Best typing feel, Double Shot ABS or PBT Keycaps?

[Hyde]

At the moment seems like only imsto / KBC carries it, so I'd assume so lol

[singaporean123]

without a doubt, cloud of boobs keycaps

[laffindude]

Seems like I am the only one that prefer thin ABS caps (Preferably those Filco pad print ones, the ones made for lasering feel less crisp). ABS > POM ≥ PBT for me. ABS feels the most crisp and fastest. PBT feels dull and lifeless. POM feels crisp but they're kinda slippery. Durability and cosmetics doesn't really matter to me.

[TheQsanity]

Ok, do they all feel close enough? Do a lot of you say that it matters just as much as the switch itself? Or is it more minimal

[fohat.digs]

I am typing on a set of well-worn ABS doubleshots right now that feel horrible to me.

Having used Model M/Fs as my daily drivers for over a year, with clean newish PBT caps, I REALLY miss the nice texture.

These slick things feel downright greasy under my fingers, and it is not pleasant. But they do LOOK GOOD, if that is more important to you!

[Hyde]

without a doubt, cloud of boobs keycaps

Anyone here with thick PBT can confirm this claim lol?

There's a chance if the group buy can't reach the MOQ number (300) then we might have to go with grey colour which in my opinion doesn't look as nice.

So I need to decide if I should go for regular PBT (looks nicer but won't be as thick), or just go for grey cherry replica thick PBT (feel better, won't look as nice).

[sovano]

How is a PBT keycap thick exactly? I'm starting to wonder if mines are regular or thick now lol.

I am typing on a set of well-worn ABS doubleshots right now that feel horrible to me.

Having used Model M/Fs as my daily drivers for over a year, with clean newish PBT caps, I REALLY miss the nice texture.

These slick things feel downright greasy under my fingers, and it is not pleasant. But they do LOOK GOOD, if that is more important to you!

I was a bit unimpressed the first time I used ABS keycaps. After a week of usage I could see some visible finger prints on the keycaps.

Does anyone happen to own POM keycaps? Not really sure what to expect if I get one.

[Hyde]

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=31861.510

Scroll down a bit it has comparison picture.  Man the thick one look very nice though I hope this goes through 

[rowdy]

I actually found that I quite like the SP thinner ones on my MX blues so far - they feel lighter, and seem to go well with the tactile blues.

[Hyde]

I actually found that I quite like the SP thinner ones on my MX blues so far - they feel lighter, and seem to go well with the tactile blues.

Though have you tried thick PBT?  I find in keyboard world there's a lot of "This is the best until you try this".  You never really know until you have tried them all 

Kinda why I'm asking now, I probably can only afford to buy 1 so I want to make sure I get the right one 

[sovano]

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=31861.510

Scroll down a bit it has comparison picture.  Man the thick one look very nice though I hope this goes through 

Wow those are thick indeed. Mines are definitely regular.

[Hyde]

Maybe you should get a set and help out the group buy 

[rowdy]

I actually found that I quite like the SP thinner ones on my MX blues so far - they feel lighter, and seem to go well with the tactile blues.

Though have you tried thick PBT?  I find in keyboard world there's a lot of "This is the best until you try this".  You never really know until you have tried them all 

Kinda why I'm asking now, I probably can only afford to buy 1 so I want to make sure I get the right one 

Each person has a different "best".  You might have to get some of each and try them yourself to find out which one you really prefer.

[Hyde]

Each person has a different "best".  You might have to get some of each and try them yourself to find out which one you really prefer.

Nooooooooooo I was hoping I didn't have to go down this route LOL.

[chaumeow]

Each person has a different "best".  You might have to get some of each and try them yourself to find out which one you really prefer.

Nooooooooooo I was hoping I didn't have to go down this route LOL.

Hand over you wallet, Hyde! Time to give it up! lol~~ "FOR SCIENCE!"

[Hyde]

KEYBOARD SCIENCE !!!

[sovano]

Maybe you should get a set and help out the group buy 

I'm becoming increasingly poor ever since I've dived back into the mechanical keyboard market. To the point where I may have to sell my current keyboards for my Ducky

[chaumeow]

I'm becoming increasingly poor ever since I've dived back into the mechanical keyboard market. To the point where I may have to sell my current keyboards for my Ducky

(I suddenly feel so sad to hear this...)

[Skull_Angel]

I was a bit unimpressed the first time I used ABS keycaps. After a week of usage I could see some visible finger prints on the keycaps.

