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Waruiiko t1_isnfaw8 wrote

You just avoid optical like the plague.

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Harryyong99 OP t1_isnfdz8 wrote

May I know the reason, please? Because I saw some claims saying that optical switches have longer lifespan due to less physical contacts, I wonder that's true or not.

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SunSkoll t1_isnfwal wrote

The reason I know is that there are very few options for optical switches rn while for mechanical switches, it's endless.

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Waruiiko t1_isngaju wrote

Opticals are not interchangeable with other brands, except Gateron and Outemu, and even if you get a keeb compatible with those, you are stuck with just 8 switches total.

The opticals that I've tried (Gateron, Outemu, Keychron) are really bad compared with cheap mechanicals like Akko, Jwik, Tecsee.

They may last longer, but that just means more years with... bad switches.

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BottomFragger t1_isnfttc wrote

mechanical switches have a longer lifespan than humans, and around 90% of the people in the hobby don't stick to one switch, they experiment with others that suit their preference

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DrowsyOne t1_isnp3ht wrote

Mechanical and normal is the default. Unless you have a specific reason to choose it, you're limiting yourself to a much smaller pool of possibilities and in general are considered worse, which is why they're not the default.

For mechanical vs optical: Mechanical was the default and still is because nothing else offers a good enough trade off to switch. Optical does offer some benefits, but wasn't enough for the entire market to swap. As far as I know, the most common selling points are: 1. They last longer because they use light instead of electrical contacts (While it might be technically true, in most cases people aren't replacing keyboards or switches because a switch dies from regular use. You're probably replacing it for other reasons, so in most cases switch lifespan shouldn't affect your decision IMO. If you're able to swap switches anyway whether because you can solder or it's hotswap, it's not really a big deal to replace dead switches. Even if you're not going to fix dead switches, if you used your keyboard down to actually wear out a switch, you're probably more than happy with how long it lasted anyway) 2. They actuate faster (Sometimes, but not always as this just depends on the actuation distance. Some mechanical switches, often called speed switches, offer shorter actuation points, but it isn't always desired since it can also increase the frequency of fat finger mistakes) 3. They have less latency (I don't know too much, but apparently using optical switches can offer lower latency than mechanical switches because they have to work around something called debounce. So while it technically can reduce latency, I haven't seen anything regarding the difference in latency and whether it's an amount that someone would or could even notice in the context of everything else that adds latency.)

As for low profile, I don't know if you mean low profile cases or low profile switches. Low profile cases is almost purely an aesthetic choice, one that most people don't like. Me personally I used to use low profile cases exclusively because I used my palm to press left ctrl. I've since swapped my left ctrl to where caps lock normally is and have moved away from low profile cases. They're super limited in choice, so unless you have a specific desire, it's generally not recommended. Unless you REALLY want to see your switches from the side or something (even then, just get something with a clear case).

If you're talking low profile switches, I don't have personal experience in these. As far as I know, most low profile switches require low profile keycaps as well, though I believe I have seen cherry compatible low profile switches. You'd only really look for low profile switch keyboards if you really wanted it for it's thinness. Nobody picks and uses low profile switches for any other reason. (Basically they offer nothing other than its lack of thickness, but you are giving up a lot such as a lot of options, lower travel time, etc.)

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Harryyong99 OP t1_iso18tx wrote

For low profile, I am referring to both switches and cases, since based on others' answers low profile switches and cases must be used together and no normal and low profile combination is available, i.e., cannot normal body + low profile switch or low profile body + normal switch (correct me if I am wrong).

I was considering low profile mechanical keyboard is because I think I have get used to its ergonomics (I am using Logitech MK235). Will I felt any discomfort swapping from MK235 to normal mechanical keyboards?

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DrowsyOne t1_isp6pn1 wrote

Again, low profile can refer to either the switch (and the pcb's) physical dimensions, but is also used to describe some cases (regardless of what kind of switch).

So yes, low profile switches must match with a compatible low profile PCB, which you'd want to match with whatever case that pcb comes with. Based on your response I'm assuming you're actually talking about low profile switches like https://www.gateron.co/products/gateron-low-profile-mechanical-switch-set where the switches (and almost always the keycaps) are shorter.

Some cases are what some call low profile cases (aka floating cases) which is where the case's highest point (sometimes just the plate) ends mid-switch, so you can see the switch from the sides like https://www.gloriousgaming.com/products/gmmk-full-brown-switch.

Since I assume you're talking about a low profile switch build, I have not touched a low profile switch or looked up any new ones in the last ~5 years. They're relatively uncommon and seldom recommended. I don't think anyone can realistically tell you if you're going to feel discomfort swapping to a normal mechanical keyboard. I'd say in general people are willing to give up short term comfort and learn to get used to a different keyboard size because of the benefits of a full size switch keyboard. I don't know what kind of price point you're at or if you're even looking at custom keyboards, but choosing low profile will heavily limit your options.

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Harryyong99 OP t1_isng3yr wrote

Very appreciated for the replies! Any recommendations between low profile and normal mechanical keyboards? Which should I choose?

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Wisstiger t1_isngbgi wrote

What you prefer. If you never tried a low profile keyboard, stick to normal MX-style switches.

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Harryyong99 OP t1_isnh7d1 wrote

I am using laptop keyboard recently, is that considered low profile keyboard?

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elmurfudd t1_isnv4ky wrote

laptop kbs are considered ultra low profile . so low profile switches will be twice as tall or more than ur laptop kb

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Harryyong99 OP t1_iso0cet wrote

How about Logitech MK235? Is it low profile too?

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elmurfudd t1_iso8m41 wrote

technically its ultra lowprofile . i say technically as its a membrane kb and those dont really have defined profiles or standard height sizes . this would be closest to what ur laptop has while not a mechanical if u like and and it makes u happy then who cares TBH

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QWERKey-UK t1_isnw8fa wrote

Opticals are useful in some respects because you can customise the activation pre-travel, and they can be very smooth, but what you lose is the ability to fully customise the board as the PCB needs to be designed to work with those switches. The same to a lesser extent with low profile... lack of choice compared to regular MX switches.

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ummonadi t1_ispsb7d wrote

I use MX style switches as my daily deiver but will transition to low profile as I think they feel more ergonomic to me.

The options are more limited when it comes to switches and caps. But one good set is all I need. I think it's more fun to explore keyboard mappings than replacing working hardware.

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enriqueism t1_itxbzyf wrote

I get an Epomaker SK61 on Amazon with 50% cupon, I can't resist the oportunity ($25 USD). I came with gateron optical switches. Is it possible to change this switches for normal ones?

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