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Author Topic: PBT Keys - what texture do most people prefer?  (Read 6800 times)

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Offline dman777

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PBT Keys - what texture do most people prefer?
« on: Sat, 17 June 2017, 09:27:02 »
I am new to keycaps and learning.

I was reading the discussions on Massdrop and alot of people ask about the textures of PBT keycaps.

What is preferable in PBT keycaps?

1) Harder or softer textured keys?
2) Texture or no texture?
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Offline romevi

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Re: PBT Keys - what texture do most people prefer?
« Reply #1 on: Sat, 17 June 2017, 09:33:49 »
Different strokes for different folks.
My favorite cap feel is ePBT.
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Offline Tactile

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Re: PBT Keys - what texture do most people prefer?
« Reply #2 on: Sat, 17 June 2017, 10:12:14 »
There is no "harder or softer" - PBT is all the same in that regard. I'm typing right now on a HHKB and the PBT caps are almost, but not quite, smooth. The texture is very light. I have some PBT from Signature Plastics which are very smooth, and I have a couple of sets from Enjoy PBT which have a nice texture to them. I have a Cherry keyboard with genuine Cherry brand PBT caps and they're pretty smooth.

I don't really have a preference. The textured ones have a nice feel, but the smooth ones have a nice feel, too. Just different. The texture might be a deal breaker for some people but not for me.

The ones with heavy texture can be a bear to clean, though. I use an ultrasonic cleaner so it's not a problem but without that tool the smoother caps are a lot easier to clean.

[EDIT]
I forgot about my Ducky G2 Pro PBT. Those caps have a pretty heavy texture as well.
[/EDIT]
« Last Edit: Sat, 17 June 2017, 10:19:23 by Tactile »
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Offline pr0ximity

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Re: PBT Keys - what texture do most people prefer?
« Reply #3 on: Sat, 17 June 2017, 10:36:02 »
I personally prefer smooth, hoping my ePBT will wear down a bit with some use. My OG dyesubs are perfect in that regard.
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Offline Puddsy

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Re: PBT Keys - what texture do most people prefer?
« Reply #4 on: Sun, 18 June 2017, 13:21:18 »
Gateron PBT has been pretty good in my experience, but I'll always be a GMK fan.
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Offline rowdy

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Re: PBT Keys - what texture do most people prefer?
« Reply #5 on: Mon, 19 June 2017, 22:13:21 »
I've been using KeyCool white PBT keycaps for the last couple of weeks.  They have a gritty texture, like very fine sandpaper.  It's quite nice to type on.

Contrast that with IBM Model M keycaps, which are also PBT, but are relatively smooth in comparison.
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Offline Targa-TV

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Re: PBT Keys - what texture do most people prefer?
« Reply #6 on: Tue, 20 June 2017, 04:30:05 »
I know it's an unpopular opinion but I prefer smooth keycaps. My Varmilo PBT keycaps have a rough texture which I used to like until I tried my G80's old Cherry Corp ABS doubleshot with shine on them. Smooth as baby's skin. I love them.


If the pad-printed legends were absent I'd love them even more I think.
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Offline rowdy

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Re: PBT Keys - what texture do most people prefer?
« Reply #7 on: Tue, 20 June 2017, 21:47:10 »
Some of my keycaps are as smooth as a baby's bottom.

Which is more than you can say for my bottom ;)
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Offline elcubismo

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Re: PBT Keys - what texture do most people prefer?
« Reply #8 on: Wed, 21 June 2017, 10:56:48 »
I prefer textured. I have some Gateron blanks with a great texture to them. My CMYK mods are smoother, but I don't mind that much.

I feel like if caps are too smooth then they get to the point of being "slippery", especially since my hands are naturally a little oily (unless it's cold out, then they are way too dry and the skin cracks like a mofo). The front-print caps I got from maxkeyboards have this issue. I would have to wipe my hands multiple times a day so that my fingers didn't slip off the keys too much. 

My Leopold has HHKB alphas and though they are a bit on the smoother side, I actually like them very much.

My wife's CODE has Miami on them and those caps feel great. I don't know if it's that anti-biosis coating or not, but we both like them a lot.
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Offline Findecanor

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Re: PBT Keys - what texture do most people prefer?
« Reply #9 on: Thu, 22 June 2017, 16:10:32 »
I like coarser texture. Topre Realforce are ideal.

BTW, the sides should be smooth! Texture only on the top surface.
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Offline romevi

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Re: PBT Keys - what texture do most people prefer?
« Reply #10 on: Tue, 27 June 2017, 15:28:29 »
Quote from: Findecanor on Thu, 22 June 2017, 16:10:32
I like coarser texture. Topre Realforce are ideal.

BTW, the sides should be smooth! Texture only on the top surface.

Agreed. I prefer coarse on top, smooth on the bottom. Topre is great, but have you tried ePBT? My favorite by far.
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