I am quite new into mechanical keyboards. How to choose between them? Please advice, thank you.

Also, low profile vs normal mechanical keyboard, which to choose?

Over the past few weeks, I've been looking for a new keyboard to buy and I've noticed people on youtube who build keyboards tend to build keyboards with regular switches. I know to some latency doesn't matter but for gaming it does. Just the other day i saw tfue keyboard build video and noticed it was not a an optical board. or am i confused

I’m new to keyboards, and I’m looking to get one for my new Mac mini. I really like the Keychron K3 low profile, because it’s kinda like a more mechanical version of the Magic Keyboard.

My problem is I can’t find the configuration I want, and I need to buy a keyboard so I can use my computer. I originally wanted the RGB with the hot swap blue optical switches; but that configuration is sold out everywhere. I found a guy on eBay selling an open box RGB with the mechanical blue Gateron switches for $90.

My only problem with this is that if one of the switches gets fucked up, I can’t replace the single switch; unless I’m understanding this incorrectly?

The mechanical seems like the nicer switch, but the optical makes it easier to customize and replace.

I also can just buy the brown switch version and buy the optical blues for $125 altogether. That’s more than I really wanted to spend, but if you keyboard-experts think it’s the better choice; I will do that.

I know most pro's just use the equipment from their sponsors so that's an unreliable source for information.

That being said is there a tier list or even a list that some one has developed for competitive gamers? I don't mind the price, I just want to make sure I don't scam myself with a high cost low tier keyboard.

Thank you for the help in advanced!

Edit: I prefer full size over 60%

Okay, so I keep doing research online. I want to buy a new corsair keyboard after feeling my buddy's corsair mechanical keyboard (brown keys) the other day. I just love the heavy feel of hitting those keys, its the closest thing I've felt to love since the day I married my now ex-wife.

I looked into the model of keyboard he had to go buy one for myself.... its the K70... but after going online and realizing I wanna splurge on a nice ass keyboard. I've decided to go with the K100 instead, however, theres a choice between optical and mechanical switches. After studying the difference, I just cant tell what the difference in feel would be. I get that optical are faster... and smoother. But i just cant seem to tell if that means only the mechanical keys are gonna give me that heavy feel i like.

But here's the deal, I dont have the money to buy both an optical and mechanical keyboard to feel the difference, I want that heavy feel... but I think optical just seems so cool... and after seeing how they work, I like how fast and smooth the typing is on them. So I guess I'm asking, can someone explain to me the difference in feel and performance for these two types of switches?

I’m looking to replace my Anne Pro 2. It has Gateron Blue and my girlfriend told me to get an alternative 😁

My current top candidate seems to be the Keychron K6. It has Bluetooth and I have the choice to re-evaluate my switch choices, I guess it’s getting either brown or red then. I also realised I could use optical switches. I don’t game so I don’t need the few ms less latency. Are there any other advantages in that case besides having twice the lifetime per button? I read that LK Optical Switches are less common and so on and I’m worried a bit that I might end up with some exotic keyboard and would soon want to switch again.

If someone has the keyboard, any reason to wait for the K12 besides not having arrow keys there?

Is there a major difference in responsiveness between Optical and regular Mechanical when gaming? I pretty competitive and wanna know if i should get an optical keyboard or if im fine building my own with Gateron Inks.

Thanks!

Hello, I would like to buy a keyboard to write, I'm a writer, i dont play games. Which are the differences between optical and mechanical keyboards? Is it true that optical keyboards are quiter than mechanical ones?

The only "mechanical" keyboard I have tried so far is the Razer Huntsman Mini, and with the silicone dampeners removed it felt incredibly smooth. However, being someone who has not tried an actual mechanical keyboard, I was wondering how this compares to other mechanical linear switches like gat yellows.

I’ve been hearing a lot about optical switches recently and was wondering if it’s a good idea to switch from my normal mechanical switches to optical switches. If so what are the best optical switches to get

Apologies in advance for the long post.

Ignoring how they work for a sec, what is the difference between optical switches and mechanical switches in terms of sound, feel and etc?

For example if we take a blue mechanical switch and a blue optical switch, will one feel more clicky than the other, or will one sound louder compared to the other, or is there virtually no difference? Will there be any major differences in how they feel and sound?

I'm going to be buying my first mechanical keyboard soon and after hearing how nice it is, I'm excited to start typing, but I'm currently torn between the different types of switches.

