Best switch for a programmer

[GreenUnicorn]

Hello,

I like to get the Poker 2 keyboard.
But I still don't know what switch to get.
I type allot and sometime I play games.
My first choice was the Mx blue, but I read that double tapping is hard.
Is there a better choice then the Mx blue switches for me.

~ GreenUnicorn

[supamesican]

Anyone that thinks double tapping with ANY keyswitch is hard probably has serious joint issues. MX blue, green, even clear or good old buckling springs may be stiffer than rubber domes but they are far far from had to double tap.

If you want to go cherry you want tactile and clicky then mx blue or green would work for you, if you want tactile without clicky I think you need mx clear since I've heard browns are more like dirty red than tactile like a green or blue are minus the click.

But really a lot of others prefer different switches for coding. Most coders I know that use a mech keyboard ether use buckling spring or topre. I'm guessing because the happy hacking keyboard uses topre and because buckling springs have a good history about them.

[strict]

Topre or MX Clear (stock and ergo) are pretty popular among typists.

[Sygaldry]

Topre

[eth0s]

green unicorn?  Awesome Name Bro!!!

What's wrong with MX browns or reds?   Both are great for typing and double-tapping.

[FrostyToast]

I would say that topre is the one switch that I could easily use without getting tired of it. At least, not for a long time.
It has a perfect balance between something that is both audible, yet can't get incessantly annoying.
It has a very audible and satisfying "thock", but unlike clicky switches, it doesn't get annoying, and it's not loud as hell either.

The feeling is also great, and it doesn't compare with anything.
Be warned, though. Topre switches aren't something that one would normally pick up for the first time and go, "WOW!"
It takes time to settle in and get used to. This could possibly be buyer's remorse slowly taking over, however that doesn't change the fact that I still love topre.

[GreenUnicorn]

What is the a good keyboard similar to the poker 2 that is using topre keycaps. And are they different types of topre switches.

[crazystu]

What is the a good keyboard similar to the poker 2 that is using topre keycaps. And are they different types of topre switches.

The only two keyboards with Topre that have a similar footprint to the Poker II, are the Leopold FC660C and the PFU Happy Hacking Professional.
I use a TKL Cherry MX Brown keyboard for programming at work, and they are fine for a bit of lunch time gaming.

Personally I use the arrow keys all the time when programming, and I don't think the Poker II has a good enough function layer for its arrow keys (WASD is ok for games, not so much when moving a cursor around when using shift + control or similar). This could possibly be solved with a clever programming layer.

[demik]

What is the a good keyboard similar to the poker 2 that is using topre keycaps. And are they different types of topre switches.

THE GODLY HAPPY HACKING KEYBOARD. THERE IS NOTHING BETTER.

[hwood34]

This question gets asked all the time, and every time it simply comes down to what feels best for you. If you like blues, get blues,  simple as that. For a first board I'd recommend something like a KUL, ducky, or filco

[Sygaldry]

What is the a good keyboard similar to the poker 2 that is using topre keycaps. And are they different types of topre switches.

THE GODLY HAPPY HACKING KEYBOARD. THERE IS NOTHING BETTER.

[Fragil1ty]

Hello,

I like to get the Poker 2 keyboard.
But I still don't know what switch to get.
I type allot and sometime I play games.
My first choice was the Mx blue, but I read that double tapping is hard.
Is there a better choice then the Mx blue switches for me.

~ GreenUnicorn

Programmer? Topre.


Get the HHKB Pro 2 and that's /thread.

[Sygaldry]

Hello,

I like to get the Poker 2 keyboard.
But I still don't know what switch to get.
I type allot and sometime I play games.
My first choice was the Mx blue, but I read that double tapping is hard.
Is there a better choice then the Mx blue switches for me.

~ GreenUnicorn

Programmer? Topre.


Get the HHKB Pro 2 and that's /thread.

Pretty sure this is the only correct response.
OP should not be considering anything other than the HHKB.

[daerid]

Topre, Buckling Spring, or Matias/Alps.

If you much go MX, go Clear or go home.

[jacobolus]

I like to get the Poker 2 keyboard.
But I still don't know what switch to get.

I’m pretty sure you’ll enjoy any of them, but beyond that it’s up to personal preference, and the only way to figure out your preferences is to try a bunch of keyboards. (Perhaps there are some on display at a store, or you can find someone in your area who collects keyboards, or a local meetup? There are also switch testers for sale from a few places.)

My first choice was the Mx blue, but I read that double tapping is hard.

The only way I could imagine MX blue’s hysteresis being a problem is if you need to mash/spam a key very quickly, like 10+ times/second. There might be some games where this is important, but I don’t really play video games, so I can’t give you particularly direct advice. If by “double tap” you just mean pressing a key twice, that won’t be a problem.

[berserkfan]

OP

I suggest you lock your thread and put an ad asking to visit a gher who lives near you. Many people here are nice and will respond. Try out that guy's stuff, maybe borrow them if he lets you.

Asking a question like this is really 100% useless because of the incredible subjectivity.

[Oobly]

What is the a good keyboard similar to the poker 2 that is using topre keycaps. And are they different types of topre switches.

THE GODLY HAPPY HACKING KEYBOARD. THERE IS NOTHING BETTER.

Seems the Caps Lock or Shift keys get stuck easily on that board...

It's really personal preference. If you haven't tried all the switch variants, try to find descriptions of them and decide which sounds like it would suit you the most. You can type and game on any switch, although some are better than others for particular usage scenarios and the way the person types.

