What switch would you recommend?

[dragonxx21]

Hey guys, I'm currently trying to design a custom keyboard, and I'm interested in your thoughts about what switch I should use. I know that I should be choosing a switch based on my own preferences, but I'm still interested in what you would recommend. For now, I'll have to limit it to Cherry MX switches, but I am open to different variations of switches, eg. Ergo Clears, Jailhouse Blues, etc. Also, I want to try something new, so blues are off the list. Show me what you've got GH.

Poll: http://strawpoll.me/509888
If other, please suggest it in the thread.

[KangarooZombies]

Panda clears emulate topre most successfully i hear.

[dragonxx21]

Panda clears emulate topre most successfully i hear.

I'm pretty meh about topre. Never tried it, I'm sure I'd like it, but all I can say is "meh".

[mauri]

Recommend? I think you mean raffle?

[KangarooZombies]

Panda clears emulate topre most successfully i hear.

I'm pretty meh about topre. Never tried it, I'm sure I'd like it, but all I can say is "meh".

You are only meh because you havent tried it.

Once one ness with cup rubber grasps you, it does not let go.

[dragonxx21]

Panda clears emulate topre most successfully i hear.

I'm pretty meh about topre. Never tried it, I'm sure I'd like it, but all I can say is "meh".

You are only meh because you havent tried it.

Once one ness with cup rubber grasps you, it does not let go.

Let's not turn my thread into a topre circle jerk. I have no desire whatsoever to get a topre board, or to simulate a topre board any time in the near future. I hate to sound like a total d**k but I'm not interested in all the 'thopre' hype.. With that in mind, I will consider Panda Clears, although I feel as if they may be a little heavier than I'm used to.

Recommend? I think you mean raffle?

What do you mean?

[mauri]

Panda clears emulate topre most successfully i hear.

I'm pretty meh about topre. Never tried it, I'm sure I'd like it, but all I can say is "meh".

You are only meh because you havent tried it.

Once one ness with cup rubber grasps you, it does not let go.

Let's not turn my thread into a topre circle jerk. I have no desire whatsoever to get a topre board, or to simulate a topre board any time in the near future. I hate to sound like a total d**k but I'm not interested in all the 'thopre' hype.. With that in mind, I will consider Panda Clears, although I feel as if they may be a little heavier than I'm used to.

Recommend? I think you mean raffle?

What do you mean?

How can someone recommend something when nobody knows what kind of switch do you like, I could just as well dumb every switch known to man here and say pick one :d

[dragonxx21]

How can someone recommend something when nobody knows what kind of switch do you like, I could just as well dumb every switch known to man here and say pick one :d

I'm simply interested in opinions. I want to know what works for people and why. I don't have access to every single type of switch, and I'm not able to test out every type of switch. If you really must know what I like then I'd like to tell you that I don't know what I like. I've used two switches (technically three), reds, blues, and blacks. I use the blues daily and I like the audible click, bump and low actuation force. The reds are also nice but I do not like linear switches as much as tactile ones. The blacks felt a tad bit too heavy but I feel like I could adjust.

[mauri]

How can someone recommend something when nobody knows what kind of switch do you like, I could just as well dumb every switch known to man here and say pick one :d

I'm simply interested in opinions. I want to know what works for people and why. I don't have access to every single type of switch, and I'm not able to test out every type of switch. If you really must know what I like then I'd like to tell you that I don't know what I like. I've used two switches (technically three), reds, blues, and blacks. I use the blues daily and I like the audible click, bump and low actuation force. The reds are also nice but I do not like linear switches as much as tactile ones. The blacks felt a tad bit too heavy but I feel like I could adjust.

Like tactile, dislike linear now we're talking.

MX white perhaps? Kinda like blue, tad bit heavier than blues but lighter than blacks.

[KangarooZombies]

I hear cherry MY is a good switch...

[phoenix1234]

IMO,
You can try :

+ Red Stem + Clear Spring => lighter than Clear but the bottom out is very strong
+ Blue stem + Black Spring  => Very close to Cherry MX Green (98%)
+ Stock Cherry MX Red => Well, the smoothest switch from Cherry
+ Clear Stem + Red Spring => Ergo Clears more or less

You shouldn't try:

+ Red Stem + Black Spring
+ Blue stem + Clear Spring => Weird feeling

[ComradeSniper]

I thought MX Reds felt really nice, even for typing. I imagine 62g Vintage Blacks (lubed if possible) would be even nicer.

[PointyFox]

I hear cherry MY is a good switch...

I heard the opposite.  I vote for MX Clear or vintage MX Black.

