How are reds for typing?

[NewbieOneKenobi]

I know there are people who like the non-tactical heavy blacks for professional typing, so I thought what about the non-tactile light reds? Looking for inspiration.

[Dernubenfrieken]

IMO reds arent great for typing because theyre so light. easy to mistype surrounding keys, and without any bump you dont have much feedback to help. I'm considering switching the springs out on my QFR because of just that.

[FrostyToast]

MX reds are noticeably more scratchy than other switches just because the molds for the stems are so poor in quality.
I know it doesn't bother a lot of people but just go to a local computer store if you can and try them out.

[kohi]

It depends, some people love using reds to type and others rather prefer having the tactile feedback. As for myself, when I use reds I tend to make mistakes by accidentally registering a key more than once while typing, since the switch is really light as Dernubenfrieken pointed out. Best bet would be to go out and actually try one out to see if you'd like it or not.

[Niomosy]

I love typing on reds.  The feedback doesn't really help me.  I've gotten used to typing a bit lighter - an intentional reason I bought reds in the first place - and it's pretty nice.  Now that I've been typing on reds for some time, my error levels are typically pretty low; had my eldest ask how fast I could type last night and pulled 91wpm / 97.2% accuracy on typeracer.  As a random one-off, I was pretty pleased with that result.

They're not for everyone, though.  Some like a heavier force, some like tactile feedback, some like both.  I've been lucky enough to try out reds, browns, blues, and blacks thus far along with Alps whites (SGI Granite board), and Buckling switches (Model M).  Reds have won out as my favorite as they're very light and linear. 

[Giorgio]

I live reds for typing, and they become smoother really fast. Blacks are too stiff if you type for hours.

[Den441]

I don't think all reds are scratchy. I have a G80 with reds that I got from china when reds first started coming out and those are buttery smooth. Maybe that just isn't the case anymore for reds though which is too bad. I agree they aren't great for typing though....but if you game at all it makes them worth it.

[zslane]

I prefer MX reds for typing over any other MX switch. I tried MX blacks and found the resistance to be too high for comfort. And I don't want a "tactile" or "clicky" response either. The former is subtley distracting and subconsciously counter-productive while the latter is just annoying beyond reason.

[raymogi]

Reds is totally fine for typing. I've had it on my Poker 2 and I found there's nothing wrong with non-tactile switches, although I like something heavier for now.

[shibbyllama889]

I really enjoy typing on reds, but they're definitely not for everyone. I think you could theoretically type fastest on reds due to just barely touching them will activate them. It's hard to get used to but so fun once you do. The reds on my Pure are quite scratchy though, that's true. You don't notice it while typing but you definitely do when depressing the switch slowly. I'd really like to try the gateron equivalent and the Matias linear switches as I hear they are smoother.

[opensecret]

On different machines at different locations, I have Topre (unweighted Realforce), white Alps (Northgate Omnikey, which I'm typing on at the moment), and o-ringed reds (plus an IBM Model M that I rarely use).   I like them all, but I'm fast, accurate and happy typing on the reds.  I don't game, so for me it's all about the typing experience.  The o-rings add a quiet, soft touch to the reds, and that coupled with the low force makes for a typing experience I like a lot.

[Charizard]

I find myself getting a lot of unintentional keypresses when trying to type quickly on reds, as others have mentioned. That being said, I do like for FPS games.

[fuzzybaffy]

I have an MX Brown board, and I hate it for typing. That little bump just makes the typing feel and experience unrefined and distracting. That's why I plan on getting reds.

But that's only because MX Blues might be too loud for my next-door neighbors (renting a room at a house). I found the MX Blues absolutely fantastic for typing, but then again, that's speaking without having tried Reds extensively.

[Steezus]

I have an MX Brown board, and I hate it for typing. That little bump just makes the typing feel and experience unrefined and distracting. That's why I plan on getting reds.

But that's only because MX Blues might be too loud for my next-door neighbros (renting a room at a house). I found the MX Blues absolutely fantastic for typing, but then again, that's speaking without having tried Reds extensively.

MX Reds will just be a lighter version of MX Browns with no tactile feedback at all. MX Browns are usually preferred for workplaces and such because they don't have a pronounce sound. MX Blues are my favorite switches so far, I'm curious to see how the Zealios I have coming are going to be.

[Macsmasher]

Switch preference is purely subjective. It comes down to whatever makes you happy. If you enjoy typing on mx reds, just enjoy it. Nobody can tell you what switch is right for you.

[tp4tissue]

I use ghetto red for typing..

[rowdy]

I find reds way too light.  I prefer blacks, or even more preferably something with a little bit of feedback.

Also see this thread.

[Grim Fandango]

They feel very smooth and light. Though not everyone will like them. I did have more accidental keypresses when I used reds, but the overall experience was very pleasant. If you are heavy handed, perhaps not a touch typist, I am not sure how much you'd like it.

[Agarito]

MX reds are noticeably more scratchy than other switches just because the molds for the stems are so poor in quality.
I know it doesn't bother a lot of people but just go to a local computer store if you can and try them out.

Sorry, im a noob. Do different cherry mx switches differ in quality?

[Altis]

I quite like MX Reds for typing, though they aren't ultimately my favorite.

I do find that they're a bit gritty/scratchy. I actually really like light switches but these are a touch lighter than ideal for me. I'm thinking some 62g springs might fix these right up.

If smoothness is what you're after, Gaterons/Zealios/Vintage MX Black would be the way to go.

Smooth linears can sound so nice.

