Are mechanical keyboard switch testers worth for getting a general idea of things?

[Infernic]

Hi, I've never had a mechanical keyboard, plan on getting one soon, obviously there's a good amount of different switches in the market, would it be worth getting a simple unexpensive cherry mx tester just to get an idea of how clicky vs linear vs tactile switches feel?

[Poinkachu]

20 minutes ago, Infernic said:

Hi, I've never had a mechanical keyboard, plan on getting one soon, obviously there's a good amount of different switches in the market, would it be worth getting a simple unexpensive cherry mx tester just to get an idea of how clicky vs linear vs tactile switches feel?

Sure.
That's what I did.

Of course you can just go to brick & mortar shop that has several tester keyboard and try there.
But yeah if there isn't such thing near you, tester kit is an alternative.

Sound profile though will be different from actual keyboard, and it varies from one keyboard to another, even on same switch.

[johnt]

If it's inexpensive, then sure. But a single key at a time is not going to tell you very much. I thought I liked clicky until I tried linear for my whole keyboard.

 

You could find some cheaper sellers on amazon and get a smaller quantity of 10 or so to test your entire home row. 

[Infernic]

12 minutes ago, Poinkachu said:

Sure.
That's what I did.

Of course you can just go to brick & mortar shop that has several tester keyboard and try there.
But yeah if there isn't such thing near you, tester kit is an alternative.

Sound profile though will be different from actual keyboard, and it varies from one keyboard to another, even on same switch.

There's some stores around, but they started putting coverings over the keyboards so you can only press like 1 key, and there's not really much variety anyways. I figured it was still "not the same" but wanted to confirm it was close enough for when reading comparations online

[Infernic]

15 minutes ago, johnt said:

If it's inexpensive, then sure. But a single key at a time is not going to tell you very much. I thought I liked clicky until I tried linear for my whole keyboard.

 

You could find some cheaper sellers on amazon and get a smaller quantity of 10 or so to test your entire home row. 

Yeah, I found some really cheap testers in AliExpress, but you do have a point with it not extrapolating. Do you mean getting like 10 of a single switch to put on a tester, or what exactly?

[OhioYJ]

12 minutes ago, johnt said:

But a single key at a time is not going to tell you very much. 

You definitely have to keep this in mind. A single switch and entire board are different things. However I would still say they are worth getting. In fact I actually have several "key testers". They problem is there are so many different types of switches out now, the odds of finding a store with all the different switches are essentially zero. So you almost need a way of trying different switches before making what can be a costly investment.  Especially as switches are just personal preference. 

[Infernic]

1 minute ago, OhioYJ said:

 They problem is there are so many different types of switches out now, the odds of finding a store with all the different switches are essentially zero.

That's part of why I asked, my knowledge about switches isn't too deep, so I was wondering if I can atleast get a "baseline" of lets say, the most popular cherry switches, it could help with making a decision down the line (atleast more so than just going off social media recommendations)

[OhioYJ]

7 minutes ago, Infernic said:

That's part of why I asked, my knowledge about switches isn't too deep, so I was wondering if I can atleast get a "baseline" of lets say, the most popular cherry switches, it could help with making a decision down the line (atleast more so than just going off social media recommendations)

That's why I would actually recommend getting one. Since this is something that is entirely personal preference, I would only use "social media" as suggestions as switches to look into. As you may find suggestions for switches you might not know about. 

 

I started off with Cherry MX Blues (I click click switches).  However I've switched over to Kahli Box White V2 switches.  (You can probably see how I ended up with multiple switches testers)

[Poinkachu]

20 minutes ago, Infernic said:

There's some stores around, but they started putting coverings over the keyboards so you can only press like 1 key, and there's not really much variety anyways. I figured it was still "not the same" but wanted to confirm it was close enough for when reading comparations online

Well, that's pretty much the same as a tester kit.
Unless you plan to buy a tester base plate that can hold tens of keys and then buy that many of each switches just to try.

