The cheapest way is to go to something like an /r/MechanicalKeyboards meetup if there is one in your area and ask to try people's keebs. Otherwise switch assortments like this one.
I know KBDfans has decent prices on switches, they sell them in packs of 70 or 90 for pretty close to the bulk unit price.
Usually they’re just by brand, but there’s the Glorious PC switch sample pack that has a good variety. You probably won’t be able to find a sample pack that lets you pick and choose each switch.
I wanna buy a switch tester to find out which type is best for my gmmk pro but I don't have any keycaps yet. Can I use my old razer blackwidow keycaps on the switches? The amazon uk link is: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B078FMPZ8R/ref=ask\_ql\_qh\_dp\_hza
I don't know any way to design them but look up sample mechanical switches. Look at this switch sample pack for instance:
If highly recommend something like this,
Glorious PC Gaming Race Keyboard Switch Sample Pack https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078FMPZ8R/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_FTHH62AX80JE6ABHDC1K
I was partial to chatty mc browns (linear switches) then moved to glorious pandas and never looked back
so I bought this switch test set on amazon Glorious MX Switch Tester / Sample Pack for Mechanical Keyboards Includes: 14 Gateron/Kailh Switches + O-Rings https://www.amazon.com/dp/B078FMPZ8R/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_vLdHDb9V7N7AG
it has: these switches in it: 6x Gateron Switches (Black, Blue, Brown, Clear, Green, Red)
8x Kailh Switches (Box Black, Box Brown, Box Red, Box White, Speed Bronze, Speed Copper, Speed Silver, Pro Purple)
but I'm trying to determine which switch is the speed bronze, and speed copper? I beleive them to be the 2 bronze/copper switches near the right (one in top row, one in bottom), but which is which? how does one tell the difference? I'm new to mechanical switches (trying to find the switch I want to put in. an iris)...
any help greatly appreciated!
This is the kit I bought on Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B078FMPZ8R/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
And here is the Thingiverse link if anyone has their own printer:
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3055828
Thanks for looking :)
Both are good options for starter switches!
There's a LOT of switches that is a little difficult to go into detail, but if you'd want something lighter you can get a red but people tend to really like the gateron yellows for how smooth they can be with lube for cheap (if you aren't aware, lubing a switch is just opening a switch up and applying lube physically inside of a switch, it's a very time consuming process but it's worth for some!)
If you'd like to test out switches before you fully commit you could always buy a sample set and try them on your keyboard, and if you end up wanting new switches, you can sell them on r/mechmarket and try new ones!
Other than that, r/mechanicalkeyboards also has a really comprehensive switch guide if you're interested in reading it https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicalKeyboards/wiki/switch_guides
You could always buy this and test them all out and figure out which one you like the most.
This is an impossible question to answer. The only way to decide what switch is good for you is to try as many as possible, which could be difficult in our COVID-19 present. You can also order key samplers such as this one https://www.amazon.com/Glorious-Switch-Tester-Mechanical-Keyboards-PC/dp/B078FMPZ8R to find out what key press and sound suits you best.
Are you bottoming out when typing? You might be able to avoid some strain if you only type past the activation point.
You can also buy a switch tester to try out switches, which would save you some buyer's remorse: https://www.amazon.com/Glorious-Switch-Tester-Mechanical-Keyboards-PC/dp/B078FMPZ8R/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=kailh+switch+tester&qid=1598379302&sr=8-2
"Gaming" keyboard is really just a term some companies put on the keyboards to try to push new gaming hardware. In truth, as mentioned elsewhere, you're looking at a few different switch types, but the big ones are mechanical and membrane.
Membrane is likely the most common you've dealt with. They kind of pop down, but fairly quietly. They require pushing all the way down though, which can result in over pushing, and thus finger strain with longer bouts of typing/keyboarding.
Mechanical is old made new again. They have an actuation point, where the key press is registered, and most times not all the way to the bottom of the keyboard. This gives you the ability to limit your press, making it potentially quieter, less strain, and quicker to switch between keys because less up/down motion.
