Replacement switches

[Skiiwee29]

Alright, so I have a Logitech G pro X TKL keyboard that has Cherry MX style switches that are hot swappable. They use the 2 prong plate mounted attachment method. I like the keyboard itself and use Logitech Ghub already, so would like to get some new switches. Why do I want new switches? Well, the GX Browns that I have for it are extremely bad sounding... the spring rebound sound is atrocious and annoying as all hell, so right now I am actually using a coolermaster MasterKeys Pro S keyboard because of the sound. So I am turning to the community that knows a TON more about switches and keyboards than I to find some replacement switches to use. I would like for them to be a clear housing so I can keep the RGB functionality of the board. Price for the switches aren't as much a concern, but obviously nothing crazy. Ideally I think the cost would likely be between $50-$75 for a set to cover a full TKL. So please, leave me your best recommendations based on my needs:

 

Quiet

Linear/tactile NO clicky

Clear housing

Plate Mounted/2 prong (would rather not have to trim/cut to make it fit)

Cherry MX style 

pre-lubed (Not as much needed, but would be nice and preferred)

 

Lastly, I am not really interested in tearing down the current GX brown switches and lubing them, thus why I am looking at getting a full replacement. 

 

EDIT: I am open to a whole new keyboard as well if it fits the criteria above. 

 

@kelvinhall05 @Den-Fi looking at you two

[kelvinhall05]

If you want prelubed you are going to be buying some off mechmarket that somebody has already lubed. I'm also not certain how many good options have clear housings, most modern switches have opaque housings. This will also cost more than $75, I would estimate around $100 for good switches that have been lubed (and I recommend you try and find some that have also been filmed).

 

You're right, it doesn't really make sense to buy a new keyboard if all you're unhappy with are the switches.

[Skiiwee29]

4 minutes ago, kelvinhall05 said:

If you want prelubed you are going to be buying some off mechmarket that somebody has already lubed. I'm also not certain how many good options have clear housings, most modern switches have opaque housings. This will also cost more than $75, I would estimate around $100 for good switches that have been lubed (and I recommend you try and find some that have also been filmed).

 

You're right, it doesn't really make sense to buy a new keyboard if all you're unhappy with are the switches.

you have any recommendations on good lubed switches?

[kelvinhall05]

15 minutes ago, Skiiwee29 said:

you have any recommendations on good lubed switches?

Not really since there is an absurd amount of options.

 

If you aren't too picky maybe some gat yellow. Cheap, common, can be found lubed/flimed, and iirc they (can) have clear housings.

[Skiiwee29]

8 minutes ago, kelvinhall05 said:

Not really since there is an absurd amount of options.

 

If you aren't too picky maybe some gat yellow. Cheap, common, can be found lubed/flimed, and iirc they (can) have clear housings.

Yikes... this is a huge rabbit hole... lol not sure I wanna go down it now.. my lord... maybe I would be better off just lubing the springs then on the GX browns... 

[kelvinhall05]

4 minutes ago, Skiiwee29 said:

Yikes... this is a huge rabbit hole... lol not sure I wanna go down it now.. my lord... maybe I would be better off just lubing the springs then on the GX browns... 

Might as well fall in at this point lmao

 

 

I wouldn't bother lubing the GX switches. Mediocre switches and lubing is tedious and never works out well on your first try.

[Skiiwee29]

1 minute ago, kelvinhall05 said:

Might as well fall in at this point lmao

 

 

I wouldn't bother lubing the GX switches. Mediocre switches and lubing is tedious and never works out well on your first try.

mmmk... well then, guess I should probably just do the whole shebang then...  You're the expert at this stuff much more than I... I love tactile and linear, at least in my experience, I have Cherry Reds & Browns, and silents and the GX browns, but everything but the MX Silents are to loud or poor sounding from noisy springs. 

 

sooo, hook me up with some recommendations for extreme silent. RGB is nice, but not 100% necessary. Only like it because I do like to sit in the dark a lot so its nice to have a lighted reference. 

[kelvinhall05]

50 minutes ago, Skiiwee29 said:

mmmk... well then, guess I should probably just do the whole shebang then...  You're the expert at this stuff much more than I... I love tactile and linear, at least in my experience, I have Cherry Reds & Browns, and silents and the GX browns, but everything but the MX Silents are to loud or poor sounding from noisy springs. 

 

sooo, hook me up with some recommendations for extreme silent. RGB is nice, but not 100% necessary. Only like it because I do like to sit in the dark a lot so its nice to have a lighted reference. 

There are so many options it is hard to choose. I would make a WTB post on mechmarket with your requirements, location, and budget, and see what people offer.

