What is the true gaming switch?

[Fragil1ty]

Hey guys, so recently, I've been trying to decipher, 'what is the best gaming switch out there?'

Personally, I'm having a hard time choosing between blacks and reds, I just don't like blacks for typing, but I love them for gaming and I like reds for both, but then I came across this extremely biased opinion.

I'm not going to address every point, but I'll address a few of them and then leave you guys to reply, because I eagerly await your feedback and opinions, here's the entire quote.

Now that you are educated on the different types of key switches that are available, I am now going to explain to you what each type of switch is best suited for.  I might come off as a little bias, but just to let you know I have been using computers and mechanical keyboards for over 25 years.  I am a hardcore gamer and always strive for perfection in everything I do.

In short, I think the reds and blacks are worthless and that no one should purchase them simply because of the fact that you have no exact feedback of key press actuation.  When I first got into the Cherry MX keyboards awhile ago, I tried all key switches with all different types of applications for long periods of time.  I played many different types of games, from FPS, to RTS, to MMORPGs for days with each type of key switch.  I find the Reds and Blacks are merely for lazy mindless gamers.  However if you are looking for that cutting edge in your gaming, you are going to need the tactical feedback from the bumps (from the Blues or Browns), so you know exactly in your head which keys have been pressed and for exactly how long.  I cannot stress how important this is in gaming!

I cannot understand why any gamer would want to use the Red or Black keys for any reason whatsoever!  Sure they say you can double tap faster, but you can double tap really just as fast on the Blues or Browns (while at the same time providing tactical feedback)!

I simply noticed a huge difference when switching from the blacks to browns after playing any game!  It really is a big difference actually.  I am simply way more efficient when using the Browns over the Reds or Blacks.  And I consider myself a hardcore gamer and I do believe that any true gamer will benefit from using the Browns (or even Blues) over the Reds or Blacks any day.

*  I think the reds and blacks are worthless and that no one should purchase them simply because of the fact that you have no exact feedback of key press actuation.

I found this extremely odd, yes it is extremely true about the fact that they have no feedback, but I love this fact, I don't need feedback on a key to know that I have pressed it and this is why I love blacks and reds so much, they are a perfect gaming key.

* I find the Reds and Blacks are merely for lazy mindless gamers.  However if you are looking for that cutting edge in your gaming, you are going to need the tactical feedback from the bumps (from the Blues or Browns), so you know exactly in your head which keys have been pressed and for exactly how long.

I know that this post is simply based on this users own personal opinion, but I just don't understand how someone who has used all 4 switches (the main ones of course, blues, reds, browns and blacks) can say that reds and blacks are for lazy gamers? how is that so? and to say that blues are better for gamers? uh, am I missing something here? He states that it is a matter of extreme importance that you NEED to have feedback when gaming? no you don't, I found that on my old blackwidow, it would annoy me when I'm trying to double tap and the key would get stuck at the actuation point while playing league of legends.

* I cannot understand why any gamer would want to use the Red or Black keys for any reason whatsoever!  Sure they say you can double tap faster, but you can double tap really just as fast on the Blues or Browns (while at the same time providing tactical feedback)!

This is false, in order to double tap a blue cherry key, you have to release your finger from the key itself before you are able to tap that key again, it just blows my mind that someone can be this ignorant.

* I simply noticed a huge difference when switching from the blacks to browns after playing any game!  It really is a big difference actually.  I am simply way more efficient when using the Browns over the Reds or Blacks.  And I consider myself a hardcore gamer and I do believe that any true gamer will benefit from using the Browns (or even Blues) over the Reds or Blacks any day.

I have no words left.

The full article is here, if you're interested:

http://www.yurtopic.com/tech/gadgets/cherry-mx.html

So what are your thoughts on both this guys opinions and what is YOUR favourite gaming switch and what is your favourite typing switch?

[jwaz]

I feel like he is just passing off/ justifying his personal preference against the status quo of linear cherry switches in gaming. Accurately double tapping an MX Blue? meh. This guy would love clears though.

For the most part I game on Topre for the most part but wouldn't call myself a "hardcore" gamer (more like discerning ethusiast). Definitely considering MX Clear for my N52TE mod.

