Author Topic: Ultimate Switch Tester Winter 2013 US Tour (Read 25999 times)

hashbaz · « **on:** Mon, 14 January 2013, 23:08:45 »

Okay I have taken the sign-up form offline. The following made it in:

Swagpiratex
sinzz
blackrim
Goliath
fohat.digs
Lastpilot
Tempest790
mashby
Nawit

I'll be formulating a shipping order soon to minimize travel time. Watch for PMs.

Original post is below

Hello noobs! Unsure of which switch is your keyboard soulmate? Sign up for the ultimate switch tester and find out.

This fantastic community project is brought to you courtesy of BossBorot, who built the UST out of a Filco tenkeyless. I'm merely administering the tour.

The first tour is US-only. Rather than accept a huge waiting list as I did with my previous testers, I'm going to cut off sign-ups after 10 or so and get things underway.

Rules:

1. Take care of the UST. It's a community resource, so let's make it last as long as possible.
2. Make it snappy. Send the UST on to the next person on the list within three days of receiving it. I will PM you the next address as soon as I know you have it.
3. Ship the UST properly. I believe it will fit in a medium size USPS Priority flat-rate box (confirmation pending). This will cost you $11.35. Don't sign up if you aren't willing to ship it this way.
4. Communicate. Post in the thread when you've received the UST, and when you've shipped it. If you'd like, post a review and say which switches you liked and why.

Optional (but encouraged): take a fun picture of the UST and post it in the thread. Popular photo ops from past testers include local places of interest, and women.

Fancy sign-up form: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/viewform?formkey=dFg4NG03VkFSUjNuOVhCNUloemRJTGc6MQ

Switch diagram:

SmallFry · « **Reply #1 on:** Mon, 14 January 2013, 23:12:09 »

Cool! I don't need to sign up, but glad somebody finally put one together:)

Sinzz · « **Reply #2 on:** Mon, 14 January 2013, 23:38:19 »

Signed up! though shipping the item from when I receive it might be delayed, due to my hectic work schedule, just a heads up.

blackrim · « **Reply #3 on:** Tue, 15 January 2013, 10:16:19 »

This is great! I signed up, but how do we know if we made the cutoff?

hashbaz · « **Reply #4 on:** Tue, 15 January 2013, 11:36:28 »

So far only five have signed up, so you're all in.

Lastpilot · « **Reply #5 on:** Tue, 15 January 2013, 18:23:14 »

Suhweet! Having only experienced Blues, I'm pretty excited. Can't wait to take pictures with it either

EDIT: Will probably make a fun YouTube video with it xD

Tempest790 · « **Reply #6 on:** Tue, 15 January 2013, 18:31:37 »

Definitely would be interested to sign up. I filled out the link form. Thanks!

mashby · « **Reply #7 on:** Tue, 15 January 2013, 19:17:31 »

Ooh ohh, pick me, pick me!

Edit: form filled. I was too excited and posted before reading all the way to the bottom.

Quarzac · « **Reply #8 on:** Wed, 16 January 2013, 00:07:38 »

I seriously love the photo rule with these tours.

Nawit · « **Reply #9 on:** Wed, 16 January 2013, 04:44:29 »

Signed up! I've loved blues all along but I never really gave any other key switch a chance. This is great! Thanks.

ComradeSniper · « **Reply #10 on:** Wed, 16 January 2013, 17:11:45 »

Either the poll is down or I'm just too late. I'd love to give it a try though!

CPTBadAss · « **Reply #11 on:** Wed, 16 January 2013, 18:12:19 »

I was too late!!

I'm really glad someone put this together though. I hope next round I can get in on it. Thanks for doing this hash!

hashbaz · « **Reply #12 on:** Wed, 16 January 2013, 18:17:10 »

Yep, I'm cutting it off at 10 for the first round I'm afraid. I'll update the OP tonight.

hashbaz · « **Reply #13 on:** Thu, 17 January 2013, 23:36:21 »

Okay I have taken the sign-up form offline. The following made it in:

Swagpiratex
sinzz
blackrim
Goliath
fohat.digs
Lastpilot
Tempest790
mashby
Nawit

I'll be formulating a shipping order soon to minimize travel time. Watch for PMs.

mashby · « **Reply #14 on:** Fri, 18 January 2013, 00:02:12 »

Woo hoo!

blackrim · « **Reply #15 on:** Fri, 18 January 2013, 15:39:41 »

hashbaz · « **Reply #16 on:** Wed, 23 January 2013, 23:32:08 »

Official travel order is:

Goliath
Swagpiratex
sinzz
blackrim
Tempest790
mashby
fohat.digs
Lastpilot
Nawit

This takes us west ==> east across the US and is pretty close to the sign-up order. I'm PMing Goliath now to verify he's ready to receive.

mashby · « **Reply #17 on:** Thu, 24 January 2013, 19:27:45 »

Thank you BossBorot for creating such a wonderful project and Hashbaz for administering it. So thrilled I made the first 10. Assuming that it takes about a week for each person to have a turn, it looks like I'm about 8 weeks out.

