this post was submitted on 13 May 2025
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Mechanical Keyboards

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How can I find "crunchier" tactile switches for my new keyboard ? (lemmy.ml)
submitted 3 days ago by interdimensionalmeme@lemmy.ml to c/mechanicalkeyboards@lemmy.ml
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Hi,

I've been searching for the right switches for a while now. And I have a box full of keyboards I don't like to prove it.

I found a keyboard I like but it's got the wrong switches on it.

I got a mathew yg108, that seems alright, though I have firmware trouble with it so far.

The keyboard came with switches as follows

Brown switch:Operating force:45g Pressure Force:55g
Operating Travel: 2.0mm Tactile Travel:1.2mm Total Travel:3.40±4.00mm

The tactile feels like almost nothing, almost like linear switches and while it's great for gaming, I like having way more resistance than that.

I know a keyboard that has the switches I like. It was a victsing pc315a

No idea what switches this uses but they have a lot more resistance at the activation point

Anyway, I tried my luck buying switches that looks like they might be like that

I got a set of outemu branded "orange" switches

here are the specs

I received them and installed one of them

original switch

new switch

new switch behind

switch hole

And after all this was said and done... I cannot tell the new switch apart from the other ones ! Feels exactly the same ?

Do I just need a stronger spring value ? I had a 45 or 55 gram switch Now it's almost 60 gram switch

How high to these values go ?

What is the next tactile standard switch force I can search for after 60g ?

What does the victsing keyboard use ?

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[–] blayd@lemmy.ml 1 points 1 day ago (1 children)

I purchased Boba U4Ts a few years ago as I'm a tactile enjoyer and they have a very satisfying and pronounced tactile bump! For something more readily available and arguably a bit better sounding, I believe Akko Cream Blues. Akko switches are very good value picks imo

[–] DrownedRats@lemmy.world 1 points 3 hours ago

I have to second the akko v3 cream blues. Super nice tactile switch and yet somehow still significantly cheaper than the competition. By far the snappiest tactile ive laid hands on so far and yet still very smooth on the uptake. Big fan!

[–] wjrii@lemmy.world 1 points 2 days ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

67g would be a good number to pop into various search engines. For the Outemus, the Oranges are sort of intended to be a slight refinement of their basic brown. I'm not surprised you found them similar feeling.

Zealio tactiles are supposed to have some pre-travel, as are "Moyu Blacks/Everglide Dark Jades". I haven't tried either, but it seems more common to push the tactile event to the top front of the curve than to leave it in the middle. NovelKeys Cream Tactiles may be have some weight and pre-travel as well. The force curve for Kinetic Labs Penguin also looks promising.

One outside the "box" (LOL) would be Kailh Box MUTE Jade. These are "silenced clicky" switches that are supposed to have a very distinct event in the middle but not have the sound profile that we clicky degenerates love but so many people don't.

[–] Censed@lemmy.zip 4 points 3 days ago

Zeal Clickies are the most tactile switch period, but they are expensive and each switch needs to be adjusted to be made tactile rather than clicky

Boba U4T is the favorite child for tactile switches right now, maybe look into them

Novelkeys Blueberry is the switch I'd most describe as a crunchy tactile in a good way

Ajazz Kiwis are currently my favorite tactile, but I don't think they make them anymore :(

[–] HakFoo 4 points 3 days ago

You might look into the Kailh Box switches. The click leaf adds a distinct tactile bump, plus the sound factor. The Box Navy is almost painfully tactile.

[–] myself@lemmy.ml 3 points 3 days ago

For a nice crunch just mix your lube with sand 10:1

[–] maxmalrichtig@discuss.tchncs.de 3 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Regarding this Victsing Keyboard: It's hard to find anything about this board, but it looks like this isn't even a mechanical keyboard. More like a cheapish rubber-dome board.

If you wanna have more of a "rubber dome" feel, you wanna have something without pretravel. E.g. Gazzew Bobba U4T

Additionally, silent switches don't bottom out as hard as normal switches, so they feel a little more "rubber dome"in that regard.

[–] interdimensionalmeme@lemmy.ml 1 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Thanks I haven't taken it apart but I think yes, it feels rubber and the mid point resistance is very pronounced.

I have very few accidental press nor missed press nor double press

Is there a generic name to find that kind of switch?

[–] maxmalrichtig@discuss.tchncs.de 1 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago)

Since rubber domes are a completely different technology, there is no direct comparison to them in mechanical switches.

Edit: The closest to a "Name" we have in the community would be "Heavy Tactile". But this might not necessarily be the thing you are actually looking for...

You can check out this selection of force curves: https://github.com/bluepylons/Open-Switch-Curve-Meter/blob/main/Force%20curve%20measurements/README.md

Maybe you find a switch that is interesting to you.

And I have two suggestions for you:

  1. Since it sounds like you have not written on mechanical keys for a long time yet - get used to the ones you have at the moment and try to "forget" the feeling of the rubber domes that is present in your fingers. And experience what mech. keys are generally good at. E.g. that you don't need to bottom out. That would be the FIRST thing to do. Otherwise you might end up spending a lot of money in the search of something that just can't exist.
  2. Order a broader range of switch samples, from different switches & manufacturers. Maybe just 2 switches each at first. Try them out and see what you really like. It is hard to find the right switch just by looking at the theory. You can find a list of vendors here: https://kbd.news/vendors
[–] zod000@lemmy.ml 1 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago)

A stronger spring will actually make the tactile bump less noticeable. If you like where the tactile bump is, but wish it didn't feel almost nonexistent, try Cherry MX Clears.

[–] ProfessorOwl_PhD@hexbear.net 1 points 3 days ago

Probably want to try Cherry MX Greens, Gateron Greens, or Kailh Box Heavys, or go straight to Kailh Box Thick Clicks.

[–] maxmalrichtig@discuss.tchncs.de 1 points 3 days ago (1 children)

If you can find them, Kailh Crystal Royal Box switches might be something for you.

Also, something like a "Gazzew Bobba U4T" might be interesting for you. It doesn't have more force, but the tactile bump is really far up, effectively eliminating pre-travel of the stem. So your fingers directly "sit on the bump" in rest position, which might give you a more satisfying tactile feedback. (Note, there is also a silent version of this switch with the U4 variant)

[–] interdimensionalmeme@lemmy.ml 2 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Thanks I'm checking out this kaih company, they have lots of choice

What I prefer would be the bump at the mid point or lower and stronger than the "brown" and "orange" outemu switches I have tried (which both feel the same)

[–] maxmalrichtig@discuss.tchncs.de 2 points 3 days ago

The further the bump is in the middle, the less noticeable it will become.

So just that I understand: Why exactly do you want to have it in the middle? What does it give you?

[–] blackris@discuss.tchncs.de 1 points 3 days ago

I don't know anything about the Otemu Orange, but I switched a while ago from MX Browns to Gateron Baby Kangoroos. Those are perfect for my 50/50 gaming or working use case.

[–] floofloof@lemmy.ca 1 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago)

I like the Epomaker Budgerigar switches. They have a pronounced tactile pop right at the top of the travel, then they descend smoothly. There's nothing squishy or unclear about them. They're not too expensive either.