I have mainly been looking for mechanical brown switches as I feel like I'll enjoy the clickiness of the blue but the quietness of the red, so brown seems like a good mid-point, but I have recently come across a keyboard that I really like that has Gateron Optical switches.

I was going to go for the Brown, but the Brown is out of stock for a while so I'm torn between either Black, Red, or Blue. I dismissed Black as an option because I don't want a heavy feeling experience, but I'm torn between Red and Blue.

I've considered going for Blue as I would probably prefer to experience the clicky keys as opposed to having a quiet keyboard, but I'm quite unsure as I don't want a keyboard that's too loud, hence why I would like to know if optical switches are quieter than mechanical ones.

I've considered using o rings to quieten the sound of the Blues down, but again idk how well this will work.

I know mechanical keyboards have existed since the 80's and have remained relatively unchanged, but yet they're still so popular. I'm curious to know why that is? 

Due to the fact that optical keyboards use light as an actuation point rather than metal to metal contact like a mechanical keyboard, they have more reliable, consistent latency, and a better and longer lifespan. 

They also perform better and still have that nice clicky sensation when keys are pressed (in my experience). 

Is it because they're too new, or something else? 

What do you guys think and do you have a preference/reasons for liking mechanical over optical keyboards (vise versa)? 

I like the trend lately of companies offering the option to choose either mechanical or optical, because idk mechanical feels way better in every way. I've honestly never had double clicking issues with any mech switches either

Hello Guys,

I've always thought about this. Why aren't all switches just optical switches? By opitcal switch I mean the gateron opticals you might find in a GK64 or other keeb. Apparently they have a faster response time (which I feel is negligible but is still an advantage so to speak) than mechanical switches, the PCB isn't as complex, and you don't have to deal with a leaf.

So what's the deal?

I’m thinking of getting the new K5, the only thing is that I don’t know for sure if I should get the mechanical ones or the optical ones. With the optical I like that I could actually swap out the switch type, its my first mechanical keyboard and so I’m scared of choosing the wrong switch type, but I’ve also read that the optical switches give a worse typing experience overal. For the gateron mechanical ones I’m thinking of getting the browns. What are some of your experiences?

I'm down my 2nd MX red keyboard and I just can't stand chattering anymore, and I'm honestly baffled that it appears to be a common issue with all mechanical switches and yet is not even a disclaimer to people who might be considering buying one (as was the case with me), one would normally think this is an obvious con when compared to regular membrane keyboards and should be known to everyone beforehand.

I'm strongly considering getting an optical switch keyboard now as in theory they shouldn't have chattering, but in practice it's another story... it definitely doesn't help that they seem to be completely unrepresented and kind of an "underground" option even in this subreddit, I couldn't find any pinned topics that even included or mentioned them.

Are there any good resources about what to expect in real world situations from optical switches?

I'm particularly looking to get either the Gigabyte Aorus K9 (Flaretech red) or the Bloody B820R (LK red). Gigabyte has customer service in my country while Bloody doesn't, so I'd at least have the option for an easier RMA in case something went wrong with the K9, but build-wise the B820R appears to be better.

The bad thing about both is that they are simply... lacking. Shit software, no media keys, no wrist rest. Coming from a K70, in a lot of ways it seems like a downgrade. It also doesn't help that the big mainstream companies aren't jumping into the optical bandwagon even after 2 years of they becoming better known to the public that they exist. I'd love to have either the K70 or K90 but with optical switches instead of mechanical ones if that's what it takes to get rid of chattering once and for all.

Are there any significant differences between LK reds and Flaretec reds after a year of use? What about the K9 and B820R in particular? Any information would be useful.

I have a question regarding the EGG OP1WE since there are quite a number of complaints regarding its heavy switch. I am new in this so-called "rabbit hole", so my question here might seems silly to some. Hence, I asked, please bear with me gents. Aside from the first issue mentioned, I have also read that optical switch is always better than mechanical switches due to speed and longevity. But, a lot of people are switching the switch inside the op1we into the lighter one sold by EGG or buy a lighter mech switch from a third party. Going from that, I asked this one online shop which switch would be great to be paired with the op1we and he/she recommended the Huano Transparent/White Micro switch.

So, is the conversion to the mech switch worth it for op1we? Is the switch recommended good? And what are the downsides if I were to convert the optical switch to the mech one? Thank you.