Keyboards: Same Switches Across Different Keyboard - Topic

Member

Posts: 66,644

Joined: Oct 8 2005

Gold: 7,830.00

Jun 9 2017 12:43pm

Hi guys,
So pretty soon I was looking to invest into some mechanical keyboards of varying switches.

I want people to be able to try the switches and then have the same typing experience translate to other more expensive keyboards.

Will trying different switches on cheap keyboards translate to the same experience on expensive ones, in terms of typing?

let me know your past experiences with the same switch across different keyboards.

Wydz

Member

Posts: 70,992

Joined: Jul 6 2010

Gold: 1,255.00

Jun 9 2017 12:44pm

In my experience, the keycap type (ABS or PBT) can make a difference in the switch too, but that's just me.

missalaire

Member

Posts: 17,255

Joined: Oct 31 2006

Gold: 390.03

Jun 9 2017 02:18pm

Quote (Rapture @ Jun 9 2017 02:43pm)

Will trying different switches on cheap keyboards translate to the same experience on expensive ones, in terms of typing?

No. Different keyboards are built differently.

This post was edited by missalaire on Jun 9 2017 02:18pm

Rapture

Member

Posts: 66,644

Joined: Oct 8 2005

Gold: 7,830.00

Jun 10 2017 02:40pm

Quote (Wydz @ Jun 9 2017 02:44pm)
In my experience, the keycap type (ABS or PBT) can make a difference in the switch too, but that's just me.

Is it significant enough that you could mistakenly think you didn't like a particular switch? (or did like)
I'm hoping that someone can try one of my keyboards and have a grasp of what the switch is like to inform their purchase decision (in terms of which switch to get)

Quote (missalaire @ Jun 9 2017 04:18pm)
No. Different keyboards are built differently.

Okay so maybe that was the wrong way to word that. I more meant would the experience with a particular switch on a cheap keyboard, translate to a similar enough experience with the switch on a more expensive one.
I'm strictly thinking in terms of how to find what particular switch you like - just enough so you can say well i dont like that keyboard but I can determine that I prefer reds over all the others.

let me know what you think in terms of that.

This post was edited by Rapture on Jun 10 2017 02:42pm

missalaire

Member

Posts: 17,255

Joined: Oct 31 2006

Gold: 390.03

Jun 10 2017 08:57pm

Quote (Rapture @ Jun 10 2017 04:40pm)

Is it significant enough that you could mistakenly think you didn't like a particular switch? (or did like)
I'm hoping that someone can try one of my keyboards and have a grasp of what the switch is like to inform their purchase decision (in terms of which switch to get)

Okay so maybe that was the wrong way to word that. I more meant would the experience with a particular switch on a cheap keyboard, translate to a similar enough experience with the switch on a more expensive one.
I'm strictly thinking in terms of how to find what particular switch you like - just enough so you can say well i dont like that keyboard but I can determine that I prefer reds over all the others.

let me know what you think in terms of that.

It would still feel reasonably different depending on which stabilizers that keyboard uses. Some keyboards use Costar stabilizers, some use Cherry stabs, and others use some modified third party ones. There is a pretty wide consensus that keyboards using cherry stabilizers (no matter which Cherry MX switch) feel mushy in comparison to Costar.

That's just one example. Some keyboards are plate mount vs PCB mount and this will change the feel slightly. Also, as mentioned above, the different key cap materials AND key cap profiles (height) can make a difference as well.

Go Back To Computers & IT Topic List