« previous next »
Pages:  [1]     Go Down

Author Topic: Clickiest key switches?  (Read 9776 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline ozar

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 352
Clickiest key switches?
« on: Tue, 14 April 2009, 15:00:06 »
Would you guys mind giving your opinions on what is the "clickiest" of all the key switches out there?

Of those that I've tried, I'm thinking perhaps the blue cherry switches would qualify, but I don't know.

By the way, is clickiest even a word?  :smile:
Logged

Offline bigpook

  • Posts: 1723
Clickiest key switches?
« Reply #1 on: Tue, 14 April 2009, 15:02:09 »
I would think the white xm I had in the filco where the clickiest, right behind them would be the BS.
Logged
HHKB Pro 2 : Unicomp Spacesaver : IBM Model M : DasIII    

Offline Mercen_505

  • Posts: 200
Clickiest key switches?
« Reply #2 on: Tue, 14 April 2009, 15:05:23 »
When you say "clickiest" do you refer to tactile response, or overall noise?

If you mean noise, then the IBM model F is a major contender.
Logged

Offline ozar

  • Thread Starter
  • Posts: 352
Clickiest key switches?
« Reply #3 on: Tue, 14 April 2009, 15:06:13 »
I've never tried white XMs in real life so can't really compare them, but I've noticed that even on blue cherries, the audible tone of the click can vary greatly from one board to the next.  My Das Pro III seems to have much louder clicks than my Scorpius M10, and to me they are louder than any of my buckling spring boards.

Quote
When you say "clickiest" do you refer to tactile response, or overall noise?

Yes, I was thinking in terms of audible clicks.
Logged

Offline FKSSR

  • Posts: 529
Clickiest key switches?
« Reply #4 on: Tue, 14 April 2009, 15:12:13 »
Out of my keyboard experience, the white-alps in my MK96 is clicker than the white-alps in the DataDesk 101e which is clicker than the blue cherries in the G80-3000.
Logged
Add me on Steam | Twitter

Offline bigpook

  • Posts: 1723
Clickiest key switches?
« Reply #5 on: Tue, 14 April 2009, 15:12:43 »
Quote from: webwit;85512
The Model F is louder than the two white alps boards I have.


I have yet to use a Model F. If its louder then the white xm's then damn, that is loud.
Logged
HHKB Pro 2 : Unicomp Spacesaver : IBM Model M : DasIII    

Offline itlnstln

  • Posts: 7048
Clickiest key switches?
« Reply #6 on: Tue, 14 April 2009, 15:14:06 »
The white Alps in my Northgate where Hella loud, but I think that was more the case of the keyboard and not the switches themselves.  Other than that, I have only heard the Model M, and it was nowhere near as loud as the Northgate.  I have not heard the Model F (lately) for comparison, though.
Logged

Offline huha

  • Posts: 388
Clickiest key switches?
« Reply #7 on: Tue, 14 April 2009, 15:20:13 »
I don't know many boards, but I'd say white Alps are a bit clickier than buckling springs. Blue MX are vaguely clicky at all.

-huha
Logged
Unicomp Endurapro 105 (blank keycaps, BS) // Cherry G80-3000LSCDE-2 (blues, modded to green MX) // Cherry G80-3000LAMDE-0 (blacks, 2x) // Cherry G80-11900LTMDE-0 (blacks, 2x) // Compaq G80-11801 (browns) // Epson Q203A (Fujitsu Peerless) // IBM Model M2 (BS) // Boscom AS400 Terminal Emulator (OEM\'d Unicomp, BS, 2x) // Dell AT102DW (black Alps) // Mechanical Touch (chinese BS) Acer 6312-KW (Acer mechanics on membrane) // Cherry G84-4100 (ML) // Cherry G80-1000HAD (NKRO, blacks)

Offline zwmalone

  • Posts: 369
Clickiest key switches?
« Reply #8 on: Tue, 14 April 2009, 15:22:22 »
Quote from: itlnstln;85517
The white Alps in my Northgate where Hella loud, but I think that was more the case of the keyboard and not the switches themselves.  Other than that, I have only heard the Model M, and it was nowhere near as loud as the Northgate.  I have not heard the Model F (lately) for comparison, though.

