Just getting back into MK after a few years, need some switch / keyboard advice!

[mrboli]

Hey guys it's been a while.

I got a HHKB pro 2 a while back, left it stock, fell in love and called it a day.

Here I am back now and hearing about all these new developments: Panda Variants, Zelios, Tealios, Healios, Gateron Yellows.
Wow. The new boards. Just wow.
I'm really curious to find out more about these new boards / switches.

I think the main goal here is to try to find some switches that I'd be happy with to build some boards out.
I've come to the conclusion basically that I would need to get a hot-swap PCB to start.
I'm currently eyeing the Tofu, let me know if you guys have any other suggestions. I don't like the sound of typing on the Massdrop CTRL / ALT, and seems to be the case in general for all low-profile (not sure if I'm hearing something wrong here via Youtube).

My favorite videos of sound so far are like FJELL w/ Blacks (taeha), Heavy case keyboards with zelios v2 / holy panda variants.
Zilents / silent switches sound horrible to me.
Let me know if there's anything to be considered here like maybe that keyboard sound vastly different IRL or that the feel of zilents offset the sound.

Definitely looking for some switch advice too. I've owned a blue board (gen 1 razer blackwidow) and hated it (felt like the keys were so wobbly and the tactility / clickiness) always threw me off and was holding me back from typing really fast. I type around 100-180 WPM (programmer).
I had a filco mx black. I hated the ping sound when the keys snapped up / bottoming out hard. I didn't like how my fingers got tired after extended typing.

HHKB not bad, but I don't really feel the tactility that people are mentioning, it's just kinda nice to type on compared to the other two. If anything, the tactility gets in the way a bit for me, and the switch is a bit light. Does this mean I wouldn't even look into Zelios V2's or try to get some Holy Panda Variant despite it being so coveted in the community?
The HHKB also sounds really bad when I start typing really fast.

I tried the razer huntsman keyboard in person the other day and it was actually super magical. The stability of the switch was incredible and it felt amazing. The sound was really nice when I started typing super fast too. The switches felt slightly light tho (45g makes sense since I feel the same way with my HHKB).

I noticed that people who've been around a bit tend for heavier switches like 67g+ for Zelios, or "vintage" blacks. Is there more to this than just the force? Cherry MX Blacks for sure kill my fingers and I have pretty heavy fingers / tendencies.
Do those switches somehow have a different profile to the press so that it alleviates some of the weight by way of the tactility or gradient of pressure as you press down?

Summary:
1. Want to try out some of the newer technologies in the space, not sure where to start.
2. Not sure what switch to get:
Hate Blues: Too wobbly, clickiness inhibts my typing.
Blacks tire out my fingers.
Reds don't even feel like a real mechanical keyboard (way too light that it feels cheap)
Browns are hella scratchy, mushy and nasty
Topre HHKB has werid sound when releasing the keys up, and aren't as crazy for me as people make it out to be in terms of feel / sound / anything in fact.
Loved the feel /sound of the razer huntsman, but felt like I had to feather the keyboard keys (a bit light)
3. Does the above mean I shouldn't even try Zealios V2 / Holy Pandas / T1's (not liking topre / blues / browns that much)?
4. For linears, should I be just looking into Tealios / Healios / Gateron Yellows or others as well?
5. I seem to love the appeal of super heavy cases, is the TOFU a good starting option seeing as it has kailh hot-swap PCB's available (to try all these switches)?

Thanks!

[Telstar]

I'm no expert and have different tastes than yours (need a lot of tactility and like the blues), but maybe I can provide some ideas:

-Get a bunch of switches that you like or MAY like based on what you already know among linear and low tactile ones.
-Sound depends also on keycaps and board. Test everything with the same.
-For testing the GMMK is another good cheap option. I have it and seem good enough.
-Because you hate wobble, keep box switches as the first priorities.
-What about modding MX blacks with lighter springs?

PS: it is strange that you liked razer opto-mechanical so much, from the videos I have seen they SOUND exactly like blues, with an annoying high pitched click.

[mrboli]

Because you hate wobble, keep box switches as the first priorities.

Hmmm based on my quick research some people were saying that it only prevented considerable wobble upon bottoming out, I guess I should try them out though.

What about modding MX blacks with lighter springs?

Yeah this sounds like a good idea. I heard Gateron Yellow might be just the thing due to the lighter action and better tolerances from Gateron?

PS: it is strange that you liked razer opto-mechanical so much, from the videos I have seen they SOUND exactly like blues, with an annoying high pitched click.

Yeah! I was super surprised. It actually felt really, really good. I had to go back to another store to try another blue switch keyboard again to compare, but for me, it's a big difference maybe due to the stabliazers and the different action. Sound-wise it's the same for sure (which I like) but the tactility is completely different for me and I was able to fly on the keyboard (really unleash my typing speed and enjoyment of the keys while typing). The weight of the switches were just slighlty light.

[Sintpinty]

I suggest going ahead and trying out the new switches.
Many people love zealios and usually the weight on the switches are 67-63 grams.
People especially love to apply lubricant to the switches and put o rings on it. I suggest doing so if you don't like the loud clack the keyboard makes.

