I'm a noob in "better quality" keyboards, never even had a mechanical before, let alone a Hall Effect one. I'm a casual gamer, and Wooting's rapid trigger appeals to me. I also like the attitude and vibe of the Wooting team - watched a couple of their live streams. I'm contemplating buying a 60HE or the new 80HE (since I'm also coding, thus arrow and edit keys come handy).

Problem is, I personally don't fancy the look and feel of the standard height switches and keycaps. I would prefer low profile switches and keycaps. If this is blasphemy in this sub, I apologize :)

I'm aware that it's possible to put low profile keycaps on standard height switches, but then the keycaps "float" and have a visible gap underneath, and the travel distance of the switch is still the same. I'm after "true" low profile switches with shorter travel distance, but with Hall Effect sensors, so they could be used for Rapid Trigger.

Does something like that even exist?

If so, would it be possible to put such low profile HE switches on a 60HE+ module, and use Wooting's software to set rapid trigger actuation points according to the shorter travel distance?

Thanks in advance for giving advice to a novice.

it would be interesting if there was a hall effect switch for laptops. i guess "maglev" is technically the closest to one but not really

I’m searching for a low-profile HHKB-style keyboard with tactile Hall Effect switches, primarily for programming on Linux. Wired or wireless, both are fine.

Currently, I use the NuPhy Air60 HE, and I love its compact size, low profile, and tactile feel. However, I’m extremely disappointed with its firmware and build quality - it randomly disconnects, and the only fix is unplugging and reconnecting the cable.

Does anyone have recommendations for a better alternative?

I see many new commercial keyboards are using Hall Effect switches, even switches that you can buy separately like the Gateron KS-20. Some questions:

• Does QMK and ZMK supports HE switches (with the correct MCU/PCB)? I see the upcoming "Keychron Q1 HE" runs QMK so maybe yes?

• Somebody tried using combos with HE switches? With standard switches, you get a stream of KEY_ON/KEY_OFF events so you need to time delays to distinguish between a sequence of keys pressed and multiple keys pressed "at the same time". But with HE switches you can correlate when multiple keys are traveling down at the same time (so if one is past his activation point but is traveling up then it won't be a combo). So they seem perfect for combos.

• There are open source PCBs/designs out there for them? I know about the impressive AHEK95 "Void Keyboard" with custom 3D printed HE switches, but there are PCBs for commercial HE switches like the Gateron KS-20?

• There are other HE switches than the Gateron KS-20 that you can buy separately?

• Somebody tried Mousekeys with HE switches? Maybe it will be better than a trackpoint?

• Can you use the trampoline mod on HE switches to shorten total travel distance?

• Do you think that this community will migrate in masse to HE switches? :)

EDIT: Also HE switches can be great for Hold/Tap discrimination (MOD_TAP), because you can interpret a key travelling up after the activation point as a tap, without the need for waiting until the reset point is crossed.

With everyone getting in on the HE game, is this something on the radar for Nuphy? Is there even a low profile HE keyboard on the market yet?

Not sure there is a market for such a thing, but I’d buy it in a heartbeat.

I'm posting here because the channel "MechanicalKeyboards" don't allow Posts about asking for advice.

I started typing with a Mechanical Keyboard for about a year now, with a Keychron Q3. I've tried to analyze every type of Switch and every type of Keycap for the best typing experience possible (the best experience for me I mean. Everyone has their own unique preferences).

I was used to typing with Low-Profile Keyboards and Switches, i.e.: Laptop Keyboards, Logitech MX Keys, etc. Now typing with "standard" Switches (sometimes referenced as MX Cherries), I've noticed I make way more typos than what I'm used to (I use the Akko CS Silver Switches on my own Mechanical Keyboard). The Keycaps I use are DSA Profile and I've also tried XDA. I need the Keycaps to be all flat and all the same height because I type with the Workman Layout, and all the characters need to be moved around.

For the life of me, I haven't been able to find Low-Profile Switches that can be installed on a Standard Mechanical Keyboard.

Does anyone know of a "Switches + Keycap" combination that can replicate a Low-Profile Laptop Keyboard?

When I say Low-Profile, I mean primarily Travel Distance. I don't care if the Switches+Keycaps are overall 2mm high or 2cm high. The point for me is minimizing the Travel distance. Travel distances which can be 1.8mm on a Laptop, vs 3mm on a Mechanical Keyboard.

Edit_2023-04-09: See my Comment from 2023-04-09.

Specifically wondering if Alice keebs will soon be hall.

I like the pressure and they seem thockier in general

EDIT: Alright so I understand Cheery MX won't work with Wooting, didn't know that.

However, I am still looking for the best switches in this case to fill my needs for competitive play:

- Linear, lowest travel distance, good quality so the keycap won't giggle around.

Extra questions:

Keycaps - which to get from the Wooting website in this case?

Case: Plastic or Zinc Alloy for the sound? I would like it to feel premium but not have a 'metallic' sound because of the Zinc Alloy case (I don't know if that's the case)?

