Linear Switch Suggestions?

[TheKurse]

Hey all! I'm at a point in keyboard life..path(?) where I'm ready to move past pre-built mainstream keyboards. I've been running a Corsair K68 with Cherry Reds and I've liked it for some years, but sitting down I sense potential for improvement in feel, features and appearance. It's also loud on those late nights AND looking at something like the K100...well I'm pretty sure a custom keyboard will be about the same or cheaper in price. I've already decided on a 96% Keychron K4 V2 hot-swappable variant and I'm feeling that key caps aren't a priority at the moment - for now I'll run the standard caps until I find something I REALLY like. That said, I'm at what I consider the hardest decision without unnecessarily sinking excess amounts of money - switches.

This is where I can use some help since I have very little experience; I've only ever had my hands on Cherry Reds, Blues and Silvers. I prefer Linear, unsure on Tactile and I highly dislike Clicky as the noise is fatiguing to me. With the sound issue I'm having with the Cherry Reds, quiet is good. Silent would be nice, but I don't know if it'd be necessary. For how the switches sound? As bad as it is, I don't care too much as long as they aren't high pitched or have a tinny spring sound that I've heard in some videos. I have yet to form much of a preference there! Then for feel I'd like something a bit smoother than the Cherry Reds without being mushy, and not much harder in force required (I'd say ~60g would probably be my max) if at all.

I have a need for two types. For the number pad I want something fast and responsive similar to Cherry Silvers. Not only for speedy databasing (primary usage), but Stepmania gameplay. For the rest I want something that simply feels better. I do game, but I'm no 'pro gamer' and I prefer something comfortable and responsive over the fastest and most minimal effort key possible. I do write.

So far I've been looking at Cherry MX Silents, Cherry Silver Silents and Gateron Silent Yellow based on reviews. I know little past what I've read of Cherry and Gaterons so what switches come to mind for these two needs?

 

EDIT: Forgot to mention that my budget for switches is going to be around $40~$50 maximum.

[Bombastinator]

There are ways to make mechanical switches less loud, but they’re still going to be louder than a rubber dome keyboard.  Cherry’s patent ran out so there are a bajillion makers each with a switch that is similar to, but not quite like, a cherry switch.   They do seem to use the cherry color type system though.  There are a bunch of reviews on various types of switches, some made by LTT.  There was a review of a 10keeyless keyboard recently that was pretty positive. Smaller maker.  I think the name began with x or something. 

Edited April 30, 2022 by Bombastinator

[TheKurse]

13 hours ago, Bombastinator said:

There are ways to make mechanical switches less loud, but they’re still going to be louder than a rubber dome keyboard.  Cherry’s patent ran out so there are a bajillion makers each with a switch that is similar to, but not quite like, a cherry switch.   They do seem to use the cherry color type system though.  There are a bunch of reviews on various types of switches, some made by LTT.  There was a review of a 10keeyless keyboard recently that was pretty positive. Smaller maker.  I think the name began with x or something. 

Thanks for the info, but my interest is in the switches specifically, not keyboards. I've already made my choice on that!

I am aware that they are going to be louder than membrane keyboards...though if you get into specifics that's not always true. Even at that, I did say that 'silent' is not a requirement. Just getting an end result slightly quieter than stock Cherry Reds. I also know that reviews exist and that there are a 'bajillion' different choices. Which is why I'm here. Interacting with real living people for thoughts and opinions is a facet of research after all. I'd like to pare down those choices with some suggestions from those with experience.

As for those reviews, they tend to not be near so useful as you'd think. I've been looking into reviews for almost two weeks now. Most mechanical keyboard reviews cover the keyboard itself more than the switches. Most switch reviews equate to one of two things:
1. Product information posted on screen (which you can find in a 2 second google search anyways) followed by ten minutes of random typing. The sound comparison makes sense, but given the difference in peoples' audio setups and the fact that it does little to provide any information on functionality or feel...these boggle me a bit. More of a sound test than a review.
2. People running tests between two key types and saying they 'don't like it' while providing almost no tangible information on why. They tend to come out more as packaging and chassis review videos with a 'reaction' added on than an actual review.

Sure there are some that give some more tangible information, but they seem fewer and the quality of information is usually pretty poor. Mix that with the amount of choices out there and you have a lot of frustration in wading through the mess.

[seon123]

16 hours ago, TheKurse said:

I prefer Linear, unsure on Tactile and I highly dislike Clicky as the noise is fatiguing to me.

