A Small Guide To Cherry MX Switches (Unofficial) [Revised]

[joelthezombie15]

A Small Guide To Cherry MX Mechanical Key Switches

(Revised)

DISCLAIMER:

This is not my own work, this is only a collection of information gathered from several sources whom i have cited at the end.

 

 

 

 

So I made this before but had some issues. Anyway, I have remade what i think is a better more revised version and hopefully it will have more info than the last one.

 

KEY INFO

How they work

 

Linear

 

Tactile non-clicky

 

Tactile clicky

_____________________

 

Features From Cherry

 

Desktop profile, 0.60 inch (15.2mm) from PCB (no keycap)

Choice of feel: linear, soft tactile, click tactile

PCB or frame mount

Long life 20 - 50 million operations (depending on switch variant)

4mm travel

LED, diode or jumper option

12V maximum AC/DC

Current Rating: 10mA

Insulation Resistance: <100MΩ at 100V DC

_____________________

 

Keys

 

The actuation force (How hard or soft it is to depress) is measured in cN or centinewtons. 100 cN = 1 newton

 

 

Super black:

MX1A-B1xx

cN: 150

Stiffness: Very stiff

Type: Linear

In Production: No

 

Dark grey:

MX1A-21xx

cN:80

Stiffness: Stiff

Type: Linear

In Production: Yes

 

Grey:

MX1A-D1xx

cN:80

Stiffness:Stiff

Type: Tactile

In Production: Yes

 

Green:

MX1A-F1xx

cN:80

Stiffness: Medium Stiff

Type: Clicky

In Production:Yes

 

White: (Old versions of blues with no dye added)

MX1A-A1xx

cN: 50 - 80

Stiffness: Medium stiff

Type: Soft click

In Production: Yes

 

Black:

MX1A-11xx

cN: 60

Stiffness: Medium stiff

Type: Linear

In Production: Yes

 

Clear:

MX1A-C1xx

cN: 55

Stiffness: Medium stiff

Type: Tactile

In Production: Yes

 

Blue:

MX1A-E1xx

cN: 50

Stiffness:Light

Type:Clicky

In Production: Yes

 

Brown:

MX1A-G1xx

cN:45

Stiffness:Light

Type: tactile

In Production: Yes

 

Red:

MX1A-L1xx

cN:45

Stiffness: Light

Type: Linear

In Production: Yes

 

________________

 

Unknown:

 

Lock (In production) MX1A-31xx

Supergrey

Orange

Translucent

Yellow

Pale grey

Click Grey

M8 adapter

Alps Click

Alps Linear

 

_____________________

 

Remade Switches

 

Pieces taken from other switechs and frankensteined together

Panda Clear

Ergo Clear

Ghetto Green

 

____________________

 

Mounting Options

 

PCB:  Two additional plastic pins that help with stability when mounted to PCB.

 

Plate Mounting: Does not need extra pins. I relies on the metal back plate for stability. 

____________________

 

Naming scheme

 

MX1A-xyNN no diode, plate mount 

MX1A-xyDN with diode, plate mount 

MX1A-xyNW no diode, PCB mount 

MX1A-xyDW with diode, PCB mount 

MX1A-xyRx with red LED

MX1A-xyGx with green LED

MX1A-xyYx with yellow LED

MX1A-xyJx with jumper wire

 

y is 1 in switches - x specifies the switch style.

product numbers:

MX[15][AC][0-9A-Z][1][NRGYDJ][NW]

M = Keyswitch module

X: = Cherry MX Brand

[15]

1 = material:AuAg10, 10mA, max. 12V

5: special

   [AC]

    A: SPST NO (single pole, single throw, normally open)

    C: special

[0-9A-Z] — "Operating Characteristics, Actuating Force and Key Style"

[1] — "Keystem Configuration"

1 "Std straight for cylin & std keycaps"

 

_________________

 

Thanks, hope this helps you guys, Again this was not all my work. i just put it all into one place. Have fun!

 

(Souces)

Info - http://deskthority.net/wiki/Cherry_MX 

 

Animations - http://www.keyboardco.com/blog/index.php/2012/12/an-introduction-to-cherry-mx-mechanical-switches/

[xToFxREAPER]

brown all the way, ill never give up my G710+

[M-ursu]

Why re-post? :)

[joelthezombie15]

Why re-post? :)

Well i wanted to revise it and cause i had a problem that i had to

[Kiraaaa]

This guide seems pretty confusing. even to someone like me who knows quite a bit about Cherry MX switches.. Seems like just a bunch of numbers and specifications copied and pasted together. lol

Just wondering, are you the guy from the stream who called in and asked how to go about citing the work or giving credit for a tutorial/guide? :P

[joelthezombie15]

This guide seems pretty confusing. even to someone like me who knows quite a bit about Cherry MX switches.. Seems like just a bunch of numbers and specifications copied and pasted together. lol

Just wondering, are you the guy from the stream who called in and asked how to go about citing the work or giving credit for a tutorial/guide? :P

No i wasnt. and how would you say to make it better?

[Kiraaaa]

No i wasnt. and how would you say to make it better?

I don't know, but personally I find the "naming scheme" to be more confusing than helpful. Nobody calls it MX1A-L1xx, we just call them Reds.

[SirReallySam]

Nice guide bro... as usual :D

Oh and CHERRY BLUES XD

[Commander_Z]

My Cooler Master Storm Quickfire Pro has Cherry MX Red switches.

 

Its my first experience with a mechanical keyboard, but im liking it so far.

 

No experience with other switches yet

[Biased Opinion]

Dont forget about the custom springs which may have different characteristics through the travel compared to a spring of equal weight. Also seeing as this is a guide to cherry MX switches you should include guides on how to maintain and customs you switches(lubing and swapping of springs or stems)

[Shikarikato]

Honestly this looks like a really weak copypasta. 95% of this forum is questions that typing into Google would solve or just using the search function of this forum would solve anyways.

[alicskysareblue]

just to let you know ALPS are not cherry mx switches 

these guides are always nice keep it up !

[miyabwah]

Blues will have my heart due to clicky. Clicky is good.