Cherry MX Clear
Manufacturer | Cherry |
---|---|
Family | Cherry MX |
Product code | MX1A-C1xx |
Introduced | 1988 or earlier |
Switch type | Tactile |
Sense method | Metal leaf |
Tactile force | 65 cN |
Actuation force | 55 cN |
Peak force | ca. 95 cN |
The Cherry MX Clear switch is a medium stiff, tactile, non-clicky mechanical keyboard switch in the Cherry MX family.
The slider is not actually clear but translucent white. The word Clear is Cherry's own designation to distinguish it from the older Cherry MX White which is a clicky switch. Older types of the "white" also have translucent white sliders and are therefore visually indistinguishable from clears.
The Cherry MX Tactile Grey switch is used for space bars in keyboards with Cherry MX Clear switches. It has a similarly-shaped stem but a stiffer spring.
History
MX Clear is reported to have first appeared in 1989[Citation needed]; however, it was included in a March 1988 numbering system datasheet for MX switches so it is assumed to have been in production in 1988 or earlier.
Key feel
Similar to the Cherry MX Brown, it has a tactile bump before the activation point. The tactile bump is more pronounced than a Cherry MX Brown but not as sharp as most rubber domes and Topre switches. It is longer and peaks higher, at around 65 cN.
There is a dip at the tactile point (65 cN), below which resistance increases sharply up to around 95 cN at the bottom. Typists who are not used to the switch may feel this tiring. However, proponents of the switch claim that the high resistance cushions the stroke helping you to avoid bottoming out, and that would be beneficial to the fingers in the long term.
Because of the size of the tactile bump, it has the most friction of all Cherry MX switches.
Availability
- Some Cherry G80-3000 keyboards. The second of the letters at the end of the model number is Q; for instance G80-3000LQCDE-2.
- Cherry G80-8113 point-of-sale keyboards. This keyboards can ship with either brown or clear switches (despite the letter Q in the model number), so you should confirm the type of switches it has before ordering one.
- Some Deck and TG3 keyboards.
- Some Leopold keyboards.
- A variation of the Ducky Shine (II/III).
- WASD Keyboards version 2.
- The Code keyboard.
- As of 2012, these switches are available directly from the manufacturer and some suppliers.
Modifications
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.
Within the keyboard community these modifications are called:
- "Panda Clears": A 'Clear' slider with a spring from a Cherry MX Black
- "Ergo Clears": A 'Clear' slider with a spring from a Cherry MX Brown, Red or Blue
Gallery
Cherry MX Clear and Cherry MX White
References
See also
- Cherry MX Tactile Grey: Used for space bars in keyboards with MX Clear switches.
- Cherry MX White: Sometimes confused with the MX Clear.