Hello everyone! To those who don't recognise my username, I'm D the HE Guy (from the r/mk Discord Server, and other places too). I was advised to post the HE Spreadsheet and the Avoid List here to help visibility and help bring awareness.

Additionally, I'll check back on this post every so often, so feel free to ask questions, but bear in mind I'm not much of a reddit user so I may not check on this as often as I do on Discord.

In case the hyperlinks are broken:
HE Mastersheet: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/e/2PACX-1vRZ2fwIFSMtD5NstkBw-ztEqQw5Ku3unTAyN1hgXyS2yIOp4D1J3lncBersDdH4eM2EjCgNLUhc2sti/pubhtml
Avoid List: https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vSsjTA29tUSQDgT_FWmvX2nHg17RLzCXdZnBV2pdAWO2SqJmzeNl9EQNc2Yw2Cy4kHjIBcDVVCUgErC/pub

I'm using stock gateron switches v2 on my wooting 80he, but i feel like they are heavier then some of my past keyboards. I know they should have lighter actuation point and spring weight, but when I did some research I found it can be because of the magnet snap + spring that can make it feel stiffer and pushy when pressing and releasing the key. Also different switches have different magnet force which can also cause it too feel heavier/lighter. For people who have played with multiple switches, what felt lightest overall? (Not just the lightest spring weight)

Hello everyone.

For context, I have been looking at getting a new keyboard for a while now, as I have had my Huntsman Elite for around 7 years and it has served me well. Not a problem with the keyboard my only gripe is that it is a bit too loud now with all the spring ping and stuff. Also the ABS keycaps are shining and it is quite off-putting. I am also a "gamer" but I don't play competitively, however I do play quite a lot.

I did some research and I looked into Hall Effect. I discovered that there are many keyboards which look promising and have great performance but this comes at the cost of sound, feel or aesthetic. I have been considering a few options:

1. Melgeek MADE68 Ultra

2. Meletrix BOOG75 HE

3. Keychron K2 HE

4. Varmilo Muse65 HE

5. Luminkey MAGGER68 HE Professional

I notice these are higher end keyboards, taking into account sound, performance, aesthetic and feel. I am just wondering if any of these are worth considering or if I should just go ahead and forget the Hall Effect thing and buy a Crush80 or something similar.

Any other recommendations that fit this criteria? (HE or not):

• Aluminium case, premium build (custom feel)

• Nice sound and feel

• Preferably tri-mode

• Preferably 75%-80%

i understand that he+sound doesnt reaaaally exist, but some do sound better than others

I'm not a fan of linear switches but I'm interested if hall effect switches have any advantages over linear cherry switches other than such of like "being waterproof, dustproof" etc.

Hi everyone,

I’m currently using an FGG Madlions MAD 68HE keyboard, but the keycaps feel too tall for me and the board doesn’t have adjustable feet for height. I’m looking for a low-profile magnetic switch/Hall Effect keyboard in the 60%–75% size range (nothing too big).

The only option I know so far is the NuPhy Air60, but it’s a bit pricey for me. I mostly play CS and other competitive games, so a magnetic/HE switch is important. I also have relatively short fingers, which makes normal-height keycaps a bit uncomfortable. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Hey all.

I've been using my trustly (old af) Corsair CM Storm with Cherry MX Browns for literally like a decade now. It's been great, the only annoyance is the stabilizers are non-existent/terrible. So the spacebar and Shift keys have always rattled like hell.

I'm looking for a new Mech board. I write a lot of code and play a lot of games (Mostly World of Warcraft, but some CS2 and Dota).

All the millions of reviews are point at the Rainy75 as being the 'best' reasonably priced board. It looks awesome, it's the perfect size I'm looking for and the price is fair. I HATED Cherry MX Reds so I would be a bit worried about using Linear switches but I guess I could always put tactiles in if I couldn't get used to it.

Is getting something like the Rainy75 kind of outdated now? - I see a lot of hype for HallEffect/RapidTrigger switches, and some of the boards are cheaper than a Rainy.

If I was to buy a magnetic switch board, could I just put normal switches in it (like Cherry MX Browns or similar) If I wanted? or do these new Magnetic boards only work with other HallEffect Switches? (I'm not sure how good the tactile ones are).

Any advice would be great, it's been many years since I purchased a nice keyboard - Thanks.

Quick rating on all the he switches i've own and tested, my rating will be based on fps games strafing ect. Switches tested on the pulsar pcmk 3 he 60 at 0.01mm actuation.

Best top to bottom

1. Owlab ti he (50g)

2. Geon raptor he v2

3. Everglide skyline he

4. Geon raw he

5. Duhuk herz & on point (basically same, herz has better stem wobble)

6. Gateron jade emerald

7. Gateron jade v1

8. Everglide sticky rice v2 he

9. Geon lucifer he

10. Gateron x pulsar he (stock switches)

11. Geon raptor he v1

12. Steelseries apex pro switches (gateron style)

Feel free to ask me anything about any specific switches.