This is my second commentary on a Frankenswitch. Again, it is an extension of what I am doing, discussing modded tactiles, in this thread.
Golden Skies
Frankenswitch:
OUTEMU Sky [Tao] Stem in TTC Gold Brown V2 Housing | and
OUTEMU Silent Sky / Silent Forest Stem in TTC Gold Brown V2 Housing
The switch I am discussing today comes in at least two major forms, the OUTEMU Sky stem in a TTC Gold Brown V2 housing, and also the Silent Sky stem in the same housing.
I hesitate to call it a frankenswitch, because the Sky / Silent Sky stems are designed to be incorporated into various housings. This simply makes them into Sky variants or a combination switch, rather than the kludge that is implied by the term ‘frankenswitch.’
The most successful, in my view, is the Silent Sky in the TTC housing, which I have labelled “Golden Sky.” The combination involving the regular Sky stem, which I describe later, was less successful, and more deserving of the ‘frankenswitch’ appellate.
So first, the [Silent] Golden Sky.
Construction:
The OUTEMU Silent Sky stems are advertised as being compatible with “Cherry MX class” housings, and this extends to the vast array of compatible switches. The Silent Sky stem itself was originally inspired by the feel of the “Ergo Clear,” being a switch of reasonable tactility having a lighter spring than stock MX Clears.
However, as some people have noted, the Sky and Silent Sky stems departed over time from their close resemblance to the MX Clear stem, and the bump profile is now different. Despite these changes, I would say that the tactile level or intensity of Skies and Silent Skies are comparable to that of Ergo Clears.
I have a testing keyboard with 65G Ergo Clears, and there is still a resemblance to them in the later, non-silent Skies. They both share a conventional Cherry-style mid-profile bump. The Silent Sky stem, however, is top-loaded. The tactile ‘bump’ is concentrated at the top of the keypress in the same manner as Zilents and Kailh BOX Browns and Pro Purples. It is sometimes described as a “P” profile bump, in that the distinct tactile event occurs right at the top, and is replaced afterwards by linear travel. This is unlike the “D” profile, a giant, constant bump, present in the new U4 stems. The moderate intensity of the bump is why I say that the Silent Sky stem’s tactile intensity is similar to Ergo Clears, as opposed to the heavier tactiles.
(OUTEMU Silent Sky stems can be purchased as a separate component)
The Silent Sky stems can be placed in nearly any housing, but it leads to different sensations. Inside an MX Brown housing lubed with 3203 and using lubed 55 gr Spirit springs, the switch is light, quiet, and not much more tactile than MX Brown. What is interesting about the TTC Gold Brown V2 housing used in the “Golden Sky” switch is that it successfully produces the desired characteristics of a “Silent Sky” switch while in a cheap housing that does not require lube.
It has been said that the cheaper the housing, the better OUTEMU Silent Sky stems will perform. This seems to be validated in the “Golden Sky” switches, which I purchased at $1.80 per 10. The stems are an easy fit, and gave me no trouble. The existing TTC spring is fairly robust, being designed to vigorously return a stem more tactile than MX Brown. I think it actuates around 50-55 gr, and bottoms-out around 60 gr. This makes it a kind of ‘slow curve’ tactile spring, I think.
The TTC springs are pingy and require donut lubing, at the very least. Note that the TTC springs are longer than most.
Switch-feel
Once assembled, you have a switch that is less ‘poppy’ than the TTC Gold Brown V2, and about as tactile. The travel feels shorter, as with most Silent Sky builds, since the bumpers seem to take up space during the keypress. It can feel mushy at first, you need to break the switch in and give it some time. It results in a tactile what a deep and quiet sound, and perfunctory tactile event and travel. It’s almost like a silent Pro Purple. Or, especially, the new BOX Silent Brown.
I felt that the stock TTC spring could be improved upon. It is fairly heavy in actuation, and doesn’t have much of a force curve. So I tried the switch again, using 60 gr TX springs. That’s a similar bottom-out weight, but probably lower in actuation than the stock spring.
