How come nobody ever told me browns are amazing? O_O

[oneproduct]

I remember a lot of people saying that getting a mechanical keyboard won't make you type faster, but for the first time, I'm almost inclined to disagree. Just got a Poker X KBC with browns and they feel absolutely amazing for typing and makes me wish that I had tried browns before blues and reds. Everyone always makes browns sound so unexciting, and maybe that's true, but they certainly do seem to perform well. The little less weight than the blues is very noticeable and the tactile feel that the reds lack seems to be very helpful.

My first mechanical keyboard was a Leopold TKL with cherry blues. Had this for about 5 months so far and my record speed with it is 102 WPM with 96% accuracy.
My second mechanical keyboard was a Kinesis Contoured Advantage with cherry reds. Had this for about a month so far, my record speed with it is 98 WPM with 96% accuracy.
My third mechanical keyboard was a Poker X KBC with cherry browns. Used this for just a few hours and I already beat my record with 105 WPM with 96% accuracy.

It's not just one random trial where I seemed to perform better either, I've been moving between the three keyboards doing a few tests and I consistently do better with the browns.

Just wanted to share this brown appreciation in case someone like me is considering what switches to get for typing and happens to stumble upon this. I'm studying computer science, and I know that a lot of people say that since you're going to be sitting at a computer all the time that mechanical keyboards are excellent, but I also use to do transcription work for the deaf and so I'm quite use to actually doing a lot of consistent heavy typing rather than the off and on typing you do when programming and would highly recommend browns for this type of work.

I have to say that I do really love the sound of blues though and because my Kinesis is suppose to be for ergonomics, I thought that getting red switches for smoothness would be suitable. If you're just going for pure typing though, my recommendation would have to be browns now.

[slueth]

Yea, maybe if browns were a different color. Maybe a color like pink would convey more excitement for them.  They don't click and they don't feel like typing on boobs but they are a great switch.

[sherryton]

Some people type faster because the feel is different.  They feel more confident with it, so they actually move faster.  It won't help you type faster.  After 7 hours of use when your fingers might be sore, maybe you will type faster with the mechanical one because your fingers won't be as sore. :]

[oneproduct]

I wonder if maybe the fact that the Poker is PCB mounted rather than plate mounted would change the feel of typing much? I've heard some people vaguely mention such things but not really detailing what exactly changes. Also, just wanted to add that since the reds are on a Kinesis which is not in a standard layout compared to my other two keyboards that maybe that plays a part, but geeze, typing on these browns feels great. Now I'm really curious to feel Topres which people do actually laud about...

[sherryton]

Haha it could be that.  I still want to try the Kinesis, even though it is plate mounted.  I really like natural and ergonomic keyboards.  After I am able to obtain a 87U 45g uniform, then my goal is the Kinesis Advantage LF.  Idk if I should get reds or browns though still

[slueth]

People always think that the topre is the next step because of cost.  Then there are the people who buy the topre first and either meh or whoa best keyboard eva!

[Clickey]

Mechanical keyboards CAN make you type faster, and it is not just placebo. More tactility, smoother key travel, higher kro, and click actuation are all things that can significantly improve typing speed. Topre are not mechanical, they are well made rubber domes, having a high pricetage does not = mechanical. If you like browns, you may like ergo clears even more, might want to try it.

[N8N]

I wonder if maybe the fact that the Poker is PCB mounted rather than plate mounted would change the feel of typing much? I've heard some people vaguely mention such things but not really detailing what exactly changes. Also, just wanted to add that since the reds are on a Kinesis which is not in a standard layout compared to my other two keyboards that maybe that plays a part, but geeze, typing on these browns feels great. Now I'm really curious to feel Topres which people do actually laud about...

 
I don't have a Poker so I can't directly address the issue, but I do have (and have had) a couple Cherry boards which are also PCB mounted.  I don't think the plate vs. PCB is an issue w/ lighter switches like browns or reds - the PCB mounted browns boards that I've had I haven't noticed a significant amount of flex which is my main issue w/ PCB mount boards.  I DO notice it on boards w/ heavier springs like clears or blacks.  The flex of the PCB on my G80 w/ clears was the main reason I decided to build myself a board w/ plate mounted clears.  With the clears, I definitely notice a difference in feel, with the plate mount board feeling much more solid.

[Clickey]

I prefer PCB mounted because I bottom out and the flex abosrbs some of the sudden stop so my fingers dont get hit. All the PCB boards I have used were much cheaper feeling because they are much lighter and have the flex if you hammer your keys like I do, so I guess it is another preference thing.

[False_Dmitry_II]

Answering the title's question directly: Because out of all the switches I've tried those are one of the lowest. So in less words, because they aren't. I would probably like linears less, but still.

@N8N
Did you think the plate mounted vs pcb mounted was a thing with ergo clears? I know you tested that for awhile before you decided that you liked clears better overall.

