O-rings...what do you think?

[overthetop]

Guys what do you think about o-rings? Is it more comfortable with them in terms of feel? I'm with cherry mx red switch right now.

[osi]

Using a keyboard with O-rings installed is a very personal choice,especially in terms of feel. The best bet is too buy a pack and try them out for yourself.

I used to use O-rings on my cherry boards but grew to not like them so I took them off. :x

[fohat.digs]

I love O-rings on Cherry switches (although I don't particularly like Cherry switches) just to take out the shock at the bottom, so I look for the thinnest and softest that I can find.

Except for blue Cherry switches (and probably green, although I have not personally experienced it) I think that landing pads are better.

[aref]

I've tried black and then red o-rings. I recently had red o-rings on one of my Cherry MX Red keyboards; at first I like the feel, but soon changed my opinion and took them off.

O-rings shorten key travel, which, for me, was not a plus after the novelty wore off, which was within two weeks time. I have two MX Red KBs, so I was able to try the one w/o o-rings and switch to the one with o-rings. I prefer the longer key travel and the feedback of a 'naked' key switch. As with all 'things' keyboard related, it's a matter of personal preference.

[ConscienceDrop]

i will never understand them. shorten travel and make the feel mushy at the bottom.

i guess its personal taste. i just cant understand.

[fohat.digs]

shorten travel and make the feel mushy at the bottom.

Perfect. Exactly what is needed.

Of course, in a truly perfect world, I would want a very light spring that became greatly and rapidly stiffer after actuation.

[Grim Fandango]

I like the 40 A-L o-rings that I used with Cherry MX browns. The shorter travel somehow felt pretty good to me. I did not dislike it as some others do.

The thing I did not like about it was not how it felt, but that on my Filco, it did not do as much for the noise as I expected. I thought that even with o-rings the rattle and ping that comes with cherry MX (and even more so with Filco and their costar stabilizers) was pretty bad.

[inanis]

i will never understand them. shorten travel and make the feel mushy at the bottom.

i guess its personal taste. i just cant understand.

Exactly this.

I got some to make my blues quieter. While it did make them quieter it made everything else worse. I tried it for a week and then took them off.

[Hypersphere]

I recently bought a WASD V2 87 "barebones" with mx browns. I put Imsto dye-sub PBT keycaps on it. I bottom out on every keystroke, which produces a "clack" sound, which I actually like. Nevertheless, I wanted to see how the board sounded and felt with O-rings, so I tried a few keys with black 50A-R, blue 40A-R, and red 40A-L O-rings. I didn't like the deadened sound or the somewhat mushy feel; therefore, I removed the O-rings.

BTW, the WASD keyboard has Costar-type wire stabilizers. I have also tried Kul and other boards that use Cherry stabilizers. Although Cherry stabilizers make it somewhat easier to change keycaps on the stabilized keys, to me the Cherry stabilized keys feel mushy. The Costar-type stabilizers on the WASD board provide a crisp and even response no matter where the key is struck; moreover, they do not rattle. Even the spacebar is rattle-free, which was a pleasant surprise. I should mention that I did lube the stabilizers with "MechLube2" from Elitekeyboards.com.

Although the spacebar does not rattle, it makes more bottoming-out noise than the other keys on my WASD board, and so I am considering using O-rings only on the spacebar, but based on my experience thus far, I anticipate that I will revert to having no O-rings at all on the board.

[fohat.digs]

My son has MX blacks and likes O-rings on WASD, arrow keys, etc, because he feel that it helps him bounce back better.

I don't game, so I would not really know.

[infiniti]

I used to like o-rings because it silenced the sound when I bottom out while typing.

However, I couldn't get consistent results since the cross bracing underneath SP caps aren't always a complete cross so some keys would still clack when bottomed out.  Anyway, I decided to remove the o-rings and move on.  So far so good.  The only comment I can make is that it just feels cleaner now.

[Geroximo]

There is just one reasonable answer to your question:

Try them out and decide for yourself!


Nobody can tell you which is better because both sides, with or without O-Rings have their pros and cons.
It also comes down to wich keycaps you're using.
I just took off the O-Rings of my keyboard 2 minutes ago because of this thread, and this high pitched clacking of the thin ABS caps while bottoming out is annoying me already 
On the other hand, i also have some thick PBT Caps that I'm using without O-Rings and really like the deep powerfull sound when bottoming out on these.

So there is no definite answer to your question. It depens on your keycaps, your switches and your preferences.