[Infernic]

8 minutes ago, Poinkachu said:

Well, that's pretty much the same as a tester kit.
Unless you plan to buy a tester base plate that can hold tens of keys and then buy that many of each switches just to try.

I know, but like I said they only have like, 2 switches, so I figured being able to test various types, even if only a bit, could let me get an idea of what options there (generally) are in the market

[Infernic]

13 minutes ago, OhioYJ said:

That's why I would actually recommend getting one. Since this is something that is entirely personal preference, I would only use "social media" as suggestions as switches to look into. As you may find suggestions for switches you might not know about. 

 

I started off with Cherry MX Blues (I click click switches).  However I've switched over to Kahli Box White V2 switches.  (You can probably see how I ended up with multiple switches testers)

Yeah, everything I see about the topic is incredibly subjective, which makes sense. Will get one then, thanks

[johnt]

26 minutes ago, Infernic said:

Yeah, I found some really cheap testers in AliExpress, but you do have a point with it not extrapolating. Do you mean getting like 10 of a single switch to put on a tester, or what exactly?

Sorry. I assumed you were trying to build a keyboard. My response is only helpful if you have a barebones or customizable keyboard where you can change the switches yourself. It appears you are just trying to purchase a ready made keeb?

 

I will give you my general recommendations for a good time. I will assume you are going to game or type regularly, and you are not trying to do something creative with your keyboard like a specific sound or unique feel. I strongly recommend MX speed silver linear or red linear. If you go with a board that has Gateron, look for yellow linear keys. Avoid keys advertised as heavy, or anything more than 55g. At 60g+, it takes a huge toll on your fingers. The MX silver/red and Gateron yellows are about 40 to 50g for operating. Typically the yellows are a touch heavier than MX silver or red. Just my thoughts for a balance typing experience. The clicky or tactile are fun short term, but they get annoying to use for typing.

[Poinkachu]

29 minutes ago, Infernic said:

I know, but like I said they only have like, 2 switches, so I figured being able to test various types, even if only a bit, could let me get an idea of what options there (generally) are in the market

IMHO, and this is based from my own personal experience (which is limited)
You mainly only need to try 3 types first, Linear, Clicky, and Tactile. The base type I mean (Red, Blue, Brown if Cherry MX).
Once you know which one you prefer, then decide whether you like the actuation force or do you prefer harder / lighter ones.

Lighter actuation might make you mistype/mispress a whole lot more.
Heavier actuation might tire your fingers sooner than usual.

Don't ask how much I mistyped after switching from normal switch to a low profile switch (which has much lower actuation force)

 

Then you buy keyboard with that kinda switch (keep in mind that most keyboard will only have base type switches)
One way to circumvent this is to buy a keyboard that allow hotswapping.
So when you want to change switch, you can just buy switch type that you want, then DIY change the one on your keyboard to the new one.

 

But yep, it's kinda a rabbit hole, especially if you go deep into keyboard building and such.
Most people will be happy with just standard Red switch for gaming, which is Linear.
Typers sometimes prefer clicky (Blue), which is tactile and let's out a very noticeable *click* sound when activated.
Peoples that prefers to feel when the switch activated (it starts typing on screen) but hates loud sound goes tactile (Brown).

Me myself personally :
Linear switches on most of the main keys.
Tactile on ESC, CTRL, ALT, SHIFT, Numpads, and those F keys.
Clicky on Caps, Win, PrintScreen & the keys around it.

[Infernic]

19 minutes ago, johnt said:

Sorry. I assumed you were trying to build a keyboard. My response is only helpful if you have a barebones or customizable keyboard where you can change the switches yourself. It appears you are just trying to purchase a ready made keeb?

Oh, building one is the goal in the future! I wanted to see if buying a little mini-keypad thingie that comes with different switch types would help me get an idea of what kind of switch I like so I can make a decision in the future.