I have to admit that I feel a bit like Elf right now!

Unless anyone has any objections, I'll probably try to time the Mid-South Meetup to coincide with my delivery. That way more people can have some time with the keyboard. If you're around Nashville, or willing to swing in for a visit, be sure to post a reply to this thread.

hashbaz · « **Reply #18 on:** Thu, 24 January 2013, 22:09:47 »

Great idea mashby. Share the love.

Nawit · « **Reply #19 on:** Thu, 24 January 2013, 22:15:30 »

Thanks again for doing this!

hashbaz · « **Reply #20 on:** Sat, 26 January 2013, 23:17:22 »

I have PM confirmation that Goliath is ready to receive the tester. I'll ship it out Monday morning.

Tempest790 · « **Reply #21 on:** Sun, 27 January 2013, 22:47:53 »

Yes. Thanks for doing this!

metalliqaz · « **Reply #22 on:** Sun, 27 January 2013, 22:51:50 »

Cool, sorry I missed this. That UST is awesome

hashbaz · « **Reply #23 on:** Thu, 31 January 2013, 14:51:23 »

I've just shipped the tester to Goliath. Sorry for the delay, everyone.

SmallFry · « **Reply #24 on:** Thu, 31 January 2013, 14:51:58 »

Jeez man, teh delayz!

Have fun everyone. I hope you can figure out your favorite switches!

hashbaz · « **Reply #25 on:** Sun, 03 February 2013, 01:19:25 »

USPS tacking indicates the tester has been delivered to Goliath.

Goliath · « **Reply #26 on:** Sun, 03 February 2013, 15:25:05 »

Got the keyboard last night after coming home from a birthday dinner. Thing's great, got to try out a lot of switches I've been really curious about. It's really interesting to type on, haha.

So who will I be sending it to next?

mashby · « **Reply #27 on:** Sun, 03 February 2013, 15:35:48 »

Quote from: Goliath on Sun, 03 February 2013, 15:25:05

Got the keyboard last night after coming home from a birthday dinner. Thing's great, got to try out a lot of switches I've been really curious about. It's really interesting to type on, haha.

Don't forget to take pictures!

Quote from: Goliath on Sun, 03 February 2013, 15:25:05

So who will I be sending it to next?

~~mashby~~ ...err, I mean Swagpiratex.

hashbaz · « **Reply #28 on:** Sun, 03 February 2013, 15:37:07 »

Quote from: Goliath on Sun, 03 February 2013, 15:25:05

Got the keyboard last night after coming home from a birthday dinner. Thing's great, got to try out a lot of switches I've been really curious about. It's really interesting to type on, haha.

So who will I be sending it to next?

I'll PM you the address this evening.

Goliath · « **Reply #29 on:** Sun, 03 February 2013, 15:59:40 »

Pictures!

Leewei · « **Reply #30 on:** Sun, 03 February 2013, 16:04:14 »

Can I get in on this?

SmallFry · « **Reply #31 on:** Sun, 03 February 2013, 16:05:17 »

Getting in on the tour is closed as of now.

hashbaz · « **Reply #32 on:** Sun, 03 February 2013, 16:05:19 »

Quote from: Leewei on Sun, 03 February 2013, 16:04:14

Can I get in on this?

The first round is already in progress. But there will be future rounds!

SmallFry · « **Reply #33 on:** Sun, 03 February 2013, 16:05:45 »

Heh, ninja'd.

not by much though. 2 seconds.

Leewei · « **Reply #34 on:** Sun, 03 February 2013, 16:18:27 »

Okay, look forward to it. Currently have only tried reds so will be interesting to see other switches. =)

mashby · « **Reply #35 on:** Sun, 03 February 2013, 16:58:08 »

Quote from: Leewei on Sun, 03 February 2013, 16:18:27

Okay, look forward to it. Currently have only tried reds so will be interesting to see other switches. =)

If you happen to live somewhere close to Nashville, TN, I'm coordinating a meet up in about two months to give everyone a chance to play with the board.

Leewei · « **Reply #36 on:** Sun, 03 February 2013, 17:15:12 »

That sounds good. I would like that but I am not sure if I am free this semester. Currently taking 20+ credits and it's all senior level classes with projects going on. I will have to let you know when the date comes a little closer. I am currently based in Ames, Iowa so it isn't really close either. =)

hashbaz · « **Reply #37 on:** Mon, 11 February 2013, 22:57:38 »

The tester was sent out last Wednesday, should be arriving at Swagpiratex soon...

hashbaz · « **Reply #38 on:** Tue, 12 February 2013, 22:03:26 »

I just got word that Swagpiratex will be sending the tester on soon.

