Key Switch Recommendation

[DailyProcrastinator]

Okay so I just read through @Eschew amazing and very detailed Introduction to Custom Mechanical Keyboards (go check it out if you haven't already, and toss a like). I don't want to muck up the comments section with all my question so I decided to create a separate post. 

 

So to put it bluntly I am basically a key switch noob. I mean I have some experience with different switches but outside of the standard BS gaming keyboards I really know nothing.

 

I LOVE Cherry MX browns, and my only other more extensive experience is with Romer-G Tactile, Cherry MX Blue, Red, and Speed Silvers. Of those the Cherry MX Speed Silver is easily my least favorite. MX's blues are fine (loud but I don't mind them), Reds are also meh.

 

I really like the tactile MX Brown switch, I know key switch preference is subjective but the tactile click and actuation point of them feel 'right'. I've used MX Browns for 5+ years now, it is my switch of choice for typing (as of now), right now I own a Cherry MX Brown Logitech G610, a Cherry MX Brown Corsair K70 LUX, and a Cherry MX Red Corsair K63 Wireless (used with lapboard for couch gaming).

 

I am looking to get a GMMK full size keyboard with 3-4 different switch types. https://www.pcgamingrace.com/products/gmmk-full-brown-switch

If anyone has suggestions or input I am very interested in a discussion about it!

 

As of now here are my thoughts.

 

I don't necessarily want something too similar to Cherry MX Browns, the purpose of this is to try different switches that I think I may like. The end goal being after several months I find something I really like, and then build my own keyboard with that switch type. I will use each switch type for at least a month.

 

Tactile - Again I want something different from Browns, I think I want to give Kailh Purples a try, but are the to similar?

 

Linear - Traditionally my least favorite but I am thinking I want to give the Gateron Blacks a try? The heavier weight may offset what I dislike about the feeling of linear switches, Speed Silvers in particular feel way to light weight.

In the LTT Mechanical Keyboard Switch roundup the Tangerines seemed to be the most popular, those are not available on PCGamingRace, could I buy elsewhere and would they be compatible with the GMMK full size? 

 

Clicky - I think I want to go for Gateron Greens, not something I would normally try but I almost want to see how the heavier switch feels, or would the Kailh Box White's be better? They seem to be a more poplar choice. 

 

Dampen with O-Rings, what is this lol, is this necessary? 

 

 

@kelvinhall05 @seon123 @sowon you all seem knowledgeable in this area, if you have any recommendations or insights that would be awesome! If not no pressure haha  

 

Thanks in advance!

 

[kelvinhall05]

If you want good tactiles, your next step up will be a LOT more expensive. Zealios and stuff. I would highly recommend trying them though.

[Eschew]

Hey there. Hm... No first-hand experience with Kailh PRO Purples, but I've heard that while the switch is smooth, the tactile bump isn't very noticeable.

 

Gonna throw you some other well-received tactile switches for you to consider, I believe they all have more pronounced tactility and smoother keystrokes if compared to the Cherry MX Browns. Note that I haven't touched any of these, so I can't comment on how they actually feel.

• Hako Clear/True: Available for $4.99 per 10pcs on Kono Store (Clear, True).
• Hako Royal Clear/True: Available for $5.50 per 10pcs on NovelKeys.
• Zealio V2: Available for $10 per 10pcs on ZealPC.
• Holy Panda: Available for $70 per 70pcs, $85 per 90 pcs, or $100 per 110pcs on Drop.

 

1 hour ago, TheDailyProcrastinator said:

Linear - Traditionally my least favorite but I am thinking I want to give the Gateron Blacks a try? The heavier weight may offset what I dislike about the feeling of linear switches, Speed Silvers in particular feel way to light weight.

Gateron Blacks and Kailh BOX Blacks are both heavy linears (≈ 60g actuation force) and are both available as default switch options for a customizable GMMK. Would also like to mention that Gat Blacks are good at stock and smoother when lubed, and Kailh BOX Blacks are another good stock choice but don't take well to lubrication.

 

1 hour ago, TheDailyProcrastinator said:

In the LTT Mechanical Keyboard Switch roundup the Tangerines seemed to be the most popular, those are not available on PCGamingRace, could I buy elsewhere and would they be compatible with the GMMK full size?

The GMMK's hot-swappable PCB is designed to fit plate-mounted switches. Some PCB-mounted switches (e.g. Zealios) can be irreversibly converted to plate-mounted switches by snipping off the two plastic prongs on either the side of the middle prong.

 

The C³ Tangerines appear to be PCB-mounted switches, and are officially sold by TheKey.Company (through group buys, I think). Unsure whether you'll be able to find them on marketplaces like Amazon or Banggood, but you could try?

 

1 hour ago, TheDailyProcrastinator said:

Dampen with O-Rings, what is this lol, is this necessary?

O-rings soften the clack sound and feel of your keyboard by cushioning the keystroke when bottoming out. I've read that they aren't recommended -- perhaps even redundant -- if you're using tactile switches and don't fully bottom out on your keystrokes.

 

Also thank you for the shout out and the kind words. I am humbled. 

[DailyProcrastinator]

4 minutes ago, kelvinhall05 said:

If you want good tactiles, your next step up will be a LOT more expensive. Zealios and stuff. I would highly recommend trying them though.

Okay cool, I mean this is just a starting point, I see that PCGamingRace also has a test pack with all their switch types so I may give that a try as well (only $14cad).

 

5 minutes ago, Eschew said:

Hey there. Hm... No first-hand experience with Kailh PRO Purples, but I've heard that while the switch is smooth, the tactile bump isn't very noticeable.