(60 gr TX springs are a good weight for the (Silent) Golden Skies.)
With the 60 gr TX (donut lubed) springs, I felt as if the switch had improved. It is easier to actuate, and still has a springy return. It also feels as if the travel is somehow longer, closer to the full 4mm than the <3.6mm travel I perceived with the stock spring.
So, in my view, the Silent Sky + TTC Gold V2 housing, using a 60 G TX spring, is the best version of the switch. I would also like to try 58 G Spirit springs, should they become available. I found 55 gr Spirit springs to feel weak, even in a lubed MX Brown housing, so I think 58-60 G is a better weight here. In contrast to switch using the stock TTC spring, which felt shortened as in the BOX Silent Brown, the Golden Sky with 60 G TX spring feels more like a less-tactile, less-sharp Zilent.
The biggest hazard here is the spring lubing. The switch overall is fairly quiet, so spring ping and crunch is the noise you will hear if you are not careful.
Conclusion:
It is possible to make a quiet switch fairly cheaply if you have access to Silent Sky stems and cheap TTC Gold Brown V2 housings. The TTC housings don’t take well to lube, but the Silent Sky stems seem to function fine without any. It’s a simple ‘P’ shaped bump as you’d expect from the Silent Sky stems, and is not going to win any awards for tactility or unique feel.
The problem with these switches using stock springs is what seems to be a combination of a flatter force curve, and the perception of shorter travel. This is remedied by aftermarket 60 G springs. Still, it’s a switch that’s closer in feel to rubber-dome than mechanical. But it does work, and doesn’t come with any excesses. I’m very interested in the possibility of building a board with these quiet, moderate-tactility switches.
Alternate switch:
OUTEMU non-silent Sky [late model] stem in TTC Gold Brown V2 housing.
Tried three versions of this switch: stock parts, lubed, and lubed with 60 gr TX spring.
Description:
The stock TTC Gold Brown V2 is kinda a 'roided up MX Brown. More tactility, more spring, more smoothness. But not much more. Because of the higher tactility and weight, it wants to be an Ergo Clear.
Variant 1:
With the OUTEMU Sky tactile stem, and the stock TTC spring, this is a very poppy and energetic switch. It is not relaxed.
It kind of reminds me of an inflatable amusement ride.
Without lube or any other mods, there is noticeable wobble. It’s also noisy. It’s fun to type on, but I am not sure it would be great for sustained typing.
It also sounds crackly and rattly, like a higher-pitched Everglide Jade.
Variant 2:
With lube [205g0], the sound improves somewhat. It becomes lower pitched, which is helpful, since the stock parts make a chittery noise. However, the feel doesn’t improve, and might actually become kind of sluggish. I’ve heard the TTC Gold Brown V2 switches actually feel worse with lube, and this may be the case here.
Variant 3:
With lube [205g0] and a 60 gr TX spring, these switches feel more boring. They are flat, and the spring makes it feel relatively underpowered. I don’t recommend this spring. Since both the TTC Gold Brown V2 and especially the OUTEMU Sky want to be an Ergo Clear, it is best to use a more energetic spring, like the stock TTC spring.
VERDICT:
I think the Silent Sky stem in the TTC housing provided a better switch for typing. The regular Sky stem is energetic and poppy, and could be suited for some uses.
I recently saw someone asking about ‘bouncy’ switches that could be used in an MX-based calculator or numpad, and I recommended the stock Sky stem in the stock TTC housing/spring. Doesn’t even require lube, except for the spring. It’s going to be noisy, but it could suit that requirement.
If you’re putting a regular Sky stem in a Gold Brown V2 housing, just leave them stock. Same spring, no lube.
Otherwise, I’d rather use the Silent Golden Sky. The TTC housing is a fine basis for the Silent Sky stem. You just need to determine whether you want the resistance offered by the stock spring, or the lighter experience of 60 G TX.
I don’t intend to take credit for the switch, as they were being discussed publicly on Discord as an affordable silent switch.
