Best switches for typing all day (as compared to MS 4000)

[jpc]

FF: I'm not a fan of extra-heavy space bars either.

If I had such a board, I'd warm up my soldering iron to swap the switch beneath the space bar with the one beneath the Pause key.

[itlnstln]

@itlnstln - How can you tell if the switches in the space bar are browns?  I pulled off the cap, and they appeared to be black.  

Getting used to the space bar a bit more as the day has progressed, so maybe I will feel differently about it tomorrow.  Overall, the build quality is very high IMHO and I am quite happy with it.

FF

There's only one switch, it should be right in the middle.  The other two "switches" are the supports for the stabilizer and they have black stems (they should in no way, however, be associated with black switches).  The spacebar's switch might be black depending on what switches your 'board has, but I would guess that if you have browns or blues in your 'board, the actual switch for the spacebar is the same.  Both of mine have browns with a brown switch for the spacebar.

[frodeflintstone]

How difficult would it be to swap switches?  Is there a tutorial?

[N8N]

There's only one switch, it should be right in the middle.  The other two "switches" are the supports for the stabilizer and they have black stems (they should in no way, however, be associated with black switches).  The spacebar's switch might be black depending on what switches your 'board has, but I would guess that if you have browns or blues in your 'board, the actual switch for the spacebar is the same.  Both of mine have browns with a brown switch for the spacebar.

 
If they're following the Cherry Corp. pattern, a browns board would have a grey space bar switch (which I think sucks; the grey is a good match for clears, but is too heavy with browns - IMHO a browns board should have a clear space bar) or a green switch with blues.

[itlnstln]

If they're following the Cherry Corp. pattern, a browns board would have a grey space bar switch (which I think sucks; the grey is a good match for clears, but is too heavy with browns - IMHO a browns board should have a clear space bar) or a green switch with blues.

I think only Cherry follows their pattern.  Although, both my G80-3000 and G80-1863 had browns for the spacebar, too.
 

You SURE about that Black MX spacebar thing?

Show Image

This is what mine look like.  The two black stems on the spacebar and other stabilized keys are the stabilizer supports, not switches.

[arplod]

Personally it's a scissor for me in terms of typing all day, although some of the other guys I work with like the Topres enough... but generally speaking, there's been enough apathy and also 'it's uncomfortable' complaints about the Filcos and Topres to start me thinking that I might have thrown several thou down the plughole.

Even in terms of the stuff I bought for personal use at home, I'm also going though a bunch of mice recently so I was thinking my wrist pain was a result of having to acclimatise to several mice, but it didn't explain the other hand - so I decided as a control to switch back to alternating between the Logitech Illuminated and Sidewinder X6. Wrist pain went away in just over a day from using the Topre as my primary keyboard.

So while the nerds here get over-involved with keyswitches, as shrap correctly alludes to it's how well the entire keyboard works for you. Ergonomically none of the generally available mechanicals are anything special. If a regular keyboard is going to cause you issues, it's just as likely to cause issues while using a Filco, Deck, Topre, etc.

[frodeflintstone]

Mine definitely does not look like that.  The one under the space bar is either black or grey.  It is not brown. And it still feels strange. Are there any other (currently available) 10KL boards, in black that would have a brown space bar switch?  The Filcos were not available.  

EDIT: After looking at the Mod guide, I don't think I am quite prepared to dig into a brand new board.

FF

[itlnstln]

Mine definitely does not look like that.  The one under the space bar is either black or grey.  It is not brown. And it still feels strange. Are there any other (currently available) 10KL boards, in black that would have a brown space bar switch?  The Filcos were not available.  

EDIT: After looking at the Mod guide, I don't think I am quite prepared to dig into a brand new board.

FF

The Leopolds from Elitekeyboards would fit the bill (no pun intended).

[frodeflintstone]

I will check those out.  The Ducky was not well... ducky.

