New help with cherry switch decision

[Garfield]

Hi,

Been a long time lurker here, and actually got my first mech keyboard after reading through the threads here. I got a WASD w/ blues about 1 1/2 years ago, and really like it. Now I am looking to move to a TKL board, most likely WASD again, since I like the ability to customize the keycap colors (nothing crazy, but prefer white alpha's with colored modifiers).

But I am having trouble deciding on which switches to get. It's use is probably 50% typing (although not prolonged sessions, more like email, some MS office, I'm not typing a book LOL) and 50% gaming (MMO's and older turn-based strategy games, so no FPS/RTS/MOBA). The safe choice is to go with blues again, but what is the fun in that?

I got the sample switch kit from WASD, with one of each type of switch, and have ruled out reds and blacks. I like the feel of my blues, so I do want either (or both) a tactile or clicky switch. I thought I might like browns, but after playing with the sample, they aren't for me. I would agree with people posting that they often can't feel the bump, so they are off the list.

So that really leaves it down to greens or clears. I am leaning to the clears, but two days ago I was leaning to the greens, and before that the blues.  Yes, I am indecisive on this. I like the bump on the clears, and the increased resistance post-actuation, so I don't bottom out. I find I can't stop myself from bottoming-out on my blues because they are light. Greens seem nice too, for basically the same reason. But I worry that since they do need more force, my fingers might get tired.

So anyone have any opinions of clears vs greens? I could get one of each, but that is kind of expensive! Thanks

[limitz]

I first bought a MX Green. Used it for 3 weeks, and returned it before the period was up. Immediately moved to MX Clears and have been using Clears, and it's variations since.

Green's were too clicky, and too stiff for me. This is coming from someone who played piano for about 10 years. Clears are perfect for me. Especially moderately heavy Ergo-Clears with 65-75g weight (stock is 85 Korean according to Sprit).

[rowdy]

Welcome to Geekhack!

Ultimately this comes down to personal preference - no-one can tell you which switch you should get, but we can share our experience and hope to provide some background data for your decision.

I an typing this on MX greens (QFS with Filco yellow keycaps).  They are great - the closest thing to buckling spring in the MX world.  I prefer heavy switches, and I tend to alternate between MX black and MX green these days, although I would be curious to try clears, as they seem very popular.

[demik]

greens

[Oobly]

Personal preference, but get Clears.

[0100010]

+1 for Green

[berserkfan]

Hi,
So anyone have any opinions of clears vs greens? I could get one of each, but that is kind of expensive! Thanks

Here is my suggestion. It sounds unfriendly, but in reality it is extremely friendly (to your wallet and girlfriend, at least).

If you even have to think twice about getting two keyboards, get off this website FAST and never come back.

Don't start a conversation with anyone here. Don't make friends. Just close your browser, empty all cookies, forget the address of this site. $5000 and 10 Korean customs later, you will be wondering where you went wrong.

[azhdar]

Both

[Hypersphere]

I've tried most of the Cherry mx switches including brown, clear, red, black, blue, and green. I've sold every Cherry mx keyboard I ever bought.

Now my favorites are IBM Model F capacitive buckling spring, Topre 45g, and Topre 55g. To me, these provide the best tactile and aural feedback of any switches available.

If I were to choose a Cherry mx switch again, it is difficult, because they do not offer a mechanism whereby the force decreases after the actuation point. The tactile bump in browns and clears or the tactile bump and click in blues and greens are grafted onto the stem and are not intrinsic to the actuation mechanism.

To me, the tactile or tactile/clicky mx switches feel scratchy or gritty. Therefore, I would give a slight edge to the purely linear switches. Blacks are a bit too heavy for me, which would leave reds.

In your case, from what you described, it sounds like you might prefer clears. These definitely have the characteristic of providing a tactile bump and then requiring increasing force past actuation, which tends to discourage bottoming out. In my case, I didn't like this, because I like the follow-through of bottoming out.

[Michaela]

Embrace the click.

Greens.

[Garfield]

Here is my suggestion. It sounds unfriendly, but in reality it is extremely friendly (to your wallet and girlfriend, at least).

If you even have to think twice about getting two keyboards, get off this website FAST and never come back.

Don't start a conversation with anyone here. Don't make friends. Just close your browser, empty all cookies, forget the address of this site. $5000 and 10 Korean customs later, you will be wondering where you went wrong.

LOL! I wasn't really considering two, but that is funny. Don't think I would ever go for all those custom keyboards, but getting a second eventually might be possible (one for work PC, one for home). Not into collecting or rotating a bunch.   

So the consensus is that there is no consensus. I think I will go with clears, and see how that goes. I think that is the safer of the two for now. I am just too worried about the greens being too stiff, and the clears are a bit lighter then greens. The fact that some think the greens are too heavy/stiff is worrisome. And I'd feel guilty about returning a keyboard if I didn't like it. (I know, that what return guarantee is for, but getting two knowing I would return one doesn't seem right)

I'll be back in a month or so to ask about PBT or POM caps, hahahahaha.

[rowdy]

Here is my suggestion. It sounds unfriendly, but in reality it is extremely friendly (to your wallet and girlfriend, at least).

If you even have to think twice about getting two keyboards, get off this website FAST and never come back.

Don't start a conversation with anyone here. Don't make friends. Just close your browser, empty all cookies, forget the address of this site. $5000 and 10 Korean customs later, you will be wondering where you went wrong.

LOL! I wasn't really considering two, but that is funny. Don't think I would ever go for all those custom keyboards, but getting a second eventually might be possible (one for work PC, one for home). Not into collecting or rotating a bunch.   

So the consensus is that there is no consensus. I think I will go with clears, and see how that goes. I think that is the safer of the two for now. I am just too worried about the greens being too stiff, and the clears are a bit lighter then greens. The fact that some think the greens are too heavy/stiff is worrisome. And I'd feel guilty about returning a keyboard if I didn't like it. (I know, that what return guarantee is for, but getting two knowing I would return one doesn't seem right)

I'll be back in a month or so to ask about PBT or POM caps, hahahahaha.

There will never be a consensus for something like this because there are so many different GH members with different preferences and experience.

[berserkfan]

I'll be back in a month or so to ask about PBT or POM caps, hahahahaha.

I can already smell the oil, lube, grease and soap on the 60 degree ice slope that is right in front of you. Stick to eating lasagne and ferns my dear Garfield; it is significantly less expensive and time consuming a hobby.

[Hypersphere]

Some people find clears heavier than greens, despite the fact that greens have a higher actuation force. This might apply more to those who like to bottom out, and the reason could be that if you look at the slope of the force curve after the actuation point, the slope is steeper for clears than it is for greens, giving the impression of a heavier switch. However, if you don't bottom out, clears could be the better switch for you.

[SpAmRaY]

Some people find clears heavier than greens, despite the fact that greens have a higher actuation force. This might apply more to those who like to bottom out, and the reason could be that if you look at the slope of the force curve after the actuation point, the slope is steeper for clears than it is for greens, giving the impression of a heavier switch. However, if you don't bottom out, clears could be the better switch for you.

I found greens much more fatiguing than clears but I don't bottom out.

[rowdy]

The more I hear about clears the more I want to try them!

I like blacks and greens, and bottom out all the time but don't really feel fatigue in the fingers.