If you like the feel of cherry mx blue without the click slider try jailhouse blues.
Keep in mind you can combine a stem and a spring from another switch to make a whole new one! I suggest modding Holy Pandas and turn them into ergo clears.
Possibly add a lighter spring to the thing?

Lightest switch on the market is gateron clears.

[mrboli]

I suggest doing so if you don't like the loud clack the keyboard makes.

You mean on the upstroke when you release the key, right?

Do you guys know how much the heaviness of a keyboard case affects the feel of typing, or after a certain amount it doesn't matter anymore?

[Telstar]

What about modding MX blacks with lighter springs?

Yeah this sounds like a good idea. I heard Gateron Yellow might be just the thing due to the lighter action and better tolerances from Gateron?

Now that I think of (I never digged much into linears because i hate them) but did you try mx reds? Are they too light for you? There are a ton of "gaming" keyboards with those that you can try. Otherwise probably Gateron and Kai Hua make linears with weight inbetween those, so you don't need to swap springs.
And also there are a plenty of light tactile switches to try, I mean with low tactility as well as overall weight. Just saw a video with Hako Violets and they could fit your bill.

Because you liked the optomechanicals maybe you prefer some sort of feedback, that is why I insist for you to try the newest tactile switches, among those with less tactility and average weight.

[Telstar]

I suggest going ahead and trying out the new switches.

This. Always try before you buy.

[romevi]

HHKB is still best.

[mrboli]

This. Always try before you buy.

Personally not sure how I can try Zealios / Tealios without buying, would love that though.

HHKB is still best.

Doesn't seem to be the case for me. I don't like how it feels when the keys snap up and create this weird rattly noise -- I need to try the x-silence rings and lubing the keyboard.
The HHKB also seems to be a bit light for me (45g -- I should really try 55g or BKE domes tho).
The tactility of the HHKB seems lost on me and I really don't get why people rave about it.
I did like the Razer Optomechanical tactility and overall feel but hate MX blues.
MX Browns also disgust me (mostly due to the scratchiness).

Now that I think of (I never digged much into linears because i hate them) but did you try mx reds? Are they too light for you?
And also there are a plenty of light tactile switches to try, I mean with low tactility as well as overall weight. Just saw a video with Hako Violets and they could fit your bill.

Because you liked the optomechanicals maybe you prefer some sort of feedback, that is why I insist for you to try the newest tactile switches, among those with less tactility and average weight.

Yeah MX red feels so fake / cheap to me (too light) and I think cherry housings in general have too much play/wobble for me.
Yeah I think I'm going to need to play around quite a bit. Haven't heard of Hako Violets, will look into them.

It's looking like I have to try Tealios (maybe mod the springs to be lighter), Zealios maybe hako violets and some other switches.
Would love to see what all the hype is around the holy panda stuff too.

[Sintpinty]

I suggest doing so if you don't like the loud clack the keyboard makes.

You mean on the upstroke when you release the key, right?

Do you guys know how much the heaviness of a keyboard case affects the feel of typing, or after a certain amount it doesn't matter anymore?

No, the clack noise

[Sintpinty]

What about modding MX blacks with lighter springs?

Yeah this sounds like a good idea. I heard Gateron Yellow might be just the thing due to the lighter action and better tolerances from Gateron?

Now that I think of (I never digged much into linears because i hate them) but did you try mx reds? Are they too light for you? There are a ton of "gaming" keyboards with those that you can try. Otherwise probably Gateron and Kai Hua make linears with weight inbetween those, so you don't need to swap springs.
And also there are a plenty of light tactile switches to try, I mean with low tactility as well as overall weight. Just saw a video with Hako Violets and they could fit your bill.

Because you liked the optomechanicals maybe you prefer some sort of feedback, that is why I insist for you to try the newest tactile switches, among those with less tactility and average weight.

I own mx reds. I love typing on them however i find their lightness gives me less accuracy when typing.

[Telstar]

Personally not sure how I can try Zealios / Tealios without buying, would love that though.

Besides keyboard meetings, the best way to try is buying a few switches and put em on a barebone keyboard.
With try i meant buying some rather than buying a full keyoboard with a certain switch.

Yeah MX red feels so fake / cheap to me (too light) and I think cherry housings in general have too much play/wobble for me.
Yeah I think I'm going to need to play around quite a bit. Haven't heard of Hako Violets, will look into them.

It's looking like I have to try Tealios (maybe mod the springs to be lighter), Zealios maybe hako violets and some other switches.
Would love to see what all the hype is around the holy panda stuff too.

Ok then, something with weight just a bit below the blacks should do for you.
There are places like novelkeys and kbdfans that sell switches by 10 pieces or less when getting also a test board.

[mrboli]

I just ordered a bunch of switch testers and a hot-swap pcb.

Gonna build out a KBD67

Going to try some Zealios 67, Tealios, Gateron Yellows!

Thanks guys.

Hako violets seem interesting, but perhaps they are a bit too light for me, and hako's breaking key caps still worry me lolol

[Sintpinty]

I suggest doing so if you don't like the loud clack the keyboard makes.

You mean on the upstroke when you release the key, right?

Do you guys know how much the heaviness of a keyboard case affects the feel of typing, or after a certain amount it doesn't matter anymore?

To be honest. i've typed on rubber domes my whole life. In fact, i'm typing on one right now. I've never really tried heavy keyboards before.