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Blue vs Brown Cherry switches, which is best?

W

whm1974

Diamond Member
While I like my AZIO Retro keyboard that I brought about a year and a half ago, I do have an issue with the key caps loosing up and popping off during use every so often. Well that and I'm thinking of going back to school next year after I get new hearing aids.

I will be taking programing and writing classes so I will be needing a better keyboard then what I have now. Considering getting a custom keyboard from maybe WASD or Max. Which is better?

I have Kahl blue switches now but I wonder if Cherry browns would be better for my usage? Do O-rings improve the feel of typing?
 
I own a WASD Code 2 tkl and the keycaps quality can be described with one word, however that word would earn me a warning, so instead i will say "not good".

Going back to your question, brown or blue, which is better?
They both suck.

If you are going to type, specifically code, blues would actually be better, because of the unmistakable click sound when a key actuates, and their tendency to not activate by accident.

But you dont need to spend $120 on a cherry board, when you can buy a outemu blues board from amazon for $40. The switches are - at least when it comes to switch feel and functionality - identical to cherry blue.

https://www.amazon.com/TOMOKO-Water-Resistant-Mechanical-Keyboard-Non-Conflicting/dp/B01DBJTZU2

I own that kb. It is an AMAZING deal for $29. Yes it is a proper mechanical switch, metal backplate keyboard. You should buy it NOW.

END OF CHAPTER 1
 
DigDog said:
I own a WASD Code 2 tkl and the keycaps quality can be described with one word, however that word would earn me a warning, so instead i will say "not good".

Going back to your question, brown or blue, which is better?
They both suck.

If you are going to type, specifically code, blues would actually be better, because of the unmistakable click sound when a key actuates, and their tendency to not activate by accident.

But you dont need to spend $120 on a cherry board, when you can buy a outemu blues board from amazon for $40. The switches are - at least when it comes to switch feel and functionality - identical to cherry blue.

https://www.amazon.com/TOMOKO-Water-Resistant-Mechanical-Keyboard-Non-Conflicting/dp/B01DBJTZU2

I own that kb. It is an AMAZING deal for $29. Yes it is a proper mechanical switch, metal backplate keyboard. You should buy it NOW.

END OF CHAPTER 1
Click to expand...
Well I'm thinking that I want a full size keyboard.
 
CHAPTER TWO
The Quest For The Switch That Did Not Suck

As a gamer, i would suggest that the best cherry switch (the only non-suck) is MX Clear, which is the same as Brown but with a stiffer spring and a heavier tactical bump.

There are other switches on the market though.

Most switches available today LOOK LIKE cherry mx, and the majority also FEEL LIKE mx. A few that look like mx do not feel like mx.

However it is not easy to just google+click buy, as some switches (like Zealios) do not come prebuilt into a board, but you must solder them in yourself.

The switches you can buy today, prebuilt, are:
1. Cherry
2. Cherry clones
3. Matias (ALPS clones)
4. Unicomp (IBM) buckling springs
5. Topre
6. Novelkeys

and then there is a whooooole long list of absolute garbage stuff that should not exist.

1. Of cherry, clears are the best. Vaguely tactile, the "ooh so-stiff" spring isnt stiff at all. These are good for everything - gaming, daily driver, typing. This is actually a very good gaming switch.

2. Of the many clones (pre-built) Gateron are probably the best, but since the just-so-slightly inferior Outemu can be had for $29 (BUY THAT BOARD NOW!!) i see no reason to fork out more.

3. Matias are EXCELLENT switches. They have tactile, clicky and linear, and while they only come in Matias boards, which are uglier than mortal sin, are well worth the $150 if you are looking for a endgame keyboard.

4. Unicomp makes 1:1 modernized clones of the old, legendary IBM model M keyboard with buckling spring switches, one of the best switches ever designed.
The switch is amazing.
It is also loud, and not quite suited to gaming, and the board is quite ugly.

5. Topre makes a fancy-pants version of your typical low end runber dome keyboard. They cost well over $200, the switch feel is weird - some people feel this is endgame stuff, and it's very well suited to typing, but imho not as daily driver OR gaming. The board build quality is amazing.

6. Novelkeys makes .. im not sure IF these come prebuilt, i think they do. They make very tactile, very clicky switches for people that like that 80s feeling.
 
Basically I want to check out Brown type Switches for office use in case I ever work in one. And I also want to see if I prefer a lighter switch as well.
 
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