I had a chicony KB-7001 ergo before I got my Evolution and it was also clickier than my M was...
Logged
Can't get enough of them ALPS

Offline FKSSR

  • Posts: 529
Clickiest key switches?
« Reply #9 on: Tue, 14 April 2009, 15:22:26 »
I agree with you Webwit.  I have a hard time comparing a BS with white-alps, because the sound is so different.  I almost feel the BS is "softer" somehow.
Logged
Add me on Steam | Twitter

Offline itlnstln

  • Posts: 7048
Clickiest key switches?
« Reply #10 on: Tue, 14 April 2009, 15:26:12 »
I also think there is a perception that the white Alps are louder as the click is higher pitched than the BS.  You would need an SPL meter to find out.  I have one, but volume can be kind of subjective, so any tests probably wouldn't mean much.  That, and I have a Radio Shack meter which isn't very accurate, anyway.
Logged

Offline itlnstln

  • Posts: 7048
Clickiest key switches?
« Reply #11 on: Tue, 14 April 2009, 15:27:45 »
Quote from: webwit;85522
It's a very different sound though. I think if I would have to listen to someone else using a loud keyboard, the white alps would be more irritating with all that chattering noise.

This sums it up perfectly.  Hence, I don't use my Evolution anymore.
Logged

Offline huha

  • Posts: 388
Clickiest key switches?
« Reply #12 on: Tue, 14 April 2009, 15:31:03 »
White Alps sound different, yes, but I also think they are a bit "snappier." Buckling springs, on the other hand, click twice, which is somewhat unique and not achieved by Alps (there is a faint click when depressing the key, but in no way comparable to the full-fledged second click of buckling springs), so that might make them "clickier" by definition :wink:

-huha
Logged
Unicomp Endurapro 105 (blank keycaps, BS) // Cherry G80-3000LSCDE-2 (blues, modded to green MX) // Cherry G80-3000LAMDE-0 (blacks, 2x) // Cherry G80-11900LTMDE-0 (blacks, 2x) // Compaq G80-11801 (browns) // Epson Q203A (Fujitsu Peerless) // IBM Model M2 (BS) // Boscom AS400 Terminal Emulator (OEM\'d Unicomp, BS, 2x) // Dell AT102DW (black Alps) // Mechanical Touch (chinese BS) Acer 6312-KW (Acer mechanics on membrane) // Cherry G84-4100 (ML) // Cherry G80-1000HAD (NKRO, blacks)

Offline itlnstln

  • Posts: 7048
Clickiest key switches?
« Reply #13 on: Tue, 14 April 2009, 15:35:05 »
Regular white Alps have a distinctive "clacking" sound on the top and bottom out that, IMO, is much worse than the click.  Depending on the case materials, it can be better or worse, but it's still louder than the click.  White Alps with dampers (e.g. SGI AT-101W) mitigate this, however.
Logged

Offline itlnstln

  • Posts: 7048
Clickiest key switches?
« Reply #14 on: Tue, 14 April 2009, 15:37:48 »
Quote from: webwit;85529
I'm quickly irritated by repeating sounds, but my father went through all the early bs keyboards when I was young, and at evenings that sound was always coming from his workroom and I never remember getting irritated by it. There's something peaceful and melodic about the sound of a man behind his buckling springs. People on white alps sound like they are on cocaine on the other hand.

Not to get all abstract and everything, but BS sound more organic, solid and rhythmic while Alps are very cold and mechanical.  They almost feel the same way when typing, too.  I liked typing on the Alps because they were lighter, but the BS always felt better.
Logged

Offline ch_123

  • * Exalted Elder
  • Posts: 5860
Clickiest key switches?
« Reply #15 on: Tue, 14 April 2009, 15:38:28 »
Never used White alps, but the Model F certainly gets my vote - both in terms of tactility and noise.
Logged

Offline FKSSR

  • Posts: 529
Clickiest key switches?
« Reply #16 on: Tue, 14 April 2009, 15:39:42 »
Agreed, itlnstln.  I agree with all you said.  That being said, I do still feel white-alps is easier to ignore, depending on who you are, I guess.  I feel white-alps is more like someone tapping loudly on something and BS is like someone hammering something (think only of the sound, as if the volume was the same).
Logged
Add me on Steam | Twitter

Offline itlnstln

  • Posts: 7048
Clickiest key switches?
« Reply #17 on: Tue, 14 April 2009, 15:41:38 »
OT:
 
Dude is that blood on that keyboard? I mean, some people have keyboards that I want, but I wouldn't kill anyone for one.
 
 
Unless it's an M15.
Logged

Offline zwmalone

  • Posts: 369
Clickiest key switches?
« Reply #18 on: Tue, 14 April 2009, 15:42:29 »
Quote from: itlnstln;85531
Not to get all abstract and everything, but BS sound more organic, solid and rhythmic while Alps are very cold and mechanical.  They almost feel the same way when typing, too.  I liked typing on the Alps because they were lighter, but the BS always felt better.


I really like the lightness of the white ALPS but prefer the overall feel of buckling springs...  If I could get my hands on an M15 I'd ditch my Evolution in a heartbeat...