[mauri]

I hear cherry MY is a good switch...

You know nothing, cherry ML is the ****

[dragonxx21]

How can someone recommend something when nobody knows what kind of switch do you like, I could just as well dumb every switch known to man here and say pick one :d

I'm simply interested in opinions. I want to know what works for people and why. I don't have access to every single type of switch, and I'm not able to test out every type of switch. If you really must know what I like then I'd like to tell you that I don't know what I like. I've used two switches (technically three), reds, blues, and blacks. I use the blues daily and I like the audible click, bump and low actuation force. The reds are also nice but I do not like linear switches as much as tactile ones. The blacks felt a tad bit too heavy but I feel like I could adjust.

Like tactile, dislike linear now we're talking.

MX white perhaps? Kinda like blue, tad bit heavier than blues but lighter than blacks.

I'm pretty sure MX whites are heavier than blacks. Whites have an actuation force of 80 cN, whereas blacks have 60 cN. Unless you are talking about vintage whites, which have an actuation force of 50 cN.

I thought MX Reds felt really nice, even for typing. I imagine 62g Vintage Blacks (lubed if possible) would be even nicer.

I have no problem typing on Reds. I've just gotten used to the tactility, and not having it somewhat hinders me when I'm typing fast.

[ComradeSniper]

Odd, I felt that I could type even faster on reds. The lack of tactility and the light feeling of the switch meant I bottomed out on nearly every press, but I could go super fast as a result.

You could also give vintage blues a try. Very slightly different, but if you enjoy blues chances are you'll like vintage blues too. To me they feel like the actuation point is just a bit lower and the tactility is just a bit reduced.

[mauri]

How can someone recommend something when nobody knows what kind of switch do you like, I could just as well dumb every switch known to man here and say pick one :d

I'm simply interested in opinions. I want to know what works for people and why. I don't have access to every single type of switch, and I'm not able to test out every type of switch. If you really must know what I like then I'd like to tell you that I don't know what I like. I've used two switches (technically three), reds, blues, and blacks. I use the blues daily and I like the audible click, bump and low actuation force. The reds are also nice but I do not like linear switches as much as tactile ones. The blacks felt a tad bit too heavy but I feel like I could adjust.

Like tactile, dislike linear now we're talking.

MX white perhaps? Kinda like blue, tad bit heavier than blues but lighter than blacks.

I'm pretty sure MX whites are heavier than blacks. Whites have an actuation force of 80 cN, whereas blacks have 60 cN. Unless you are talking about vintage whites, which have an actuation force of 50 cN.

I thought MX Reds felt really nice, even for typing. I imagine 62g Vintage Blacks (lubed if possible) would be even nicer.

I have no problem typing on Reds. I've just gotten used to the tactility, and not having it somewhat hinders me when I'm typing fast.

Shouldn't blindly worship the actuation force gods, some people find that whites require less or equal amount of force as blacks.

[dragonxx21]

OP Updated with Poll

Odd, I felt that I could type even faster on reds. The lack of tactility and the light feeling of the switch meant I bottomed out on nearly every press, but I could go super fast as a result.

You could also give vintage blues a try. Very slightly different, but if you enjoy blues chances are you'll like vintage blues too. To me they feel like the actuation point is just a bit lower and the tactility is just a bit reduced.

I'm unsure about what you mean by vintage blues. I've never seen anything about vintage blues, and can't find anything about it on the deskthority wiki.

[ComradeSniper]

OP Updated with Poll

Odd, I felt that I could type even faster on reds. The lack of tactility and the light feeling of the switch meant I bottomed out on nearly every press, but I could go super fast as a result.

You could also give vintage blues a try. Very slightly different, but if you enjoy blues chances are you'll like vintage blues too. To me they feel like the actuation point is just a bit lower and the tactility is just a bit reduced.

I'm unsure about what you mean by vintage blues. I've never seen anything about vintage blues, and can't find anything about it on the deskthority wiki.

They have a larger Cherry logo and lighter colored stem.
http://deskthority.net/photos-videos-f8/cherry-mx-old-vs-new-t139.html

In addition, if you want to try whites but don't like heavy switches you could make ergo whites (62g Korean spring will give you pretty much the same weight as Blues). They're probably my favorite switch if you can manage to get a batch where they all click the same. Just enough tactility with a subtle enough click that you won't disturb other people working around you but it still sounds satisfying to type on.

[dragonxx21]

OP Updated with Poll

Odd, I felt that I could type even faster on reds. The lack of tactility and the light feeling of the switch meant I bottomed out on nearly every press, but I could go super fast as a result.