Within mechanical are a TON of switch options. Probably the most common you'll hear/see are Cherry, but there are others. Razer has it's own version, which are semi-proximal to some Cherry, but how similar I can't say.
Personally I went for a Ducky Shine 5 with Cherry brown switches. I'm ok with a little clink on typing, not the hard blues. But I like the feedback, the little resistance before it actuates, to tell me I've pressed the button without thinking too much about it. Blue/Brown/Red Cherry are going to be most common, and most likely to find available. But don't discount the others either, there's lots of options with more than just sound/feel to take into account.
It's worth looking into samplers. It'll add to the overall price, but it'll let you get a good feel/hear for what the different switches will act like, and make the final decision less complicated/risky.
Just a quick search,
https://www.amazon.com/Glorious-Switch-Tester-Mechanical-Keyboards-PC/dp/B078FMPZ8R
Some Gateron/Kailh MX switches
https://www.amazon.com/Cherry-Switch-Tester-keyboard-Sampler/dp/B01GZHU1EG
Cherry MX switches.
Trying to find the best switch testers. At what point do switches get too specific/niche when I am just starting?
The ones I am planning on getting eventually are: kailh, gateron, cherry. But, I found this one and while I am getting far less of each brand, it made me think that when I am at a point that I don't have any of the popular switches, does something like the glorious sample pack cover a wide enough spectrum of feel? Are the more niche switches like kailh hako & crystal unique enough that I can't just "cover a wide range?" At the same time, is there a clear enough difference between kailh/gateron/cherry in the most popular switches, or would I be fine with just one color from one brand?
Lisan eelkõnelejatele järgmise soovituse:
Telli kusagilt selline näidis (näiteks midagi sellist - Eestis ma säärast asja näinud pole) https://www.amazon.com/Glorious-Switch-Tester-Mechanical-Keyboards-PC/dp/B078FMPZ8R
Proovi ära ning vali selle järgi switch.
Seejärel uuri, mis on usaldusväärsed tootjad. Kui tahad pikemaks ajaks klaverit, siis soovitan Ducky toodangut. https://www.caseking.de/en/brands/ducky/peripherals/input-devices/keyboards/mechanical-keyboards
Vähemalt viis aastat tagasi ostsin endale red switchidega mehhaanilise klaviatuuri ja tegin o-ring modifikatsiooni (kõlab keeruliselt, aga tegelikult ei ole - paned lihtsalt kummist rõngad iga klahvi alla), red oli tol ajal kõige väiksem
You could buy a switch sampler? https://www.amazon.com/Glorious-Switch-Tester-Mechanical-Keyboards-PC/dp/B078FMPZ8R
I started playing osu! with an Ornata Chroma which is a horrible keyboard as it has fake mechanical keys which only emulate click sounds.
Then I bought a bare bone keyboard (GMMK) and two switch tester packs and played with them for a week.
After that I decided to buy the Gateron Black switches as those are the ones I like the most.
Since then I had problems with being fast enough while streaming but after a lot of training it got a lot better and steadily improves.
For Mice I would stick to Finalmouse, as much as they get shit for their releases and cs these mice are the best.
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For keyboard I would buy the switch tester off Amazon and determine which style switches you like, then you can make the best informed decision. https://www.amazon.com/Glorious-Switch-Tester-Mechanical-Keyboards-PC/dp/B078FMPZ8R
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B078FMPZ8R/ref=ox_sc_act_title_10?smid=A1X0M9U5WW1195&psc=1
i bought this and it was helpful. just beware that it comes with no keycaps or a testing board
If you plan on making a big purchase on a mechanical keyboard then it would be a good idea to get a switch tester. Every switch is different from one another and it would be a good idea to figure out what is comfortable for your fingers before you shell out a bunch of money for keyboard that may or may not be comfortable to use.
Personally I use a Leopold FC750R OE with clear switches, though a lot of people who using their keyboard mostly for gaming swear by red switches, since they have very little resistance and activate extremely quickly in exchange for no tactical "bump" when you click it.