Cherry mx Brown vs Red HELP

[Nakula]

hi everyone, im in the market for a new keyboard so i was hoping for some help. ill try to explain what i think my preference is. i game a lot, mostly RTS, Dota, but also FPS. really everything but Dota 2 being the top. i am most experienced with laptop keyboards. its what ive been gaming on forever now. so seeing as laptop keyboards are definitely not linear, but are light to press, i was feeling the browns. but i was wondering, is that tactile bump really heavy? on laptop keyboards the tactile bump (if you even call them that) are quite light, so if the browns tactile bump is extremely noticeable i might consider otherwise. i know the reds are pretty much butter, but that sounds like it might lead to accidental keypresses or not knowing when ive actuated a key and fumbling on double taps and such. i guess to put it as simply as possible, which cherry mx switch most closely resembles a laptop keyboard and what do you feel is best for double tapping/gaming in general.

[jameslr]

Browns are often compared to "dirty" reds. I think browns are alright to type on, but I prefer heavier switches. I think most gamers prefer linear switches (reds / blacks). The bump on browns is hardly noticeable IMO.

[Krizie]

Both will be fine for gaming. Browns may take a little getting used to for FPS games with regards to double tapping and may catch you out at times. I've recently gone to reds from blacks and although subtle i'm finding I prefer reds for what little gaming time I get.

[ahshwebah]

Browns are often compared to "dirty" reds. I think browns are alright to type on, but I prefer heavier switches. I think most gamers prefer linear switches (reds / blacks). The bump on browns is hardly noticeable IMO.

if the bump on browns is hardly noticeable, then would reds suffice fine?

[jameslr]

if the bump on browns is hardly noticeable, then would reds suffice fine?

I would say so. It also depends on if you prefer tactility for typing as well. It's not difficult to float the actuation point on mx browns for that matter.

[ahshwebah]

i've only ever used tactile, but i don't think linear would hurt. it might help me learn to control my typos better.

[saturnotaku]

A linear switch (red) is going to be better for double tapping than tactile (brown), but the latter's bump isn't all that noticeable. I would buy a keyboard with both switches, try them out, and return the one you dislike.

[ahshwebah]

A linear switch (red) is going to be better for double tapping than tactile (brown), but the latter's bump isn't all that noticeable. I would buy a keyboard with both switches, try them out, and return the one you dislike.

one of my buddies has a Corsair with reds i'm trying to borrow. hopefully i get my hands on it soon to test.

[spiceBar]

A linear switch (red) is going to be better for double tapping than tactile (brown), but the latter's bump isn't all that noticeable. I would buy a keyboard with both switches, try them out, and return the one you dislike.

one of my buddies has a Corsair with reds i'm trying to borrow. hopefully i get my hands on it soon to test.

I have been using both reds and browns for a long time, and I now tend to prefer browns.

The tactility is subtle, but it makes a difference.

With reds, you will tend to bottom out, simply because it's the only way to be sure you have reached the activation point. It's similar to rubber dome membrane keyboards, on which you need to bottom out to activate the switch, but without the tactility. It's very smooth, especially if you put O-rings or landing pads in your keyboard (which I recommend).

With browns, you can type lightly, "floating" over the keyboard and hardly ever bottom out. You feel the actuation point, which is at 2mm (half-way), so you don't need to go further. You can also bottom out if you prefer, but at least you have a choice of typing style. Not so with reds (or blacks).

If your typing style is "heavy", reds or blacks are probably for you, and browns will feel like gritty reds. If your typing style is light, browns are a good choice and the subtle tactile bump will help a lot.

For gaming, I think there is a consensus that red, black and brown switches are equally well suited, unless you already have a strong preference.

Blues for gaming are probably a bad choice, because the clicking mechanism (a moving part inside the switch) introduces a slight inertia that may slow down repeated taps.

[Grim Fandango]

Browns still feel really light. But they have a slight tactile bump, that does (in my opinion) help against accidental keypresses. I think both are rated at 45g but the browns have always felt heavier to me.

The tactile bump however, is really subtle. People coming from blues for example will sometimes say that they barely feel it is there. If you come from reds for example, I think you will feel it. But it never becomes unpleasant. A key-press still feels relatively smooth.

I personally never like the term "dirty reds" to describe browns. That is because in my experience, the tactile feedback of the browns is accurate and consistent at the same point when you press a key. "dirty reds" sounds as though it is not smooth but feel grainy, like there is some random resistance in there that you feel during any point of the keypress. That is not at all how browns feel to me. But others disagree.

[Novus]

Reds

[spiceBar]

Browns still feel really light. But they have a slight tactile bump, that does (in my opinion) help against accidental keypresses. I think both are rated at 45g but the browns have always felt heavier to me.

The tactile bump however, is really subtle. People coming from blues for example will sometimes say that they barely feel it is there. If you come from reds for example, I think you will feel it. But it never becomes unpleasant. A key-press still feels relatively smooth.

I personally never like the term "dirty reds" to describe browns. That is because in my experience, the tactile feedback of the browns is accurate and consistent at the same point when you press a key. "dirty reds" sounds as though it is not smooth but feel grainy, like there is some random resistance in there that you feel during any point of the keypress. That is not at all how browns feel to me. But others disagree.

I think it's simply because they have a heavy typing style. When you type with the intent of bottoming out, the brown's subtle tactile bump just feels like a glitch in the switch.

If you type with the intent of not bottoming out, the subtle bump becomes really helpful.

I'm not saying that bottoming out is right or wrong, it's really a matter of taste (on some keyboards, I enjoy bottoming out).