You just have to try them out.

[overthetop]

thanks guys. i've already ordered some white o-ring on the net. i don't know if they are good but will see when they get here.

[aref]

thanks guys. i've already ordered some white o-ring on the net. i don't know if they are good but will see when they get here.

Getting some o-rings and giving them a try is the only way to know form an opinion. Good luck with your trial.

[pnutster]

Put some o-rings on I received in the mail today. My first attempt with o-rings on a Kinesis Advantage. Not sure if I like it. Will try a couple of days. I can attest to remarks made of the mushy feeling. However not having the softests keytouch myself, it is nice not bottoming out on "rock hard" plastic all the time. This could probably lead to getting a softer typing skill and not bottoming out so much. For some odd reason it feels as if it makes you more aware of the travel distance of the key.

[Oobly]

Orings are okay, but I much prefer to trampoline mod my switches instead (although it requires dismantling the switches). Works the same with all keycaps and you can tailor the feeling and travel reduction to personal taste.

https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=50632.0

[aref]

I use 55-gram Topre (87UW and B) and MX Red (Corsair K65) switches on stock Realforce and Corsair keyboards. I find the as-is switches to feel great without any modifications. I've modified with dental bands on a Realforce I sold; and with different o-rings (black, blue, and red) on my Corsairs along with several since-sold Filcos and CMQFRs (MX Black, Blue, and Red); however, none of the mods, perhaps for me alone, improved the feel when compared with the stock 55-gram Topre and MX key switches.

[Hypersphere]

I use 55-gram Topre (87UW and B) and MX Red (Corsair K65) switches on stock Realforce and Corsair keyboards. I find the as-is switches to feel great without any modifications. I've modified with dental bands on a Realforce I sold; and with different o-rings (black, blue, and red) on my Corsairs along with several since-sold Filcos and CMQFRs (MX Black, Blue, and Red); however, none of the mods, perhaps for me alone, improved the feel when compared with the stock 55-gram Topre and MX key switches.

Yes, I am the same way when it comes to my RF 87ub 55g. It is quieter than my HHKB Pro 2, and I like the sounds that it makes, so I feel no compelling need to do any sort of silencing mod on the RF. I would prefer that my HHKB Pro 2 did not have the upstroke "clack" sound, but it makes up for this with its 60% form factor and exquisite layout.

Regarding my Cherry mx boards, I use them much less than my IBM Model F, RF, or HHKB keyboards. I do not like the sound of my Cherry mx boards as much as my IBM, RF, or HH keyboards. Therefore, I am still somewhat on the fence about using O-rings on the Cherry mx switches. I think I prefer the sound and feel without O-rings, but I might give them one more try.

Note that it is not loudness per se that can be objectionable -- it is the quality of the sound that gets interpreted as music or noise to our ears.

[rowdy]

I tried O-rings once on MX blues.  It dampened the bottom out sound, but not much else.  I did not like the mushy feeling.

[Altis]

If the goal is to reduce the noise, I would much rather first place the keyboard on a soft rubber surface (large mousemat), then install sound deadening into the keyboard case. It reduces the noise quite a bit without affecting the feel of the board.

I, too, don't really like the mushy feel of O-rings.

[rowdy]

If the goal is to reduce the noise, I would much rather first place the keyboard on a soft rubber surface (large mousemat), then install sound deadening into the keyboard case. It reduces the noise quite a bit without affecting the feel of the board.

I, too, don't really like the mushy feel of O-rings.

Actually this has worked better for me, although the clicky sound of blues still travels quite well.  I can get by using MX blacks on a sheet of drawer liner folded several times.

[fohat.digs]

I would much rather first place the keyboard on a soft rubber surface

https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=59308.0

[Altis]

I would much rather first place the keyboard on a soft rubber surface

https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=59308.0

Precisely. That's what you want. If it still isn't enough, get some more and put it inside the case!

[noisyturtle]

Depends on the switch.

Clicky - NEVER

Linear - sure, OK

Tactile - ehhhh...

[Fragil1ty]

Guys what do you think about o-rings? Is it more comfortable with them in terms of feel? I'm with cherry mx red switch right now.

As others have stated I think it's a very personal thing to use o-rings, I tried them and I hated them, I think they make the typing feel too squishy and just not as nice as default mx cherry keys are naturally.
I tried them on Reds and Browns I believe, but everyone is different and we all have our individual needs where keyboards are concerned.

[Evo_Spec]

I personally like whatever o-rings from the G710+ on my K95 w/reds, not really for any particular reason.