[gmorf33]

I'm inclined to agree with OP.  My browns are amazing, and are making me hate my black ALPS more and more every day.  My typing speed definitely feels like its been ramping up the more and more i learn to just glide over the keys and not smash them all the way down.  Its definitely helping.  And the beautiful song that's produced from the increased speeds on the filco just makes it all the better.

SOme of the hate here had me questioning my decision on browns, but I'm more than happy I went with my gut now that i have them in my grubby little hands

[N8N]

@N8N
Did you think the plate mounted vs pcb mounted was a thing with ergo clears? I know you tested that for awhile before you decided that you liked clears better overall.

not really, no.  I didn't try plate mounted ergos obviously because that would require a significant time investment just to try, but I didn't really notice the flex that much with the ergos, only with the clears.  And I had a board w/ blacks briefly, but I really didn't use it much other than for testing because I decided almost immediately that I wasn't a linear kind of guy.  The thing for me was just that I apparently have a heavy touch from years of using crappy RD boards that require you to hammer on them, and also Model Ms, and I just never got through the adjustment period to really be comfortable with browns or ergos.  I did notice that the ergos were noticeably more tactile than browns, however, but for pure typing pleasure I still prefer blues, clears, or a good ol' Model M.

[jpc]

Sorry. I was supposed to tell you that. My bad.

If you type with a light touch, browns are the only switch you need.

And if you have RSI, learn to type with a light touch

[daerid]

I'm in the same boat. Browns are definitely my fav switch. Type fastest on browns, for sure. Even on my Ergo Clear Poker I don't type as fast.

[Tony]

I exclusively use brown for typing. I thought that you already knew browns are good for typing, so I do not bother to tell you. My mistake.

[Lanx]

i liked ergo clears better than browns so far... ergo clears suck for double tapping tho, def not a gaming switch.

[hemflit]

Maybe it's a frame-of-reference thing - amazing compared to what?

Like, I can't in good conscience tell you that till I've tried clears.

[Chobopants]

I'm loving all the brown switch love in here, so underrated by many of the snobs on this forum. Best jack of all trades switch!

[noodles256]

its a personal preference. I would rather go on a date with The Solutor than use brown switches.

[Clickey]

its a personal preference. I would rather go on a date with The Solutor than use brown switches.

And he loves using brown switches. Watch out Solutor :kiss:!

[Saturn]

Before I ever got a mechanical keyboard, I read the descriptions of the various switches.  Wanted something light, smooth, comfortable, easy to actuate, and preferably something non-clicky.  I'd used BS in the past and it was fun to type on but I preferred something that would become almost invisible after a while rather than constantly making its presence known.  So it was mostly between browns and topre, and I figured it didn't make sense to start out with the most expensive keyboard on the market.

So it was browns, and I seriously love them.  Don't even really see the need to try out anything else, though I probably will if I get to a point where I feel like throwing money around.  But switch wise, I feel like I've already found the switch that's right for me, in one shot.  Suppose I got lucky, there.

I gained speed, as well, something like 90 wpm on my old rubber dome up to 130 wpm on browns.  The RD had some serious "sticky key" issues, though.

[fusillijerry]

Now I'm really curious to feel Topres which people do actually laud about...

I've typed on browns, blues, and Topre keys. (To be fair, the Topre is the only one I've actually owned.) Whether you think a Topre would be an improvement on the browns is mainly dependent on why you prefer the browns in the first place. Topre keys are smoother than the browns, just like the browns are smoother than the blues. If you see this as a plus for the browns over the blues, then you may really appreciate Topre keys. On the other hand, you lose some tactility, which not everybody likes.

[duncan]

you lose some tactility

Not sure that is true for everyone'a fingers.
The collapse of the Torpe dome and the tactile bump on the Browns are different and it seems the feedback of one is more effective than the other for some people and the reverse for others.
Interesting. One of those things where people seem to genuinely disagree about the same evidence.

[n12]

I love typing on blues, but I always find myself going back to browns for just about everything. Although "everything" consists of pretty much just typing these days!

[Saturn]

Topre keys are smoother than the browns, just like the browns are smoother than the blues. If you see this as a plus for the browns over the blues, then you may really appreciate Topre keys. On the other hand, you lose some tactility, which not everybody likes.

One of the things I'd be worried about regarding topre is, since it contains a rubber dome, would it have the problem of becoming mushy over time the way that all cheap RD boards inevitably do?

[pitashen]

Brown is just so common (or old school) among geekhackers that all they would talk about are those less common ones, i.e. cherry red & topre

[mmmty]

Brown is da best!!

:first:

[fusillijerry]

One of the things I'd be worried about regarding topre is, since it contains a rubber dome, would it have the problem of becoming mushy over time the way that all cheap RD boards inevitably do?

I seem to remember that Cherry MX switches are rated to 50,000 actuations. Topre switches are rated to 30,000. Moral is that a pure mechanical construction is going to be hard to beat for durability, but the Topre switches are still far better than cheap rubber domes (or even less-cheap rubber domes).

