How do stickers add to the keystroke feel?

[snarfarlarkus]

I always see them in KC keyboards and just wondering. Same as 'clipped' stabilizers?

[SpAmRaY]

Stickers are mostly a gimmick, the idea is they lessen any perceived wobble, perhaps on PCB mount boards it might help, but hardly worth the effort.

Clipped stabilizers allow cherry stabs to be crisper and springier (some people find cherry stabilizers mushy compared to costar.) Many newer boards have modified cherry stabilizers already that feel great to start with.

[HoffmanMyster]

Stickers are the highest effort, lowest reward modification that I can think of off the top of my head.  I have no idea why anyone ever thought it was a good idea, other than it looks kinda cool in photos with the caps off. 

Clipping Cherry stabilizers, on the other hand, is really easy (you only have to clip ~10-16 pieces) and actually has a non-negligible effect.  I always do it, because it's so simple.

[njbair]

Stickers are the highest effort, lowest reward modification that I can think of off the top of my head.  I have no idea why anyone ever thought it was a good idea, other than it looks kinda cool in photos with the caps off. 

Clipping Cherry stabilizers, on the other hand, is really easy (you only have to clip ~10-16 pieces) and actually has a non-negligible effect.  I always do it, because it's so simple.

Not as high effort and low reward as the mod I just now made up where you turn all the springs upside down and hand-color all the stems with a sharpie.

[chyros]

Unless somebody comes up with solid scientific proof there is no way anyone is going to make me believe stickers do anything more than **** all for the keyfeel. If you perceive a difference, surely it must be in your mind.

[njbair]

Unless somebody comes up with solid scientific proof there is no way anyone is going to make me believe stickers do anything more than **** all for the keyfeel. If you perceive a difference, surely it must be in your mind.

Stickered switches make my fingers feel cramped because they just spent hours installing tiny stickers into tiny switches.

[Sent]

Stickers just look purdy with the keycaps off.

[chyros]

Stickers just look purdy with the keycaps off.

That must be the first time in history someone managed to make the smiley relevant xD .

(also, we need an xD smiley)

[Oobly]

Unless somebody comes up with solid scientific proof there is no way anyone is going to make me believe stickers do anything more than **** all for the keyfeel. If you perceive a difference, surely it must be in your mind.

I'll try to do this for you. Just need to find some time.

The difference is pretty obvious when you use plate mounted tactile switches and SA keycaps (particularly sculpted sets).

I agree that it's a LOT of work for little reward, but it's vital for the ultimate in key feel for me. All the little mods add up (springs, stickers, plate, case, trampolines, lubed springs, latex, shaved sliders, etc) and the end result is awesome.

Or just use Zealios. They have tight fitting keytops that don't move unlike "genuine" MX switches, have smooth sliders that don't need shaving or lube and "goldilocks zone" spring weights. I haven't received mine yet, so I can't check, but I suspect they'll also not suffer from the "ping" of stock MX Clears and Greens, so won't need additional spring lubing.

[tararais]

Unless somebody comes up with solid scientific proof there is no way anyone is going to make me believe stickers do anything more than **** all for the keyfeel. If you perceive a difference, surely it must be in your mind.

I'll try to do this for you. Just need to find some time.

The difference is pretty obvious when you use plate mounted tactile switches and SA keycaps (particularly sculpted sets).

I agree that it's a LOT of work for little reward, but it's vital for the ultimate in key feel for me. All the little mods add up (springs, stickers, plate, case, trampolines, lubed springs, latex, shaved sliders, etc) and the end result is awesome.

Or just use Zealios. They have tight fitting keytops that don't move unlike "genuine" MX switches, have smooth sliders that don't need shaving or lube and "goldilocks zone" spring weights. I haven't received mine yet, so I can't check, but I suspect they'll also not suffer from the "ping" of stock MX Clears and Greens, so won't need additional spring lubing.

 
Is Zealios the new thing? Do they make mx clear-equivalents?

[Oobly]

Unless somebody comes up with solid scientific proof there is no way anyone is going to make me believe stickers do anything more than **** all for the keyfeel. If you perceive a difference, surely it must be in your mind.

I'll try to do this for you. Just need to find some time.

The difference is pretty obvious when you use plate mounted tactile switches and SA keycaps (particularly sculpted sets).

I agree that it's a LOT of work for little reward, but it's vital for the ultimate in key feel for me. All the little mods add up (springs, stickers, plate, case, trampolines, lubed springs, latex, shaved sliders, etc) and the end result is awesome.

Or just use Zealios. They have tight fitting keytops that don't move unlike "genuine" MX switches, have smooth sliders that don't need shaving or lube and "goldilocks zone" spring weights. I haven't received mine yet, so I can't check, but I suspect they'll also not suffer from the "ping" of stock MX Clears and Greens, so won't need additional spring lubing.

 
Is Zealios the new thing? Do they make mx clear-equivalents?

Y, new caps made by Zeal in collaboration with Gateron. Two variants, tactile like Clears, with almost identical bump, but smoother surface and linear. Only come in 62, 65 and 67g springs, so they're all softer than stock Clears. Tight switch tops, completely clear casings, can use 4-pin RGB LEDs.  Very nice

[Findecanor]

The Zealio switches are a special-order from Gateron. All of Gateron's Cherry MX clones have tighter-fitting housings than original Cherry MX - obviating the usefulness of "switch stickers".

Putting a lighter spring in a Clear (Zealio purple switches are clones of Clear with lighter springs) will mostly change the force below the actuation point making it easier to bottom out.
It will not make the bump lighter. Actually.. changing the spring may actually make the bump harder because the Clear's stock springs have a lower starting force than many other springs: including Cherry MX Blue/Brown/Red and Black.

Zealio's switches have slightly different internal leaf springs than the Gateron switches I got from hwood/shadovved's group order. The latter springs are actually somewhat harder, and contribute to a harder bump with Clear sliders than with original Cherry MX leaf springs.
I have yet to receive my order of Zealio switches, but I'll compare them when I got them.