Keyboard recomendation: High initial force into soft

[David Turley]

Hello LTT people!

 

I am looking to upgrade my keyboard. I love keyboards that have a very high initial force required to press it, that then disappears once a threshold has been reached. 

A numpad is also a must have.

Does anybody have any recommendations? Looking for a max of around ~200,-, but I don't mind going over if it is really good.

 

Thanks!

[johnt]

You might as well build a custom board for that price. What size board are you looking for?

[David Turley]

3 minutes ago, johnt said:

You might as well build a custom board for that price. What size board are you looking for?

40 cm's or something like that. keypad is a must.

I'm not scared to have to build it.

[johnt]

16 minutes ago, David Turley said:

40 cm's or something like that. keypad is a must.

I'm not scared to have to build it.

Do you have access to US Amazon? I just realized you didn't say which currency (or country) you're in.

[David Turley]

20 minutes ago, johnt said:

Do you have access to US Amazon? I just realized you didn't say which currency (or country) you're in.

No. I'm in the EU. However can get most stuff here as well.

[johnt]

Take a look at Epomaker. They make, what I consider, a budget friendly starter board that you can cram foam into, and it's hearty enough that you can change the switches pretty frequently. It's plastic so it has a deeper sound signature than metal, so you can't really scuff. But they are strangely heavy enough to feel impressive. There software is very sketchy, but it does work. I would recommend the heavy Durocks, but be warned Durock isn't a cheapo company. They make good products. Almost every switch I've purchased after Durock has felt lower quality in comparison. Also for reference, reds are usually 40 to 50g, while the one I am recommending to your is 78g. They are very heavy for normal use. And switches are all up to you. I like PBT caps a lot and Amazon has a ton of different ones. I would not purchase a cheap ABS set. Just search for "custom keycaps"

 

Epomaker: https://www.amazon.com/EPOMAKER-Keyboard-South-Facing-Swappable-Programmable/dp/B0C366JGKK

 

Durock Heavies 78g: https://www.amazon.com/DUROCK-Keyboard-Gold-Plated-Transparent-Mechanical/dp/B0B1F5LDB7?th=1

 

 

[GarlicDeliverySystem]

First step I'd recommend is to distinguish between the board and the switches you would like. Plenty of custom and finally even gaming keyboards come now with hotswap sockets, meaning you can change switches easily without soldering. So that allows you to go buy your preferred keyboard, while also having almost full control over the switches.

 

Now, the feeling you describe (high force at first that 'breaks' into something softer/lighter, kinda like a trigger) is more often found in tactiles over clicky switches. In particular, switches like Gazzew Boba U4 and U4T, or Gateron Baby Kangaroo (https://www.gateron.co/products/gateron-baby-kangaroo-tactile-switch-set and a measured force curve https://github.com/ThereminGoat/force-curves/blob/main/Gateron Baby Kangaroo/Gateron Baby Kangaroo 2.pdf)

Note that the curve is highest at the start, then drops off until you bottom out the switch.

Now, a full-size pack of these switches, or many like this, will cost you around 60-70EUR alone, unfortunately.

 

If you want to be sure before you commit to buying them, you can often find so-called switch testers that contain 16-20 switches of a brand or mix of brands. Gives you the opportunity to try them first.

 

In terms of keyboards, for full-size the field is still a bit rare on the budget side, but there are a few:

• Keychron, for ~120EUR I'd go with either the K10, K10 Pro or V6. Make sure to get a hotswap model. Alternatively you could also splurge on a Q6 Max.
• Nuphy, with the Halo 96 https://nuphy.com/collections/keyboards/products/halo96 though the 96% layout is different compared to a regular 100% keyboard
• Monsgeek, with the M5 https://monsgeek.eu/products/monsgeek-m5-diy-kit or MG108 kits https://monsgeek.eu/products/monsgeek-mg108w-diy-kit

Plus a lot more boards, like Ducky or GMMK. Whatever you chose, just do yourself a favor and look for hotswap so you don't lock yourself into any one switch forever.

[David Turley]

On 2/24/2024 at 1:04 AM, GarlicDeliverySystem said:

First step I'd recommend is to distinguish between the board and the switches you would like. Plenty of custom and finally even gaming keyboards come now with hotswap sockets, meaning you can change switches easily without soldering. So that allows you to go buy your preferred keyboard, while also having almost full control over the switches.

 

Now, the feeling you describe (high force at first that 'breaks' into something softer/lighter, kinda like a trigger) is more often found in tactiles over clicky switches. In particular, switches like Gazzew Boba U4 and U4T, or Gateron Baby Kangaroo (https://www.gateron.co/products/gateron-baby-kangaroo-tactile-switch-set and a measured force curve https://github.com/ThereminGoat/force-curves/blob/main/Gateron Baby Kangaroo/Gateron Baby Kangaroo 2.pdf)

Note that the curve is highest at the start, then drops off until you bottom out the switch.

Now, a full-size pack of these switches, or many like this, will cost you around 60-70EUR alone, unfortunately.

 

If you want to be sure before you commit to buying them, you can often find so-called switch testers that contain 16-20 switches of a brand or mix of brands. Gives you the opportunity to try them first.

 

In terms of keyboards, for full-size the field is still a bit rare on the budget side, but there are a few:

• Keychron, for ~120EUR I'd go with either the K10, K10 Pro or V6. Make sure to get a hotswap model. Alternatively you could also splurge on a Q6 Max.
• Nuphy, with the Halo 96 https://nuphy.com/collections/keyboards/products/halo96 though the 96% layout is different compared to a regular 100% keyboard
• Monsgeek, with the M5 https://monsgeek.eu/products/monsgeek-m5-diy-kit or MG108 kits https://monsgeek.eu/products/monsgeek-mg108w-diy-kit

Plus a lot more boards, like Ducky or GMMK. Whatever you chose, just do yourself a favor and look for hotswap so you don't lock yourself into any one switch forever.

Thank you! That is very helpful advice. 
I'll go have a look at them, and see what I can find. I didn't even know that you could get the switch testers. It makes a lot of sense that they would have them though.