What color cherry switch is closest to a G510 (I have googled my brain out)

[noideawhatimdoing]

I've tried googling for specifics from Logitech on the amount of travel, actuation force needed, all that, full force needed for full travel, and I can't find a dang thing. It's been five hours (yeah, I am a weirdo) of looking for a new keyboard and so far I know not to get anything by Razer because of bad quality and not what I was going to get the Corsair K90 because of bugs in software and other issues.

So I am left with looking at Ducky keyboards, as well as this neat one with a numpad on the side. I do require backlight (not a screen, I actually block that off on my G510).

I was going to order a tester, but I found that site that sells mechanical boards and they have blacks, milky clears, clears, and all, all of which I can't find test samples for.

I was wonering if anyone knows the specs for the G510 or if they can even tell me subjectively what it's closest to in terms of a mechanical cherry type switch using keyboard. I find it a bit stiff for my liking. The tab died on it, and so I need a new one. I know I can just macro a new one, but it's too much of a used key to just macro and reach *that* far for every tab need. I am just wondering what exactly it compares to. Why don't they put specs up, in this day and age? I scoured even their own forums but no one answered or cared. Logitech customer service doesn't even offer to replace the board given the failure because I don't have the receipt or box. If I had to keep every box for every peripheral I owned....I just am used to companies being honest and going "mail us the broken one,  here's a new one or we'll fix it". Sigh.

Can anyone help? I'm guessing not a lot of people have this keyboard here, but hoping someone might know.

[AverageHybrid]

Since you are looking for a mechanical keyboard that is most natural to transit from a rubber dome, and since you find your membrane keyboard already too hard for your fingers. I would recommend Browns for you since they have the tactile feedback and is lighter than a membrane keyboard. Depends on what you need though, if you want more gaming performance go for Reds(also actuates at 45 grams), if you are mostly focused on typing you should get the Browns. It all comes down to preference really as I do see people prefer Reds for typing and Browns for gaming. What is a fact is that Browns and Reds are lighter than a membrane keyboard and easier to press, now you just need to decide whether you need the tactile bump to suit your needs.

[Oobly]

It's just another rubber dome over membrane board. I would say the closest MX switches would be Browns and Clears. They are tactile and quiet like rubber domes. In terms of feeling, they're different. No MX switch feels like a rubber dome switch, but those 2 are closest. I don't think trying to copy the feeling of a different board will get you far in choosing an ideal MX switch.

MX Browns have a smaller bump than Clears and softer springs. Boards with Browns are also easier to get. As a first mechanical switch, Browns are good. They'll give you a reference point for other switches. I like the larger tactile bump Clears with softer springs (Korean 62g), but it's personal and you have to find out for yourself what you like best.

Can't go wrong with a Ducky with MX Browns I reckon.

[esoomenona]

I have a G510. It's almost brand new. Didn't have it long before I bought my first mechanical keyboard. How much did you like this keyboard? Because this thing is literally in a box in my closet. You want it?

Otherwise, once I get back home, I can finger it and see what I feel it's closest to, if I can remember....

[noideawhatimdoing]

I think that the main issue (I just realized this) in me having a problem typing on it is that I broke a footrest, so it's completely flat and I have small hands (female). So it's been a bit tough. I just wedged it on top of my monitor stand and suddenly I'm back to easy typing, LOL.

Not trying to "copy", exactly, but get some sort of reference point. I hate sending things back in the mail and doing RMA's, so trying to avoid that. I also want a board I can mod all the keys to, I see all the group buys and drool. I remember when I switched the layout to DVORAK (sp?) once and my husband was like WtF?

So far it's between clears, browns, and reds then? and Ducky or CM Storm Rapid Fire, and a Das Keyboard. I would like backlit keys and macro ability, but w/e. I sort of worry about the "mushy" feeling some people describe with reds, but I am thinking I will just have to go ahead and bite the bullet and choose something and go from there. I wish the Microcenter near me hadn't closed *shakes fist*....

Thanks for the advice all.

[noideawhatimdoing]

I have a G510. It's almost brand new. Didn't have it long before I bought my first mechanical keyboard. How much did you like this keyboard? Because this thing is literally in a box in my closet. You want it?

Otherwise, once I get back home, I can finger it and see what I feel it's closest to, if I can remember....

I actually don't want to buy another one (because I never use the screen, and it can't be turned off). It's too much of a PITA for me, and you probably would have hated using it (I have hated mine for a while now - it's almost impossible to clean due to the million screws they used, etc. Sorry to say. If you are willing to open it up and find out - I would greatly appreciate it...that's amazing that you still have it. Let me tell you that you shoudn't have any issues selling it on Amazon or Ebay, and even longer if you hold onto it because there are so many Logitech fanboys out there it's insane!

TYSM!!!

[esoomenona]

Try going to a Best Buy if one is close to you. Sometimes they have mechanical keyboards you can play with.

[AverageHybrid]

So far it's between clears, browns, and reds then? and Ducky or CM Storm Rapid Fire, and a Das Keyboard. I would like backlit keys and macro ability, but w/e. I sort of worry about the "mushy" feeling some people describe with reds, but I am thinking I will just have to go ahead and bite the bullet and choose something and go from there. I wish the Microcenter near me hadn't closed *shakes fist*....