Browns are just as tactile as Blues and Greens, it's just the sound that makes them seem more so. Personally, I find the click to be annoying, it's cheap and plasticky sounding to my ears.

Personal favourite switch for everything: 62g ErgoClears.
Reason: Not as heavy as stock Clears, so less fatiguing, large tactile bump which is enhanced by the lighter spring = most tactile of all Cherry MX switch types. Large bump can be used as a reference for the actuation point, so you can hover the switch near that point using the bump as a "backstop" = great for FPS gaming once you get used to it.

[snipars]

topre, absolutely

[rowdy]

There's a few suggestions here.

[GreenUnicorn]

Thanks for all responds.
I really appreciate this.
Today I tested the Razer green switches.
These switches are similar to the mx blue, and either double-tapping was not a problem.
I just found them too light so I think mx green is a better option.
Then I read all these comments about Topre and searched hhkb pro on the internet.
I just came up against two problems.
1: They are not sold in my country
2: On ebay they are way too expensive. Before I wanted to choose the poker 2 I found the Leopold FC660M a better option.
Only the space bar is difficult to replace.
But today I invented me that there is also a C version.
But unfortunately I can not find it and compared mk.com they are on ebay too expensive (190 euros).

I still have not tested the topre switches but are they better than the mx green. And it might be wiser to take a Poker 2 mx green.

[bowji]

Thanks for all responds.
I really appreciate this.
Today I tested the Razer green switches.
These switches are similar to the mx blue, and either double-tapping was not a problem.
I just found them too light so I think mx green is a better option.
Then I read all these comments about Topre and searched hhkb pro on the internet.
I just came up against two problems.
1: They are not sold in my country
2: On ebay they are way too expensive. Before I wanted to choose the poker 2 I found the Leopold FC660M a better option.
Only the space bar is difficult to replace.
But today I invented me that there is also a C version.
But unfortunately I can not find it and compared mk.com they are on ebay too expensive (190 euros).

I still have not tested the topre switches but are they better than the mx green. And it might be wiser to take a Poker 2 mx green.

Again, this is a subjective post but I would go would topre if you are a programmer typing for an extended amount of time. Cherry MX are very fun to type on, but nothing like a topre in terms of feel and comfort. As for HHKB/660c that too is subjective on what layout you prefer, personally I prefer arrow keys on the 660c and its is a little cheaper here than the HHKB. If the arrow keys are not necessary, go with the HHKB since its one of the keyboards members on GH cant stop talking about, not all but majority seems to label it the "best".

Good luck with your search!
 

[Grendel]

Asking a question like this is really 100% useless because of the incredible subjectivity.

x2. I am a programmer and I play games once in a while -- took me years to find the right switches (ended up w/ MX white for typing and MX brown for gaming, both w/ MX clear springs.) Do I recommend anything ? Maybe to start trying out the commonly available MX switches to get you pointed into the direction you want to check out further. Ultimately eveybody has their own opinion of what the switch/technology of the day is, it will be up to you to find your switch.

Edit: make sure you try a Topre before you buy. They didn't work for me at all.

[snoopy]

I like topre for coding

[Justintoxicated]

Topre for coding, but reds will be better for gaming.  Browns are IMO a good compromise for both.  If you want an emphasis for coding get a topre though.

I do not think I would like the layout HHKB for actual hacking and coding, unless you mostly use vi.  If you use an IDE I do not think it is ideal at all.

Currently using a silenced FC660C, while the keyboard is excellent it's not perfect for me.  Ctrl-Shift-Esc does not work, and I have to remote into VM's so overriding that key combo is not practical in any way for me what so ever.  We constantly throw up new VM's restore back to restore points on old ones etc and it's just plain annoying.  Also I use the F keys constantly when debugging which means my fingers are not on home row, so it's an extra key I have to hit.  While I'm used to it now IMO it's not idea.  I would like to try a realforce board next, although I think an FC660C with working ctrl-shift-esc and F keys would be my ideal configuration.  HHKB was right out due to lack of dedicated arrow keys.

Cherry keys are kind of loud at work for me, even stock topre was a bit loud, the silenced topre though... I love it!

[gcb]

meh for topre. for me they are exactly like membrane. they only register when bottom out. which is awful.

double tapping with blues is fine. the noise is so damn loud that if you miss it, you should get checked.


disclaimer, i'm those nut jobs that have browns and clears on main keys (at home, blue at work) black for modifiers (except shift, red) and clear for space, enter.

[Sygaldry]

meh for topre. for me they are exactly like membrane. they only register when bottom out. which is awful.

double tapping with blues is fine. the noise is so damn loud that if you miss it, you should get checked.


disclaimer, i'm those nut jobs that have browns and clears on main keys (at home, blue at work) black for modifiers (except shift, red) and clear for space, enter.

Um... Topre switches actually register key presses at the top of the switch and there is a significant amount of key travel after each key press is registered. This doesn't vary from person to person, it's how the switch is designed.

Have you actually tried a Topre board for long enough to get a feel for the switch?

[munch]

I didn't really like Topre for gaming, the "bounce-up" after collapsing the dome (which does happen when gaming, since you get a little 'excited' playing fast games) is a little uncomfortable.
it's really hard not to bottom out when gaming, and topres aren't great for that, IMO.

[nukec]

topre, brown mx

[spale]

Well, Topre as the first choice definitely.

If is not available to you then MX Blues, or Mx Greens. But thats it, don't be fooled by "wannabe" mechanical switches like Browns or Reds.