[geo3]

NovelKey's Silks come pre-lubed and are generally a really nice switch. 

 

https://novelkeys.xyz/products/the-silk-series?variant=36899649781927

[Skiiwee29]

2 minutes ago, geo3 said:

NovelKey's Silks come pre-lubed and a generally a really nice switch. 

 

https://novelkeys.xyz/products/the-silk-series?variant=36899649781927

Those are 5 feet, I dont really want to have to snip/cut them down to use them. 

[geo3]

Just now, Skiiwee29 said:

Those are 5 feet, I dont really want to have to snip/cut them down to use them. 

Most switches will come with 5 pin. And clipping is a lot easier than lubing. It would be hard to find a switch that hit's everything on your list.

 

Your primary issue was the noise due to spring ping and the only really effective way to combat spring ping is lube. 

[Skiiwee29]

@geo3 @kelvinhall05 

 

Does this seem like a good deal? https://icedkeys.com/products/lubed-gateron-milky-yellow-switches

 

Yes, I know its 5 prong and I would have to cut/trim, but as Geo said... its probably my best option. 

 

 

[kelvinhall05]

13 minutes ago, Skiiwee29 said:

@geo3 @kelvinhall05 

 

Does this seem like a good deal? https://icedkeys.com/products/lubed-gateron-milky-yellow-switches

 

Yes, I know its 5 prong and I would have to cut/trim, but as Geo said... its probably my best option. 

 

 

Overpriced imo but good option. Try to find some on mechmarket.

[Skiiwee29]

Just now, kelvinhall05 said:

Overpriced imo but good option. Try to find some on mechmarket.

I did search around Mechmarket for like 15-20 min and couldn't find anything, though I don't reddit, so I am probably doing it wrong.

[kelvinhall05]

3 minutes ago, Skiiwee29 said:

I did search around Mechmarket for like 15-20 min and couldn't find anything, though I don't reddit, so I am probably doing it wrong.

I still recommend you make that wtb post.

[Dr0y]

I've got some kailh silent box brown and they are quite good ... really silent and feels great to type on.  Those are tactile but there's also their linear couterpart which are the kailh silent box pink.  Since they are silent ones they feels a bit more mushy than other non silent switches but it's not something that is too annoying ... you already have the cherry silent so you know a bit what you are getting into with silent switch mushiness.  As for the rest the spring is a bit more heavy than the mx you listed and the tactile bump is way stronger ... all in all they feels great. 

 

I also have gateron yellow and they are quite smooth in their stock form ... they sounds ok too and I don't hear any spring ping ... the spring is too light for my liking and I feel like a stronger spring would be better. 

[Skiiwee29]

@Dr0y @kelvinhall05 @geo3 

 

So I am taking the G Pro X apart and removing the current switches and I think I now know where the springy sound is coming from... the switches themselves, but the chassis itself.... you guys ever experience anything like that or know of any type of fix?

 

 

edit: whelp, with all the switches removed, the pingy ting is gone... shrug..

[geo3]

7 hours ago, Skiiwee29 said:

@Dr0y @kelvinhall05 @geo3 

 

So I am taking the G Pro X apart and removing the current switches and I think I now know where the springy sound is coming from... the switches themselves, but the chassis itself.... you guys ever experience anything like that or know of any type of fix?

 

 

edit: whelp, with all the switches removed, the pingy ting is gone... shrug..

Pinging comes from the spring inside the switches.  The plate and or case can reverb and amplify that sound however. Foam/felt pads between the case and PCB or between the plate and PCB can dampen the reverb. But it won't eliminate the source of the noise which is the spring. 

[Dr0y]

I've had really bad spring ping with my redragon k552 which had outemu blue ... it was the most annoying noise ... I've also had that problem with some kailh speed copper switches ... they are nice to type on, the overall sound is ok but damn that ping ... after a while it was the only thing I could hear while typing ...

 

The best way to take care of it would be to open the switch and lube the spring ... it might help but might not remove the noise completely. 

[Skiiwee29]

10 hours ago, Dr0y said:

I've had really bad spring ping with my redragon k552 which had outemu blue ... it was the most annoying noise ... I've also had that problem with some kailh speed copper switches ... they are nice to type on, the overall sound is ok but damn that ping ... after a while it was the only thing I could hear while typing ...

 

The best way to take care of it would be to open the switch and lube the spring ... it might help but might not remove the noise completely. 

I ended up going with a GMMK barebones TKL with Gateron Silent Browns and got them in yesterday. Loving it so far! The problem is the chassis has no sound dampening so it amplifies it. I didn't really want to tear it apart and add foam and sound dampening materials to it or take the long time to break down the switches and lube them up etc...