can't seem to find the right switch

[jc1104]

So I've been using Cherry clears at work and blues at home for a couple of weeks now (also previously tried the blacks and didn't like them at all). At first I preferred the blues over the clears, but now I think I prefer the clears over the blues. Maybe it's because I spend more time at the keyboard at work, but now I find the blues feel a bit too light and it's almost annoyingly loud for me.

The problem is, after coding on the clears for long stretches my hands start to hurt. I'm not sure if it's just matter of getting used to it, or I should change the way I type. Or maybe I should try a different switch (although I don't know what I should try next)? Does anyone else have a similar experience?

[alaricljs]

Cue the hybrid switch crowd.  

Ergo clears (brown springs, clear stems) as the cool thing to talk about has died down.  Another topic that comes up on occasion is custom wound springs that are a little heavier than brown but not as stiff as clears.

I use browns and really enjoy them.  I have a clear board that I really haven't put the time into trying because I can't stand the Cherry stabilizers it's got.  Also looking forward to giving Ergo Clears a shot, should I get the chance.

The brief time I spent on the clears I enjoyed because I appreciate the firmer tactile feedback and the way the spring prevents bottoming out.  It did feel quite a bit like some RD keyboards I've had, but far more consistent across keys.  Having not typed on them for an extended period, I don't know if they would tire my fingers.

[slueth]

Do you use a wrist wrest?  Helps direct the keypresses and make heavier switches less painful if not at all.

[flyball]

at101ws are cheap

[jc1104]

Cue the hybrid switch crowd.  

Ergo clears (brown springs, clear stems) as the cool thing to talk about has died down.  Another topic that comes up on occasion is custom wound springs that are a little heavier than brown but not as stiff as clears.

I use browns and really enjoy them.  I have a clear board that I really haven't put the time into trying because I can't stand the Cherry stabilizers it's got.  Also looking forward to giving Ergo Clears a shot, should I get the chance.

The brief time I spent on the clears I enjoyed because I appreciate the firmer tactile feedback and the way the spring prevents bottoming out.  It did feel quite a bit like some RD keyboards I've had, but far more consistent across keys.  Having not typed on them for an extended period, I don't know if they would tire my fingers.

I've read about the ergo clears and I would really love to try them out, but the only problem is that my keyboard with the clears is a Leopold and I believe it would require de-soldering the switches. I have no experience with soldering and wouldn't want my keyboard to be my first sacrifice...

Do you use a wrist wrest?  Helps direct the keypresses and make heavier switches less painful if not at all.

I have never tried any wrist rests for keyboard or mouse. Are there any effective ones out there that will fit a tenkeyless for cheap (like < $20)?

[erw]

The problem is, after coding on the clears for long stretches my hands start to hurt. I'm not sure if it's just matter of getting used to it, or I should change the way I type.

How do your hands feel after similarly longs stretches on the blues? If you have them?

My point being, it might be something else. As you mention, the way you type, or the shape of the boards og staggering of the keys (goto ergo subforum!)

[fossala]

Topre are pretty nice to type on if you can spend that much.
I persnaly didn't like ergo clears, they didn't bounce up quick enough. They kind of caught.

[Tony]

There is no right or ideal switch for anyone here. Typical nightmare and disaster for all of us.

After realizing it, we become keyboard collectors and all keyboard suppliers (Filco, WASD, Topre, Ducky, Noppoo) rejoice.

[alaricljs]

I have never tried any wrist rests for keyboard or mouse. Are there any effective ones out there that will fit a tenkeyless for cheap (like < $20)?

Another thing is the KB feet, do you use them or have the KB flat?  I switched from raised on my RDs to flat on my Filco because it was more comfortable that way.

[jkercado]

at101ws are cheap

I can sell you one for $20 + shipping!

[fohat.digs]

I use my keyboards flat, legs up, but I typically use big boys which have substantial height anyway.

I would strongly recommend a big, solid, full width gel wrist pad. Mine is totally unmarked so I cannot give you a brand name.

Takes up another third of a square foot of desk space, but well worth it.

[theOwlol]

For a wrist rest, best thing I ever got, was using some cell rubber (pipe) insulation, I cut a piece off a mat at work,

[jc1104]

I guess my hands feel more "tired" than "hurt" so hopefully it's not like I'm messing up my wrist or anything. And I do use my keyboards flat. However I did use the Logitech Illuminated keyboard (scissor switch, very low profile) before switching so my hands may be just adjusting. Perhaps the fact that I'm frequently having to use my pinky fingers (Eclipse shortcut keys ugh) may make it worse.

I'll definitely look into wrist rests, and I'll probably give the brown switches a try. They seem relatively low risk since they seem quite popular and I'll be able to sell them off if things don't work out. As much as I like the heavier feel of the clears, I need to be able to type for long stretches. Topres are a bit over my budget.

Maybe when welcoming new members we need to start adding "Sorry about your wallet." :biggrin:

[DrSchlock]

I wonder if anyone makes stand-alone buckling spring switches.

[alaricljs]

I recall seeing a picture of one here...

[fohat.digs]

I wonder if anyone makes stand-alone buckling spring switches.

What a concept!

If they were capacitive that would be something to build a custom board around, although I am only good enough with a soldering iron to do "small stuff" with a few wires at a time.

Obviously, someone taking on a project like that would not worry about details like size and weight.

Or did you just mean something like replacing a few keys, such as spacebar and enter?

[DrSchlock]

Or did you just mean something like replacing a few keys, such as spacebar and enter?

I was thinking stand-alone for building a keyboard. Ripster, are those still made?

[Supertoaster]

I wonder if anyone makes stand-alone buckling spring switches.

Unicomp?

[DrSchlock]

Ah I see sticky... clicky...wiki? That switch just has a hammer on the bottom, no actual switch contacts. I wonder if those could be made self-contained switches by adding a conductive strip to the bottom of the hammer. Then when it slammed down it would bridge two contacts on the bottom of the switch. Heck, it could just have a small membrane sheet stuck in the bottom and attached to two metal contacts (for through-PCB mounting).

[alaricljs]

Or you could just design the PCB with the exposed contacts needed.

[DrSchlock]

Or you could just design the PCB with the exposed contacts needed.

Great idea. I wonder if anyone has tried this and how difficult it is to get some of those switches.

[rustybarnacle]

The cause of your pain may be related to more than just springs or switches.  Everything from hand/wrist position, how many crumbs are in your keyboard, taking breaks - all this figures in to how your hands feel when you work.  You may very well have the right springs/stems for your taste, and can make them work just fine by examining some of this other stuff.

[qtangel1126]

brown brown~

[canthonytucci]

I have good things to say about the grifiti $6 wrist rest. Got mine on amazon and find the height and squishyness to be pretty nice. Before my current boards I was using a flat little Apple Aluminum Wireless board and resting my wrists on the desk, I found rasing them up when using taller boards to feel a lot more comfortable after a day of writing code. If you are a capslock => ctrl user I can suggest using ctrl-h for backspace to reduce the contortions your right pinky must endure. Still using a pinky with ctrl-h obviously, but I find it to be a much more comfortable movement.