You could also give vintage blues a try. Very slightly different, but if you enjoy blues chances are you'll like vintage blues too. To me they feel like the actuation point is just a bit lower and the tactility is just a bit reduced.

I'm unsure about what you mean by vintage blues. I've never seen anything about vintage blues, and can't find anything about it on the deskthority wiki.

They have a larger Cherry logo and lighter colored stem.
http://deskthority.net/photos-videos-f8/cherry-mx-old-vs-new-t139.html

In addition, if you want to try whites but don't like heavy switches you could make ergo whites (62g Korean spring will give you pretty much the same weight as Blues). They're probably my favorite switch if you can manage to get a batch where they all click the same. Just enough tactility with a subtle enough click that you won't disturb other people working around you but it still sounds satisfying to type on.

What are your thoughts on jailhouse blues.

[ComradeSniper]

OP Updated with Poll

Odd, I felt that I could type even faster on reds. The lack of tactility and the light feeling of the switch meant I bottomed out on nearly every press, but I could go super fast as a result.

You could also give vintage blues a try. Very slightly different, but if you enjoy blues chances are you'll like vintage blues too. To me they feel like the actuation point is just a bit lower and the tactility is just a bit reduced.

I'm unsure about what you mean by vintage blues. I've never seen anything about vintage blues, and can't find anything about it on the deskthority wiki.

They have a larger Cherry logo and lighter colored stem.
http://deskthority.net/photos-videos-f8/cherry-mx-old-vs-new-t139.html

In addition, if you want to try whites but don't like heavy switches you could make ergo whites (62g Korean spring will give you pretty much the same weight as Blues). They're probably my favorite switch if you can manage to get a batch where they all click the same. Just enough tactility with a subtle enough click that you won't disturb other people working around you but it still sounds satisfying to type on.

What are your thoughts on jailhouse blues.

They sound great and I'd really like to try some. However, I don't have anywhere near the amount of patience it takes to actually do the mod. Something relatively quiet with the sharp tactility of blues sounds like my dream switch though.

[dragonxx21]

OP Updated with Poll

Odd, I felt that I could type even faster on reds. The lack of tactility and the light feeling of the switch meant I bottomed out on nearly every press, but I could go super fast as a result.

You could also give vintage blues a try. Very slightly different, but if you enjoy blues chances are you'll like vintage blues too. To me they feel like the actuation point is just a bit lower and the tactility is just a bit reduced.

I'm unsure about what you mean by vintage blues. I've never seen anything about vintage blues, and can't find anything about it on the deskthority wiki.

They have a larger Cherry logo and lighter colored stem.
http://deskthority.net/photos-videos-f8/cherry-mx-old-vs-new-t139.html

In addition, if you want to try whites but don't like heavy switches you could make ergo whites (62g Korean spring will give you pretty much the same weight as Blues). They're probably my favorite switch if you can manage to get a batch where they all click the same. Just enough tactility with a subtle enough click that you won't disturb other people working around you but it still sounds satisfying to type on.

What are your thoughts on jailhouse blues.

They sound great and I'd really like to try some. However, I don't have anywhere near the amount of patience it takes to actually do the mod. Something relatively quiet with the sharp tactility of blues sounds like my dream switch though.

I'm personally thinking about jailhouse blues. Similar tactility to clears, with the quieter click of whites, which would be much nicer to bring outside the home. Also, you have to love the quicker actuation.

[Oobly]

I voted Ergoclears. Specifically 62g lubed and stickered Ergoclears. Brown used to be my favourite switch until I tried some of these Ergoclears on a section of my board and over time they have ovetaken the browns as my new favourite. Good tactility and just the right amount of pressure to activate. Not t mention the activation and release points are in the same place, unlike the clicky types.

[EDIT] - forgot to mention, for a custom board you can't use Topre as some may suggest, unless you use a PCB from an existing board with the same layout since the capacitive spring / sensor bit is integrated in the PCB design.

[dorkvader]

For now, I'll have to limit it to Cherry MX switches

Why this totally unnecessary requirement?

Anyway, my recommendation is lubed blues with 65g (or 62g) springs to make your own whites.

[IvanIvanovich]

In my opinion... best stock switch: red, best frankenswitch: light white, best exotic switch: linear clear.

[dragonxx21]

For now, I'll have to limit it to Cherry MX switches

Why this totally unnecessary requirement?

Anyway, my recommendation is lubed blues with 65g (or 62g) springs to make your own whites.