To be honest, I need to try a keyboard with clears, because I feel I may like them even better. I just have one clear switch, and I cannot extrapolate from it how a whole keyboard would feel. It just tells me I should try one. This is next on my list.

[Oobly]

I type better on Browns thanks to the tactile bump. The bump isn't big, but it's noticable. Give just enough feedback to know when you've actuated the switch. I find it hard to "hover" with Browns, though. It's easiest with Clears / ErgoClears for me since the large bump acts as a nice backstop / reference for where the switch actuates. So my favourite switches are ErgoClears. Almost as soft as Reds / Browns, but with bigger tactile bump that helps for both typing and gaming. Win-win. 

[Arcoril]

When I was researching my first mechanical keyboard I was convinced that I'd like browns. Reds didn't even factor into my decision. Sure enough, I bought a Rosewill RK-9000 with browns and loved it.

A few weeks later, the RK-9000 with reds went on sale for $60 and I made a total impulse buy out of curiosity. Wow. They felt odd at first, but after using both for extended periods of time I found that I absolutely loved smooth, light, linear switches for both typing and gaming. I use nothing but reds now. I'm even looking at getting lighter springs for them.

In the end, I still like browns. They're fantastic switches, but I realized that I personally liked reds even more. I probably would never have come to this conclusion by sampling a switch tester or even doing a 5-10 minute test session on each board. If you have the budget to do so, try grabbing cheap keyboards with each switch type. You can keep an eye on the cheap mechanical keyboard thread to see what's available.

[paobit]

When I was researching my first mechanical keyboard I was convinced that I'd like browns. Reds didn't even factor into my decision. Sure enough, I bought a Rosewill RK-9000 with browns and loved it.

A few weeks later, the RK-9000 with reds went on sale for $60 and I made a total impulse buy out of curiosity. Wow. They felt odd at first, but after using both for extended periods of time I found that I absolutely loved smooth, light, linear switches for both typing and gaming. I use nothing but reds now. I'm even looking at getting lighter springs for them.

In the end, I still like browns. They're fantastic switches, but I realized that I personally liked reds even more. I probably would never have come to this conclusion by sampling a switch tester or even doing a 5-10 minute test session on each board. If you have the budget to do so, try grabbing cheap keyboards with each switch type. You can keep an eye on the cheap mechanical keyboard thread to see what's available.

Exactly what I thought. I went to frys yesterday to test out more switches and I had a set switch in mind (browns) for a poker 2 purchase. In the end I leaned more towards the reds when I always had browns or even blues as priorities.

[ahshwebah]

A linear switch (red) is going to be better for double tapping than tactile (brown), but the latter's bump isn't all that noticeable. I would buy a keyboard with both switches, try them out, and return the one you dislike.

one of my buddies has a Corsair with reds i'm trying to borrow. hopefully i get my hands on it soon to test.

I have been using both reds and browns for a long time, and I now tend to prefer browns.

The tactility is subtle, but it makes a difference.

With reds, you will tend to bottom out, simply because it's the only way to be sure you have reached the activation point. It's similar to rubber dome membrane keyboards, on which you need to bottom out to activate the switch, but without the tactility. It's very smooth, especially if you put O-rings or landing pads in your keyboard (which I recommend).

With browns, you can type lightly, "floating" over the keyboard and hardly ever bottom out. You feel the actuation point, which is at 2mm (half-way), so you don't need to go further. You can also bottom out if you prefer, but at least you have a choice of typing style. Not so with reds (or blacks).

If your typing style is "heavy", reds or blacks are probably for you, and browns will feel like gritty reds. If your typing style is light, browns are a good choice and the subtle tactile bump will help a lot.

For gaming, I think there is a consensus that red, black and brown switches are equally well suited, unless you already have a strong preference.

Blues for gaming are probably a bad choice, because the clicking mechanism (a moving part inside the switch) introduces a slight inertia that may slow down repeated taps.

i am a heavy typer and i'm having a good time with the reds right now. wouldn't be against trying blacks, though i'd have to buy a board to try them if i wanted to.

[spiceBar]

A linear switch (red) is going to be better for double tapping than tactile (brown), but the latter's bump isn't all that noticeable. I would buy a keyboard with both switches, try them out, and return the one you dislike.

one of my buddies has a Corsair with reds i'm trying to borrow. hopefully i get my hands on it soon to test.

I have been using both reds and browns for a long time, and I now tend to prefer browns.

The tactility is subtle, but it makes a difference.

With reds, you will tend to bottom out, simply because it's the only way to be sure you have reached the activation point. It's similar to rubber dome membrane keyboards, on which you need to bottom out to activate the switch, but without the tactility. It's very smooth, especially if you put O-rings or landing pads in your keyboard (which I recommend).

With browns, you can type lightly, "floating" over the keyboard and hardly ever bottom out. You feel the actuation point, which is at 2mm (half-way), so you don't need to go further. You can also bottom out if you prefer, but at least you have a choice of typing style. Not so with reds (or blacks).

If your typing style is "heavy", reds or blacks are probably for you, and browns will feel like gritty reds. If your typing style is light, browns are a good choice and the subtle tactile bump will help a lot.

For gaming, I think there is a consensus that red, black and brown switches are equally well suited, unless you already have a strong preference.

Blues for gaming are probably a bad choice, because the clicking mechanism (a moving part inside the switch) introduces a slight inertia that may slow down repeated taps.

i am a heavy typer and i'm having a good time with the reds right now. wouldn't be against trying blacks, though i'd have to buy a board to try them if i wanted to.

I'm convinced you would like them.