kailh vs cherry switches

[silk186]

I've been doing a lot of research leading up to the purchase of my first mechanical keyboard and I'm at a bit of a loss when it comes to switches. I can find lots of information and switch types and keycaps. I understand that the patents for cherry switches has experied allowing for Kalih to legally copy them and they they appear in some mainstream boards like Thermaltake and Razer. Boards with Cherry switches charge a premium and I can't tell if the premium is warranty. I lived in China for 5 years and I know that made in China isn't always a bad thing. Depending on what you are willing to pay you can get poor immitations or immitations that actually imporve on the original in quality and features at a lower price point. I have read the Coolkey boards feel very similar to Flico while costing less than a ducky shine 2 and offering more LED options. Unfortunately I don't see an option to insert a poll. I'm wondering, for those of you that have used both switches. Would you be able to tell the difference in a blind test? If so, would you say that you found the Cherry switches to be noticably better or just different.

[jerue]

I've only used Kalih Blues, Razer Green/Orange (which mimic MX Brown and MX Blue). I could definitely pass a blindfold test. They feel similar, but it's noticeable if you've used the switches enough. Kalih Blues/Green feel a lot scratchier than MX Blues - the MX switches also have a more pronounced click. Similarly, I notice the tactile bump in MX Browns compared to Razer oranges.

That isn't to say Kalih switches are bad, I just don't prefer them. Especially not in boards with premium price tags (*cough Razer *cough)

[merlin64]

I don't think I could pass a blindfold test when comparing Kailh vs Cherry. They feel very similar to me.

The question you should ask is about build quality and if it can last 50 million presses like their cherry equivalent. To me, if a product is made similarly to an existing product but sold at a cheaper rate, then something must have been compromised. Either the manufacturing process, or the quality of materials may be in question. Of course other factors may play into that as well. However if you are the type who cycles through keyboards (buy and sell, buy and sell),  then it may not really be an issue for you. I am unsure if anyone has a keyboard with Kailh switches from the early 90s.

[silk186]

unfortunately things aren't always so simple. Look at clothing for example. Is a $300 pair of pants better than a $20 pair of pants? probably, but what about a $100 pair? Cherry vs rubber domes is clear but Kalih vs Cherry not so much. Failure rates is also very difficult. You will hear far more stories about problems with cherry switches because they sell more. I have not found any evidence that Kailh  are inferior in build quality. I have found with Chinese products that if they want to build premium products they will need to do a better job than other brands to sell. Chinese don't have any loyaly to Chinese brands so the products need to be
competitive. As Kailh are supposed to be a near exact replica it's possible their is a difference in the build quality or that their is a placebo effect. If we pay more we feel it must be better. I hear this about Das and Filco boards. Chinese are very good at copying products to the level that they can be sold in retail without anyone knowing the difference when they want to. People will pay more for Cherry because they are from Germany. Workers are paid less  and taxes are lower in China so costs can be lower.

[childofthehorn]

Some of us who have been using Cherry MX blues for a year or more can tell the blindfold test between Kailh, Cherry, and Gateron pretty easily.

The Kailh just feel cheap compared to the Cherry or Gateron. They are gritty, slide back and forth on the stem pretty bad, and bottom out with a lot of reverb (prolly due to the springs and maybe cheaper casings).

Gateron compared to Cherry feels smoother, no grit, much more linear, more tactile bump, less "click" noise. The design of the sliders in the Gateron is very different compared to Cherry.

The Kailh is just a cheaply made Cherry. Howveer, given the quality of Cherry in the last couple of years.... it may be indeed hard to tell a difference given the drop in quality.

[silk186]

that sounded like a very objective comparison. I will try to focus on option with cherry switches. I've not heard of Gateron. It is sad when quality goes down. Chinese clones increase quality to try to make a brand for themselves and established brands cut corners to comete bring the two products closer together.
I will have to see though about my budget at the time I order. Would Kailh be considered an upgrade from domed or should I not even bother with them?

[merlin64]

I guess it depends on what rubber domes you have, I've typed on some domes that feel really nice. If possible you should go to a store that has a bunch of keyboards out on display and just play around with them for a bit.

[jerue]

I will have to see though about my budget at the time I order. Would Kailh be considered an upgrade from domed or should I not even bother with them?

It's still an upgrade. Again, just be careful how much you spend. I wouldn't spend more than $80, maybe $90 on a board with Kailh switches. Quality isn't there compared to Gaterons or Cherry.

[silk186]

The boards with Kailh switches are around $40-50, the Ducky Shine 2 zero is $80

[childofthehorn]

I would just say scour Massdrop for some good options in various price ranges.

Just remember that those $40-50 keyboards likely cut corners elsewhere like maybe not using steel plates or thin ones. Keycool might be one of the few exceptions to this which uses Kailh switches.

For instance, this guy would be pretty attractive with swapping out the topside LEDs for something a bit more sane.
https://www.massdrop.com/buy/e-3lue-k727-mechanical-keyboard

[rowdy]

There's a few threads about Kailh switches around here.  Here are a few links:

https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=55671.0
https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=58185.0
https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=65772.0
https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=67202.0

[silk186]

Thanks rowdy, reading them now

[dante]

I always thought a hilarious youtube video would be someone soldering Razer Greens into a Cherry G80-3850.

[silk186]

unforutnately very little information: 1 or 2 people saying that that their is a difference in quality, as few people assuming a difference in quality and several saying that they either can't tell the difference or prefer Kailh. My conclusion is that the two are on par and that the differnce in quality/feel comes down the build material in other parts of the keyboard. Also, a stupid argument saying that Kailh is an illigal copy (I guess that means that anything with gunpowder, printing or the compass has illigally stollen form China. Another stupid argument that China doesn't innovate, look at other computer tech, routers and cell phones. Sometimes people want a cheap copy, sometimes the US blocks exports. To be honest, Chinese companies seems to start with immitations and after they learn more they start to differentiate.