You could get a switch tester to get a general idea of some different switches. Keep in mind the switches won't feel quite like, and will sound quite different to switches in an actual keyboard. I have not tried this seller, however, their testers have a fairly good selection, and seem to be in stock.

https://kimdi-keys.com/products/5x5-enthusiast-switch-tester

https://kimdi-keys.com/products/customizable-switch-tester

Otherwise, you can look for switches on e.g. Aliexpress, as they often have free or cheap shipping options (although you will sometimes have to be quite patient)

16 hours ago, TheKurse said:

With the sound issue I'm having with the Cherry Reds, quiet is good. Silent would be nice, but I don't know if it'd be necessary. For how the switches sound? As bad as it is, I don't care too much as long as they aren't high pitched or have a tinny spring sound that I've heard in some videos. I have yet to form much of a preference there! Then for feel I'd like something a bit smoother than the Cherry Reds without being mushy, and not much harder in force required (I'd say ~60g would probably be my max) if at all.

Depending on how mushy you are fine with them being, you could look into silenced switches. For the spring ping, you could look into lubed switches, lube them yourself, or get (pay) someone to do it for you. For silenced linear, you could look at (from the top of my head) Zeal Sakurio/Roselio/Healio (62g-67g), Gateron Silent Black Ink (60g), Gazzew Bobagum (52g-68g) and Kailh Box Silent Pink (35g). If you figure you like tactiles, you could check out Zeal Zilents (62g-78g), Boba U4 (62g-68g), Tacit (67g) and Kailh Box Silent Brown (45g).

16 hours ago, TheKurse said:

EDIT: Forgot to mention that my budget for switches is going to be around $40~$50 maximum.

Welp, didn't see this part while typing. If you are willing to go a bit above, you could look into the Box Silent switches? They are also very light, which you might enjoy. I remember hearing not great things about the standard Gateron silenced switches, but if they are the ones within your budget and you're happy with them, go for it.

1 hour ago, TheKurse said:

As for those reviews, they tend to not be near so useful as you'd think. I've been looking into reviews for almost two weeks now. Most mechanical keyboard reviews cover the keyboard itself more than the switches

If you add "Reddit" to your search term, you will usually find some people on Reddit giving some sort of useful info about the sound and feel (but still subjective) of the switch. You can also look at force curves like the ones below, although that's typically more useful for tactile switches.

https://chart-studio.plotly.com/~haata#/

[TheKurse]

On 4/30/2022 at 3:29 PM, seon123 said:

You could get a switch tester to get a general idea of some different switches. Keep in mind the switches won't feel quite like, and will sound quite different to switches in an actual keyboard. I have not tried this seller, however, their testers have a fairly good selection, and seem to be in stock.

https://kimdi-keys.com/products/5x5-enthusiast-switch-tester

https://kimdi-keys.com/products/customizable-switch-tester

Otherwise, you can look for switches on e.g. Aliexpress, as they often have free or cheap shipping options (although you will sometimes have to be quite patient)

Thank you! I did search up testers before, but never saw one that was customizable. That's very useful since I only need/want to test some choice switches.
 

On 4/30/2022 at 3:29 PM, seon123 said:

Depending on how mushy you are fine with them being, you could look into silenced switches. For the spring ping, you could look into lubed switches, lube them yourself, or get (pay) someone to do it for you. For silenced linear, you could look at (from the top of my head) Zeal Sakurio/Roselio/Healio (62g-67g), Gateron Silent Black Ink (60g), Gazzew Bobagum (52g-68g) and Kailh Box Silent Pink (35g). If you figure you like tactiles, you could check out Zeal Zilents (62g-78g), Boba U4 (62g-68g), Tacit (67g) and Kailh Box Silent Brown (45g).

Welp, didn't see this part while typing. If you are willing to go a bit above, you could look into the Box Silent switches? They are also very light, which you might enjoy. I remember hearing not great things about the standard Gateron silenced switches, but if they are the ones within your budget and you're happy with them, go for it.

No experience with any of those so I'll dig a bit deeper. I've seen a few of those pop up in my searches (particularly the Roselios, Bobagums and Gatreons).
 

On 4/30/2022 at 3:29 PM, seon123 said:

If you add "Reddit" to your search term, you will usually find some people on Reddit giving some sort of useful info about the sound and feel (but still subjective) of the switch. You can also look at force curves like the ones below, although that's typically more useful for tactile switches.

https://chart-studio.plotly.com/~haata#/

Awesome information there. Thank you very much! Searching for Reddit did indeed help. I've also had a bit more luck in my youtube searches and switching up search terms. Algorithm is just spotty as usual.