On a completely unrelated note:
itlnstln, are the keycaps on your evolution different heights as well?  It's like they are designed to match finger lengths...
Logged
Can't get enough of them ALPS

Offline itlnstln

  • Posts: 7048
Clickiest key switches?
« Reply #19 on: Tue, 14 April 2009, 15:45:54 »
Quote from: zwmalone;85537
I really like the lightness of the white ALPS but prefer the overall feel of buckling springs... If I could get my hands on an M15 I'd ditch my Evolution in a heartbeat...
 
On a completely unrelated note:
itlnstln, are the keycaps on your evolution different heights as well? It's like they are designed to match finger lengths...

I think so.  They are called "spherical" since the overall shape of the keys when viewed from the side resembles a sphere/circle.  I can't really tell the difference between them and all my other keyboards that have single-height keys.
Logged

Offline FKSSR

  • Posts: 529
Clickiest key switches?
« Reply #20 on: Tue, 14 April 2009, 15:46:48 »
Quote from: itlnstln;85536
Dude is that blood on that keyboard? I mean, some people have keyboards that I want, but I wouldn't kill anyone for one.


hahaha.  Yes, it is.  I didn't take the picture, unfortunately.  I just had the idea and did some image searches to find a picture already on Flickr that fit my idea. :)
Logged
Add me on Steam | Twitter

Offline cmr

  • Posts: 295
Clickiest key switches?
« Reply #21 on: Tue, 14 April 2009, 19:15:16 »
the overall din of buckling springs is louder but the actual click response from a blue cherry or white alps switch is, i dunno, about twice as loud i'd say
Logged

Offline CX23882

  • Posts: 174
Clickiest key switches?
« Reply #22 on: Wed, 15 April 2009, 08:56:18 »
Subjectively the loudest I've come across is a "Dan Computers" keyboard (sorry, I don't know who actually made it) with white Alps. I think it has a metal plate in it because it is considerably louder than the white Alps in the Ortek board I started cleaning up, which appears to be just plastic. I didn't like the sound of the Dan board - white Alps are loud period, but the Dan had a very loud and annoying ringing and pinging that accompanied every key press and key return (as opposed to Model M's ringing on the way up). I don't think there was much sound level difference between the two but the sound quality is what made all the difference.

So construction of keyboard certainly makes a difference. I preferred a filthy Ortek over a clean Dan yet they used the same switches. Ironically, the board of cheaper plastic construction is the most pleasing.
« Last Edit: Wed, 15 April 2009, 08:58:36 by CX23882 »
Logged

Offline Eclairz

  • Posts: 308
Clickiest key switches?
« Reply #23 on: Wed, 15 April 2009, 17:12:16 »
You forget about Cherry Green Switches which are used for the space bar which are extremely clicky due to extra force of the space bar. No keyboard has all greens though, but as soon as i become a millionaire I will attempt to build one from 100+ G80-3000 ;-)
Logged
Lenovo ThinkPad TrackPoint Keyboard
RealForce 45g UK 88UB
FILCO Majestouch TenKeyPad

Offline huha

  • Posts: 388
Clickiest key switches?
« Reply #24 on: Wed, 15 April 2009, 17:19:38 »
I'd love to have a keyboard with green MXs too. I don't know if you can buy them anywhere, though.

-huha
Logged
Unicomp Endurapro 105 (blank keycaps, BS) // Cherry G80-3000LSCDE-2 (blues, modded to green MX) // Cherry G80-3000LAMDE-0 (blacks, 2x) // Cherry G80-11900LTMDE-0 (blacks, 2x) // Compaq G80-11801 (browns) // Epson Q203A (Fujitsu Peerless) // IBM Model M2 (BS) // Boscom AS400 Terminal Emulator (OEM\'d Unicomp, BS, 2x) // Dell AT102DW (black Alps) // Mechanical Touch (chinese BS) Acer 6312-KW (Acer mechanics on membrane) // Cherry G84-4100 (ML) // Cherry G80-1000HAD (NKRO, blacks)

Offline wheel83

  • Posts: 189
Clickiest key switches?
« Reply #25 on: Wed, 15 April 2009, 17:31:33 »
i have tried white and blue.  but i like the click of a model m best.
Logged
I <3 BS

Offline rdjack21

  • Posts: 896
Clickiest key switches?
« Reply #26 on: Wed, 15 April 2009, 18:22:39 »
This has been a really interesting thread for me at least. But I have a question for all of you that have both a BS board and a White Alps board. Do you feel that the Alps has a lighter touch?

I ask because I have not tried white Alps and would like to. But I'm hesitant because my BS boards make my fingers hurt after about an hour or so of use. But I really want at least one keyboard that clicks. Currently none of the boards I have that I like click. I do have a blue cherry board but to be honest I don't really like it. I'm hopping a blue cherry filco will change my mind on the blues. So in the mean time I'm looking for something to satisfy my need for the click. I'm rambling so I will stop now...