Does anyone happen to own POM keycaps? Not really sure what to expect if I get one.

I had used thin POM for a while on a PLUM keyboard; compared to the ABS on my new Ducky Shining 2, they (POM) feel like they have more mass and were a bit more comfortable to type on concerning bottoming out w/o any O-rings.

[noisyturtle]

I know some people will throw a fit for me saying this, but double shots feel pretty much the same as ABS to me. PBT on the other hand feel much much better, and make a deeper sound too. Thick PBT's are king though, but finding a set that's pretty and readily available is a pain.

[kmiller8]

Does anyone happen to own POM keycaps? Not really sure what to expect if I get one.

I've only had POM caps, and switching in a few SP ABS DS, The ABS keys feel... harder/sharper? It's definitely a noticeable difference.

[Hyde]

I know some people will throw a fit for me saying this, but double shots feel pretty much the same as ABS to me.

I think based on one of the picture I saw double shot are not any thicker than standard ABS, and double shots are made from ABS too.

So this could be why, but I could also be wrong there might be thicker double shot out there.

Thick PBT's are king though, but finding a set that's pretty and readily available is a pain.

I knowwwwww.  I'm trying to get thick PBT but don't want to get blue or grey.  So I'm waiting on this group buy to pull through for white thick PBT but the MOQ is so high (300) that it's taking a long time 

Help fellow geekhackers out ~~~  http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=31861.0

[ZcHuer]

Feeling of PBT key caps varies for what sort of "PBT" is used for the key caps. I would say Cherry genuine PBT caps feel much better than others.

[jeroplane]

I know some people will throw a fit for me saying this, but double shots feel pretty much the same as ABS to me.

I think based on one of the picture I saw double shot are not any thicker than standard ABS, and double shots are made from ABS too.

So this could be why, but I could also be wrong there might be thicker double shot out there.

You're probably thinking of doubleshots like SP's doubleshots, which are thin just like OEM ABS keys. Wait til you try original Cherry doubleshots - they have much more mass to them.

[akuJIWA]

Maybe you should get a set and help out the group buy 

Which set has that thickness?

[Hyde]

Which set has that thickness?

Only the original Cherry double shots, not sure which keyboards have them.

BUT !!! There are thick PBT replicas being made which are here (both the white/grey/blue are made from the same factory so quality should be the same):

White Keycap With Various Options
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=31861.0

Blue/Grey Keycaps
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=35064.0

The white one needs 300 MOQ (minimum order quantity).  Which is the one we're shooting for now, should help us out on this one unless you really really want grey/blue (which has no minimum order number) lol.

[dorkvader]

I actually found that I quite like the SP thinner ones on my MX blues so far - they feel lighter, and seem to go well with the tactile blues.

Well, thin keycaps are lighter than thick ones. That's one of the main reasons I keep my thin cherry PBT set around: for Cherry blues.

[Hyde]

Are thick keycaps no good for MX Blues? 

[akuJIWA]

Which set has that thickness?

Only the original Cherry double shots, not sure which keyboards have them.

BUT !!! There are thick PBT replicas being made which are here (both the white/grey/blue are made from the same factory so quality should be the same):

White Keycap With Various Options
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=31861.0

Blue/Grey Keycaps
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=35064.0

The white one needs 300 MOQ (minimum order quantity).  Which is the one we're shooting for now, should help us out on this one unless you really really want grey/blue (which has no minimum order number) lol.

Just ordered the thick and blank ones.

[Rinsaku]

I like the texture of PBT the best after that it would be POM followed by ABS.

[winzds]

pom
ds abs
pbt

[laffindude]

I tried to quantify why I like thin ABS more than PBT, so I did a few typing test. In short, it is that I type ~10% faster on thin ABS caps with MX blues. The difference is negligible on browns and reds, but I do type slower on them to begin with. I get almost 110 average vs just under 100wpm (shush, I know these speeds are nothing to write home about, especially here amongst keyboard nerds.). May be it is all in my mind, but PBT felt heavier to press. I make significantly less transposition errors on 2-3 alternating hand letter combos with ABS for some reason. May be it's due to the more distinct tactile feedback. The average above is best effort, not including when I had to fix those stupid errors. If including, the difference would be much larger. I am sure I could eventually get used to the feel of PBT, but why bother? I already type faster with less effort. YMMV of course, though I am interested to see if anyone else type at different speeds between the different keycap material.