The return of Hall Effect Switches

[NumLock21]

Most of today's mechanical keyboard uses cherry mx, and others, like logitech with their romer-g. Now another type of mechanical switch has made a reappearance, the hall effect switch. Comparing to the cherry mx, where it uses two physical components to work, hall effect switch uses magnetism, with a spring to add physical resistance. While cherry mx is rated at tens of million clicks. Hall Effect are rated at tens of billion clicks. Early keyboard had them, then it went out, due to their expensive manufacturing. Now with a new manufacturing process which is cheaper and easier, future mechanical keyboard may once again use this type of switch.

 

Video demonstration in the link below

http://www.tomshardware.com/news/how-hall-effect-switches-work,33105.html

 

[TidaLWaveZ]

HEY! Is there some kind of diagram or something for one of these?

 

Edit: The video explains it, but it's a whole FOUR MINUTE investment!

[themctipers]

That's nice. But how does it compare to cherry MX?

also I don't believe I have gone through millions of keyboard or mouse clicks because I've used the same mouse and keyboard from 2008-2016 (I gamed a lot more back in 2011-2015 and I barely game now) and it still works fine. 

[zMeul]

this should be immediately implemented in mice - it would get rid of the double clicking as the leaf spring loses tension over time

 

I would pay more for a mice if I wouldn't had to open it every ~6 months to retension the leaf spring ... fucking OMRON POS

 

---

 

@TidaLWaveZ

[Dash Lambda]

The Steam Controller's triggers use Hall effect sensors... So I guess I'm down for it.

 

Haven't watched the video, so I'm not sure if it's mentioned, but they'd also allow for throttle much the same way optical switches do.

[Doobeedoo]

Well very nice. Though how do these compare to the optical keyboard switches.
http://www.tomshardware.com/news/what-are-optical-keyboard-switches,32352.html

 

[Mira Yurizaki]

Honestly, reliability was never an issue for me. And I like the feedback mechanical switches can provide.

 

Might be good for someone who's into Reds/Blacks and likes to hammer a key though.

[Techicolors]

Ah, this is about the XMIT hall effect board? it was super popular at Massdrop, and sold over 1000 units. I did join the drop, but sadly had complications so I backed out. I believe it won't ship until February so it'll be some time until people get their hands on it

[Dash Lambda]

1 hour ago, M.Yurizaki said:

Honestly, reliability was never an issue for me. And I like the feedback mechanical switches can provide.

 

Might be good for someone who's into Reds/Blacks and likes to hammer a key though.

I suspect one could easily add feedback to the switch, since the actual mechanics of it are so dead simple.

I wonder how one would implement active haptic feedback on each switch...

Couldn't use transducers, 'cause those would interfere with the switch...

[potoooooooo]

3 hours ago, Dash Lambda said:

I suspect one could easily add feedback to the switch, since the actual mechanics of it are so dead simple.

I wonder how one would implement active haptic feedback on each switch...

Couldn't use transducers, 'cause those would interfere with the switch...

Make the spring buckle

 

Two of the greatest switch styles into one

 

It would be a pain to miniaturize though.

[Bouzoo]

6 hours ago, zMeul said:

I would pay more for a mice if I wouldn't had to open it every ~6 months to retension the leaf spring ... fucking OMRON POS

I have never heard of anyone doing that. What mouse are you using?

[zMeul]

Just now, Bouzoo said:

I have never heard of anyone doing that. What mouse are you using?

it's not the mouse, it's the fucking switches .. OMRON; my older Logitech exhibited same issue

I've lost one of the leaf springs in my left button and salvaged one from a older MS wireless mouse - guess what?! the spring tension still holds

 

my guess is that OMRON cheaped out and manufactures the leaf springs with a different alloy, softer

[Bouzoo]

2 minutes ago, zMeul said:

it's not the mouse, it's the fucking switches .. OMRON; my older Logitech exhibited same issue

I've lost one of the leaf springs in my left button and salvaged one from a older MS wireless mouse - guess what?! the spring tension still holds

 

my guess is that OMRON cheaped out and manufactures the leaf springs with a different alloy, softer

I meant which mouse just to check if there was a reported issue on the model with springs, but if it's on 2 mice then that's really interesting. 

