My experience with mechanical keyboards stretches to MX Blues and Browns.
The blue switches were nice at first but after a couple years I started to hate the noise and the fact that they were very on or off. Granted, it was a cheap keyboard.
With the browns I loved them at first. Then the scratchyness started to annoy me. Now I’ve worn them out so they’re decently smooth. Not great, but okay.
I’ve tried some switch testers in a few stores. Hated the MX Red but was surprised I liked the Blacks. That was a long time ago though.
Funny thing is I cant really tell you what I like about the Browns. But I can tell you what I don’t like.
Actuation point feels a bit scratchy. I hate the wobble. They’re also indistinct and mushy. So, pretty much what all the haters say. However, I don’t really hate them.
To me, typing feel and performance are very important. I want switches that feel awesome and allows me to type fast.
With the Browns I bottom out about half of the time. Sometimes I press too lightly for it to register. I find it a bit difficult to be accurate and fast.
Ironically I probably type the fastest on really crappy keyboards. Like at the office where I have a cheap HP keyboard with terrible feel, but short key travel where can pretty much just bang away. Don’t get me wrong, nothing can make up for that terrible feel. Also, don’t mistake this for saying I like to be heavy handed. I don’t.
Anyhow, now that I’ve decided on a custom build I need to find the right switches.
Perhaps you can help me pick out a few switches to test. Preferably more common ones. Sort of “if you like this you would love these (more uncommon ones”.
I obviously can’t test all the switches out there so I have to narrow it down.
In essence:
I hate wobble. Really hate it.
I don’t know whether tactile or linear are right for me.
I’m likely to prefer somewhat shorter travel.
At least with linears I’m more likely to prefer heavier ones (than MX Red).