Matias Quiet Pro - do they break in?

[frvrngn]

So in my quest of trying more switches I just picked up a Matias Quiet Pro to see what Alps were like.  I have to say its a weird experience so far and wanted to see about feedback from others.

Yes, the wobble a lot.  A lot more than I would prefer but when actually typing I dont notice it as much.  Here is what I do notice and its bugging me more and more.  They feel very "crunchy" and sloppy.  Off center hits dont feel right and the tactile point just has a weird dirty crunchy feeling like something isnt workign smoothly inside.  All the keys feel that way so I think it is just the switch.  They also feel to have a very high actuation force and I need to really tap at the keys to make a smooth stroke.  I cant just smoothly press down it seems, I have to purposely tap down hard to get the switches really moving. 

Prior to this I had been using my 45g Topre board the most.  I know that is a much lighter board with a different feel entirely so I swapped out to my BS board.  That board is much smoother but with the sharp tactile response.  Granted I have had that board the longest as it was my first mechanical but I dont use it all that often due to noise!  I went back to my Topre board and those keys felt comically light after typing on the Matias for a couple days.

That brings me to break in - do these break in?  Will they smooth out at all?  I want that tactile click to stay but I would like them to not feel so crunchy.  The sound is great, I can type all day and not bother anyone.  The build is decent other than the high gloss I can do without.  I get really fatigued on this board after long typing sessions where I dont on the Topre or BS board.  If these dont break in I think I will send it back...

One last mention, I think it may partly be due to my typing style.  I dont hover like you are supposed to with my wrists up.  I find if I force myself to do that the force seems to go down slightly to actuate the keys.  I rest my wrists at all times.

[Daniel Beardsmore]

I never notice the infamous Alps wobble, though some people do pick up on it.

I have the same complaint about the rough feel, but at the same time, I was impressed by the weighting: neither too stiff, nor too light. I don't recall getting any fatigue from them, nor would I imagine any reason for it considering how light they are (but not too light, like Cherry MX). I don't have any serious complaints about off-centre keypresses, but you're right in that the design can struggle a bit with that.

I forget how long I used my Quiet Pro before I went back to Filco — probably several weeks, in which time I don't recall noticing any change in feel. Someone else in the office has it at the moment; I should borrow his PC and see whether the feel has changed, although he doesn't do the amount of typing that I do.

[BucklingSpring]

I don't know if you can call it breaking in but the feel fairly change over time. Hard to describe in words.

I got a full size QP more than a year ago and got the mini QP not so long ago when they finally shipped. I was quite surprised on how different the two keyboard felt.

[frvrngn]

I can tell mine is starting to break in, either that or I am just getting used to it.  Its much smoother feeling vs. when I first starting to use it and I am also picking up speed.  My accuracy is pretty good with this board and I dont notice the wobble in the keys so much now.  I still notice that I cant be lazy with this keyboard (typing on it right now actually).  On my QFR Red I can be pretty lazy in my typing and still keep up a good pace.  On my Topre board a little less so but not that far behind.  This and my BS board I need to actually want to sit and type for a session.

I am growing to like it more and more so I think its a keeper.  I have my first MX Green board on the way to compare to my other Blue board which I never use anymore.  I keep it around as it was one of my first mechanicals.  I have a feeling the Green switch is going to be similar in that I will need to want to sit and hammer out some docs vs. just relaxing.

One last thought, they claim this is the quietest "mechanical" board out.  I would say my 45g Type Heaven Topre board is just as quiet.  Its a different sound and pitch of noise but I think it is just as quiet even with me not bottoming out much on the QP.

[Binge]

I can tell mine is starting to break in, either that or I am just getting used to it.  Its much smoother feeling vs. when I first starting to use it and I am also picking up speed.  My accuracy is pretty good with this board and I dont notice the wobble in the keys so much now.  I still notice that I cant be lazy with this keyboard (typing on it right now actually).  On my QFR Red I can be pretty lazy in my typing and still keep up a good pace.  On my Topre board a little less so but not that far behind.  This and my BS board I need to actually want to sit and type for a session.

I am growing to like it more and more so I think its a keeper.  I have my first MX Green board on the way to compare to my other Blue board which I never use anymore.  I keep it around as it was one of my first mechanicals.  I have a feeling the Green switch is going to be similar in that I will need to want to sit and hammer out some docs vs. just relaxing.

One last thought, they claim this is the quietest "mechanical" board out.  I would say my 45g Type Heaven Topre board is just as quiet.  Its a different sound and pitch of noise but I think it is just as quiet even with me not bottoming out much on the QP.

Topre is not a mechanical switch.  This is why matias can claim it is the most quiet.  Also... if you got rid of the key wobble there would be next to no noise.

[frvrngn]

That is why I put "mechanical" in quotes.  I know the Topre isnt technically a mechanical but its quite popular and many consider it when looking at mechanicals. 

You are correct on wobble, if I very carefully press down dead center to make sure the keys go perfectly straight there is no noise.  I thought I read there really is no way to combat the wobble is there?  Its just inherent in the switch and keycap design.

[Binge]

I've had a switch open... if the entire thing was redesigned to keep the stem stable there would be no wobble.  It's a very loose design.

[tp4tissue]

I've had a switch open... if the entire thing was redesigned to keep the stem stable there would be no wobble.  It's a very loose design.

Well, wobble is "good", because that's how they compensate for off-center strikes given hard angle sliders.

Whereas on Topre, the round sliders could be built to tighter tolerance because not as much wobble is necessary to compensate for off center strikes.

Most often with plastics there is a "residue" of sorts on the outside, at the end of molding process... and this could cause the switch to feel "gummy"  for a little bit...

But that part definitely wears off.

[Daniel Beardsmore]

I was borrowing the PC where my Quiet Pro is plugged in, and it did seem to feel smoother than it did when I was using that keyboard.

If so, that's a good sign, as that was my only grievance with an otherwise superb switch.

[furosuto81]

One of the first mechanical boards I got was a Ducky Green Alps. Those keys wobble WAY more than the Matias switch. ALPS switches always have some wobble to them...it's just a side-effect of the design. I don't even notice the wobble, and it's been my daily driver at work since they came out. I can't really say if it has broken in...I'd have to compare with a new board. According to Matias, the materials he used for the modern switch are better than the original, so it SHOULD be more durable, with less change in feel over time. Either way, I love it the MQP.

[frvrngn]

I have been using the QP exclusively since I bought it and the more I use it the more I like it.  Its getting smoother or I am just getting used to it but either way I am happy with the keyboard.  I got my Topre board out earlier today and it almost felt dead, too smooth and too easy to actuate.  I still love the "thock" and how smooth it is but I was having a really hard time getting used to it again.  I had a lot of typing to do so I switched back to the QP and started flying right along (well flying for me, I average 80wpm with a homemade touch type style).