Cherry MX Blue or Cherry MX Brown?

[DroopySWE]

Hello. I'm having a hard time choosing between MX blue and MX brown switches, and I don't have any resellers anywhere near me that sell those keyboards, meaning I can't try them out beforehand.

I've read pretty much everything about the switches, but what I fail to really get an understanding of is the perceived pressure required to type on the brown and blue switches, not counting the fact that you won't bottom out the blue ones as often as the brown ones.

Yes, there's a 5g difference in the springs, but there's mot tactility to the blue ones, so how does that translate to the perceived feel of the typing experience? How much harder will I have to press down the blue ones when I type?

[panda-R]

How badly do you want to type? If you want to be a bad ass at typing go for the blues. Browns can be a little boring sometimes for a typist.

[AndrewZorn]

Blue only feels harder because of the tactile point.  Brown feels so much easier because it is a smoother motion.

I want a brown Filco again.  I miss mine.

[DroopySWE]

How badly do you want to type? If you want to be a bad ass at typing go for the blues. Browns can be a little boring sometimes for a typist.

That didn't answer my question though I'd like to know how much harder I'll push down on the MX blue keys compared to the MX brown keys when typing? Is it almost the same in terms of perceived force, or are the blues quite tougher?

[Azuremen]

Browns are a bit boring. The force requires to actuate the switches isn't really that noticeable, but the Blues feel crisper in my mind.

For typing, I must say I greatly prefer the Blues, and I like them quite a bit for gaming as well.

[Lanx]

How badly do you want to type? If you want to be a bad ass at typing go for the blues. Browns can be a little boring sometimes for a typist.

what? i can't hear you over da click clack speak louder!

[AndrewZorn]

That didn't answer my question though I'd like to know how much harder I'll push down on the MX blue keys compared to the MX brown keys when typing? Is it almost the same in terms of perceived force, or are the blues quite tougher?

To elaborate, the stroke of each feels like:
Blue: easy easy easy easy wall... push... break easy easy
Brown: easy easy easy was-that-it? easy easy

there's an actual graph somewhere

[kidchunks]

Blue only feels harder because of the tactile point.  Brown feels so much easier because it is a smoother motion.

I want a brown Filco again.  I miss mine.

Should of kept it!

I don't feel much a diff between the two. But then again I went back to using a model m at work so when I get home it's always a light feel with whichever switch I use. I still prefer the blues over the browns when it comes to typing. I game with them and its not a problem either. Browns are just too light for me.

[panda-R]

That didn't answer my question though I'd like to know how much harder I'll push down on the MX blue keys compared to the MX brown keys when typing? Is it almost the same in terms of perceived force, or are the blues quite tougher?

my finger meter reads a 5g difference.

the blues aren't tougher, they're more satisfying to type on. the browns are good when you just want to be quiet and boring. i myself like to be an attention ****.

[Azuremen]

To elaborate, the stroke of each feels like:
Blue: easy easy easy easy wall... push... break easy easy
Brown: easy easy easy was-that-it? easy easy

Sounds like you are comparing girls...

[db_Iodine]

Seriously, no one suggested buying both? Well That's my suggestion. These things are personal preferences, and in order to be sure you've made the right decision you need to try both of them.

[SirClickAlot]

If you can wait long enough, I could put you on the Switch Try Numpad sinklist( or STN for short ). That way you can try many switches without buying the actual keyboards.

Personally I like the blues AND the browns. They both have something I like. But in the end I am hooked on my topre keyboards.

Regards.

[SirClickAlot]

If you can wait long enough, I could put you on the Switch Try Numpad sinklist( or STN for short ). That way you can try many switches without buying the actual keyboards.

Personally I like the blues AND the browns. They both have something I like. But in the end I am hooked on my topre keyboards.

Regards.

[nocturn4l3030]

do you game at all (if so what kind of games) or do you use it strictly for typing?

if it's strictly for typing, blues seem very fun to type on (can't give you a full on opinion as my board is with browns but with blues too only for the arrows, pageup/down etc) but i can see why people don't recommend them for gaming.  also youtube a clip of the cherry blues and see if that sound would annoy possibly the wifey or any co-workers....

if you game or that sound would annoy anyone around you, go with the browns.

otherwise i would go with the blues for strictly typing

[CeeSA]

i can only say that i like blue for typing and gaming.
i know blacks and clears, but no browns.

blues for gaming (FPS) works for me very well.