 

 

20 minutes ago, johnt said:

I will give you my general recommendations for a good time. I will assume you are going to game or type regularly, and you are not trying to do something creative with your keyboard like a specific sound or unique feel. I strongly recommend MX speed silver linear or red linear. If you go with a board that has Gateron, look for yellow linear keys. Avoid keys advertised as heavy, or anything more than 55g. At 60g+, it takes a huge toll on your fingers. The MX silver/red and Gateron yellows are about 40 to 50g for operating. Typically the yellows are a touch heavier than MX silver or red. Just my thoughts for a balance typing experience. The clicky or tactile are fun short term, but they get annoying to use for typing.

The main use would be non-sweaty gaming and programming. Linear does seem like a good idea keeping that in mind. Is there any benefit to heavier keys or is it just for people who like that?

[Infernic]

11 minutes ago, Poinkachu said:

IMHO, and this is based from my own personal experience (which is limited)
You mainly only need to try 3 types, Linear, Clickly, and Tactile. The base type I mean (Red, Blue, Brown) if Cherry MX.
Once you know which one you prefer, then decide whether you like the actuation force or do you prefer harder / lighter ones.

 

Then you buy keyboard with that kinda switch (keep in mind that most keyboard will only have base type switches)
One way to circumvent this is to buy a keyboard that allow hotswapping.
So when you want to change switch, you can just buy switch type that you want, then DIY change the one on your keyboard to the new one.

 

But yep, it's kinda a rabbit hole, especially if you go deep into keyboard building and such.
Most people will be happy with just standard Red switch for gaming, which is Linear.
Typers sometimes prefer clicky (Blue), which is tactile and let's out a very noticeable *click* sound when activated.
Peoples that prefers to feel when the switch activated (it starts typing on screen) but hates loud sound goes tactile (Brown).

Ok, that actually works, lol. I saw that there's so many different switches in the market, and wondered if I can at least get an idea of cherry MX's feel I could then use that knowledge for the future. The hot-swapping keyboard does seem like something I'd like for futureproofing.

[OhioYJ]

24 minutes ago, johnt said:

The clicky or tactile are fun short term, but they get annoying to use for typing.

See personal opinion, everyone is different. I went from MX Blue, and tried MX Brown (close just without the noise), and hated it. Couldn't do the lack of noise, drove me nuts. I tried to get used to it. Ended up selling the board with the browns. Went back to the clicky switches.

[Poinkachu]

Just now, Infernic said:

Ok, that actually works, lol. I saw that there's so many different switches in the market, and wondered if I can at least get an idea of cherry MX's feel I could then use that knowledge for the future. The hot-swapping keyboard does seem like something I'd like for futureproofing.

I edited my post just now, added some stuff.
May want to refresh your page and re-read.

[Infernic]

2 minutes ago, Poinkachu said:

I edited my post just now, added some stuff.
May want to refresh your page and re-read.

Got it, I like the idea of different types for different keys. Thanks for the explanation of actuation too

[Poinkachu]

Just now, Infernic said:

Got it, I like the idea of different types for different keys. Thanks for the explanation of actuation too

The pros of each kind of actuation force should be pretty logical.

[johnt]

30 minutes ago, Infernic said:

s there any benefit to heavier keys or is it just for people who like that?

The benefits are personal preference, but they really really take a toll on on your fingers. I bought some for fun, so I use them for my function rows. They are harder to activate too so you don't get accident presses. lol you have to be very deliberate with your strokes on heavier switches.

 

27 minutes ago, OhioYJ said:

See personal opinion, everyone is different

100% but if you are in an office or have a wife or anybody else in the house lol....... their opinions matter too

[Doobeedoo]

Best bet to try keyboards in store. Clicky may end up being annoying, I donlike them or their feel they feel broken to me. Tactile are nice with initial heavier bump and linear my favorite have linear force pressure basically. If you are constantly spamming keys or holding some it's better in a way.