Quick question about keyboard switches.

[MrShinny]

Hey guys!

 

So I currently have a Logitech PRODIGY keyboard which has membrane keyswitches. I was going to buy the K95 with speed switches, which I heard were like red switches. But my friend has speed switches which, also I heard are like red switches with their linear feel. It just felt mushy to me and I could NOT type on them. So are the brown switches more like membrane then the reds? (I mean the tactile bump, is it similar to the feel of membranes)

 

P.S. I have also tried a blue keyboard, if their is anything that is related to that

[MrShinny]

4 minutes ago, MrShinny said:

But my friend has speed switches which, also I heard are like red switches with their linear feel.

Sorry, I meant that he had speed switches.

[minibois]

Yes, Browns are more like Membranes IMO, because of their more pronounced actuation point (Red and Speed not having an actuation point you can feel), but not as pronounced as the clicky switches (such as Blues).

Of course, with anything subjective; you should try it out before you can judge, but Browns are pretty good for all round usage. Linear switches (like Speed and Red) are not great for typing (of course, highly opinionated, but that is the idea behind it).

[MrShinny]

2 minutes ago, Minibois said:

Yes, Browns are more like Membranes IMO, because of their more pronounced actuation point (Red and Speed not having an actuation point you can feel), but not as pronounced as the clicky switches (such as Blues).

Of course, with anything subjective; you should try it out before you can judge, but Browns are pretty good for all round usage. Linear switches (like Speed and Red) are not great for typing (of course, highly opinionated, but that is the idea behind it).

Oh, ok.

 

What about silents? Are they basically reds and speeds?

[minibois]

2 minutes ago, MrShinny said:

Oh, ok.

 

What about silents? Are they basically reds and speeds?

There are two silents, those based on Red or Black switches (Blacks being a heavier Red).

The noise in linear switches is mainly from the keycap stem hitting the switch itself. Silent switches have something built in so that sound is dampened.  

 

So Silents are either more quiet Reds or more quiet Blacks (or heavier, quieter Reds).

[Froody129]

Browns feel kinda like a really good membrane to me. The bump in the top is nice and they actuate higher. I really love me some Blues though. 

 

BTW, there isn't really a difference between a K70 and a K95, and there are lots of cheaper options out there that will be the same 

[MrShinny]

4 minutes ago, Minibois said:

There are two silents, those based on Red or Black switches (Blacks being a heavier Red).

The noise in linear switches is mainly from the keycap stem hitting the switch itself. Silent switches have something built in so that sound is dampened.  

 

So Silents are either more quiet Reds or more quiet Blacks (or heavier, quieter Reds).

Oh ok. Thank  you so much. Now I know what I am looking for in a switch when I go to best buy to try some out.

 

Have a great day!

[MrShinny]

1 minute ago, Froody129 said:

Browns feel kinda like a really good membrane to me. The bump in the top is nice and they actuate higher. I really love me some Blues though. 

 

BTW, there isn't really a difference between a K70 and a K95, and there are lots of cheaper options out there that will be the same 

Oh ok,

 

BUT WHAT ABOUT THE RGB LIGHT STRIP ON THE K95! haha jk. I'm really just buying it because it looks cool lol.

[Ominous]

Don't buy speed switches, get reds.  They are just a marketing ploy.

[Froody129]

2 hours ago, MrShinny said:

Oh ok,

 

BUT WHAT ABOUT THE RGB LIGHT STRIP ON THE K95! haha jk. I'm really just buying it because it looks cool lol.

Lol I get you. I would go Browns but I've never tried Speeds. Maybe try Speeds beforehand since it seems to be love/hate

[MrShinny]

2 minutes ago, Froody129 said:

Lol I get you. I would go Browns but I've never tried Speeds. Maybe try Speeds beforehand since it seems to be love/hate

Yeah I'm probably going to get browns because of that tactile bump, speeds and reds just feel mushy.

[Ominous]

2 minutes ago, Froody129 said:

Lol I get you. I would go Browns but I've never tried Speeds. Maybe try Speeds beforehand since it seems to be love/hate

They are a pain in the neck.  I found no difference between Reds and Speeds while playing games and they just made me more likely to fat finger a key. 

 

I can't recommend them, save your money. @MrShinny 

[MrShinny]

3 minutes ago, Qyndryx said:

They are a pain in the neck.  I found no difference between Reds and Speeds while playing games and they just made me more likely to fat finger a key. 

 

I can't recommend them, save your money. @MrShinny 

What about the browns version of the k95?

[Ominous]

Just now, MrShinny said:

What about the browns version of the k95?

Browns are browns.  They are a more silent version of Blues with a slightly lower (I think) actuation force.  They are considered the best between gaming/typing.  Whatever floats your boat.

[MrShinny]

8 minutes ago, Qyndryx said:

Browns are browns.  They are a more silent version of Blues with a slightly lower (I think) actuation force.  They are considered the best between gaming/typing.  Whatever floats your boat.