[frodeflintstone]

(that was for ripster

[itlnstln]

Do you have a link to the one you bought?  That's the first I've heard of a switch layout like that.

EDIT:  If you bought this one, then it's supposed to have black switches.  What you feeling other than the switch are the stabilizers.  The Leopold has the same stabilizers, so I would hold out for the Filcos if you're not happy with them.  Otherwise, you can look for a Ducky with Cherry browns.

[frodeflintstone]

I bought the one with the brown switches.  I removed 4 other random keys and they are all in fact brown. It is just the space bar that is different.  I even pulled off the backspace key  (because it felt a little more stiff as well.  It has a brown switch too, but has the two small grayish buffer things on either side.  This is the one I bought:

http://tigerimports.net/sunshop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=9666

[itlnstln]

Very strange.  It might be why they're on sale.

[frodeflintstone]

I just called them.  They guy told me that all the duckys have a different switch for the space bar, including all the models they sell: 9x and both 1x series.  So go figure.  At least they have a 30 return policy.

[itlnstln]

Return it and get something different.  They seem shady.  I have 2 Duckys and neither have this problem.  If you want another Ducky, I would order from PCHome (see the WW Buying Links in the Wiki).  Otherwise, I would go with a Leopold from Elitekeyboards.

[crazing]

If you want another Ducky, I would order from PCHome (see the WW Buying Links in the Wiki).

The first time I checked out that part of the wiki, my eyes were too lazy to notice the buying guide. But it'd be super useful and important, cause a Google translate isn't enough to work with the site, so definitely check it out.

I'd try to raise one more fuss before returning it though, and see if you can't get a replacement with a guaranteed brown space.  One of the benefits of a small business is supposed to be customer service.

....Also, assuming you got it from tankguys, I'm tentatively planning on getting a Shine through them so I'd like it if you ended up with some good news story about their service out of this.

[frodeflintstone]

I am happy to report that my new Leopold keyboard just arrived from Elite Keyboards and I am very happy with it.  The packaging was not as nice (plain brown box, no key puller), but the keyboard itself feels much better.  The space bar feels just like all the rest of the keys and overall I think it feels more "stable".  I didn't really notice when I was typing on the ducky, but there was a bit of give.  I don't know if I am describing it correctly, but with this new keyboard, it feels like just the keys are moving, whereas with the ducky, it felt like there was a bit of give on the keyboard as a whole with each keypress.

Anyway, I am very excited and satisfied with my purchase.  

I did notice that Elite keyboards is a bit militant about their returns policy (there is none unless it is broken).  I guess that is to be expected for something that many would like to just try and return.  I am just glad that this one is working out.

Thank you everyone for all your helpful posts!

FF

[frodeflintstone]

I am still just thrilled with the way this keyboard feels.  There really is a big difference between this one and the ducky that I just returned.  This one just feels so much more stable and solid.  Its like the keys are the only think that is moving and the board itself rock solid.  For me the effect is that the mechanical keys feel so much more, well, mechanical.  On the other board there was a difference between my MS4000 for sure, but they still felt a but mushy.  These are very smooth and it is really a pleasure typing on them.

...for what it's worth.

FF

[Lanx]

ms ergo 4k keys feel damn tough after using cherry browns for a long time. You'll soon see that WOW there's a lot of force needed to acuate.

[F u r u y á]

ms ergo 4k keys feel damn tough after using cherry browns for a long time. You'll soon see that WOW there's a lot of force needed to acuate.

Yesterday I tested one single ergo clear. omg that's not a bump, that's a real snap of infinite force! (I'm coming from browns too)




I'm afraid of that amount of tactility. So first I tried the lower profile Cherry PBT in my Filco.




Later I will finish cleaning the case and the PCB and finally switch all swicthes if you know what I mean.

[czarek]

I'd say best for typing all day is either Model F if you can stand the layout or bolt modded Model M with Unicomp springs (just as light, but not as smooth as Model F)