Keyswitch recommendation

[erricrice]

So I am trying to find the perfect switch for me.  Ugh, I've been bitten and it won't go away, please help.  Admitting that you have a problem is the first step.....
Buying a new keyboard is the second!
Anyways I am looking for a keyboard that is pretty stiff(>55 g) and that doesn't have the actuation point right at the top of the key(that's the way that ALPS feel to me).  I like the ALPS 'boards that I have, but they seem to just be missing something.
I was thinking that Cherry Blacks might do the trick as they actuate at 60 g.
Are there any cheap Black cherry 'boards out there that are easy to find?

Any other ideas on what switch I might be looking for?

[erricrice]

What's wrong with your Model M?  Meets your specs.

Well, but that doesn't meet my requirements of continuing my addiction lol.

And yeah, I know it does meet those requirements and I do like it, but I would like to try some others as well.  I like the smooth feel of the cherry switches, but the Blues are way too light for me.

[ch_123]

So I am trying to find the perfect switch for me.  Ugh, I've been bitten and it won't go away, please help.  Admitting that you have a problem is the first step.....
Buying a new keyboard is the second!
Anyways I am looking for a keyboard that is pretty stiff(>55 g) and that doesn't have the actuation point right at the top of the key(that's the way that ALPS feel to me).  I like the ALPS 'boards that I have, but they seem to just be missing something.
I was thinking that Cherry Blacks might do the trick as they actuate at 60 g.
Are there any cheap Black cherry 'boards out there that are easy to find?

Any other ideas on what switch I might be looking for?

Bare in mind that Black Cherrys are linear, and therefore have no tactile point. And your criticism of the Black Alps is similar to that that a lot of people around here (myself included) would have of them.

On the other hand, you sound like a suitable candidate for initiation into the Cult Of The Model F. Come to the dark side, we have capacitors!

[lal]

Brilliant

[wellington1869]

cherry blacks are a bit of an acquired taste I think. In my experience with them anyway they tired out my fingers in a way that M's and F's and Alps did not, even if the "raw" resistance force of all these switches was in the same area around 55-70g. I think the curve of the resistance matters as much as the raw resistance force.

Blacks seem to increase resistance as you push down (as opposed ot the other switches which can actually decrease ressistance (like Ms and Fs) as you push down (after the spring buckles), or alps where the resistance feels about even as you push down). I think that made the difference with blacks, so you're constantly pushing down on jello.  Tired out my fingers.
Actually the only person i know who liked blacks was xsphat but even he had to break them in "for about a year".

If you want to try them tho, they're easy to find and pretty cheap, on ebay and etc. But sounds like your best bet is M's or F's though, I think.

[keyb_gr]

Clears would probably be a better bet than blacks, but they're not that easy to find. Blacks might not be a bad choice for stuff like modifiers or cursor keys, but I wouldn't want to have them in the main alphanumeric block. They're OK when well-worn, but can be a bit tiring.

[rdjack21]

Man you only have one Model M that's not collecting. You need a Space saver and a M13 and a M15 if you can find one that is. And of course you need a Model F and a M2. True that does not let you try new switches but it does let you fill out your collection in what you do like. Oh and lets not forget you have to have a few NIB Model M's stuck in a closet somewhere just in case.

Don't get me wrong I'm all for trying other switches but at the same time if you have found what you really like start collecting those while you search out those other switches you have not tried yet. If you do find something else you like better you can always sell off your previously collected boards to fund collecting the new ones.

[erricrice]

I'll probably end up trying one of these out to check out the switch once I get a some more funds =)

All you Model F-ers and your propaganda!  You will not bring me over!  
I might try one out down the road, but they seem a little harder to find and more expensive when you can find them.


I will probably end up with a collection of Ms.  I don't think it's really avoidable, but at this point I just don't even have the money for it lol.
Ahh, the inevitable.

[ch_123]

All you Model F-ers and your propaganda!  You will not bring me over!  
I might try one out down the road, but they seem a little harder to find and more expensive when you can find them.

There's some cheap XT and terminal Model Fs, that whilst incompatible with modern PCs, will give you a good idea of whether you want to spend $70+ and potentially months of stalking eBay to get an AT one.

[erricrice]

There's some cheap XT and terminal Model Fs, that whilst incompatible with modern PCs, will give you a good idea of whether you want to spend $70+ and potentially months of stalking eBay to get an AT one.

I see.  This is very logical.  I might consider that!

Thanks for the ideas guys!

[ch_123]

Here is a suitable guinea pig. Although selling for $45, they've only managed to shift one in the month or two that they have been up. I'd say you could easily get one on an offer of $20-25

[microsoft windows]

I'd prescribe an IBM clicky keyboard. They meet all your requirements.

[ch_123]

I'd prescribe an IBM clicky keyboard. They meet all your requirements.

Damn, wish I had thought of that!