[CPTBadAss]

Check this out for my general feelings on your question.

I've played video games on Whites, Greens, Blues, Buckling Spring, and Clicky Alps. I prefer playing on Greens and Whites.

[ynrozturk]

Whatever works for you is the best.

[Hyde]

Judging from his post, it sounds like he's saying tactile is faster because you can press a key down halfway till the actuation point and let go and go to your next command.  In theory yes this is true but in reality when gaming you'll probably be mashing your keys hard and bottom out all the time anyway (maybe this is where his accusation for lazy gamer comes in).

So sure if you think you can fine control all your key presses during the heat of the battle then his theory works.  But in my personal experience when gaming I always bottom out so linear works for me (no distraction from tactile bump).

As for double tap, yes you can double tap from MX Blue.  But it's like saying in theory you can drive from west coast to east coast by car but if you have a choice airplane would still be faster.  Since MX Blue's reset point is so high up that MX Black/Red will always double tap faster than MX Blue.

Though like people said ultimately just find a switch that you feel comfortable with.  I personally prefer MX Brown for typing and MX Red for gaming.  I've tried gaming on Topre recently and it's ok, but I think MX Red is still better for gaming.

So find one that works for you. 

[Danule]

Depends on your taste. But i find brown to be the best. Light and tactile.

[ShakeR]

I feel like he is just passing off/ justifying his personal preference against the status quo of linear cherry switches in gaming. Accurately double tapping an MX Blue? meh. This guy would love clears though.

For the most part I game on Topre for the most part but wouldn't call myself a "hardcore" gamer (more like discerning ethusiast). Definitely considering MX Clear for my N52TE mod.

I thought the exact thing about this guy loving clears lol.

Also, if you want over 1,000 opinions in a conveniently summarized number on the topic Fragil1ty:
http://mechanicalkeyboards.com/mechanical_switches.php

[TheSoulhunter]

Reds/Blacks with Clear springs! :3

[phetto]

MX reds imo..

[vun]

This thread is a whole lot of words for something that is very cut and dry;
There is no true gaming switch. It IS that easy.
Some might prefer some switches for gaming or certain types of games, but there is no switch that is more gaming than another.

Personally I prefer linear switches for gaming since I focus so little on the keys when I game that how the switch actually feels is irrelevant as I don't notice it.

[Puddsy]

It totally depends on the game. I play a wide variety of games, from shooters to RTS to MMORPGs. I tend to use what makes me feel most comfortable at the time (only exception is dota, which I prefer the small layout for). Currently, that' MX blacks with O-rings. Some days it's green ALPS, some days topre, some days MX browns, some days it's something I don't own.

I don't believe that a "true" gaming switch exists, however I think that MX reds are the closest we have right now. They're light and linear, so it's easy to ride the actuation point for quick actions.

[MKULTRA]

There is no true gaming switch.  That is all you need to know.  Use what ever you like.

[Tony]

There is no such true switch for any activities.

Topic starter is clearly hypnotized by Razer, SteelSeries etc. Brainwash needed.

[Altis]

I've had several experiences of missing double-taps on my Blues.

I find my Browns on my DAS to not provide nearly enough feedback to notice while your attention is heavily focused on the game.

The tactile doesn't help my gaming really at all as I tend to bottom out the keys regardless... and if you're going to do that, then light Reds, pressing down until the key bottoms out without too much effort, is probably my favorite for mechanical keys.

Keep in mind the OP of that opinion may have had really good copies of the tactile boards and poor copies of the non.  If you're gaming, focusing too much on not bottoming out your keys seems like a low priority to me, anyways, and if you're going to bottom out, the tactile click becomes less necessary.

Now to put my flame suit on... I game with my Apple aluminum keyboard, rather than my DAS, BWU, or Challenger Pro.  This is because my gaming only requires one hand on the keyboard, and the light and small Apple board can be moved around easily and kept off to my left side.  The keys are nice and flat, with a large gap between them, so I don't lose my footing.  The stroke is very short and snappy, which I find takes less force, time, and I can feel it perfectly fine.  Being able to move it around so easily helps reduce wrist fatigue for me, and I can keep the angles comfortable.