It's a custom keyboard. I could use another sort of switch such as alps or matias, but as there is quite a bit of difficulty in getting other types of switches such as those, as well as key caps for those switches, I'd rather limit it to MX switches which are relatively easy to acquire and key caps are abundant.

[Linkbane]

I think that there's been enough assisted-wanking from the Topre fanboys, so I'd like to suggest having, as a custom, an MX Blue with a slightly higher weight spring, as dorkvader says. Acclimated Reds are and have always been horrendous for typing compared to acclimated Blue boards for me, so having something in between the Green and Blue would seem like an interesting option to me.

[MKULTRA]

How about you try the switches yourself and figure out what you like.  So sick of these threads.

[Linkbane]

How about you try the switches yourself and figure out what you like.  So sick of these threads.

How about you not be condescending and realize that some people don't have the money to buy switch testers and things like that when they could save time and money by asking the supposedly helpful community?

[MKULTRA]

How about you try the switches yourself and figure out what you like.  So sick of these threads.

How about you not be condescending and realize that some people don't have the money to buy switch testers and things like that when they could save time and money by asking the supposedly helpful community?

Each person is going to have a different taste in switch.  There are plenty of guides describing the feeling of each switch and what they are supposedly good for, however you can't know whether or not you will like them from other people's taste.

[rowdy]

How about you try the switches yourself and figure out what you like.  So sick of these threads.

How about you not be condescending and realize that some people don't have the money to buy switch testers and things like that when they could save time and money by asking the supposedly helpful community?

Each person is going to have a different taste in switch.  There are plenty of guides describing the feeling of each switch and what they are supposedly good for, however you can't know whether or not you will like them from other people's taste.

Kinda like saying "I like Topre, therefore you must like Topre too".

[dragonxx21]

How about you try the switches yourself and figure out what you like.  So sick of these threads.

How about you not be condescending and realize that some people don't have the money to buy switch testers and things like that when they could save time and money by asking the supposedly helpful community?

Each person is going to have a different taste in switch.  There are plenty of guides describing the feeling of each switch and what they are supposedly good for, however you can't know whether or not you will like them from other people's taste.

I understand perfectly what you are saying. I made this thread with the intention of simply asking the community what switch they would personally recommend, why they would recommend it, and then use my own judgement to choose a switch. I know I could buy a switch tester and try out various stock MX switches, but then I also miss out on recommendations such as ergo clears, or panda clears, or crazy korean springs.

Anyway. I'm currently thinking jailhouse blues with some korean springs, maybe 62g or something along those lines.

[MKULTRA]

How about you try the switches yourself and figure out what you like.  So sick of these threads.

How about you not be condescending and realize that some people don't have the money to buy switch testers and things like that when they could save time and money by asking the supposedly helpful community?

Each person is going to have a different taste in switch.  There are plenty of guides describing the feeling of each switch and what they are supposedly good for, however you can't know whether or not you will like them from other people's taste.

I understand perfectly what you are saying. I made this thread with the intention of simply asking the community what switch they would personally recommend, why they would recommend it, and then use my own judgement to choose a switch. I know I could buy a switch tester and try out various stock MX switches, but then I also miss out on recommendations such as ergo clears, or panda clears, or crazy korean springs.

Anyway. I'm currently thinking jailhouse blues with some korean springs, maybe 62g or something along those lines.

But there are literally HUNDEREDS of threads just like this.  Look through the forums and search.

[Tony]

Everyone thinks he/she is different, that's why they're alike.

Every newbie make a thread with "What would you recommend?", "What should I buy?" "What switch you like most?" in every page.

[dragonxx21]

Everyone thinks he/she is different, that's why they're alike.

Every newbie make a thread with "What would you recommend?", "What should I buy?" "What switch you like most?" in every page.

Why are you posting if you have nothing to contribute to the thread. Just because you may not agree with something doesn't mean you should go out of your way to derail it.

[Tony]

Why are you posting if you have nothing to contribute to the thread. Just because you may not agree with something doesn't mean you should go out of your way to derail it.

I cherish every amusement I can feel about this recurring experience. I hope that all of us are less serious about this.

By the way, I love to type posts here with the Filco brown. That's the reason I post so many replies here in this forum.

[xyeLz]

I love my Topre. I don't remember doing any sort of typing test back in the day on my old keyboards, but nowadays I'm getting upwards of 125WPM with the Topre. I wish it could be better. :/

[dragonxx21]

I love my Topre. I don't remember doing any sort of typing test back in the day on my old keyboards, but nowadays I'm getting upwards of 125WPM with the Topre. I wish it could be better. :/

Show Image

Thanks for your contribution. I still can't use/don't want to use topre though.