Very first impression of brown mx from membranes

[delobe]

Hi, just received a filco with browns, moving from membranes. My very first impressions, having read about the switches, is that the browns feel gravelly. For me the bumps in the browns have a slightly disconcerting effect that I am typing on gravel, as though there was some dirt stuck on the piston.

I wanted to write this because most people talk about the facts (bump or linear) and not much about the feel.

Second impressions, I am of course super happy, because the keyboard exudes quality, like stroking an expensive cat, and the keys are quickly consumed by my hands and they, my hands, are enjoying themselves, so I am now, too.

[Photoelectric]

Welcome!

I think you got a more gritty batch of switches, unfortunately.  There's a good amount of lottery when getting keyboards with Cherry switches, as apparently the switches are made by different factories, and I've experienced significant variation between brand new switches of different colors (like VERY scratchy Browns and Blacks and fairly smooth ones to start with).  Not much to be done about it other than keep using until the switches smooth out over time via friction.  Browns can be VERY smooth and in no way gritty, with a light rounded bump.  In the future, if you get into keyboard modification, you could lubricate the moving parts in the switches very lightly to help with the smoothness, but actual use is the best way to start.

[ideus]

The browns under my daily driver's caps are very smooth now after two months of use. Not bad at all.

[Danule]

Give them time to break in. They will become smooth.

[delobe]

Thanks for the replies! What a wonderful knowledge base here. Will definitely wear in, they are only improving as I type. Modding will be a long way from now, but thanks for the nod. Glad to have a set of browns and I am sure to investigate other switches as the addiction hits. I mean sitting at a keyboard is one of the most common things now.

[eth0s]

The "grain of sand" grittiness can be there for a long time.  The level of annoyingness, however, I think depends on how much you think about it, and also on how hard you strike the keys.  With very light pressure, the grit is more palpable.  But with quick, hard keystrokes, it's not noticeable, at least not IMO.  Also, after a while of constant use, you will forget all about the "grit".  I dunno if it's because the MX browns smooth out with use, or if your brain acclimates to the feeling and fails to register the grit over time.  Or maybe it's a combination of both?

Now, if you want to be sure of having a tactile bump with buttery smoothness, and no grit whatsoever, and no "break-in" period, try a Topre switch keyboard for your next purchase.     You will get to enjoy your feeling of oneness with cup rubber immediately. 

Attention n00bs and Topre haters:  Please do not say that Topre is a membrane keyboard or "just another rubber dome".  It is not.  Topre keyboards have electrostatic capacitive keyswitches, which are as different from so-called "rubber dome" switches as the sun is from the moon.   

[jameslr]

I prefer the feel of broken in browns to any other MX switch. The click of blues, while satisfying, got a bit distracting. Linear switches are not my thing. Nothing compares to the smooth tactility and thock of Topre though.

[digi]

Try vintage mx blues, they are very different than new mx blues and can be found on the original Dolch Pac boards. My favorite switch next to 62g blacks and browns.

[epzy]

I prefer the feel of broken in browns to any other MX switch. The click of blues, while satisfying, got a bit distracting. Linear switches are not my thing. Nothing compares to the smooth tactility and thock of Topre though.

Lol, now you made me want to try browns again. I didn't give my browns more than a few days before I got rid of it.

[damorgue]

I dislike MX brown for the very reason you mention. The bump is so small that they feel like scratcy or dirty MX red and you are left wondering if it is an intentional bump or not.
I like clears and ergo-clears. They have a more emphasized bump so you aren't left wondering whether it is there or not.

[exitfire401]

I dislike MX brown for the very reason you mention. The bump is so small that they feel like scratcy or dirty MX red and you are left wondering if it is an intentional bump or not.
I like clears and ergo-clears. They have a more emphasized bump so you aren't left wondering whether it is there or not.

This si the exact reason I'm going to put clears in my Race 2.

[ideus]

I dislike MX brown for the very reason you mention. The bump is so small that they feel like scratcy or dirty MX red and you are left wondering if it is an intentional bump or not.
I like clears and ergo-clears. They have a more emphasized bump so you aren't left wondering whether it is there or not.

This si the exact reason I'm going to put clears in my Race 2.

It is OK if you prefer clears, but the thread is about browns, though. 

[spiceBar]

I started with browns, went to blues, then reds, then to Topres.

The switches I like the most are Topres, but now I am loving browns again. I find Topres marginally better in feel, but the lack of keycaps customization options on Topres is frustrating.

To really appreciate brows, it may be necessary to use other kind of switches first.