EDIT: Oh if you are wondering why I keep getting Model M's if they hurt my fingers. I can't help it I love them so I use one until my fingers start to hurt then switch it out.
« Last Edit: Wed, 15 April 2009, 18:26:16 by rdjack21 »
Logged
Keyboards
Topre Capacitive: Realforce 87U, Realforce 86U, HHKB Pro 2, Topre MD01B0, Topre HE0100, Sun Short Type, OEM NEO CS (x2), NISSHO Electronics KB106DE
Buckling Spring: IBM Model M Space Saver (1291472), Unicomp Customizer x 2
Cherry Brown: Filco FKBN87M/EB, Compaq MX11800
Black Alps: ABS M1
Not so great boards Rare Spring over dome OKI, Sun rack keyboard
Trackballs - Trackman Wheel (3), Trackman marble (2)
Keyboards I still want to get - Happy Hacking Keyboard Pro 2 the White version, Realforce 23U number pad in black and maybe white, μTRON ergo board with Topre switches.
Previously owned - [size=0]SiiG MiniTouch (White Alps), Scorpius M10 (Blue Cherry), IBM Model M13[/size]

Offline huha

  • Posts: 388
Clickiest key switches?
« Reply #27 on: Wed, 15 April 2009, 18:29:12 »
In my opinion, white Alps are lighter. I don't "have" an Alps board (I'm missing an adapter and it needs a thorough cleaning before it's usable again), but nevertheless I typed a few sentences on it and I was very pleased. The click is very nice and pronounced and it doesn't need as much force as the buckling spring. Blue MXs are still lighter, but the click they produce is a bit underwhelming.

-huha
Logged
Unicomp Endurapro 105 (blank keycaps, BS) // Cherry G80-3000LSCDE-2 (blues, modded to green MX) // Cherry G80-3000LAMDE-0 (blacks, 2x) // Cherry G80-11900LTMDE-0 (blacks, 2x) // Compaq G80-11801 (browns) // Epson Q203A (Fujitsu Peerless) // IBM Model M2 (BS) // Boscom AS400 Terminal Emulator (OEM\'d Unicomp, BS, 2x) // Dell AT102DW (black Alps) // Mechanical Touch (chinese BS) Acer 6312-KW (Acer mechanics on membrane) // Cherry G84-4100 (ML) // Cherry G80-1000HAD (NKRO, blacks)

Offline FKSSR

  • Posts: 529
Clickiest key switches?
« Reply #28 on: Wed, 15 April 2009, 21:52:35 »
I feel white alps are lighter, but they still have some resistance, and I know that bigpook said they hurt his fingers.  However, I'm fine on them.  Of course, I'm fine on BS as well, though I still do say they are "heavier."

I also don't like blue cherry switches, but I may be willing to try a Filco.
Logged
Add me on Steam | Twitter

Offline cmr

  • Posts: 295
Clickiest key switches?
« Reply #29 on: Thu, 16 April 2009, 01:26:04 »
there's no question my AT-101 has a lighter touch than any model M i've tried. the apple extended is at least pretty close now that i've oiled the plungers. i think my blue cherry keyboards are lighter though.
Logged

Offline lal

  • Posts: 360
Clickiest key switches?
« Reply #30 on: Thu, 16 April 2009, 03:58:40 »
Quote from: rdjack21;85821
This has been a really interesting thread for me at least. But I have a question for all of you that have both a BS board and a White Alps board. Do you feel that the Alps has a lighter touch?


Definitely, IF they're still smooth.  I have a couple of (white) Alps boards and some of them have a bad plastic friction which varies across the keys of one board and makes them harder to depress.  This may be due to dirt or wear, I don't know exactly, so maybe a good cleaning and some grease *could* help there.  The almost NIB one is the smoothest of all so this should not be an issue with new boards à la FKBN87Z/EB or ABS M1 (black though).
Logged
BS: Customizer, Model Ms; Alps: CSK-2101, FK-2002, AT-101 (SGI & Dell), MCK-860, FKBN87Z/EB; Cherry: Poker X, FKBN87MC/EB, WY60, G80-3000, G84-4100, TDV 5010

Offline itlnstln

  • Posts: 7048
Clickiest key switches?
« Reply #31 on: Thu, 16 April 2009, 06:52:55 »
Cherry brown/red < Cherry blue < Alps (both) < Cherry black < BS in order from least resistant to most.  I am not too sure where Cherry clears fit (I think with the blues).
Logged

Offline FKSSR

  • Posts: 529
Clickiest key switches?
« Reply #32 on: Thu, 16 April 2009, 08:00:11 »
I personally felt that cherry blacks are more resistance than BS.  However, that may be just because the BS ease up after the tactile point.
Logged
Add me on Steam | Twitter
Pages:  [1]     Go Up
« previous next »