Cherry MX Clear Switches

[Teqq]

Does anyone actually have these? I wanted to know how they are as im looking at a few keyboards with them

[S1lent_5am]

I had an old IBM keyboard that had clear switches don't think they were cherry switches though, and the closest I've been able to come in tearms of sound and feel are the brown switches. Not sure if that helps at all though.

[Charger]

I have 3 switches but they are not in a keyboard and are lubed and stickered so I can't comment on the stock feel

Maybe @TheProfosist will have something to add

[TheProfosist]

I have them in most of my board in modified and non modified versions. What did you need to know? Also I believe im teh one who sent those to @Charger though I might be wrong.

[Charger]

I have them in most of my board in modified and non modified versions. What did you need to know? Also I believe im teh one who sent those to @Charger though I might be wrong.

you are indeed the person i got them from

[Teqq]

I have them in most of my board in modified and non modified versions. What did you need to know? Also I believe im teh one who sent those to @Charger though I might be wrong.

I just wanted to know what they feel like because I've never had a mechanical keyboard before and I would like to know the best one with clear switches

[STRMfrmXMN]

I just wanted to know what they feel like because I've never had a mechanical keyboard before and I would like to know the best one with clear switches

Clears feel a bit heavier than blues or browns - blues are a tad heavier than browns. They are of medium-ish actuation force. Imagine pressing your (I presume) rubber domes about 3/4 of the way down (it's not actually 3/4 of the distance down on any Cherry switch but ignore that for now) and feeling a subtle force against against yours that gives a recoiling effect similar to that of most rubber domes. It will feel something like this.

 

Also, if looking into Clears, PLEASE DO NOT REPLACE THE KEYCAPS WITHIN THE FIRST (to be safe) MONTH OF OWNING THE KEYBOARDS AS THIS CAN RUIN THE SWITCHES.

[TheProfosist]

I just wanted to know what they feel like because I've never had a mechanical keyboard before and I would like to know the best one with clear switches

They are more tactile than a brown significantly, personally this is a good thing. But they are heavier than say blacks. Lots of people think they are too heavy but I found after getting used to them that you almost never bottom out. This is because of the large tactile bump and actual resistance. One of the best keyboards available wold probably be the WASD v2 or WASD v2 CODE.

[TheProfosist]

Clears feel a bit heavier than blues or browns - blues are a tad heavier than browns. They are of medium-ish actuation force. Imagine pressing your (I presume) rubber domes about 3/4 of the way down (it's not actually 3/4 of the distance down on any Cherry switch but ignore that for now) and feeling a subtle force against against yours that gives a recoiling effect similar to that of most rubber domes. It will feel something like this.

 

Also, if looking into Clears, PLEASE DO NOT REPLACE THE KEYCAPS WITHIN THE FIRST (to be safe) MONTH OF OWNING THE KEYBOARDS AS THIS CAN RUIN THE SWITCHES.

Clears for Cherry MX are one of the heaviest switches. There are only one or maybe two switch types heaver and they are super rare.

To me no Chery MX switch remotely feels in any way like a rubber dome.

Also that last bit in caps is complete and utter BS and I have no clue what you are going on about...

[Charger]

Changing keycaps if done even remotely correctly should have no effect on switches but can change the feeling of typing for better or worse depending on the caps chosen

[STRMfrmXMN]

Clears for Cherry MX are one of the heaviest switches. There are only one or maybe two switch types heaver and they are super rare.

To me no Chery MX switch remotely feels in any way like a rubber dome.

Also that last bit in caps is complete and utter BS and I have no clue what you are going on about...

I say medium-ish because on the range of the six most common Cherry MX switches (Blues, browns, reds, blacks, greens and clears), clears are in the middle. EDIT: Also says DeskAuthority 

 

I didn't say it does. The recoiling effect of a rubber dome is a less subtle feeling similar to the tactile bump in clears/blues/etc. They aren't the same though.

 

And these are from horror stories of user feedback on Reddit. I also recall some reference to a Tek Syndicate video about people having similar issues. I'll hunt for either and get back.

 

EDIT: @TheProfosist, from here http://youtu.be/nWTiCA20Mx4?t=1m5s

[Charger]

I say medium-ish because on the range of the six most common Cherry MX switches (Blues, browns, reds, blacks, greens and clears), clears are in the middle. EDIT: Also says DeskAuthority 

 

I didn't say it does. The recoiling effect of a rubber dome is a less subtle feeling similar to the tactile bump in clears/blues/etc. They aren't the same though.

