Submitted by Somegeezer t3_z8oy8g in MechanicalKeyboards
Comments
Somegeezer OP t1_iyclvdn wrote
Linear has never interested me. I grew up on the ones with the buckling springs, and really wanted some real tactile feedback again, after so long with mushy rubber nonsense. I think the Clears were always on my mind as a maybe one day kind of thing. Especially with how noisy I've heard blues can be, and now get to experience. But the noise is worth the feel, so far.
What's the foam and tape mod? Not something I've come across. But I've also not followed a lot of the mech lore for a few years.
Catch_022 t1_iyco4gs wrote
No worries, each to their own.
My experience of tactile is redragon browns which are pretty budget and I find them unsatisfying to use, my Outemu blues are much nicer because they are crisp and give you a loud click. I much prefer the reds in my rk71. I have just ordered a board with gateron yellow pros and one with akko pinks.
It's pretty simple, you open up the case and put foam in there to reduce the echo (you can just use packing foam), then you apply a few layers (I did 3) of painters tape to the back of the PCB and then screw it all back together.
The idea is that it reduces echoes and helps the acoustics, especially for empty plastic cases.
It is an easy and cheap mod to do, I did it on all my boards. You can easily just take the foam and tape out if you don't like it.
Somegeezer OP t1_iycokyd wrote
I don't hear a whole lot of echo. But don't have much to compare to, either. Just the occasional spring pinging away when I hit a key in a certain way. and even then, the click far overpowers it. Might be one of those things I'd notice more when the sound gets taken away. =D
sixfivezerofive t1_iycwgd3 wrote
Newer models come with foam don't they? I know my RK84 came with foam.
Catch_022 t1_iyd3jli wrote
Not sure - my rk71 was the cheapest blue led only non-hotswap version. It definitely didn't come with any foam.
It is possible that the more expensive version may come with foam. If not, I just use an old yoga mat that I cut to size.
sixfivezerofive t1_iycjxp2 wrote
Welcome! I just got into this myself and my first mech is an RK84 (with blues too). Happy with the build quality and features but you will be happier with better keycaps.
The stock ones are thin, flimsy feeling and clacky in the worst possible way.
Somegeezer OP t1_iycld2u wrote
Thank you kindly, and good to hear you came in on a similar board. Yeah, thin and light. Also the legends on them are odd, with their huge gaps made for the double shot process, I assume. But I've definitely seen it done better. I'd also not say no to a darker set. Got it in the white, as that's what was best price. But one of the great things about all this is just being able to swap out to taste and mood. Looking forwards to losing all my money to this in time. =D As if my photography and music don't already drain my bank account.
Somegeezer OP t1_iycifhe wrote
Got a great deal on an already low cost board, and couldn't say no to it. I've been wanting a mech for a while, but could never convince myself to part with much money for one. So when I saw this for some pocket fluff and a loose button, I picked it up without second thought.
I went for the blue clicky switches, despite really liking the idea of tactiles. But I thought, why not go all in on the experience. Surprised at the heft of this thing. Feels even better than I was expecting, for the cost. Weighty, barely any flex, fairly light keys, but satisfying. and though I have no real use for lights, never mind RGB, I really appreciate that it includes all that, and the various modes for it. Currently have it in a touch feedback mode, with the keys lighting up under my fingers, and fading away, in a warm orange glow. Cosy.
Hopefully a keeper for a few years to come, and such a positive experience for a first timer into the mech world.
Edit: Why the downvotes? Did I break a rule, or just keyboard racists?
Catch_022 t1_iycl0nu wrote
Good start, foam+tape mod it. Rk does good budget boards.
Most people go blue first time because they are a big difference when compared with membrane.
I personally prefer linear (my rk71 is red).