicks.

Zealio have the tactile bump like Clears but are lighter; however, you would either have to build your own custom keyboard or buy a pre-puilt custom keyboard from someone else since there are no manufactured boards with Zealio in them. This probably would not be the most ideal option.

Topre is more available from your normal online retailer like mechanicalkeyboards.com or elitekeyboards.com. You could also buy a used one off someone more easily than a Zealio board as well. Topre is hard to describe compared to Cherry switches. It's so smooth, but still has tactility. Definitely a switch worth trying. Although, it might be worth noting it does not have a very distinguishable bump like Zealio/Clears do.

Since TKL is your layout of choice, I think a 45g Realforce would be a good start. If you don't like it, you can usually sell the Realforce out for a small loss which is also a benefit. Downside being that Topre boards are pretty pricy compared to your average mechanical keyboard and customization options are limited since Topre switch. If you want to keep keycap customization options and want a slightly cheaper board, a Novatouch is a decent consideration although can be a bit more "rattle-y" than other Topre boards.

If you're willing to explore other layouts, the FC660C is another good option. And since it's bound to be mentioned, the HHKB as well.

Matias Quiet Clicks are cheaper options to the other two and, like Topre, are readily available in manufactured keyboards. For TKL, your best (only?) option is the KBParadise V80 keyboard with Matias Quiet Click switches. Like Topre, keyboard customization options are very limited (Even fewer options than Topre).

I might've mentioned this in my text above, but the links I posted are all to the retail versions. If you want to save a bit ($20-$40), you could also look into Classified section or /r/mechmarket for used ones which are usually in pretty good condition.

Thank you very much for the extensive, detailed advice. Much appreciated.

Yeah, I'd love to try the Zealios. It seems like the the three normal-weight tactile variants aren't available at the moment. All that's left are linears and 78g ones. They've all been purchased. Maybe there'll be another production run at some point.

There's also that whole thing of replacing the springs in the MX clears with a lighter spring, but just don't have time for a huge workshop project right now.

Yeah, Matias might be good. I'll definitely keep them in mind as a possibility.

It sounds like my best bet at this point is probably to give the NovaTouch a try.

[Elaeagnifolia]

Thank you very much for the extensive, detailed advice. Much appreciated.

Yeah, I'd love to try the Zealios. It seems like the the three normal-weight tactile variants aren't available at the moment. All that's left are linears and 78g ones. They've all been purchased. Maybe there'll be another production run at some point.

There's also that whole thing of replacing the springs in the MX clears with a lighter spring, but just don't have time for a huge workshop project right now.

Yeah, Matias might be good. I'll definitely keep them in mind as a possibility.

It sounds like my best bet at this point is probably to give the NovaTouch a try.

You're in luck for Zealio. Zeal just posted Round 3 a couple minutes ago. https://zealpc.net/collections/group-buy-pre-orders/products/zealio

[SpAmRaY]

The key to using stock mx clears it to learn to not bottom out to avoid the fatigue but still get all the good parts such as the nice tactile bump.

[reduc3r]

Ever thought about doing a Ergo clear-mod? That means swapping out the springs inside your clears with lighter springs, you could also lube them while you are at it. I think that would be the best solution. But it takes some tinkering and potentially de-soldering. Just Google ergo clear, there are probably a lot of tutorials and a lot of information about it out there.

Thanks, yeah, I actually did seriously consider that, and I checked out some videos to get a sense of the amount of work involved. I like a project as much as the next guy, but just don't have time for something on that scale right now.

Maybe at some point, though.

[reduc3r]

The key to using stock mx clears it to learn to not bottom out to avoid the fatigue but still get all the good parts such as the nice tactile bump.

Oh yeah? Ok. I didn't know that at all. Alright, well I'll give that a try and see how it goes.

[reduc3r]

You're in luck for Zealio. Zeal just posted Round 3 a couple minutes ago. https://zealpc.net/collections/group-buy-pre-orders/products/zealio

OMG holy crap. That was a lot sooner than I expected.

I wonder which variety I should get. Probably 62g, I guess.

Ugh. That still leaves the problem of they're just switches though. And I no longer feel like building a keyboard. So I'd have to commission someone to assemble it for me.

[ToonsAndCereal]

If you dont want to build a keyboard, a cheap(er) option is to buy the TeamWolf board that allows you to swap out switches. http://www.amazon.com/Team-Wolf-Swappable-Mechanical-Keyboard-Blue/dp/B01AFBJQA8

I haven't done it but I want a zealio keyboard myself, and I dont want to have to build it from scratch, and I've heard this is a good option.

It's a TKL layout too!

[klennkellon]

Try typing lightly on your MX Clears.

MX Clears deliberately get much stiffer after actuation, this is to try and keep you from bottoming out. Try to tap the keys and release as soon as you feel the bump.

[Malenky]

Try typing lightly on your MX Clears.

MX Clears deliberately get much stiffer after actuation, this is to try and keep you from bottoming out. Try to tap the keys and release as soon as you feel the bump.

This is the exact advice I'd have too. If you bottom out on clears your hands are going to fatigue a lot, but the switch is a fairly light touch if you can learn only press as heavy as necessary to actuate.

[quasistellar]

The Novatouch is actually really good if you silence it, and it's a LOT easier than doing an ergo mod on Clears (I've done both of these things). If you decide to go this route, try to get Hypersphere's rings instead of doing the landing pad mod. It's easier and more consistent.

I have a Novatouch silenced with Modern Selectric SA caps right now and it's great.

[reduc3r]

If you dont want to build a keyboard, a cheap(er) option is to buy the TeamWolf board that allows you to swap out switches. http://www.amazon.com/Team-Wolf-Swappable-Mechanical-Keyboard-Blue/dp/B01AFBJQA8

That looks excellent! Metal case -- nice. I ordered one and I'm going to order some Zealios. Thanks for the information!

[reduc3r]

The Novatouch is actually really good if you silence it, and it's a LOT easier than doing an ergo mod on Clears (I've done both of these things). If you decide to go this route, try to get Hypersphere's rings instead of doing the landing pad mod. It's easier and more consistent.

I have a Novatouch silenced with Modern Selectric SA caps right now and it's great.

Yeah I'm definitely going to give the NovaTouch a try.

I didn't know about the Hypersphere rings for Topre switches.

I'm glad I asked this question. I'm finding out about stuff I didn't even know existed.

[Squall]

Reduc3r I have the same problem as you as I realy like the tactile feel of clears, but since I bottom them out, I find them too stiff. Bought the CM switch tester with the topre switch, I like it but find it a bit strange, cant really explain, maybe its because I've been used to Cherry switches. Please give some feedback on the zealios switches and the Novatouch. By the way is there any other keyboards out there like that wolf one? Seems nice but I wanted one with ISO layout.