Mechanical Keyboard Switch Recommendation

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john1911

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Hi folks.

I've been using Kailh Box White switches for a while and looking for some good Brown switches under ₹2000 (90 switches).

I have used the following switches in the past -

1. RK Red Switches, came with RK87 keyboard, felt pretty smooth (not scratchy). These require very low force for actuation, hence there are lots of mis-presses. I thought I would get used to it but even after using it for a month or two, I didn't get used to it. Hence stopped using it.

2. Huano Red and Blue switches - these are very scratchy, Blue ones sound hollow, Red ones don't feel smooth at all. These are very cheap (approx 7 rupees per switch) - you basically get what you pay for.

3. RK Brown Switches - came with RK84 keyboard. I used it for few months, the switches felt okay but the tactile bump was negligible. There was no click sound. The switches felt a bit scratchy.

4. Kailh Box White - I have been using these for the past 6 months, bought here on TE. Initially I enjoyed the clicky sound but now not so much. The switches are great though, they sound full (not hollow), not scratchy, great overall.

Now I'm looking for some premium tactile switches (like browns), where I can feel the bump but no clicky sound. Budget: ₹2000 for 90 switches.

Thanks.
 
Kailh box whites are very light and since you mentioned RK reds being quite light then I would've told you to look at Boba u4t, Aliaz, TTC bluish, but most of the good tactile won't come under 2K for a pack of 90. At that price look at Gateron yellow (and many similar variants). I daily drive the yellows and never have outgrown them. I would highly suggest getting a few keys for testing from stackskb, rectangles store, genesispc and try to get a feel (it would be a bit pricey ordeal but it's safer that way)
I would also suggest IMKC discord for getting some good deals there.
 
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premium and a low budget usually don't go together.

you can swap the springs of your current switches if you like them but they're too light for you, if you want to try out better tactile switches I'd suggest looking at: Sunflower, T1, Purple Pandas.
There are 6 vendors in India now and you can check out r/mkindia and IMKC on discord for more info and aftermarket sales.
 
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Thanks for the replies. I'm exploring the suggested options.

What should be the budget for good tactile switches? By premium, I meant that the switches should not feel scratchy, I should be able to appreciate a good enough tactile bump and they should be near silent. I know it is a bottomless pit but still I got to set some budget, what should be the most VFM budget for my requirements.
 
The Akko CS Lavender Purple is a good tactile switch with more rounder tactile feedback. It goes for 1k for a pack of 45 switches on stackskb which is well within your budget of 2k.
 
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Get the Gateron Black: https://www.meckeys.com/shop/access...ories/key-switches/gateron-mechanical-switch/

60g actuation and will be miles better than the RK Red you used before. I have used Gateron Yellow (50g) and even though they do not come factory-lubed like the Gateron Pro Yellow, they feel insanely smooth. If you want factory-lubed ones, check out the Gateron Ink V2 Black, which would be 4X more costlier than the regular Gateron Black. Gateron is definitely the gold-standard when it comes to value-for-money.
 
AINDRASIS_GUPTA said:
Get the Gateron Black: https://www.meckeys.com/shop/access...ories/key-switches/gateron-mechanical-switch/

60g actuation and will be miles better than the RK Red you used before. I have used Gateron Yellow (50g) and even though they do not come factory-lubed like the Gateron Pro Yellow, they feel insanely smooth. If you want factory-lubed ones, check out the Gateron Ink V2 Black, which would be 4X more costlier than the regular Gateron Black. Gateron is definitely the gold-standard when it comes to value-for-money.
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The man literally said they want tactile switches, neither of the ones you suggested are that.

@john1911, consider checking the mkindia/imkc marketplaces. I can see 90x 203g0 lubed Glorious Pandas (variant of the Holy Panda, with a nice "D" bump) going for 3.2k. Those would be on the more premium range, and they are already lubed, so the "scratch " you're trying to avoid will be gone as well. But yes, as Ani said, "premium" and "low budget" usually dont go together. I myself am not much of a tactile switch user, but either of the keyboard communities (reddit/discord) will have users that use tactile switches religiously that can probably point you in the right direction.
 
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Powersurge said:
The man literally said they want tactile switches, neither of the ones you suggested are that.
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Tactile/linear isn't as black/white as you make it sound to be.

I can see that he has already tried the RK Reds, and didn't like it because of the low-actuation force. The Gateron Black fixes that. And at 20 INR per piece (thereby fitting his budget), it's an absolute steal.
 
AINDRASIS_GUPTA said:
Tactile/linear isn't as black/white as you make it sound to be.
Click to expand...

It really is. Also im not making any comparisons. If you read the OPs post, he's mentioned twice he wants a premium tactile. Maybe read what the OP wants before opining on what is good or not.
Also, suggesting a whole another switch because of a higher actuation force? Wow, aftermarket springs exist. a spring swap on an RK Red or whatever fix that issue. Yes, Gats will be smoother OOTB however.

And you suggested Ink V2s and stated they are factory lubed? No, they are not.
 
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Powersurge said:
It really is. Also im not making any comparisons. If you read the OPs post, he's mentioned twice he wants a premium tactile. Maybe read what the OP wants before opining on what is good or not.
Also, suggesting a whole another switch because of a higher actuation force? Wow, aftermarket springs exist. a spring swap on an RK Red or whatever fix that issue. Yes, Gats will be smoother OOTB however.

And you suggested Ink V2s and stated they are factory lubed? No, they are not.
Click to expand...
Capture.PNG

Also, just ignore my comment. Will be better for me.
 
AINDRASIS_GUPTA said:
View attachment 164367
Also, just ignore my comment. Will be better for me.
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The site is wrong. Light factory lube was never applied on V2 Inks. Only the leaf got a light lube, which all switches do. Factory Lubed switches usually have oil/grease on the spring/stem. That is what reduces scratch, not a slight lube of the leaf.

Also, this comes from actually owning several pairs of Ink V2's and opening them up, not checking Meckeys site, which is wildly inaccurate. Hell they even call their China FEMO Connectors as Original LEMO. Please take anything thats up on that site with a large pinch of salt.

Also, if you give out incorrect information, its easier to not ignore it and correct it for the OP.
 
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Powersurge said:
The site is wrong. Light factory lube was never applied on V2 Inks. Only the leaf got a light lube, which all switches do. Factory Lubed switches usually have oil/grease on the spring/stem. That is what reduces scratch, not a slight lube of the leaf.



Also, this comes from actually owning several pairs of Ink V2's and opening them up, not checking Meckeys site, which is wildly inaccurate. Hell they even call their China FEMO Connectors as Original LEMO. Please take anything thats up on that site with a large pinch of salt.



Also, if you give out incorrect information, its easier to not ignore it and correct it for the OP.
Click to expand...
The screenshot isn't from Meckeys. Actually, Meckeys do not even disclose if Ink V2 Black is factory-lubed.
Gateron's own website mentions that the V2 Black, Red, and Yellow come factory-lubed. Only the the Ink V2 Blue comes unlubed.
 
Read again what i wrote, the nomenclature for "slightly lubed" by factory is NOT lubing as you would call it. It is an oil that is applied to the leaf of the switch to reduce corrosion. When you say Lubed/Unlubed or Lubed Switches that is Oil/Grease on the STEM and RAILS of the switch, as well as the springs sometime.

It's okay, you're clearly a beginner in the hobby, so i suggest you take some time delving deeper into it before commenting :)
 
Relax guys :sweatsmile:

All the replies are equally helpful to me as they have added much to my knowledge. I got little busy and hence couldn't research after reading the replies. Will do it soon.
 
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