MX Brown or Red

[ribasBRA]

I m buying my keyboard for playing starcraft 2 and i really dont know  which type of switches should i go red or brown or even the blue ones, i dont want them to be hardware to press and i want the tenkeyless formart on the keyboard

[BlueBär]

The best thing to do is trying out some mechanical keyboards in a store. Even if the stores don't have one of the usually recommended keyboards, like Filco, they most of the time have a Razer BlackWidow or a Logitech G710+, both mechanical keyboards (BW has Blues, G710+ Browns with O-rings). You can also get a switch test kit, but if you have the chance to, try out a whole board, not just one switch.

[tp4tissue]

the blue has a more distinct feedback sound.

I've heard that some gamers say that it helps them get "into their rhythm"


Other than that the switch relative to gaming would perform identically. since they use the same springs despite the weight difference.

The whole double tap is a non-issue, total BS

The brown feels identical to reds unless you're "LOOKING" for the bump, it's really small.

and if you lube it, it'll actually disappear... )

[mythe]

Idk about browns feeling like reds.  I've used browns for a year and then reds for a year afterwards, and I felt that the tactileness of the browns was quite apparent compared to reds
The biggest difference between those 3 keys is just the "crunchiness" of pushing the keys down.  If you want something really snappy go with the blues.  If you want something a little less pronounced and quieter go with browns.  The reds aren't tactile at all and are just smooth all the way down.  By the way, blues are loud enough to be heard over skype and will probably bother roomates if you have any.

[Moosecraft]

I would go either blues or reds. I'm not to keen on brown switches for gaming because somehow the bumps makes my fingers go tired faster than on blues.

[BlueBär]

Your fingers get tired on browns? They are actually on the low force end of switches...

[Grim Fandango]

I think the short answer is that you have to try it.

I disagree that browns feel identical to reds unless you are looking for the bump. To me, they feel different all the time, whether I am paying attention to look for the difference or not. Even if the tactile feedback is only very slight, it changes the overall feel of the switch quite a bit. But maybe even that is subjective, with the tactility being more noticeable to some than to others.

[tns]

I have thin fingers and kinda "weak" ones, I still feel like pianist hands got weak fingers...

And I feel like browns actuation feels like the switch is trembling,
even though I'm kind of liking light switches I'll prefer reds... to browns, but I'm a blue liker

Edit : and I'm kind of a guy getting tired on blacks after half a day... so..
edit2 : I'm playing starcraft 1&2 as well, I guess you know that reds weren't popular (don't know when) a certain time ago, so most of sc1 players would stack with browns, because they've been used to ... then maybe the new generation sc2 with reds (maybe x)), still some like blues to play sc2

You should just try these 3 kind of switches you're wanting to know XD

I'm a go blue
If one day we get a Cherry MX light blue I might go for it xD

[tns]

edit : to delete

[oppz197]

I have been in your situation before.I have been using brown for a year , I usually do long period gaming and I pretty good with it. Me and my friend was at a lan party one time and we trade keyboard to use ( he has red switches kb)After the lan party, I was glad that I chose brown instead of reds:D

[noisyturtle]

I absolutely HATE blues for gaming. My favorite gaming switch is reds, specifically lubed reds. Doesn't get any smoother, after a while it's like your fingers meld with the keyboard and become one, i.e. you never break your immersion with 'em. It might be beneficial to have some tactile feedback with RTS games though.

[PointyFox]

Get reds or blacks.  They are much less distracting for gaming and the tactility doesn't really help with anything unless you want to "float" your fingers above the reset point for typing documents, since you usually never hold down a key unlike when gaming.

[rowdy]

All this talk of reds and blacks (and browns) is making me want to dig my blacks out again for some finger-strengthening goodness!

[PointyFox]

All this talk of reds and blacks (and browns) is making me want to dig my blacks out again for some finger-strengthening goodness!

YOU DARE QUE...oh.   Carry on.

[TimIsABat]

Browns feel weird which is why I changed to ergoclear for a more noticeable tactile feel while while getting the right force needed with a 62g spring.

Reds aren't that bad unless you like to hammer your fingers into the board because it really doesn't take much to push the switch. I like them because I am a pretty light typer. You will bottom out no matter what.

For gaming, I found that it really doesn't matter. You will push the button regardless, and if you are anything like men when I play SC2, I end up bottoming out no matter what because I am more focused on the game then caring whether I am bottoming out or not.

I personally feel like browns are a cop out to a more tactile option, and if you don't mind a heavier switch you don't even need to go ergo and just get a board with clears.

[PointyFox]

Browns feel weird which is why I changed to ergoclear for a more noticeable tactile feel while while getting the right force needed with a 62g spring.

Reds aren't that bad unless you like to hammer your fingers into the board because it really doesn't take much to push the switch. I like them because I am a pretty light typer. You will bottom out no matter what.

For gaming, I found that it really doesn't matter. You will push the button regardless, and if you are anything like men when I play SC2, I end up bottoming out no matter what because I am more focused on the game then caring whether I am bottoming out or not.

I personally feel like browns are a cop out to a more tactile option, and if you don't mind a heavier switch you don't even need to go ergo and just get a board with clears.

The more I use reds after using blacks the less hard I hammer my fingers into the board

[Tony]

Both are fine,but since you also type a bit while gaming, I suggest brown.

