About pressing down the ISO layout Enter-key. (CM Quickfire Rapid)

[droon]

Hi!

(New buyer's paranoia warning)

I recently bought a CM Storm Quickfire Rapid, which is a pretty nice tenkeyless Costar kb, with Cherry MX Blacks. No complaints, except that I kind of wonder whether the Enter key is supposed to feel the way it does. Allow me to illustrate:



If I press down on the green area, it's all peachy. However, I press down on the red area and not straight down, it's not smooth, it feels like there's friction.

Now, I've removed the keycap and compared the switch to the other ones, by pressing down on it with a toothpick from various angles etc. The switch is fine, just like the other ones, as far as I can tell. The stabilizer bar also seems to be in perfect working order, and the keycap doesn't appear defective.

So, I'm wondering if it's just a question of the keycap being quite large, and thus causing an odd angle when pressed down from the left edge (and the force not being parallel with the stabilizer), or something mysterious or a defect.

For the record, my Qpad MK-50 with mx reds has a slightly similar effect.

Any input from ISO layout users?

Thanks!

[rowdy]

Not being sure what is under the key, I am guessing that just because it is such a large key, pressing the extreme upper corner of it causes that corner to depress slightly before the rest of the key, which makes the switch plunger descend at a very slight angle, which results in the key feeling slightly stiffer.

[shattentor]

I have a ISO Quickfire Rapid with red switches and the enter key behaves exactly as you described. I never wondered about it, as it probably has something to do with the unusual "appendix" (the problematic zone), as this is unique to the ISO Enter key. I never seem to hit the Enter at this specific zone, so it's not a big deal to me. But I'm pretty sure it's no defect and has something to do with the stabilizer mechanics.

[damorgue]

I have never encountered that on ISO enters. I have had that on a shift once and I switched the stem of that key with another which resolved it. I think that stem was just a bit scratchy, non-smooth or a bit dusty. If a key is pressed far off axis, then I can imagine that those might cause problems which aren't as easily noticeable with 1u keys.

[dorkvader]

I have a ISO Quickfire Rapid with red switches and the enter key behaves exactly as you described. I never wondered about it, as it probably has something to do with the unusual "appendix" (the problematic zone), as this is unique to the ISO Enter key. I never seem to hit the Enter at this specific zone, so it's not a big deal to me. But I'm pretty sure it's no defect and has something to do with the stabilizer mechanics.

Welcome to geekhack!

I would say that it's likely a difference in pressing it on the extreme end and stabilizer placement. Have you tried re-seating the keycap and the stabilizers? It might also want some lube on the stabilizers.

[davkol]

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[tp4tissue]

this is a problem with every keyboard.

Only sure fix,   reduce the outer diameter of the keycap stem by 0.3mm

Lubricate the stabilizers.

[Deekin]

I just tried this and yeah its as you say. But I have never pressed the key from/in that direction before so I didnt even know. Have never been encumbered by this.

[rowdy]

I have a ISO Quickfire Rapid with red switches and the enter key behaves exactly as you described. I never wondered about it, as it probably has something to do with the unusual "appendix" (the problematic zone), as this is unique to the ISO Enter key. I never seem to hit the Enter at this specific zone, so it's not a big deal to me. But I'm pretty sure it's no defect and has something to do with the .

Welcome to Geekhack!

"stabilizer mechanics" - a good phrase - I shall try to use it more often in conversations