What switches to get (mechanical keyboard)

Off-Topic
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Testing switches is really not the easiest thing to do, switches feel very different on a switch tester vs actual use, and I find I have to use a keyboard for a while to decide what I like.
I have keyboards here with Cherry Red, Cherry Blue, Cherry Brown, Cherry Speed Silver, a couple of knockoff browns, Zelios Purple, Halo True, Hako True, Holy Pandas.

I’m typing on the Halo Trues, I like the Pandas but they’re too loud and I like the Zelios, but there on a 65% keyboard and I don’t like the layout.
The Cherries and knockoffs are all too light for me.

I also have a Realforce keyboard which a lot of people swear by and I don’t like the feel of, and a couple of apple scissor switch keyboards.

2 Likes
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When I was just starting I bought a big switch tester, and it didn’t really give me anything in terms for feel, loudness, or actual experience. It was fun to mess around with, but after trying some friends keyboards they felt way different to the testers

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What full key set keyboard is easily modifiable or do you have to soder every thing all the time ?

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You can get a hotswap keyboard and try out switches and stuff

I hear people talk about the GMMK or the iGK61 for budget (only have used the GK61 though)

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gmmk is pretty flexible in what switches are compatible as long as it uses the same case specs as cherry it should be fine

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Does it support PCB mount switches as well? The massdrop keyboards only support plate mount switches (for some dumb reason)

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cryosan really demonstrates the versatility here

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I want to get one with cherry blue and then try the Zealios switches which I read to have a good feel to them. :thinking:

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I don’t know… I know it supports basically all the plate mount stuff

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Well, that’s one way to use it I guess. Also now I want to check out that guys channel now lol

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you could get the gmmk no switches buy a set of cherry blues.

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I like him ironically has better recording quality than half of the audio channels

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A few things from the start:

  • Budget - A good mechanical keyboard is in the $70+ range. You are probably aware of that
  • Noise - Most mechanical switches make more noise than rubber dome (what is found in most cheap office keyboards) or membrane. Some switches also produce an audible click when pressed.
  • Activation point - How far you have to depress a key before it activates.
  • Activation force & characteristic - Heavy, light, linear, tactile, etc.
  • Layout and % - Maybe you don’t want staggered, maybe you are looking into DVORAK and other layouts. Maybe you don’t need a numpad or 80% or 65% boards are enough for you.

Ignoring th legendary IBM Model M for now (buckling spring switches, loud, amazing to type on). Animation of mechanics

The common switches are Cherry MX and while there are a bazillion knockoffs, IMO not one of them is as good as the real deal.
Kailh is partnered with Cherry in some way, so they also have nice switches.
MassDrop had some “inconsistency” when it comes to their mechanical switches, seems to have sorted itself out though.
Zeal has keyboard kits, so you could go completly custom.
KBDFans also has kits, preassembled and individual parts.
WASD has a wide selection of boards.
Ducky also makes some nice boards.

While you could get your hands on a switch tester, there is no need to when first starting out.
Cherry MX Red’s are a safe bet.
Cherry MX Brown’s are a favourite first because of how similar they feel to rubber dome.

I am a bit of a “speed fanatic” so I am currently rocking Kailh Speed Silvers (licensed version of the Cherry MX Silvers) in a HyperX Alloy. Those may not be for everyone as carelessly placing your hand on a key will trigger it (1.2mm until activation).

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While I like the zeal switches alot, they are pretty pricey, so perhaps you might want to look into alternatives

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Well, by knock off do you mean just like the cheaper stuff, or the more specialized switches which I think are above cherry

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if you are into tactility and dont mind clickyness look into kailh box switches

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eh I would argue gateron reds and browns feel less scratchy and not as awful as cherries offerings

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I got to try some novelkeys kalith box swiches and man those are very clicky. I still prefer my unicomp if I want that tactile and want to piss everyone off at work lol

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I think the cherry clones are all pretty good, in some cases preferable to the original. But they get a bad rep for being on cheaper keyboards.
Cheap light weight keyboards feel terrible no matter what switches are in them.

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persoanlly for tactiles im really into topre might grab a topre board for myself as a next keyborad for the communal PC space in my future house asto not piss off my house mates