Question for mechanical keyboard users.

[Ulfrinn]

Which switch type do you prefer, and why? Clicky (blues, tactile (browns) or linear (reds).

[h_LordEC[no-VC]]

Don't want clickies cause I don't need to hear it and don't want it to be picked up by my mic.
But I do want to know that my key press is registered, so I very much prefer browns.

If you aren't sure, there are variety/sample switches you can purchase to test.
I think I bought a Cherry switch sampler +5years ago for like $5.

[Ulfrinn]

Yeah, no way I'd use blues, the noise alone is more than enough reason. I like quiet. I am using reds now and at full typing speed they are as easy to type on as anything else from what I could gather.

[r.linder]

Originally posted by Ulfrinn:

Yeah, no way I'd use blues, the noise alone is more than enough reason. I like quiet. I am using reds now and at full typing speed they are as easy to type on as anything else from what I could gather.

Clicky switches are definitely acquired taste, but they are the nicest to type on. It's what they're designed for primarily.

Reds I dislike the most of the three "main" switch "colors" because they're too light and kind of mushy to me, and MX silent is even worse for that. MX Silent (aka silent reds) are an abomination.
Tactile switches like MX brown are definitely the type to focus on because they're the middle ground between low volume and superior feel; clicky switches feel great but they're very loud while reds are quiet but feel awful.
Though in my opinion, I'd prefer MX reds over the garbage Romer-G Tactile switch that Logitech likes to use a lot.

All you can really do is use switch testers to see what switch you like the most. It's important to choose a switch you actually like, since the goal is using a keyboard for years.

[Ulfrinn]

The one issue I've had with reds so far is if one finger accidently hits more than one key, it's going to press both of them. But my typing is to a point where that rarely happens. What I wouldn't mind trying out some time for a good tactile feel later on are Zealeos or MX clears. I would only need to do the keys I actually type with, not the entire board. So a switch set for a 60% board would be more than enough.

[30_Below_Summer]

I love using Gateron silent brown switches. Just my preference. Peace.

[UserNotFound]

I'd suggest that TS try his/her best to actually sample the different switch type, be it Cherry MX linear Red/Black or tactile Blue/Brown.....or even explore other options like Gateron switches and Topre. It's best for TS to judge for himself which switch types would best suit him. Back when I was buying mechanical keyboards, Brown was often cited as the best compromise for silent and tactile, but I find it to be rather mushy and didn't quite like it.

I've tried a number of switch types, mostly Cherry MX, a couple of Kailh switch types, and have lately discovered my love for Topre all over again. NOT that I'm recommending Topre as it'd be more expensive than similar keyboards Cherry MX or other types of switches. Now using a Topre RealForce 103U 55G, gonna change my other rig's keyboard to either my Leopold FC660C or one of my Novatouch keyboards.

To TS, best advice I can give is to try out some of these switch types and see which suits your preference....

[Ulfrinn]

the more i use reds, the more i like them actually. I type fast enough that according to many descriptions of browns I wouldn't feel much of a difference anyway. I do make fewer mistakes, and even less the more I get used to the height and shape of the board. The height of this board is more to get used to than the switches. I'll be testing out a low profile mechanical keyboard monday, and returning the one I like the least. Honestly though, given how customizable the boards with full size switches are, I would really like to like the one I am using now more.

I may try o-rings though. Seems like even less over travel and a bit of a cushion could work out well. Not all keys need it though, just the core typing keys.

[𝓡𝓮𝓽𝓻𝓸𝓒𝓪𝓽]

Originally posted by Ulfrinn:

Which switch type do you prefer, and why? Clicky (blues, tactile (browns), or linear (reds).

I largely prefer linear switches, I have a handful of favorites below.

• Cherry MX Blacks
  
• Cherry MX Silvers
  
• Cherry MX Reds
  
• Kailh Silvers
  
• Gateron Clears

[DICKENS CIDER]

SO FUNNY Y'ALL BUY KEYBOARDS FOR 100 PLUS DOLLARS THAT WAS STANDARD ON ALL MACHINES IN THE 80,S AND 90'S

[Autumn_]

Originally posted by TOXIC TONY:

SO FUNNY Y'ALL BUY KEYBOARDS FOR 100 PLUS DOLLARS THAT WAS STANDARD ON ALL MACHINES IN THE 80,S AND 90'S

You can buy a good mech for as little as 30 quid.

[DICKENS CIDER]

Originally posted by Autumn_:

Originally posted by TOXIC TONY:

SO FUNNY Y'ALL BUY KEYBOARDS FOR 100 PLUS DOLLARS THAT WAS STANDARD ON ALL MACHINES IN THE 80,S AND 90'S

You can buy a good mech for as little as 30 quid.

YEAH MAN BUT THEY CAME WITH THE COMPUTER BACK THEN IS WHAT I AM SAYING.
I just find it funny as hell kids out here buying 90s tech like its new . oooh look mine lights up

[Autumn_]

Originally posted by TOXIC TONY:

Originally posted by Autumn_:

You can buy a good mech for as little as 30 quid.

YEAH MAN BUT THEY CAME WITH THE COMPUTER BACK THEN IS WHAT I AM SAYING.
I just find it funny as hell kids out here buying 90s tech like its new . oooh look mine lights up

Well, times change, I don't get why it's that big of a deal.
I'm happy to spend some extra cash for a nicer feeling when I'm typing.
I'm very aware that it's not new, but I don't see what the problem with that is - quality standards change, get better over time. Switches these days feel way better from the days way back when.

[Andrius227]

Cherry mx silent. But i wish there was something quieter.

[Ulfrinn]

Originally posted by TOXIC TONY:

Originally posted by Autumn_:

You can buy a good mech for as little as 30 quid.

YEAH MAN BUT THEY CAME WITH THE COMPUTER BACK THEN IS WHAT I AM SAYING.
I just find it funny as hell kids out here buying 90s tech like its new . oooh look mine lights up

And what do you use? The two things that made me most interested in mechanical is the serviceability. Being able to swap out defective switches, or if you have a keyboard with no sides they're SO easy to keep clean. And the ability to customize almost infinitely.

While I am not someone who likes flashy colors by any stretch, doing so is only an option on an RGB keyboard. The real value in it is having a backlight that is easy to customize for color and brightness. Mine is set to a static back light just bright enough to comfortably see in full lighting.

[Ulfrinn]

Originally posted by Autumn_:

Originally posted by TOXIC TONY:

SO FUNNY Y'ALL BUY KEYBOARDS FOR 100 PLUS DOLLARS THAT WAS STANDARD ON ALL MACHINES IN THE 80,S AND 90'S

You can buy a good mech for as little as 30 quid.

Mine was $50. All programmable, hot swappable switches, aluminum top, minimalistic appearance. The only thing that could have made it perfect was if the cord was detachable but that's a mod I can do myself later if I ever need to replace the cord. Solid AF though. Not bad for the price at all.