Otherwise, I'd just use a TKL/60% with Reds, like the QFR.  My Reds is full-size so I don't use it as much, ultimately.

Just my 2 cents worth, of course []

Edit:  The Apple is also significantly quieter under heavy use than even grazing my fingers across my DAS or BWU cause, let alone typing on them.  So I can game late and not disturb anyone.[]

[eth0s]

Topre is best for gaming.  Has tactile bump, but is smoother and easier than MX red. 

[johndavis33]

It's personal opinion! I gamed on blacks for a long time and loved it, then tried blues, and hated them. Now I'm using greens and I'd never use blues again. The reset point is annoying but I like the tactile feedback, esspecially on a stiffer switch. Everyone will like one switch over others

[AuRinBei]

Best gaming switch is scissor, no question. Hey, it might not feel the best, but it provides the shortest throw by far, and that's really the only thing that counts. It's crazy going from playing super hexagon on my laptop to playing it on my desktop. With Cherry MX or Topre, it feels like an eternity waiting for the key to come back up.

[C5Allroad]

It's personal opinion. I've gamed on blues before I really didn't notice the tactile bump except when things were kinda smooth going to the next facility in Planetside2. Right now I'm using reds but I type a lot of papers so I'm buying browns next I suspect it wouldn't be bad at all. Some people like linear some like tactile there isn't one switch that is classified as gaming. Any mechanical keyboard is better for gaming than membrane keyboards.

[PadawanGeek]

The best gaming switch is the one that best suit your style, be it ALPS, Cherry MX, Topre, Membrane, etc. I play games with various switches - Red, Black<Brown< Blue< Green and Clear - none has let me down, none has given me any issue with games. Heck, even played UT3 and Quake 3 Arena (my test FPS games for keyboards and mice because you'd need speed and accuracy) with my Topre and I'm still fragging as well as with my MX switches. There is no switch type that is best, only what suits you best....

[TimIsABat]

I've been gaming with my mx reds and have been quite satisfied with them for both gaming and typing. I can also type and game efficiently (variety of games) with a Model M as well. It really is personal preference. I would never game with blues (stupid razer blackwidow) because I feel that they are quite sticky compared to other switches when it comes to double tapping. Some vouch for blues. Some vouch Topre (I am seriously dying for one). I don't think there is a specific "best" switch out there for gaming. I would actually prefer gaming with my ergoclears if my board was still working.

[Emospence]

Whatever you like, mang.

[hashbaz]

Trying to refute preference with detailed arguments is futile.  Try em all, use what you like.  That's it.

[jonathanyu]

The switch that you like to use it while gaming, that is the true gaming switch for you.

[dorkvader]

I would argue that hall effect (honewell) is better than cherry switches for gaming.

[Belfong]

I find that linear switch feels like a scissor dome keyboard. Didn't quite like it. And for gaming the Blacks feel too heavy to press compare to the Blue. To each his own, I guess.

[SeriouSSpotS]

I like blacks, but it is whatever works for you really.

[Moosecraft]

It's very personal, but I enjoy both 62g ergo clears and 55g linear switches.

[skuko]

tactical feedback

stopped reading that stupid quote right there

[slip84]

I bought a Filco MJ2 Ninja with blues and loved it, but read about reds and was like, "OMG A GAMING SWITCH!? I play games!" Bought one, used it for like five minutes and realized reds are horrible for me, so I gave it to the fiancée. She loves it, even for typing. She dislikes the blues and browns she's tried on my PC.

So, my case study suggests that (SHOCK!) switch type for purpose is based on preferences. No way!

[metalliqaz]

I consider Browns the ultimate evolution of the MX switch.  Best for gaming, best for typing.

Of course, my favorite MX is actually clears with light springs, lube, and stickers.  But that just isn't practical most of the time.

[Oobly]

Whichever switch you like best for gaming.... I like browns and ergoclears for gaming. In fact I like them for everything, that's their main selling point for me, there's nothing they're bad for, IMHO.

TBH I can game on any switch type, doesn't bother me much, but like to type only on mechanicals.