[nocturn4l3030]

blues for gaming (FPS) works for me very well.

yea i can see blues being just fine for FPS because you're basically just holding down keys or pressing a key only once..

but for say a MMO or a RTS game where you're going to have to spam the same key more than once, blues are definitely not ideal

[itlnstln]

The big question is if you like noise or not.  If you do, go with the blues; if not, go with the browns.  I am not a noise person, so I go with the browns (and Topres, but that's another thread).

[Azuremen]

yea i can see blues being just fine for FPS because you're basically just holding down keys or pressing a key only once..

but for say a MMO or a RTS game where you're going to have to spam the same key more than once, blues are definitely not ideal

I love Blues for SC2. Much more so than Blacks or Browns. People keep making this issue of the "double-tap" but it isn't really an issue - they're just crazy.

[woody]

I prefer to refer to it as Audio Feedback.

Millions of secretaries couldn't be wrong.

In all seriousness (for a change), you're right. Audio feedback does wonders. I know I have made a typo when I miss a click. Somehow it's very easy for the brain to match finger movements and clicks, much easier than visual perception of symbols.

[BlueRain]

I love Blues for SC2. Much more so than Blacks or Browns. People keep making this issue of the "double-tap" but it isn't really an issue - they're just crazy.

What's your average APM? I think my finger has adapted to the blue's release point, but it feels I have to wait longer to spam the keys...

[DroopySWE]

To answer some questions:

I like the blue noise.

I'll use the keyboard for 80% typing and 20% StarCraft 2.

[Azuremen]

What's your average APM? I think my finger has adapted to the blue's release point, but it feels I have to wait longer to spam the keys...

By the in game system, 80, with it going to 200 to 300 during combat. It works well enough to beat 2000 point players.

[Lanx]

I love Blues for SC2. Much more so than Blacks or Browns. People keep making this issue of the "double-tap" but it isn't really an issue - they're just crazy.

do you even double tap in SC2? isn't it all just spam and unnecessary APM? at least thats what the videos show.

[Lanx]

In all seriousness (for a change), you're right. Audio feedback does wonders. I know I have made a typo when I miss a click. Somehow it's very easy for the brain to match finger movements and clicks, much easier than visual perception of symbols.

browns haves a tiny click too! of course noisy office or even loud computer with super 120mm fans of death will drown out the minute sounds of a brown click/tactile feel.
(i hear mine, even have a HEPA filter in room)

[DroopySWE]

How does a Filco Majestouch MX Blue compare to a crappy 20$ logitech keyboard when playing StarCraft 2?

[Azuremen]

do you even double tap in SC2? isn't it all just spam and unnecessary APM? at least thats what the videos show.

Yes, you double tap all the time as it jumps the camera to those units/structures on that key.

As for the spamming, my apm is with out any spam. I've a friend that is a bit better than me whose apm sits at around 150 game time without spam. There really is that much to do in this game.

Droopy, my filco feels worlds better than the cheap logitech board I have laying around. Did getting the filco make me play faster? No, but it certainly feels better.

[itlnstln]

How does a Filco Majestouch MX Blue compare to a crappy 20$ logitech keyboard when playing StarCraft 2?

IDK, but a lot of SF2 players like crappy $10 Samsung keyboards.

[Lanx]

Average Income of a Korean StarCraft player is much lower but skill is much higher than an American.

Must be the genes.

Korean StarCraft pros actually have fan girls tho, pretty much > than anything if your under 30 (which is the age at which these pro's say you can't play no more cuz your too old)

[stuiees]

They just want some of that APM finger action.

LOL with 300 apm you could flick a gnarly bean!!

[itlnstln]

Have you read any of my posts?  We used to be dirtier, but the OCN invasion occurred and pushed a lot of the older members out.  iMav, Ripster, Wellington, a few others and myself are all that remain.

[Lanx]

I come from [H] and only post there cuz of my 6 year account OCN account is too new, tho i'm racking quite the post count here.

[itlnstln]

He comes and goes.  Like herpes.


(Just kidding, Welly.  I love you like the annoying uncle that comes and wreaks havoc on the family functions.)

[DroopySWE]

Again... anyone want to compare the MX Blue switches to a crappy 15-20 dollar regular keyboard for playing StarCraft 2?

[db_Iodine]

Again... anyone want to compare the MX Blue switches to a crappy 15-20 dollar regular keyboard for playing StarCraft 2?

Blues are like making sweet love to an 16yo, while a $20 keyboard is like getting fisted by a german dominatrix.

[iMav]

Blues are like making sweet love to an 16yo, while a $20 keyboard is like getting fisted by a german dominatrix.

So, blues equate to pedophile activity?

