Mechanical Keyboards @lemmy.ml Niksko @infosec.pub 1y ago

Current state of the art for silent tactile switches

I'm using Boba U4s at home and enjoying them, but I'm looking to build something new for work and I'm assessing my options.

Durock shrimps are on my radar. I've enjoyed Zealios in the past, but it seems like the consensus is that Zilents actually aren't that Zilent because of up-stroke noise.

Is there anything else I should consider? Also not opposed to some switch mods or franken switches.

12 comments

I am pretty much in love with my durock dolphin 62gs.
If you liked the U4, definitely should try out the shrimps. Feels very close to the u4 68g in terms of firmness but smoother on the up/down stroke. The bump is slightly more distinct. Just wish they would offer it with lighter springs.

On the cheaper and lighter bump end, I'd recommend either Wuque/Haimu silent tactiles. Very smooth and silent but you're giving about 50% of the bump, but great for office environments and fast typing.
I made my own. Got Kahil box silent browns and Kahil box royals. Used the spring and bottom housing from the royals and used the hammer stem and top housing from the silent browns.

Now I have a nice big bump with a strong spring and a quiet silicone bottom out.
- Box brown on top of royals sounds really interesting to me. How "mushy" is the silicone bottom out?
  
  I have peripheral neuropathy + my finger control isn't great, so I bottom out somewhat regularly -- I'm trying to figure out my best options for something very tactile with a sharp, non-mushy bottom out, but without the switch also being loud enough that someone'll want to set fire to my keyboard.
  
  (Sorry for hopping in late, btw. I'm new to lemmy overall)
- That's a genius idea. How much were the switches? I'm thinking about doing something like this for my next board, it'd be a 75%.
  
  I daily a 96 so I probably spent about $120 on 220 switches.
How silent are the U4 (in comparison to eg MX Red?)? Am considering building them into a board for work.
- I would say they should be more quiet than stock MX reds since they have silicone dampeners to mute the up and down strokes. I will say though if you're coming from reds, be aware that U4s are tactiles with the lightest springs at 62g. You might want to look at the Bobagums for something comparable to reds.

12 comments