I also find that the way I type depends a lot on the switch type. I enjoy bottoming out on Topres because of the "Thock", obviously. And conversely I enjoy not bottoming out on browns, just because the tactility makes it possible, and because I like this stealth typing style.

[Melvang]

If you feel that your browns are scratchy just keep typing on them for a while.  They will smooth out.  But do not lube them until they break in.  Doing so will take them MUCH longer to break in.

[meiosis]

Hi, just received a filco with browns, moving from membranes. My very first impressions, having read about the switches, is that the browns feel gravelly. For me the bumps in the browns have a slightly disconcerting effect that I am typing on gravel, as though there was some dirt stuck on the piston.

I wanted to write this because most people talk about the facts (bump or linear) and not much about the feel.

Second impressions, I am of course super happy, because the keyboard exudes quality, like stroking an expensive cat, and the keys are quickly consumed by my hands and they, my hands, are enjoying themselves, so I am now, too.

I felt the same way at first, but trust me they grow on you after use. I feel the same way whenever i switch keyboards, from membrane to mx brown to black to clear to topre. Just feels weird when your fingers get used to one thing .

[morpheus]

Browns and Topre are very different, but the tactility is about the same.

I prefer the feel of broken in browns to any other MX switch. The click of blues, while satisfying, got a bit distracting. Linear switches are not my thing. Nothing compares to the smooth tactility and thock of Topre though.

This has been my experience as well. I only use Topre when I feel in the mood for a high quality typing session where I don't have to delete a lot of stuff, usually final drafts. I typically use Browns the rest of the time, they are my favorite daily switch.

[delobe]

The "grain of sand" grittiness can be there for a long time.  The level of annoyingness, however, I think depends on how much you think about it, and also on how hard you strike the keys.  With very light pressure, the grit is more palpable.  But with quick, hard keystrokes, it's not noticeable, at least not IMO.  Also, after a while of constant use, you will forget all about the "grit".  I dunno if it's because the MX browns smooth out with use, or if your brain acclimates to the feeling and fails to register the grit over time.  Or maybe it's a combination of both?

Now, if you want to be sure of having a tactile bump with buttery smoothness, and no grit whatsoever, and no "break-in" period, try a Topre switch keyboard for your next purchase.     You will get to enjoy your feeling of oneness with cup rubber immediately. 

I agree about the quick hard strokes, I know that is exaggerated. But as you get into typing with them the fingers get accustomed to the sensitivity of the keys and feel less grit more tactility, it's fun.

I dislike MX brown for the very reason you mention. The bump is so small that they feel like scratcy or dirty MX red and you are left wondering if it is an intentional bump or not.
I like clears and ergo-clears. They have a more emphasized bump so you aren't left wondering whether it is there or not.

This is exactly how I felt about them. Thanks for the recommendation.

Try vintage mx blues, they are very different than new mx blues and can be found on the original Dolch Pac boards. My favorite switch next to 62g blacks and browns.

Another interesting recommendation, thanks.

I felt the same way at first, but trust me they grow on you after use. I feel the same way whenever i switch keyboards, from membrane to mx brown to black to clear to topre. Just feels weird when your fingers get used to one thing .

I think this may be the case! I imagine each key type is a journey!

[damorgue]

Try vintage mx blues, they are very different than new mx blues and can be found on the original Dolch Pac boards. My favorite switch next to 62g blacks and browns.

Another interesting recommendation, thanks.

MX white might be easier to get these days though. I personally find them to be quite similar to vintage blues. They both have a more faint click than blues and greens.

[eth0s]

Hi, just received a filco with browns, moving from membranes. My very first impressions, having read about the switches, is that the browns feel gravelly. For me the bumps in the browns have a slightly disconcerting effect that I am typing on gravel, as though there was some dirt stuck on the piston.

I wanted to write this because most people talk about the facts (bump or linear) and not much about the feel.

Second impressions, I am of course super happy, because the keyboard exudes quality, like stroking an expensive cat, and the keys are quickly consumed by my hands and they, my hands, are enjoying themselves, so I am now, too.

I felt the same way at first, but trust me they grow on you after use. I feel the same way whenever i switch keyboards, from membrane to mx brown to black to clear to topre. Just feels weird when your fingers get used to one thing .

+1 to this ^.  I loves me some Topre, but it's true, that it's still fun to switch keyboards from time to time, in order to re-experience MX switches:  browns, blues, reds, blacks, clears, even greens and greys, they all have their merits.  And it's always fun to change things up from time to time.  Especially after you've become accustomed to one type of switch after a prolonged period of using just the same keyboard.