Mechanical Keyboard Sound Isn't That Simple
Figure 1: I couldn't think of a more literal way to represent this article if I tried... Looking back just a few years ago, there’s no doubt that the huge influx of people that joined the hobby at the peak of the COVID pandemic were drawn to keyboards by way of YouTube, TikTok, and other audio-visual content platforms. Even as the output from these content creators has waned in recent months, their collective impact and legacy on the keyboard hobby is rather firmly etched in the history books. As a result of all of their sound tests, build logs, and opinion videos, the message is clear to any new person joining the hobby: mechanical keyboards are all about the sound. Thock this, clack that. Whether it’s keyboards, keycaps, or even singular switches, seemingly everyone new to the hobby meticulously pores over each component of their keyboard not in an attempt to figure out how it will feel in hand, but how it will sound as they’re furiously grinding their way out from...
Mar 27, 2024
Quite possibly these switches are even better suited to Zealencio silencing clips than even Zealios are. I thought the Zealencios reduced the switch travel too much because the millimeter difference caused me to bottom-out too frequently for my taste. Because these True switches have a higher bump, there's a chance they may not have the same problem as Zealios have with those silencing clips.
The keycaps on this board are also impressive. At first I assumed these would be the same OEM PBT/POM keycaps that came with round 1 of the XMIT Hall Effect keyboard - but they're not the same, they are better! The keycaps have a noticable course texture which does a good job gripping your fingers as you type.
Of all the RGB keyboards I have had on my desk, this one is the most impressive looking.
I just purchased this keyboard so that I could try out the switches. My future plans now include acquiring these switches for some custom ortholinear board. Now that I have tried them out on the K-Type and am truly satisfied with the Halo True typing experience, I have put up the board for a discounted price on eBay. ;)
Hands down best TKL to ever sit on my desk.
Also if someone else can try them and hopefully enjoy them, then that would be a good thing. The more people who become fans of the True switches, the more likely we'll see them pop up in other products.
Here's a link to the ErgoDox-EZ announcement for their Change-It-Yourself (CIY) Jan 2018 pre-order: https://ergodox-ez.com/pages/change-it-yourself
I will be putting Clears on a Winkeyless.Kr B.87.
As for the Trues, I'm waiting to see which one it will be. Either XD75, Atreus, or possibly an ErgoDox. :)
EDIT: Just got it! If anyone has questions I'm more than happy to answer. So far they feel like linear switches but a lot heavier. Definitely harder to type on than the MX Blues I'm used to, but a lot nicer for games and I think I'll get used to them soon enough.