 

Gonna throw you some other well-received tactile switches for you to consider, I believe they all have more pronounced tactility and smoother keystrokes if compared to the Cherry MX Browns. Note that I haven't touched any of these, so I can't comment on how they actually feel.

• Hako Clear/True: Available for $4.99 per 10pcs on Kono Store (Clear, True).
• Hako Royal Clear/True: Available for $5.50 per 10pcs on NovelKeys.
• Zealio V2: Available for $10 per 10pcs on ZealPC.
• Holy Panda: Available for $70 per 70pcs, $85 per 90 pcs, or $100 per 110pcs on Drop.

That's okay hahaha I do appreciate the suggestions I am interested in the Zealio V2, and Holy Pandas. I will look into those!

7 minutes ago, Eschew said:

Gateron Blacks and Kailh BOX Blacks are both heavy linears (≈ 60g actuation force) and are both available as default switch options for a customizable GMMK. Would also like to mention that Gat Blacks are good at stock and smoother when lubed, and Kailh BOX Blacks are another good stock choice but don't take well to lubrication.

 

The GMMK's hot-swappable PCB will is designed to fit plate-mounted switches. Some PCB-mounted switches (e.g. Zealios) can be irreversibly converted to plate-mounted switches by snipping off the two plastic prongs to the side of the middle prong.

 

The C³ Tangerines appear to be PCB-mounted switches, and are officially sold by TheKey.Company (through group buys, I think). Unsure whether you'll be able to find them on marketplaces like Amazon or Banggood, but you could try?

 

O-rings soften the clack sound and feel of your keyboard by cushioning the keystroke when bottoming out. I've read that they aren't recommended -- perhaps even redundant -- if you're using tactile switches and don't fully bottom out on your keystrokes.

Thank you for this! Very helpful! I am leaning towards getting the Gat Blacks and Kailh Purples for now, as well as the Sample Pack. Once I get my keyboard I am going to get some other switches, if either of those options steer me in a specific direction. I likely will try the Tangerines and likely the Zealio V2s. 

 

Gonna skip out on the O-rings, no keyboard I have used has had them so I don't see the necessity. 

15 minutes ago, Eschew said:

Also thank you for the shout out and the kind words. I am humbled. 

You are most welcome! It's a great guide and very informative, clearly you put a lot of work into that!

 

[jiyeon]

3 hours ago, TheDailyProcrastinator said:

I really like the tactile MX Brown switch, I know key switch preference is subjective but the tactile click and actuation point of them feel 'right'. I've used MX Browns for 5+ years now, it is my switch of choice for typing (as of now), right now I own a Cherry MX Brown Logitech G610, a Cherry MX Brown Corsair K70 LUX, and a Cherry MX Red Corsair K63 Wireless (used with lapboard for couch gaming).

If you like Browns, I'm almost certain you're going to like Zeal's Zealios V2 switches. They put the Browns' tactile bump to shame. It's like a road bump on steroids.

 

3 hours ago, TheDailyProcrastinator said:

Dampen with O-Rings, what is this lol, is this necessary? 

Absolutely not. O-rings in my experience barely dampen any sound/bottom-out pressure, if anything, they make the bottom-out feel mushy and the sound really hollow. Would advise against O-rings unless you find you have hearing-sensitive roommates/parents.

 

Not sure there's anything more to add as Kevin and Eschew have advised on pretty much all your queries for the most part.

[DailyProcrastinator]

42 minutes ago, sowon said:

If you like Browns, I'm almost certain you're going to like Zeal's Zealios V2 switches. They put the Browns' tactile bump to shame. It's like a road bump on steroids.

Okay awesome! I will order my GMMK then order a set when it arrives! That tactile bump is what I like (I think haha). 

 

45 minutes ago, sowon said:

Absolutely not. O-rings in my experience barely dampen any sound/bottom-out pressure, if anything, they make the bottom-out feel mushy and the sound really hollow. Would advise against O-rings unless you find you have hearing-sensitive roommates/parents.

Yeah I spent a hot minute looking into this, that was basically what I learned, waste of $15.

 

49 minutes ago, sowon said:

Not sure there's anything more to add as Kevin and Eschew have advised on pretty much all your queries for the most part.

Well I really appreciate the input, thank you!

[DailyProcrastinator]

Just ordered a GMMK Full Size keyboard!

Kinda wanted a TKL but they didn't have any in stock. 

 

[Dr0y]

You could also try the kailh speed copper someday, good tactile bump placed really high and kinda short total travel ... really nice to type on them. 

[DailyProcrastinator]

37 minutes ago, Dr0y said:

You could also try the kailh speed copper someday, good tactile bump placed really high and kinda short total travel ... really nice to type on them. 

Oh nice! I will look into these, thank you for the suggestion!

[geo3]

2 hours ago, Dr0y said:

You could also try the kailh speed copper someday, good tactile bump placed really high and kinda short total travel ... really nice to type on them. 

Almost all the tactile Box switches have the bump high up. 

[Dr0y]

7 hours ago, geo3 said:

Almost all the tactile Box switches have the bump high up. 

Oh I didn't knew that ... so they all have like no travel at all before the bump ?

[geo3]

4 hours ago, Dr0y said:

Oh I didn't knew that ... so they all have like no travel at all before the bump ?

I wouldn't say no travel, but very very little. 

[DailyProcrastinator]

Also ordered myself a hot-swap PCB kit that I am very excited to assemble! Hopefully shipping does not take to long.