[s0ckpupp3t]

I prefer o-ringed MX reds over MX browns and *gasp* Topre. 

I don't find the reds light at all.   For someone who spends all day on the keyboard at work, the heavier switches would be too fatiguing.  No issues on my end with mistypes.  Then again, I actually took typing classes in high school 25 years ago...

[dante]

I don't think all reds are scratchy. I have a G80 with reds that I got from china when reds first started coming out and those are buttery smooth. Maybe that just isn't the case anymore for reds though which is too bad. I agree they aren't great for typing though....but if you game at all it makes them worth it.

At the time I became a member several years ago someone was spreading around a rumor (myth?) that Cherry kept all the best switches for themselves.  I'd have to assume by "best" they meant smooth.'

I can say that some Corsair K65's have had the smoothest MX Reds I've tried.  The scratchiest I've tried have been KUL.

[rowdy]

Sorry, im a noob. Do different cherry mx switches differ in quality?

Authentic MX switches are made by Cherry Corp in Germany.

They have quite rigid quality control, and it is rare, very rare indeed considering how many they make, for a switch to be DoA.

That said, some clicky switches occasionally do not click as they should, perhaps due to very, very minor imperfections in the tiny little components out of which they are constructed.

Other MX-compatible switches have been known to have quality problems in the past, but most of them have improved considerably now.

[kosm3]

I find a big difference typing on TKL mx-red and full board mx-red.
TKL with white caps is pretty nice for me to type on, while typing on my black caps full board is a real pain.

[SamirD]

I love typing on reds.  The feedback doesn't really help me.  I've gotten used to typing a bit lighter - an intentional reason I bought reds in the first place - and it's pretty nice.  Now that I've been typing on reds for some time, my error levels are typically pretty low; had my eldest ask how fast I could type last night and pulled 91wpm / 97.2% accuracy on typeracer.  As a random one-off, I was pretty pleased with that result.

Interesting.  My brother has gotten to the point he has a very light typing force too because he's about 50% on touchscreens.  How do you think he'd like the feel of a red?

In fact, I'd love to hear feedback from everyone that's using reds for typing that can compare them to an ipad on-screen keyboard (which is what my brother uses 50% of the time these days).

[dante]

In fact, I'd love to hear feedback from everyone that's using reds for typing that can compare them to an ipad on-screen keyboard (which is what my brother uses 50% of the time these days).

I'm sure someone will want to argue but certain keyboards make switches feel stiffer than others.  I thought it was my imagination that reds felt stiffer on the WASD V2; however if you read reviews on their website a handful of people also noticed the same thing.

The closest to touch screen?  Gateron Clear w/ O-rings or Matias Quiet-Linear switches.

[SamirD]

In fact, I'd love to hear feedback from everyone that's using reds for typing that can compare them to an ipad on-screen keyboard (which is what my brother uses 50% of the time these days).

I'm sure someone will want to argue but certain keyboards make switches feel stiffer than others.  I thought it was my imagination that reds felt stiffer on the WASD V2; however if you read reviews on their website a handful of people also noticed the same thing.

The closest to touch screen?  Gateron Clear w/ O-rings or Matias Quiet-Linear switches.

Thank you for the feedback.  I was looking at the Matias Quiet-Linears as a possible choice for him, so it looks like I'm on the right path.

[zslane]

I must not have sensitive enough finger muscles because I don't detect any meaningful difference in MX reds between a WASD V2 104, a Filco Majestouch-2 104, a Pok3r, or a Varmilo 108.

The lightest/softest set of switches I have are the NovaTouch knockoffs on my Noppoo EC108. It feel like I'm typing on pillows on that thing.

As someone who spent years typing on my iPad's glass kbd--and hating it--I can honestly say that switching to a Pok3r with MX reds has been a welcome change.

[tofu28]

To be honest, I think I enjoy reds more than blues for typing. They just seem more fun to type on, but I do tend to make more mistakes. In terms of typing speed, I type on reds faster due to the lack of the tactile bump which I feel slows me down.

[Dongulator]

Type on reds for work everyday (sql dev) couldn't be better.

[Agarito]

Sorry, im a noob. Do different cherry mx switches differ in quality?

Authentic MX switches are made by Cherry Corp in Germany.

They have quite rigid quality control, and it is rare, very rare indeed considering how many they make, for a switch to be DoA.

That said, some clicky switches occasionally do not click as they should, perhaps due to very, very minor imperfections in the tiny little components out of which they are constructed.

Other MX-compatible switches have been known to have quality problems in the past, but most of them have improved considerably now.

Thank you for your answer. Does this mean that a keyboard that has MX switches may not be the cherry brand? Are all types (colors) of switches, if made by cherry, are all made to the same quality standard?

[rowdy]

Sorry, im a noob. Do different cherry mx switches differ in quality?

Authentic MX switches are made by Cherry Corp in Germany.

They have quite rigid quality control, and it is rare, very rare indeed considering how many they make, for a switch to be DoA.

That said, some clicky switches occasionally do not click as they should, perhaps due to very, very minor imperfections in the tiny little components out of which they are constructed.

Other MX-compatible switches have been known to have quality problems in the past, but most of them have improved considerably now.

Thank you for your answer. Does this mean that a keyboard that has MX switches may not be the cherry brand? Are all types (colors) of switches, if made by cherry, are all made to the same quality standard?

If it claims to have MX switches, then it has (or should have) authentic Cherry MX switches.

None of the othse switches go by that name.

But be careful if they say something like "MX-compatible" switches - that would almost certainly mean non-Cherry switches.