Howdy

[Emission]

Hey everyone,

I'm a veteran when it comes to computer knowledge, but relatively novice when it comes to keyboards, which is why I'm delighted to have found this community! I've started using a mechanical keyboard last May, the CM Storm Trigger. It's been an absolute pleasure to type on, bit of a learning curve coming from crappy membranes, but well worth the effort. I've tried Cherry MX Blues, Browns, and Reds, and the reds are absolutely my favorite out of the three. I will soon have a CM Storm QuickFire XT, also with Reds, for use at work. I don't care for lights or bling, just something solid that won't quit.

The quick and dirty: I'm a gamer, modder, developer, mad scientist, touch typist.

My keyboard(s): CM Storm Trigger, CM Storm QuickFire XT.

[TheSoulhunter]

Welcome! And as always... PREPARE YA WALLET!

[yasuo]

rowdy? )

[TheSoulhunter]

Wut?

[eth0s]

Welcome to the GH!

MX reds are mighty nice.  If you like them, you might want to try Topre.  For some reason, I think people who like MX reds are prone to like Topre.  Like me.  But I also like browns and blues as well.

[Emission]

Thanks for the welcome guys .

@eth0s: I've looked into the Topre switches and I'm not sure how I feel about them. I really like the Reds because of their linear action and low actuation force. I've tried Blues and I hate them, the click I don't mind but it's the two-step feel that really bothers me.

If there was a place by me that sold keyboards using the Topre switch then I would gladly give it a try. It's tough to get an idea for how a switch feels without having tried it.

[spuriousgeorge]

Welcome, Emission!

I'm pretty new here myself and looking to get my first mechanical keyboard. Am curious to hear more of your thoughts about MX reds versus MX blues. I'm leaning towards blues myself, since I'm not a gamer, and most people seem to regard reds as more of a gaming switch.

I was sort of worried that typing on linear switches (MX blacks, MX reds, Topre) would be too similar to typing on a rubber dome.

[Emission]

@spuriousgeorge: What I will say for sure is that rubber domes are more forgiving of typing error than Cherry MX Reds. They are very light as compared to most of the other switches, and when I first started using the keyboard I was really making a mess of my typing. Now whenever I have to go back and use rubber domes, they feel heavy and not very articulate.

If you spend some time with it, you can type with Reds just fine. I'm a gamer, so I prefer the Reds for this as well.

[TheSoulhunter]

Dito! When I got my first keyboard with Reds it took me quite long to adapt (Hardmode: Fast touchtyping on lubed Reds without bottoming out).
But after I adapted to their resistance typing felt kinda nice and effortless, it became my 3rd favorite switch (1st: 65-70g Clears, 2nd: Topre).
While I prefer light switches with strong tactile bump for typing I still use Reds for gaming (modded my Orbweaver to 60/62/65g Reds).

[spuriousgeorge]

Thanks, Emission!

I have a feeling I'd be a bit heavyhanded for reds, as you said you were, and that it would take me a while to get used to them.

I'm curious to hear more from TheSoulhunter about clears. Are they anything like buckling springs, which have a similar actuation force, or are they something different entirely? Clears and greens have always intrigued me since what little typing I've done on buckling springs has been a blast.

[TheSoulhunter]

To me stock Clears are like Browns but on steroids, a higher actuation force and a more pronounced bump, imo way different to Bucklingsprings in feel...
Replacing the stock springs with lighter ones will raise the difference between spring resistance and tactile bump making the bump even more distinctive while lowering strain/fatigue.
The downside is that they start to feel "sticky" as the spring force is no more enough to overcome the tactile bump that "swift" when releasing the key, but lubing and break in help with that.
Greens just feel like heavy Blues to me, not bad, but I prefer Whites (basically a smoother and less noisy version of Greens), also I wish the bump would be more pronounced (like on the Clears).

[spuriousgeorge]

Thanks so much, TSH!

The more I hear about clears, the more I like them. Everyone says there's a crispness to them, and after typing on mushy rubber domes for so long, crispness is what I'm after.

[Emission]

@TheSoulhunter: Thanks for your input! I've always wanted to try out greens/clears, and possibly blacks.

Can anyone here provide some input on hall effect switches?

[eth0s]

Thanks for the welcome guys .

@eth0s: I've looked into the Topre switches and I'm not sure how I feel about them. I really like the Reds because of their linear action and low actuation force. I've tried Blues and I hate them, the click I don't mind but it's the two-step feel that really bothers me.

If there was a place by me that sold keyboards using the Topre switch then I would gladly give it a try. It's tough to get an idea for how a switch feels without having tried it.

Well, I dunno where you live, so I can't help you try out a Topre keyboard.  Maybe somebody in your area with a Topre will meet up with you?  Topre switches  feel different from MX reds, but better is all I can say.  There is a slight tactile "bump" or resistance near the top of the keystroke, but after that it's like an MX red.  There is no gritty bump in the middle like with browns or blues.  Topre is pretty sweet is all I can say. 

[TheHardkaare]

Welcome!
What games do you play?