 

And these are from horror stories of user feedback on Reddit. I also recall some reference to a Tek Syndicate video about people having similar issues. I'll hunt for either and get back.

love that page

The Cherry MX Clear switch is a medium stiff, tactile, non-clicky mechanical keyboard switch in the Cherry MX family.

The Cherry MX Clear has one of the stiffest springs of all Cherry MX switch variants. Some people dislike the stiffness but appreciate the large tactile bump and have therefore replaced the springs with lighter springs.

[STRMfrmXMN]

love that page

 

Stiff spring and the most medium of the actuation forces.

Words words words

[TheProfosist]

I say medium-ish because on the range of the six most common Cherry MX switches (Blues, browns, reds, blacks, greens and clears), clears are in the middle. EDIT: Also says DeskAuthority 

 

I didn't say it does. The recoiling effect of a rubber dome is a less subtle feeling similar to the tactile bump in clears/blues/etc. They aren't the same though.

 

And these are from horror stories of user feedback on Reddit. I also recall some reference to a Tek Syndicate video about people having similar issues. I'll hunt for either and get back.

For them you cant go off of actuation force necessarily. The spring on them is designed differently than the ones in the blue/brown/red or the black/green. It is far more coarse so the force increases dramatically quicker than the other springs. Due to this from personal experience I would say that it actually has less "spring" to it but more force. Deskthority has a very good wiki on this http://goo.gl/QSFGBQ .

Many if not most rubber does are just a mushy mess of nothing and not something that could be described as tactile in the least. Many of the better scissor switch boards feel leagues more tactile.

As long as you do what @Charger described they will be no damage. Get one of these http://goo.gl/sIvZF0 or these http://goo.gl/ohAJv4 then lightly rock or wiggle when pulling, dont yank! When you put the new caps on pres firmly a couple of time to get them fully seated. Brand new caps are usually quite tight and take some work to get off and on.

[STRMfrmXMN]

For them you cant go off of actuation force necessarily. The spring on them is designed differently than the ones in the blue/brown/red or the black/green. It is far more coarse so the force increases dramatically quicker than the other springs. Due to this from personal experience I would say that it actually has less "spring" to it but more force. Deskthority has a very good wiki on this http://goo.gl/QSFGBQ .

Many if not most rubber does are just a mushy mess of nothing and not something that could be described as tactile in the least. Many of the better scissor switch boards feel leagues more tactile.

As long as you do what @Charger described they will be no damage. Get one of these http://goo.gl/sIvZF0 or these http://goo.gl/ohAJv4 then lightly rock or wiggle when pulling, dont yank! When you put the new caps on pres firmly a couple of time to get them fully seated. Brand new caps are usually quite tight and take some work to get off and on.

I can go off of actuation force, although I understand that springs can create a different feel entirely than what you would expect based on the actuation force on paper.

 

Maybe I just have some high-class rubber domes I have used a rubber dome keyboard in Best Buy a few months ago in which I can only describe the pressing of the keys as "tactile" - not as sharp in tactile-ness as, say, my Greens, but there was a bump before you hit the base of the stem. 

 

And I still say waiting is probably the safest bet nonetheless. The more daring can risk their precious Clears, not for me though

[TheProfosist]

@STRMfrmXMN you edited after I started replying. I really with that the full force of the spring was rated as well as the actuation because the springs can easily be looked at independently and then their properties applied to the properties of each spring. This is actually how the Korean forums do it with their custom springs.

Also with that TekSyndicate video after seeing the title im like I remember which one this is. When I heard that I was like is Logan high? What is he going on about... After building keyboards for 4+ years I have never hear of anything remotely like this. Im almost tempted to send a message over to WASD and see if he is the one that told Logan that.

[TheProfosist]

I can go off of actuation force, although I understand that springs can create a different feel entirely than what you would expect based on the actuation force on paper.

 

Maybe I just have some high-class rubber domes I have used a rubber dome keyboard in Best Buy a few months ago in which I can only describe the pressing of the keys as "tactile" - not as sharp in tactile-ness as, say, my Greens, but there was a bump before you hit the base of the stem. 

 

And I still say waiting is probably the safest bet nonetheless. The more daring can risk their precious Clears, not for me though

Just so you you know I have built what 5 fully custom keyboards now with clears for myself personally (more coming soon )and have owned two other retail ones. I have also built or modified at least 10 board with/to have clears for people over the years. never once have I run into any issue with clears.