Are they the closest to membrane switches in your opinion?

[Froody129]

2 minutes ago, MrShinny said:

What about the browns version of the k95?

Really solid keyboard. Something to note is that the clips that attach the wrist rest to the keyboard are absolute shit and break really easily. Otherwise an awesome keyboard 

 

2 minutes ago, Qyndryx said:

Browns are browns.  They are a more silent version of Blues with a slightly lower (I think) actuation force.  They are considered the best between gaming/typing.  Whatever floats your boat.

Browns are not Blues. A lot of people say it's just a less pronounced bump from Blues but imo Browns are just Reds with a bit more bump on the top. It's not even a bump, just more actuation pressure in the top- like a membrane 

[MrShinny]

Just now, Froody129 said:

Really solid keyboard. Something to note is that the clips that attach the wrist rest to the keyboard are absolute shit and break really easily. Otherwise an awesome keyboard 

 

Browns are not Blues. A lot of people say it's just a less pronounced bump from Blues but imo Browns are just Reds with a bit more bump on the top. It's not even a bump, just more actuation pressure in the top- like a membrane 

So basically, you know when its actually actuated?

[MrShinny]

Kind of like when a membrane "collapses"

[Froody129]

2 minutes ago, MrShinny said:

Kind of like when a membrane "collapses"

Yeah. It feels (TO ME!) like a really nice membrane experience. It's a good thing because it has that higher pressure in the top but it also actuates higher so you don't have to bottom out.

 

I'm still a Blues proponent but apparently there is no Blue K95

[MrShinny]

Just now, Froody129 said:

Yeah. It feels (TO ME!) like a really nice membrane experience. It's a good thing because it has that higher pressure in the top but it also actuates higher so you don't have to bottom out.

 

I'm still a Blues proponent but apparently there is no Blue K95

Yeah, I don't know if its just me, but I actually like membranes. They are just so nice. But loud at the same time. They just have a lot of wobble and mechanical to me just feels better because they are smother and don't feel like a soccer cone lol. The space bar on membrane is also a pain in the ass as well.

[Froody129]

4 minutes ago, MrShinny said:

Yeah, I don't know if its just me, but I actually like membranes. They are just so nice. But loud at the same time. They just have a lot of wobble and mechanical to me just feels better because they are smother and don't feel like a soccer cone lol. The space bar on membrane is also a pain in the ass as well.

Then Browns sound like a perfect fit for you. I actually like membranes as they feel alone but for typing it kills me because you have to bottom out. Hopefully you like your switch choice since it is something that is personal preference and is hard to get right without throwing lots of money at it

[MrShinny]

Just now, Froody129 said:

Then Browns sound like a perfect fit for you. I actually like membranes as they feel alone but for typing it kills me because you have to bottom out. Hopefully you like your switch choice since it is something that is personal preference and is hard to get right without throwing lots of money at it

Yeah, thanks so much for your help!

 

[EsaT]

9 minutes ago, MrShinny said:

Are they the closest to membrane switches in your opinion?

Logitech's Romer-G is closer to it than MX Brown.

Also in noise because of internal damping for down and upstroke in design.

 

2 minutes ago, MrShinny said:

Yeah, I don't know if its just me, but I actually like membranes. They are just so nice. But loud at the same time.

Then you wouldn't like most mechanical switches, whose design fails to give damn about noise with plunger hitting switch frame hard both in down and up stroke.

(causing also key cap rattle if lifting finger fast)

Membrane/rubbed dome by its "rubbery" nature is lot softer sounded and lacks that sharp "clickety-clacketyness".

[MrShinny]

1 minute ago, EsaT said:

 

Then you wouldn't like most mechanical switches, whose design fails to give damn about noise with plunger hitting switch frame hard both in down and up stroke.

(causing also key cap rattle if lifting finger fast)

Membrane/rubbed dome by its "rubbery" nature is lot softer sounded and lacks that sharp "clickety-clacketyness".

But with membrane switches you have to bottom them out, which requires more force (i think) which i think makes a louder noise overall

[EsaT]

1 minute ago, MrShinny said:

But with membrane switches you have to bottom them out, which requires more force (i think) which i think makes a louder noise overall

After collapse of rubber dome starts required force to get them to bottom is actually quite light. (unlike in many mechanical switches)

And that rubber dome also dampens noise/vibrations compared to all hard parts construction of mechanical switches.

It's kinda like hitting anvil with hammer and then trying it again with something soft in between.

Kind of hybrid design of Topres (capacitive detection) is why those have calm/smooth sound.

 

I used MX Browns with factory installed o-rings (= already little quieter than typical mechanical keyboard) for nearly five years, so have had plenty of time to listen their sharp noise profile.

Romer-Gs of Logitech G810 have clearly quieter sound with lot calmer/smoother sound profile without such excessive clickety-clacketyness.

 

But now time to go to warm up sauna... Should I aim for 100C/~210F?