Need some advise switching to mechanical keyboards

I learned typing on laptops and have always been used to those short travel bottom-out triggering keyboards. I used to prefer them even on desktops. I also avoided mechanicals due to the noise. Recently some friends are trying to convert me into mechanicals and I've decided to give them a try (for both desktops and laptop external keyboards).

To my surprise, those super popular Cherry switches and Cherry clones seem to be designed with purely finger muscle typing in mind. When doing fast typing with most of the key-press impulse coming from wrist muscles, the trigging force is way too low and I simply don't feel much feedback until I bottom-out. The laptop membranes have low triggering force as well, but they quickly bottom-out anyway, creating heavy feedback. With those long travel mechanicals I'm told not to bottom-out, which seems to make sense. But I just can't. If I don't bottom-out I can't be confident with my move given the little feedback, and whenever I try to type quickly I can't control my strength precisely to trigger without bottom-out. If I do bottom-out, what's the point worrying about all those mid-travel feel, force curves and stuff? The only strong feedback would be the bottom hit anyway, and the long travel would just make my typing slower.

The weak feedback also cause me to ignore the triggering when I accidentally trigger wrong keys. I simply won't know what happened until seeing the wrong letter on the screen. At the same time the longer travel make it easier for me to hit wrong keys when the finger is not hitting the center of the target key, and the weak triggering force doesn't help.

I've tried different switches. Obviously Cherry Blacks and Blues are better than Reds, but the difference isn't that great. They all seem to be too weak. I've searched some typing demo videos with mechanicals, and in those fast typing videos many typists seem to bottom-out as well.

Am I doing something wrong? Or maybe I just need more practice to better control my typing force?

 

You really shouldn't need to bottom out the keys to be confident that they've registered. But if you're used to hammering on the keys with all of your might -- or to low-travel keys that are difficult to avoid bottoming out -- then adapting may be difficult. But worthwhile.

Seems like a vintage IBM Model M may be to your liking. Or perhaps a new Realforce -- but be prepared for sticker shock on these. I use the following Realforce keyboard on my work PC:
Realforce 87U All-45g "EK Edition" (Black/Dark Gray) - elitekeyboards.com - Products

You could also ask for feedback over at the Geekhack.org forums. That's where the serious keyboard fans hang out...

 

It sounds like you just don't like mechanical keyboards, and prefer the short key throw of a scissor-switch keyboard (found on laptops).

I'm as big of a fan of mechanical keyboards as any computer nut. But it sounds like they just aren't for you.

I'd say it makes more sense to buy a keyboard that fits your typing style, rather than change your typing style to fit a keyboard.

 

Thanks for the replies.


I've only tried them for a few days. I definitely need to practice more before coming to a decision.

I type a lot but common typing speed is still stuck at 300-320 CPM, so I must be doing something wrong, and I'm thinking that learning to type again on a different type of keyboard might help to break some habits. Where can I find advanced type training courses? All I find start from memorizing QWERTY which is not exactly what I need.


I see heavy replacement springs sold online. Would it be a good idea if I buy some to make adaption easier before I work my way down to lower triggering forces?

 

It's really going to simply be a matter of practice and acclimation ...

I've used mechanicals for years (90+ wpm typically) and found myself completely thrown for a loop when buying my current P35G v2 notebook. The notebook key travel is so short and the pressure needed to sink the key so slight that I was very uncomfortable...

After four months with the notebook, it's gotten much better, though ...

I still prefer a solid full sized mechanical but practice makes the notebook better and better.

I use a Corsair K95, BTW ... I love it. Very quiet keys ...

Best of luck.

 

Thanks.

Does the K95 use rubber rings or some other mechanism to reduce noise?


There has been some time since I started this thread. I've been much more comfortable with mechanicals now, and typing speed on them is almost the same as on membranes. Interestingly after adapting to mechanicals my typing on membranes has improved as well. Error rate seems to be lower.

 

Every cherry MX series, you can put o-rings to reduce the noise, and lube the switches to reduce noise. You can try stacking different o-rings and experimenting with the o-ring thickness.

Though OP, if you like short actuation point and slight tactile feedback, you can try buying a Cherry Slimline (ML switch) keyboard (they don't cost too much). Just make sure you lubricate them according to some comments at geekhack: Why no love for Cherry ML Switch?