[woody]

16? Do not want. 32-bit > 16-bit, pure technically.

[sixty]

Its legal in Mexico!

[Azuremen]

Again... anyone want to compare the MX Blue switches to a crappy 15-20 dollar regular keyboard for playing StarCraft 2?

I commented on it above.

The Blues feel "snapper" and cleaner than a cheap Logitech keyboard. And I can directly compare as I have a $15 Logitech USB keyboard. Will the Blues increase your APM? No. Will they make you a better player? No. Will your hands feel better by the end of the day? Yes. Will you enjoy typing more? Yes.

[DroopySWE]

I commented on it above.

The Blues feel "snapper" and cleaner than a cheap Logitech keyboard. And I can directly compare as I have a $15 Logitech USB keyboard. Will the Blues increase your APM? No. Will they make you a better player? No. Will your hands feel better by the end of the day? Yes. Will you enjoy typing more? Yes.

Ok, so an MX Blue keyboard is not worse for StarCraft 2 than a $15 logitech keyboard then?

[stuiees]

If all you want to do is get better at sc2 I suggest your $100 dollars would be better spent on lessons. I am not being facetious either.

[F2a]

That's the truth. Someone who beats you at SC2 will beat you with any ****ty keyboard put in front of them. I guarantee it. Pay for lessons with that money.

[db_Iodine]

A mech keyboard is going to make typing pleasurable, but it's not going to give any advantages in gaming.

Paying $100 for sc2 lessons? I'd skip that one.

[Moogle Stiltzkin]

Hello. I'm having a hard time choosing between MX blue and MX brown switches, and I don't have any resellers anywhere near me that sell those keyboards, meaning I can't try them out beforehand.

I've read pretty much everything about the switches, but what I fail to really get an understanding of is the perceived pressure required to type on the brown and blue switches, not counting the fact that you won't bottom out the blue ones as often as the brown ones.

Yes, there's a 5g difference in the springs, but there's mot tactility to the blue ones, so how does that translate to the perceived feel of the typing experience? How much harder will I have to press down the blue ones when I type?

They both actuate at the same point, but for the blue switches to actuate a second time, you have to bring the key all the way up. With browns, you just need to bring the key above the actuation point.

Since that "feature" of the blues causes problems if you don't lift the key all the way up in games, browns are generally considered better. Some people don't have issues with the blue switches since they naturally release the key fully no matter what. It's generally more noticeable the faster you have to repeat the key press, as you're less likely to bring the key up fully then.

The main reason i chose the blues over the browns


Another reason is the sound. Might be fun at first but i don't feel as if i would have enjoyed the clicky noises :/


The cherry browns has lesser actuation force than the blue; also the tactile bump is lesser than the blue as well. So i thought i'd try out the tacticility of the browns first, as i am unsure if i would mind that over say a linear keyboard.

[Azuremen]

Ok, so an MX Blue keyboard is not worse for StarCraft 2 than a $15 logitech keyboard then?

I certainly prefer it. Just don't expect it to make you better at the game.

[DroopySWE]

I certainly prefer it. Just don't expect it to make you better at the game.

Thank you, that's the answer I was looking for.

As for some of the answers above: I never asked if it would make me better at SC2. I asked if the blues were worse for SC2 than a regular 15 dollar keyboard. I.e. I don't care if the keyboard is better or not for SC2 than a regular keyboard as long as it's not worse. I'm buying the keyboard mainly for typing, as I wrote, and also a little bit for playing SC2.

I have my answer now though. Thank you, Azuremen.

[db_Iodine]

Enjoy your blues. You'll love them especially for typing.

[DroopySWE]

Enjoy your blues. You'll love them especially for typing.

Thanks

[Co-Op]

Blues rock and are a lot of fun. I have both at home, though.

[patrickgeekhack]

This is a Philosophical question that is asked quite often. Unfortunately, the only way to know which one is for you is to try them both. There's no other way to tell for sure which one you like best. Why? They are two completely different switches. The whole is truly not just the sum of the parts. Although I prefer the blue Cherry, I sometimes hook up my brown Cherry Filco. In fact, I am typing on my Filco right now. Brown Cherry is very bouncy though and this is very nice.

In short, I like the click and the more pronounce tactile bump of the blue. But, I also like the friction sound of the brown.

[Trippy]

I have seen a lot of players at the GSL using IBM model M's or something similar, also old dell keyboards or whatever is at there disposal. I don't think the keyboard is that big of a deal except for less force for the action. But it may help you slightly, I would maybe recommend a switch with lower force required.