[zMeul]

Just now, Bouzoo said:

I meant which mouse just to check if there was a reported issue on the model with springs, but if it's on 2 mice then that's really interesting. 

two mice!? mate .. check YT, reddit, other forums .. people are complaining left and right about Logitech mice and their OMRON switches - they are shit

I stopped investing in expensive mice because of it

[Bouzoo]

3 minutes ago, zMeul said:

two mice!? mate .. check YT, reddit, other forums .. people are complaining left and right about Logitech mice and their OMRON switches - they are shit

I stopped investing in expensive mice because of it

2 mice on your side mate. Well I'll be buying G403 next month instead of a Zowie as it seems so I'll be sure to check that myself after some time. 

[zMeul]

1 minute ago, Bouzoo said:

G403

that's a bit pricy 

[Bouzoo]

5 minutes ago, zMeul said:

that's a bit pricy 

So is every mouse here. I'm buying for some time though, to last me 2-3 years

[zMeul]

Just now, Bouzoo said:

So is every mouse here. I'm buying for some time though, to last me 2-3 years

also buy a pack of 5-10 microswitches 

[Techicolors]

there was a G403 sale during the black friday weekend for half price. but i'll bet that the sensor won't last very long, like the g303 i had previously. and in addition there's an awful scroll wheel rattle, which mines exhibits to my dismay. 

[SansVarnic]

I'll buy one !

I dont like the clicky ... 

[NumLock21]

My logitech g700 had the microswitch problem. Tried to fix it, fix failed. Got a g502. Fast forward 1 year later. Now my logitech anywhere mx is doing the same thing. Should i get another logitech? Got a corsair scimitar instead. Will have to see how long both of these will last. 

[SurvivorNVL]

As a keyboard aficionado - Hall Effect switches are the Holy Grail, especially given they are working on modernizing the Hall-Effect clicky, linear clicky, and tactile switches for the next run in later April.  This is currently the keyboard renaissance all over again, given ALPS are making a return through i-Rocks, using Cherry compatible ALPS-designs, albeit nobody will ever likely remake ALPS SKCM Greens or Yellows, or the glory that was Complicated Blues, but the fact someone is doing Hall Effect is great.  Hall Effect > Alps > Topre > Buckling Springs > Gateron > Cherry MX.  It's still the greatest shame that Cherry was the one that won in the end.  ALPS simplified and especially the complicated series were, and are still to this day - leagues upon leagues better than cherry by design alone, and then on feel.

[Techicolors]

5 minutes ago, SurvivorNVL said:

As a keyboard aficionado - Hall Effect switches are the Holy Grail, especially given they are working on modernizing the Hall-Effect clicky, linear clicky, and tactile switches for the next run in later April.  This is currently the keyboard renaissance all over again, given ALPS are making a return through i-Rocks, using Cherry compatible ALPS-designs, albeit nobody will ever likely remake ALPS SKCM Greens or Yellows, or the glory that was Complicated Blues, but the fact someone is doing Hall Effect is great.  Hall Effect > Alps > Topre > Buckling Springs > Gateron > Cherry MX.  It's still the greatest shame that Cherry was the one that won in the end.  ALPS simplified and especially the complicated series were, and are still to this day - leagues upon leagues better than cherry by design alone, and then on feel.

I'm curious but how many keyboards have you tried out (and own)? 

[SCHISCHKA]

I have never had a keyboard die but then I don't work 40 hours a week as a data entry person. I see keyboards die when they get drinks spilled on them. my $10 keyboard must be a decade old now

[Prysin]

17 hours ago, NumLock21 said:

Most of todays mechanical keyboard uses cherry mx, and others, like logitech with their romer-g. Now another type of mechanical switch has made a reappearance, the hall effect switch. Comparing to the cherry mx, where it uses two physical components to work, hall effect switch uses magnetism, with a spring to add phyiscal resistance. While cherry mx is rated at tens of millon clicks. Hall Effect are rated at tens of billion clicks. Early keyboard had them, then it went out, due to their expensive manfacturing. Now with a new manufacturing process which is cheaper and easier, future mechanical keyboard may once again use this type of switch.

 

Video demonstration in the link below

http://www.tomshardware.com/news/how-hall-effect-switches-work,33105.html

 

post formatting is wrong. please fix.