They are one of the most common to have work on too since they are even to this day relatively uncommon. I personally think that a Panda Clear could be the switch for those coming from a lifetime rubber done use and a great balance between all things cherry MX.

[STRMfrmXMN]

Just so you you know I have built what 5 fully custom keyboards now with clears for myself personally (more coming soon )and have owned two other retail ones. I have also built or modified at least 10 board with/to have clears for people over the years. never once have I run into any issue with clears.

They are one of the most common to have work on too since they are even to this day relatively uncommon. I personally think that a Panda Clear could be the switch for those coming from a lifetime rubber done use and a great balance between all things cherry MX.

I always thought exactly the same actually! Clears are great for a person new to mech keyboards. Most rubber dome users also type quite hard too and Clears have enough resistance. 

 

Also, next time somebody comes to me with "how does build keyboard build?" I'll have them call on ya

[Charger]

I always thought exactly the same actually! Clears are great for a person new to mech keyboards. Most rubber dome users also type quite hard too and Clears have enough resistance. 

 

Also, next time somebody comes to me with "how does build keyboard build?" I'll have them call on ya

it isn't that people type to hard is that with rubber dome you have to bottom out the keys so its training people to do that

what? calling him what about me?

ya probably best to call him he does own thousands of dollars more keyboards then I do and that is only counting his kmacs lol

[TheProfosist]

I always thought exactly the same actually! Clears are great for a person new to mech keyboards. Most rubber dome users also type quite hard too and Clears have enough resistance. 

 

Also, next time somebody comes to me with "how does build keyboard build?" I'll have them call on ya

black would probably be my first choice for someone who has never use cherry MX before and probably the best stock over all. Panda Clear (clear with black spring) would be my first custom choice. I personally like Clears with the OG Korean 62g Gold Springs. The springs are actually a bit too long so they are slightly compressed starting out and have a bung of spring to them. I have 2-3 keyboard with these and ill likely never get anymore.

I dont know if you checked out my sig but here is a build i did for/with my friend http://goo.gl/A2iQKB .

[STRMfrmXMN]

it isn't that people type to hard is that with rubber dome you have to bottom out the keys so its training people to do that

 

Yep. I am a victim to this and typing on anything but greens is pretty much impossible for me to do now.

[TheProfosist]

it isn't that people type to hard is that with rubber dome you have to bottom out the keys so its training people to do that

what? calling him what about me?

ya probably best to call him he does own thousands of dollars more keyboards then I do and that is only counting his kmacs lol

Hey your not trying to disrupt my KMAC family are you?

[STRMfrmXMN]

black would probably be my first choice for someone who has never use cherry MX before and probably the best stock over all. Panda Clear (clear with black spring) would be my first custom choice. I personally like Clears with the OG Korean 62g Gold Springs. The springs are actually a bit too long so they are slightly compressed starting out and have a bung of spring to them. I have 2-3 keyboard with these and ill likely never get anymore.

I dont know if you checked out my sig but here is a build i did for/with my friend http://goo.gl/A2iQKB .

I would say black but I feel like the movement of a black is too... what's the word... "smooth" maybe? Could be just me but I find that most rubber domes are not an easy, slide-down-the-key-until-it-hits-the-bottom and more like a "press a bit and there ya go." Probably an awful explanation though...

 

Also, hopefully one day I'll make a keyboard of my own. My main worry is screwing up the PCB of the keyboard with a screwdriver or something or breaking the switches and springs. Knowing me, something would go wrong

[Charger]

Yep. I am a victim to this and typing on anything but greens is pretty much impossible for me to do now.

i bottom out greens / blacks with out a problem i think my next keyboard with have clears but i kind of want to maybe try a black switch with a clear spring lol

[Charger]

I would say black but I feel like the movement of a black is too... what's the word... "smooth" maybe? Could be just me but I find that most rubber domes are not an easy, slide-down-the-key-until-it-hits-the-bottom and more like a "press a bit and there ya go." Probably an awful explanation though...

 

Also, hopefully one day I'll make a keyboard of my own. My main worry is screwing up the PCB of the keyboard with a screwdriver or something or breaking the switches and springs. Knowing me, something would go wrong

my keyboard has no pcb other then a little micro controller lol

anyways i like blacks and they were the first switch i used but oddly i tend to lightly bottom out blacks when typing but when gaming i don't lol

Hey your not trying to disrupt my KMAC family are you?

i love your kmac family