If you want the function of backlit and macro ability, Ducky Shine 3 and the CM Storm Quickfire Rapid-I which has customizable backlight and macros. To be honest it all comes down to your style of typing and personaly preference. No matter what the reds will not feel mushier coming from a G510. If you tend to bottom out keys a lot when typing I do not think the red will feel mushy. However for touch typist they would prefer to have Browns/Clears so that they will feel the tactile bump and know when to let go of they key instead of bottoming out. You mentioned the membrane keys already feel heavy for your hand, so I think brown and reds are the only choices for you. Once again it's all down to preference, I personally like the tactile feel of the browns but there are some people that feel like browns feel mushy. Same goes for Reds, I personally do not like them at all as they do not suit my style of typing however some people like the linear feel a lot. It's all down to your preferences and style of typing in the end of the day. Regardless to say, you will not regret coming from a membrane keyboard to a mechanical keyboard.

Oh yea when you were saying you wanted to mod the keys did you mean keycaps? If it is keycaps I suggest not getting any backlight as most custom keycaps don't support backlighting unless you want the glow under your keys.

[GL1TCH3D]

Topre? XD
I don't think cherry mx will have a similar feeling to a rubber dome

[johndavis33]

Why would you want something that feels similar to your old G510? It doesn't sound like you were very fond of it to begin with.

[JPG]

When you go from rubber dome to mechanical keyboard, this change the way you consider the feel of a keyboard.


First, give you some time getting used to it (10 min at least, prob a day or 2). Second, whatever keyboard you choose, then you realize how bad rubber dome keyboards feels when you really focus on the feel/feedback of the keyboard you just got.


The real problem is deciding what you will prefer without trying them. I had this problem since even at my local bestbuy I could not try a mech keyboard. I ended getting a Filco with mx brown and was very satisfied with it. 1 year later, I tried an IBM model F and fell in love with the model F, but I still consider my Filco with MX brown to be a very good keyboard, I just happen to prefer the model F. And I have not tried other cherry switches or Topre yet.


As for a first keyboard, my best recommendation is to get a decent quality keyboard with cherry MX. They are usually the easiest to find and won't kill your budget. Then you will be able to fully realize how different a mechanical keyboard feels, get used to it and decide if you went for the right type of switch.


As for the type of cherry switch, try to imagine yourself typing and decide if you want it to be tactile (you feel a small bump when you type to know you really actuated a key), clicky (you ear a click with you actuate a key) or linear (no bump no click). Then decide if you want them soft or stiff.


Here's your options:


Linear: Red (soft), Black (stronger)


Tactile: Brown (soft), Clear (stronger)


Clicky: Blue (soft), Green/white (stronger, green and white are similar in feel/force but there's a small difference but since I never tried them I can't tell you)


So in the end, choosing a favorite switch is a very PERSONAL choice and you often need to try different switches to determine your favorite and you can like more than one too. My suggestion is to get a keyboard with the one you think you will prefer and the chances are high that you will at least like this keyboard much more than anything you tried before.


The only other thing to consider is the layout. If you don't really use the numpad, try to get a TKL keyboard (standard layout with no numpad). It's much nicer to use one with a mouse. If you use your numbers a lot, then you can stick with a fullsize layout.

[noideawhatimdoing]

Try going to a Best Buy if one is close to you. Sometimes they have mechanical keyboards you can play with.

I tried that - the one I'm by is in Silicon Valley and they literally had only 2 keyboards out to try. I asked the staff why that was the case, and if I could have them open the only mechanical one they had (which was a Corsair model I believe?) and all three of the staff just went "no we can't" "but the keyboard is really nice". I don't understand how they think people will just blindly buy boards they can't try in the store, but...whatever. I think I have to go to Fry's, they usually have most models out, but the last time I was there they didn't have any mechanical boards out. Maybe they do now Good idea.

[jacobolus]

If you show up the next time there’s a bay area geekhack meetup, there will be dozens of different feeling keyboards you could try.

[frosty]

I'd say clears. Almost all logitech keyboards feels closest to cherry clears, but far from it and further from other switches

[noideawhatimdoing]

Interesting. I wonder are reds so light that you can't even rest your fingers on them?

I am looking at this board here:

CM Storm QuickFire TK - Compact Mechanical Gaming Keyboard with CHERRY MX Brown Switches and Fully Backlit

It doesn't have macros, but w/e. It has browns, though.

If you show up the next time there’s a bay area geekhack meetup, there will be dozens of different feeling keyboards you could try.

How do I find out the where/when? That sounds great. In the meantime...thanks everyone for your support

Also, I wish I hadn't read that this board is buggy and unreliable: Corsair Vengeance K95

It's pretty much an identical version of what mine is, except no annoying screen, but I have read the reviews and heard people have had issues with the software and build quality. Do'h!

[esoomenona]

Yeah, Reds are gross. They're way too light to be linear at the same time. You can barely breathe on them and they want to actuate... Worst switch, IMO.

Anyway, I just pulled the board out and tried it. I'd say it's similar to Browns or lighter Clears (Ergo Clears). It has tactility, while still being somewhat quiet.

As far as what board to pick, what is your goal? Do you think you'll want to swap caps at some point? Because if so, the TK is a bit less than ideal. Also, if you're not completely interested in that tenkey area on the right of that board, then best to just let it go.

What about the Quickfire Rapid-i?