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jasonclevine
13
May 9, 2018
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Stupid question here, The light pipe technology, is this switch dependent? or can any clear/rgb switch housing take advantage?
jasonclevine
13
May 9, 2018
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nogoodnamesAre you sure, this article makes it seem like the light pipe is built into the switch casing as it shows the result of other switches right next to each other in the same keyboard.
https://www.keychatter.com/2017/05/11/review-input-club-x-massdrop-k-type/
"In the image above you can see a comparison of light distribution between multiple style switch casings. The first and last switch are the stock Kaihua’s with the internal light pipes. The second from the left is a Kaihua but with the RGB bottom housing but no light pipe), and the third from the left is a Kaihua with a standard bottom housing. As you can see the new switches really do a phenomenal job of guiding the light through the switch and providing extremely even lighting to the cap above."
https://www.keychatter.com/2017/05/11/review-input-club-x-massdrop-k-type/
"In the image above you can see a comparison of light distribution between multiple style switch casings. The first and last switch are the stock Kaihua’s with the internal light pipes. The second from the left is a Kaihua but with the RGB bottom housing but no light pipe), and the third from the left is a Kaihua with a standard bottom housing. As you can see the new switches really do a phenomenal job of guiding the light through the switch and providing extremely even lighting to the cap above."
nogoodnames
259
May 9, 2018
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jasonclevineOh Yeah I guess you need some sort of clear switch housing
AwesomelyBad
44
May 10, 2018
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jasonclevineThe light pipe on the Halo switches is just a bit of extra plastic to help focus the backlight from the SMD LEDs a bit more, but it's a pretty minor effect compared to any other switch with transparent housing. I've swapped individual switches on my K-Type and I couldn't see any difference once the keycaps were back on. Nothing about the backlighting on the K-Type, Ctrl, or Alt should depend on specific switch features other than having a window or transparent housing to shine through as @nogoodnames said.
jasonclevine
13
May 10, 2018
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AwesomelyBadok so the housing/casing is independent of the switch? and remains on the board if I swap out switches? (ie. not integrated with the switch itself)
Edit: The way I understand it is the top housing of the switch (so integrated into each switch) has the piece of plastic (light pipe) that helps direct the LED. If this is true, then my question is:
Has Massdrop modified each of the 5 available switches to have the light pipe top housing? or is it only for certain switches.
Edit: The way I understand it is the top housing of the switch (so integrated into each switch) has the piece of plastic (light pipe) that helps direct the LED. If this is true, then my question is:
Has Massdrop modified each of the 5 available switches to have the light pipe top housing? or is it only for certain switches.
AwesomelyBad
44
May 10, 2018
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jasonclevineThe housing is the body of the switch, so it basically just means the outer box that contains the spring, stem (the moving plastic piece the keycap connects to), and whatever electrical contacts trigger the keypress as the stem moves. Some switches (non-RGB Cherry switches, as well as most Gateron models, I believe) have an opaque housing that would block the the backlight LEDs on the Alt from shining through. The actual LEDs for the backlight on the Alt are on the keyboard itself rather than mounted through the individual switches like on most keyboards (if you're familiar with Razor, Logitech, or Corsair gaming keyboards, they all have LEDs that are mounted through the switches rather than directly on the keyboard PCB).
All of the switches available through the drop, any other RGB specific Cherry switches, or other switches with LED windows/clear casings (Zealios or basically any Kailh switch, for example) will be compatible with the backlight on the Alt.
All of the switches available through the drop, any other RGB specific Cherry switches, or other switches with LED windows/clear casings (Zealios or basically any Kailh switch, for example) will be compatible with the backlight on the Alt.
AwesomelyBad
44
May 11, 2018
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jasonclevineAnd definitely no stupid questions; there's a lot of little details that make a difference in knowing what parts/components are totally compatible with one another and it's way better to be cautious and ask around than to blow $30 or more on switches or something else that ends up not working how you wanted it to.
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