[N8N]

Brown is just so common (or old school) among geekhackers that all they would talk about are those less common ones, i.e. cherry red & topre

Meh, I have tried browns, and on paper it was what I was looking for - a tactile but reasonably quiet switch.  The problem is, both regular clears and ergo clears kick browns' ass.

That said, my initial exposure to browns was on used POS boards - after going through that phase and settling on what I really liked, I bought a Noppoo Choc Pro barely used and those browns actually feel pretty good.  However, that board is not in regular rotation because I've been switching back and forth between blues and a Model M.

Maybe I should drag the Noppoo out again and give it an honest try.  I just feel like the springs are too light and the tactility not pronounced enough for typing.  The click of the blues does annoy me a little bit though, because I know that unlike buckling springs, it's artificially generated, and I really don't need the audible feedback.

Of course, that whole line of reasoning makes me want to buy some brand new clears and remod my Filco, this time with new stems and springs rather than ones harvested from a used POS board.  Because, if brand new browns feel almost as good as ergos made with used stems, then what would brand new clear stems feel like?  Of course, down this path lies madness. (and eventual bankruptcy.)

Edit: this whole train of thought made me drag out the Noppoo.  I really like the feel of the keycaps on this thing.  It's a shame they didn't do a better job with the font on the keycaps; that and the gamer-goofy logo are my two main complaints about this board.  Other than that, it's really a nice piece.  I love the Cherry-profile keycaps compared to the higher profile that everyone else uses.  But like everyone else, no clears (sob)

Edit2: I see what others have complained about re: sliders feeling frictiony on browns.  I have a well used POS board that I put back together to sell (someone please buy it!) and since I had the sliders out to try ergo clears, I lubed them - the switches on that one feel much smoother than the nearly-new ones on the Noppoo.  I hope the Noppoo ones break in...  otherwise I'll have to try to lube this board, and that sounds like a pain in the butt.

[False_Dmitry_II]

What do you mean by artificially generated sound?

[Glockateer]

Everyone secretly wanted to hoard the browns to themselves!

[alaricljs]

What do you mean by artificially generated sound?

Buckling Springs make the sound as part of their activation mechanism.  Cherry blue switches have a noise making mechanism that is separate from the switch activation.

[False_Dmitry_II]

I guess I'd characterize space invaders as something in between that then. Sort of.

[daerid]

I dunno whether I just got a great board or what, but my MJ2 87 w/ browns has almost as much tactility as clears. My other brown board has nowhere near the tactile bump that my MJ2 does.

[Deverica Wolf]

My Brown MJ2TKL is really soft. I'm gonna try Clears and it's mods. soon but I get the feeling they're gonna be a bit firmer.

[N8N]

Buckling Springs make the sound as part of their activation mechanism.  Cherry blue switches have a noise making mechanism that is separate from the switch activation.

Exactly, or in other words, you could get rid of the noise, and theoretically the switch would feel exactly the same or nearly so.

[False_Dmitry_II]

The clicking part adds extra tactility though. I suppose that if you glued the parts together it would feel at least slightly differently. Put that way there's no way to do that to space invaders short of making them linear.

[TacticalCoder]

I seem to remember that Cherry MX switches are rated to 50,000 actuations. Topre switches are rated to 30,000. Moral is that a pure mechanical construction is going to be hard to beat for durability, but the Topre switches are still far better than cheap rubber domes (or even less-cheap rubber domes).

50 000 and 30 000?  Make that 50 millions and 30 millions ; )

I mean, I don't know the exact number for MX switched and Topres but 50 000 is nothing, you're probably missing a few orders of magnitude there ; )

[Clickey]

My Brown MJ2TKL is really soft. I'm gonna try Clears and it's mods. soon but I get the feeling they're gonna be a bit firmer.

You should try ergo clears then, they are the same weight as browns but have even more feel than clears.

[fusillijerry]

50 000 and 30 000?  Make that 50 millions and 30 millions ; )

I mean, I don't know the exact number for MX switched and Topres but 50 000 is nothing, you're probably missing a few orders of magnitude there ; )

 
(Checks...) yep, its 30 million and 50 million.

[enoy21]

I just wanted to bump this to say that I totally agree.  I was torn between getting browns or reds next and now I'm so happy that I got browns. I literally started just typing paragraphs out of my book tonight to have something to type and further practice tough typing.

It's hard for me to imagine reds being better than these.  The weight feels perfect,  tactility is very light and barely noticeable but adds a nice "weighted" feel to the key press.

[HWI]

Browns are my second favorite switch, reds are my #1. I haven't tried clears, but I don't like a heavy switch, so I imagine I wouldn't care much for clears.

[file_id]

Because of this thread i just ordered the White Filco TKL in Cherry Browns to match my iMac. Interesting point with the Cherry blues because I was curious as to why I was making mistakes when I was typing. Because of the blues I hear the sound and lift off too early before the actual key register point.