As a reminder, please PM me when you send or receive the tester, and post in the thread (even if you don't have pictures or a review).

Sinzz · « **Reply #39 on:** Wed, 13 February 2013, 23:55:05 »

Received the Tester! and must say that it's pretty awesome to have all these switches to try out in front of me. Thanks again hashbaz for doing this tour!

Red - light and linear
Black - heavy linear
Red w/ Clear - Very heavy swtiches, fingers fatigue pretty easily with these
Ghetto Reds - Feels SLIGHTLY lighter than actual reds
Red w/ Black - Don't feel a difference between blacks
Black w/ Clear - Same as Red w/ clear
Dark Grey - Very heavy

Brown - light tactile
Brown w/ Black - Feels pretty close to Clears
Brown w/ Clear - Same as brown w/ blacks

Ergo Clear - Really like ergo clears. A more pronounced version of Browns. More tactility than browns
Clear w/ Black - Didn't feel much of a difference between these and regular clears
Clear - Heavier more pronounced browns
Grey - Heavier clears

Blue - Light clicky (can feel the tactility more than browns)
Blue w/ Black - Feels just like Greens
Blue w/ Clear - I know it's lighter but I dont feel much difference between these and greens
Green - heavier blues

White w/ Light - Quieter blues
White - more tactile, quieter blues
White w/ Black - just like whites
White w/ Clear - Quieter blue w/ clear

Toggle w/ Light - Heavier than regular toggle switch
Toggle - as light as reds

I honestly can say that now that I've tried a good amount of these switches that the "common switches" (including greens) I feel are the best ones out there. Other one's are either too heavy for my taste, or very similar to other switches. The only one that really stands out that I feel is better than a common switch is Ergo Clears. I think they should replace Browns. Will enjoy playing with it while I still have it though, maybe some of my opinions will change with more use.

swagpiratex · « **Reply #40 on:** Thu, 14 February 2013, 17:45:39 »

I ended up liking them all for different reasons, lol.

mashby · « **Reply #41 on:** Thu, 21 February 2013, 12:52:41 »

Any updates?

Has it been sent to the next tester?

hashbaz · « **Reply #42 on:** Fri, 22 February 2013, 20:01:59 »

Last I heard Sinzz had it. Sent him/her a poke.

Sinzz · « **Reply #43 on:** Fri, 22 February 2013, 23:23:48 »

Sorry! totally forgot to update, I sent out the keyboard, should arrive to the next tester by tomorrow!

mashby · « **Reply #44 on:** Sat, 23 February 2013, 07:45:15 »

Quote from: Sinzz on Fri, 22 February 2013, 23:23:48

Sorry! totally forgot to update, I sent out the keyboard, should arrive to the next tester by tomorrow!

Woo hoo! Thanks Sinzz.

*rubs hands together whispering "my precious"*

Sinzz · « **Reply #45 on:** Sat, 23 February 2013, 15:10:10 »

Lol no problem. Sorry for the delay.. And not aiming it at you, but is my name hard to distinguish? Lol I've had so many iterations of my name in every forum I join. XD

mashby · « **Reply #46 on:** Sat, 23 February 2013, 15:34:16 »

Quote from: Sinzz on Sat, 23 February 2013, 15:10:10

Lol no problem. Sorry for the delay.. And not aiming it at you, but is my name hard to distinguish? Lol I've had so many iterations of my name in every forum I join. XD

Whoops! I totally miss-spelled your name. So sorry about that.

) Edited my earlier post to correct it.

I wondered why you'd call yourself that. LOL!

blackrim · « **Reply #47 on:** Sat, 23 February 2013, 17:23:05 »

RECEIVED TODAY!
Will be updating with some photos and some impressions in the next day or two.

Sinzz · « **Reply #48 on:** Sun, 24 February 2013, 01:02:05 »

Quote from: mashby on Sat, 23 February 2013, 15:34:16

Quote from: Sinzz on Sat, 23 February 2013, 15:10:10
Lol no problem. Sorry for the delay.. And not aiming it at you, but is my name hard to distinguish? Lol I've had so many iterations of my name in every forum I join. XD

Whoops! I totally miss-spelled your name. So sorry about that. ) Edited my earlier post to correct it.

I wondered why you'd call yourself that. LOL!

No problem, I'm kind of used to it by now.

even the person who sent me the package spelled it wrong.. haha

Hope it got to you alright blackrim! When the people at USPS delivered it to me, my box was beat to hell

blackrim · « **Reply #49 on:** Mon, 25 February 2013, 17:30:00 »

yeah it came pretty well. a little messed up but seems ok. been messing around with it and already have opinions so that is good.

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Author Topic: Ultimate Switch Tester Winter 2013 US Tour (Read 25999 times)