MX clear

[noobie94]

Is it worth to get a new keyboard with mx clear switches?
At the moment I have a Ducky shine 3 brown switches with PBT keycaps.

I am bored and want to try something new until the Novatouch TKL

[Muirium]

Clear's certainly different to brown, and you will notice it immediately. But it's nothing like Topre, and so neither the NovaTouch. Clear's got kick, Topre's all about smooth tactility. Still, everything can be worth an experiment.

[IvanIvanovich]

If you just want to try clears, maybe do it on the cheap and grab something like a Cherry G80-3000LQCDE. Even new they usually can be found for under 60€, in used market maybe even half that.

[Daniel Beardsmore]

Clears are pretty funky — definitely give them a go.

[Biernot]

I once bought a used 3000HED to try Clears. Don't know what I expected, but so far Clears are the biggest disappointment for me of the Cherry switches (no experience with Browns and Whites yet). I tried them with the original, black and blue springs, but they just don't feel right: always sticky and scratchy, the bump feels strange.

But then, that's just my personal taste. Many people seem to love them, you will have to try it yourself.

[Muirium]

no experience with Browns and Whites yet

Ah well, the worst is yet to come! And I'm not talking about MX white…

Actually, some people love MX browns. But it's far less than you'd think, given its reputation as the generic, middle of the road, safe switch. Unless you like super subtle (yet still ragged) tactility on a very light switch, they feel like dirty reds.

[noobie94]

One more question guys. I wanna get a small keybaord so I was thinking about Noppoo Choc Mini Cherry Mx-Red or KBT Poker 2 also with the red swtiches.

Which one should I choose? or any other 60% you could recommend to me? Thanks a ton

[Muirium]

Sixties are a ton of fun. The Poker II is okay (just definitely replace the caps, they may be PBT yet they still suck) but the HHKB is the ultimate 60%. I'd save up longer and try high end boards instead. More likely to find something truly awesome that way.

[noobie94]

I understand you Muirium but for me the HHKB is a bit to expensive. I am not sure If I like such a small keyboard thats why I go with a cheaper one for now.

[Muirium]

In that case definitely try a Poker. They are very similar in size, and you can try learning the HHKB's arrow keys on the Poker II's programmable layer. The Fn/Pn keys aren't in the right place, but it'll give you an idea.

[noobie94]

I just saw it does not have the F1, F2.. etc keys :S Thats bad because I need them in some games.

[scottc]

You access them via function + number. It's not ideal, I know.

[Muirium]

That's how 60%s get to be so small: layers. If you want a dedicated key for everything, you're getting a large keyboard!

[davkol]

derp

[IvanIvanovich]

If you want something smaller then a Keycool 84 maybe? I do recall seeing those in clear but they are not as easy to find as other switches.

[noobie94]

If you want something smaller then a Keycool 84 maybe? I do recall seeing those in clear but they are not as easy to find as other switches.

Yes. There is a topic at marketplace. I contacted him thanks.

[quantalume]

I have a Choc Mini that I am quite fond of. The keycaps are fairly thick POM. It has a nice, solid feel to it. There are several variants; I have the one with equal-sized bottom-row modifiers, Cherry red switches and no backlighting. The only caveat really is that there is no source for alternative space bars. At least it doesn't say "ENJOY YOUR FEELING."