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Ictinike
80
Apr 6, 2016
Been talking over on the Planck drop but I think the Preonic is better for me with dedicated number row.
Long story short.. Noob to this new mech movement but not to them at all (20+ years IT) and I'm trying to refine what switches and keycaps to go in for. Originally it was mentioned the Matias Quiet-Click and the PBT DSA's would be good but now that I've learned much, much more over the course of several days (lol, what can I say I'm ravenous on learning new stuff) I'm now wondering if the Zelios Purple Stem would be better? I want a bump and a small 'click/clack' but nothing that will disrupt the household, as I tend to work late into the morning hours online.
Would the OEM PBT's work well or go DSA PBT's? I currently am using a Logitech G510 which of course is a membrane but I believe they use low profile DSA's on these now (albeit in ABS I'm pretty sure) and the profile itself suits me well so any good suggestions? TIA!
krisst
331
Apr 6, 2016
IctinikeGoing from a full size keyboard with macro keys down to a 50%? Huge change, hope you enjoy the ride!
Switches with small bump, less noise would be tactile only switches. Cherry Brown, Cherry Clear, Gateron Brown or Zealios Purple would be good choices for you. Matias switches are harder to get keycaps for, though there are attachments you can get to use MX stem keycaps on them.
DSA profile keycaps might be closer to the keyboard you are using currently. They are pretty much flat, similar to laptop keys. Also, all keycaps in this drop are blanks, if you plan to get other keycaps in the future, would be good to get a switch that you think you would enjoy the most now.
It is not easy to choose from so many switches, especially for the first mechanical keyboard. After much reading, I am sure you have a good idea which are the ones you would enjoy.
iLoveTomb3rY
252
Apr 6, 2016
IctinikePeople seldom address this, but OEM's edges are always sharper than any other profiles. You can even feel it by looking at the photos. They don't feel as nice to go from one key to another.
iLoveTomb3rY
252
Apr 6, 2016
IctinikeZealous aren't silenced in any way, although you could put orings on the keycaps stem. Matias quiet clicks are the way to go, and the pbt keycaps should last you a lifetime. They never wear out, so you don't have to worry about the stem compability issue. (Alps vs MX)
Ictinike
80
Apr 6, 2016
krisstYeah but honestly I don't use most of those and much of the macro keys, lol.
Was a gift from my wife several years back (5-6 maybe) since I do game and she put 2 and 2 together. I don't mind the keyboard at all and the keys themselves have never given me an issue, backlight and custom RGB per the board (not per key) and just all around has been there for me. For a membrane it's got quite a mechanical sounding keystroke but clearly not mechanical in the sense. She's done me well but it's time to reduce and re-consolidate!
I'm working on a layout now in preps so I can see what I have to work with. The one issue that I fear the most is going from staggered to non-staggered which doesn't seem like much but these old hands have been 'tickling the ivory' so to speak for a might long time. Just not sure you can teach old dogs new tricks :)
Cheers! ~Icky
krisst
331
Apr 6, 2016
IctinikeWell, personally trying Planck layout first time too. Been wondering why and who made keyboard layout staggered in the first place. Why does it slant to the left and not to the right. Sure there are reasons, did not read that up. I would imagine ortholinear layout would be the proper layout in the first place. Just have to find out ourselves then.
I am sure after some online typing sites session, you will be used to this new layout.
Haulien
428
Apr 6, 2016
krisstOriginal typewriter keyboards had to have staggered to fit the mechanical linkages between the keys and the levers. It's the same reason for the QWERTY layout. It's inefficient for normal typing, but it's original design -- for telegraph operators, QWERTY was the most efficient for translating morse code..... QWERTY also seemed to jam typewriters less.
But matrix/ortho layouts are supposedly more ergonomic. And Dvorak or Colemak... or even the Workman layout are quite a bit more efficient than QWERTY..... yet most people still prefer the staggered layout, and QWERTY/variants thereof (AZERTY, etc)
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