Although all the posts were helpful, and I appreciate them all, I will respond to this post as I found it most helpful. I really enjoy the blackwidow. I wish I got the ultimate for the back-lit keys. I love the tactile feel of the blues but I am interested in trying different switches when I get my hands on the UST.
I'd like to learn the different customizations of keyboards. I love to customize thigns and make them my own. For example, different types of keycaps. What's best? Different switches. Cherry or Alps? Is it worth changing springs and keeping switches? Stuff like that is what I am interested in. Now I was looking into the CM trigger with the greens but I don't want to switch until I try the other keys on the UST.
Thanks for your help!
No problem at all. Glad to help
In terms of customization, you have tons of options.
So now that you know about the various types of switches and what they do, it's ultimately up to you try to them out and test them. It's really a matter of personal preference.
What's the best? Some people prefer PBT, some prefer ABS. The finish matters a lot too. I had a set of ABS keys that were pad-printed (epoxy type ink laid on top of the keys) and I really hated it, but my stock Ducky Shine II keys are enamel coated which I really like that makes them semi-smooth with a matte finish.
PBT is generally somewhat stiff, somewhat rough finish. It's definitely a stiffer material than ABS, and can handle more temperature too (like that matters), so you can expect a slightly higher pitched clack. Keep in mind that there are "thick" and "thin" PBT keycaps as well. PBT generally lasts longer than ABS, however, and are also usually more expensive. However, you cannot double-shot PBT (yet, SP is testing this actually), and in my opinion, double-shot ABS caps are awesome. You can, however, dye-sub, which has its advantages and disadvantages. I think the guide covered a lot of this so I won't repeat information, but if you get lost please let me know and I can fill in details.
Alps vs Cherry? I think Cherry all the way vs Alps. Alps are generally a lot cheaper, and not very popular, especially if you want to customize. I rarely see custom key caps made for Alps keyboards, if at all. Cherry is very smooth and nice, but people can always argue that Topre is the best keyboard. I've never personally tried, and I've heard mixed opinions, so that is ultimately again, up to you to try and test it out. All I can say that is that they are pricey keyboards, although they do use some pretty cool technology.
Keep in mind that Topre and Cherry have different key plungers, so key caps made for Cherry will not fit on a Topre. That being said, Cherry is by far the most popular and customizable key around. It is also easy to work with, and widely available for replacement. So, as an introductory switch, I think Cherry would be the best for you, since you like to customize.
It can and can not be worth changing springs and switches. It depends on what you really want, and also what kind of board the keyboard is.
So for starters, generally a keyboard with be plate-mounted or PCB mounted.
A plate mounted keyboard will have a steel plate mounted over the PCB (printed circuit board) where all the switches, controllers and electronics are placed. This is placed there for stiffness, solidarity, added weight to the keyboard (matters for some), and of course to mount the switches on. These keyboard are generally more heavy, have a more solid feel to them, but...are much harder to work on. You cannot remove switches without taking the cover off, disconnecting controller and USB cables, desoldering the switches (and LEDs if you have a backlit keyboard), and then you can open up the switch you want to work on. In a nutshell, you cannot efficiently lube, change switch or spring for that matter in these types of boards without desoldering. Desoldering is not hard, but is a tedious process where small errors can lead to detrimental situations, but we can get you prepped for that too. A few tips goes a long way, but don't start without them.
A PCB mounted board is different in that it has the switches mounted directly onto the PCB, and also the switches will need two additional pins for solidarity that the metal plate that isn't there used to provide. These boards generally are lighter, feel a little more mushy, but highly customizable. You can easily remove the switch tops and plungers for lubing and change springs very easily on these keyboards.
As for key cap switching, as you can expect, changing both are the same. Don't EVER use the little plastic key cap pullers. You will scratch your key caps, and also they suck at pulling the larger modifier keys. Invest in a simple $6 filco or WASD or leopold puller, as in the future, if you get into this hobby, some of your keycaps will cost quadruple that amount, easily.
First, try the different keys, and see if you like the switches. It honestly may not be worth going through all this because number 1, korean springs that people like to put in their keyboards are not easily or cheaply obtained, and 2, if you start with the plate-mounted board, this will be extremely time consuming.
Last but not least, the CM storm with greens is not a bad choice. The CM storm is definitely one of the better cheaper boards that are worth the money. See if you like stiff keys. In my personal experience, I tried blacks but I didn't like them compared to Reds. I like my keys very soft, which is nice for typing long reports and such, but again, user preference.
Backlit is nice, I really like my Ducky Shine II, and I think you should look into that as your next keyboard if you like backlit. The quality is great, and LEDs are awesome, and there are a lot of modes on this keyboard you wont find on anything else, like the reactive mode and the user customizable profiles (you can set which ones stay lit and stay off)
However, backlit key caps are not that popular, especially when it comes to custom keyboards, so keep that in mind.
I hope I addressed most of your concerns, let me know if there was anything you weren't sure of and I'll try to help you out! Good luck