[aref]

I use 55-gram Topre (87UW and B) and MX Red (Corsair K65) switches on stock Realforce and Corsair keyboards. I find the as-is switches to feel great without any modifications. I've modified with dental bands on a Realforce I sold; and with different o-rings (black, blue, and red) on my Corsairs along with several since-sold Filcos and CMQFRs (MX Black, Blue, and Red); however, none of the mods, perhaps for me alone, improved the feel when compared with the stock 55-gram Topre and MX key switches.

Yes, I am the same way when it comes to my RF 87ub 55g. It is quieter than my HHKB Pro 2, and I like the sounds that it makes, so I feel no compelling need to do any sort of silencing mod on the RF. I would prefer that my HHKB Pro 2 did not have the upstroke "clack" sound, but it makes up for this with its 60% form factor and exquisite layout.

Regarding my Cherry mx boards, I use them much less than my IBM Model F, RF, or HHKB keyboards. I do not like the sound of my Cherry mx boards as much as my IBM, RF, or HH keyboards. Therefore, I am still somewhat on the fence about using O-rings on the Cherry mx switches. I think I prefer the sound and feel without O-rings, but I might give them one more try.

Note that it is not loudness per se that can be objectionable -- it is the quality of the sound that gets interpreted as music or noise to our ears.

I agree with you. My preference is 55-gram Topre switches. I used to use Model M (SSK) exclusively; but after using a 55-gram 87UB, then trying others, I've returned to my Realforce KBs. This key switch on Realforce's platform is superb. I've not ventured into HHKBs because I prefer standard tenkeyless layouts; but I'm told they have great feel. Enjoy your keyboards.

[zshang]

You'd better try it by yourself, buy some sampler online and put them on a few keys, I really don'y like the feeling after applied on my Cherry MX Clear.

[Eszett]

Guys what do you think about o-rings? Is it more comfortable with them in terms of feel? I'm with cherry mx red switch right now.

What do I think? I tried them on MX blues. It reduced the key travel to such a degree, that it feels somewhat “restricted”. Personally I didn’t like it, but maybe you will. I agree with Noisyturtle, that o rings may be acceptable with linear switches.

[steve.v]

After a month of using clear O-rings on my blue cherry switches, I like it. I didn't like to bottom out as I felt the depth of the switch was too much when stock; and I felt that trying to type without bottoming out sometimes would make me miss or not push the key far enough to actuate it. 2x o-ring gave me the perfect distance to bottom out on blues when typing; no mushy feeling at all.

[finnr]

I am trying out red rings on blue switches. So far I like it. No bottom out sound, just a clean, crisp click. The travel distance has not been an issue yet.

[Hypersphere]

There seem to be quite a few negative impressions of O-rings. I don't care much for them, either. This seems strange, given the way that O-rings seem to be promoted. In the end, as many others have said, any of the various modifications that one can make to a keyboard represent personal preferences, which of course differ from one person to another and can change in one person from one time to another.

[gvfarns]

O rings are the bomb.  I use them with my blue switches.  I use the buna rubber ones from amazon, which are not as soft as some you get around.  By no means do I feel that they make things mushy...rather, they take a bit of the harshness out of bottoming the key out.  With a clicky key, I like for the main sound and feel to be at the click point, not at the bottom out.  This requires a gentle, lively typing style and O ring silencers.  I originally bought them for sound reduction, but today the most important reason I use them is the improvement in the feel.

They reduce travel as well, but not by so much that you would immediately notice if you hadn't just been typing on a keyboard without O rings.

[Dihedral]

Dental band modded mx blue qfr yesterday. Only a little less travel and i like being able to hear the click now the clack is lessened.

[EvilOliv3]

O rings are sweet for blues. Eliminates the clack, leaves the nice subtle click.

[rafomalave]

I love using O-rings on my clear switches so far. I used them on blue switches too and liked them. It definitely is a personal choice. You have to try some and see for yourself.

[captvizcenzo]

I put thick oring to my sp pbt dsa keycaps, which go on my brown switches. Did this because I want the shortest travel, as close as a Mac keyboard.

[JPG]

From my experience, I like o-rings with stock (oem profile) keycaps, but with cherry profile keycaps I prefer them with no o-rings. But as for the feel, I was using some very cheap (2$ a bag of 100) 70A o-rings and they felt very good. In the end, it's a personnal preference. They also lessen the sound, which is the main reason to use them, with travel reduction being second.