[obsolete]

I have browns and reds and I like the browns better for gaming. Browns seem to actuate higher up in the keypress which translates to tighter strafes for me (FPS games). I would imagine you could also spam it faster than red switches for APM or w/e in Starcraft ^^ this is of course my take on it, I know people who prefer reds.

oh and if u want street cred amongst the starcraft nerds get a Qsenn/Samsung DT-35 ppl will know ur the realest. haha

[PointyFox]

I have browns and reds and I like the browns better for gaming. Browns seem to actuate higher up in the keypress which translates to tighter strafes for me (FPS games). I would imagine you could also spam it faster than red switches for APM or w/e in Starcraft ^^ this is of course my take on it, I know people who prefer reds.

oh and if u want street cred amongst the starcraft nerds get a Qsenn/Samsung DT-35 ppl will know ur the realest. haha

Browns and reds actuate at the exact same spot.  You can not spam browns faster than reds since the return speed of browns is slower due to the tactile bump.  Browns might be faster if you "hover" above the bump, but I don't think anyone knows if it is faster or slower in that case.

[rowdy]

I have browns and reds and I like the browns better for gaming. Browns seem to actuate higher up in the keypress which translates to tighter strafes for me (FPS games). I would imagine you could also spam it faster than red switches for APM or w/e in Starcraft ^^ this is of course my take on it, I know people who prefer reds.

oh and if u want street cred amongst the starcraft nerds get a Qsenn/Samsung DT-35 ppl will know ur the realest. haha

Browns and reds actuate at the exact same spot.  You can not spam browns faster than reds since the return speed of browns is slower due to the tactile bump.  Browns might be faster if you "hover" above the bump, but I don't think anyone knows if it is faster or slower in that case.

By that argument (and I've seen it around here before) blacks are best for gaming as they are linear and have stiff springs, which leads to the fastest return time.

[Grim Fandango]

I have browns and reds and I like the browns better for gaming. Browns seem to actuate higher up in the keypress which translates to tighter strafes for me (FPS games). I would imagine you could also spam it faster than red switches for APM or w/e in Starcraft ^^ this is of course my take on it, I know people who prefer reds.

oh and if u want street cred amongst the starcraft nerds get a Qsenn/Samsung DT-35 ppl will know ur the realest. haha

Browns and reds actuate at the exact same spot.  You can not spam browns faster than reds since the return speed of browns is slower due to the tactile bump.  Browns might be faster if you "hover" above the bump, but I don't think anyone knows if it is faster or slower in that case.

By that argument (and I've seen it around here before) blacks are best for gaming as they are linear and have stiff springs, which leads to the fastest return time.

It is really all down to personal preference. The most demanding gamers in terms of how they use the keyboard are probably the Starcraft2 pros, and even among them they use different switches. They also use whatever their sponsor gives them. Even if there are differences, it is all viable even at the top of the competitive scene. People can come up with all sorts of theories about (dis)advantages of switches. But, if you have accidental keypresses when using reds, or when your pinkies constantly hurt when using blacks, all of that does not matter. For FPS and other games that mostly use a WASD cluster with some additional keys, but are mostly dependent on the mouse, it makes even less of a difference.

[TimIsABat]

I have browns and reds and I like the browns better for gaming. Browns seem to actuate higher up in the keypress which translates to tighter strafes for me (FPS games). I would imagine you could also spam it faster than red switches for APM or w/e in Starcraft ^^ this is of course my take on it, I know people who prefer reds.

oh and if u want street cred amongst the starcraft nerds get a Qsenn/Samsung DT-35 ppl will know ur the realest. haha

Browns and reds actuate at the exact same spot.  You can not spam browns faster than reds since the return speed of browns is slower due to the tactile bump.  Browns might be faster if you "hover" above the bump, but I don't think anyone knows if it is faster or slower in that case.

By that argument (and I've seen it around here before) blacks are best for gaming as they are linear and have stiff springs, which leads to the fastest return time.

It is really all down to personal preference. The most demanding gamers in terms of how they use the keyboard are probably the Starcraft2 pros, and even among them they use different switches. They also use whatever their sponsor gives them. Even if there are differences, it is all viable even at the top of the competitive scene. People can come up with all sorts of theories about (dis)advantages of switches. But, if you have accidental keypresses when using reds, or when your pinkies constantly hurt when using blacks, all of that does not matter. For FPS and other games that mostly use a WASD cluster with some additional keys, but are mostly dependent on the mouse, it makes even less of a difference.

Them Koreans use a RD Qsenn lol. It really is preference. I actually play better with ergoclears than I do with my reds. It has to do with the bump being able to tell me I actuated the switch and the fact that 62g gives a great return while still being fairly light. Typing on ergoclears are amazing, but I still need to lube them for the full effect. I heard Topre boards are pretty good for gaming, but again it is all preference.

[nubbinator]

I have browns and reds and I like the browns better for gaming. Browns seem to actuate higher up in the keypress which translates to tighter strafes for me (FPS games). I would imagine you could also spam it faster than red switches for APM or w/e in Starcraft ^^ this is of course my take on it, I know people who prefer reds.

oh and if u want street cred amongst the starcraft nerds get a Qsenn/Samsung DT-35 ppl will know ur the realest. haha

It's all about preference.  There are SC2 pros who use Blues.  Personnaly, I'll stick to my Blacks, Ghost Blacks, and heavy Ergo Clears.

And those keyboards are mainly used by "1337" wannnabes outside of Korea.  The only reason they're popular there is because they're dirt cheap, ubiquitous, and decent.