Keyboard Nut Thread

[dhirennaidoo]

Get someone to join you, free shipping over R2000

Yep, looks like that's the only option. Amazon doesn't seem to have any in stock either.

 

[Cujo26]

Yep, looks like that's the only option. Amazon doesn't seem to have any in stock either.

Ctrlshiftesc sometimes gets stock, but right now I think your best bet would be to split an order with someone on digikey

 

[Orihalcon]

I'm personally waiting on the launch of the Wooting 80HE. That is my sweet spot. 60% is too small and too much function is lost for my day-to-day. That 80% is the golden ticket.

 

[MopKop]

IM also in desperate need of some Mill Max sockets so ill join in any group buy effort.

Got a Keyboard in pieces and extremely close to just soldering it again, as soon as i decide on new switches, (Kaihl browns sound horrid that no amount of Lube can fix)

 

[jlags]

IM also in desperate need of some Mill Max sockets so ill join in any group buy effort.

Got a Keyboard in pieces and extremely close to just soldering it again, as soon as i decide on new switches, (Kaihl browns sound horrid that no amount of Lube can fix)

Ive got a board with a bunch of millmax sockets, that I'm not using.
Not sure if you can desolder them or not.

 

[Cujo26]

Ive got a board with a bunch of millmax sockets, that I'm not using.
Not sure if you can desolder them or not.

It's possible to desolder them, you just have to be careful about getting solder in the sockets.

 

[MopKop]

Need some input on below video.

Does this sound acceptable or should I avoid endless embarrassment and just solder the silent switches?

I cant do much more modding, infact I've removed some mods to make the sound a bit more deeper.

 

[MopKop]

Make shift Gasket mounting. I'm pressing down quite hard so I don't think the screws will be an issue when Caps are on, I can also tighten it a little more.

 

[Cavie]

Has anyone tried building with optical switches?

After trying a Huntsman TE years ago I can't stop thinking about how smooth those keys were, just way too light. Something heavier but equally as smooth would be delicious, and it seems the Keychron K8 + Gateron Optical Black combo might be it???

 

[RandomSheepZA]

Has anyone tried building with optical switches?

After trying a Huntsman TE years ago I can't stop thinking about how smooth those keys were, just way too light. Something heavier but equally as smooth would be delicious, and it seems the Keychron K8 + Gateron Optical Black combo might be it???

Haven't done it but i don't know if you can.

 

[FrankNStine]

Has anyone tried building with optical switches?

After trying a Huntsman TE years ago I can't stop thinking about how smooth those keys were, just way too light. Something heavier but equally as smooth would be delicious, and it seems the Keychron K8 + Gateron Optical Black combo might be it???

I could be very wrong here, but I don't think that's possible (or at least, easily possible) due to how the switches actually work.

Standard switches have contact pins in them, so when you press down on the switch it completes a circuit which sends that signal to your computer. Optical switches work kind of the opposite way, there's a light ray that gets broken when you push down on the switch and that breaking of the circuit sends the signal of the key being pressed. See optical fibre (I guess fibre-optic rolls off the tongue better?) cables vs copper cables for a similar comparison.

Our keyboards have to be made specifically to operate with optical switches, it's not as simple as just changing the switches.

Again, somebody please correct me if I'm wrong - these are the conclusions I drew years ago from asking a similar question 😂

 

[Cujo26]

I could be very wrong here, but I don't think that's possible (or at least, easily possible) due to how the switches actually work.

Standard switches have contact pins in them, so when you press down on the switch it completes a circuit which sends that signal to your computer. Optical switches work kind of the opposite way, there's a light ray that gets broken when you push down on the switch and that breaking of the circuit sends the signal of the key being pressed. See optical fibre (I guess fibre-optic rolls off the tongue better?) cables vs copper cables for a similar comparison.

Our keyboards have to be made specifically to operate with optical switches, it's not as simple as just changing the switches.

Again, somebody please correct me if I'm wrong - these are the conclusions I drew years ago from asking a similar question 😂

No you're 100% right. Most boards that use optical switches actually have all the sensing "equipment" on the PCB side and the switches as such are just sliders that break the optical beam on the PCB itself.

 

[Cavie]

Yeah so just to clarify, I don't mean just any PCB.

But like, Gateron sells their optical switches separately on Amazon, which seems to imply they fit in something. It's a matter of finding that something, then.

I know the Keychron K8 uses the same switches, so that was my first thought, and sure enough their website shows "Optical (Hot-swappable)" but out of stock for now, so I can't test it myself.

So then the question became, are there any other hot-swappable PCBs for optical switches specifically??? And it seems the answer is either an outright no, or this very niche 65% that only supports this one type of optical switch but not the others.

 

[Cujo26]

Yeah so just to clarify, I don't mean just any PCB.

But like, Gateron sells their optical switches separately on Amazon, which seems to imply they fit in something. It's a matter of finding that something, then.

I know the Keychron K8 uses the same switches, so that was my first thought, and sure enough their website shows "Optical (Hot-swappable)" but out of stock for now, so I can't test it myself.

So then the question became, are there any other hot-swappable PCBs for optical switches specifically??? And it seems the answer is either an outright no, or this very niche 65% that only supports this one type of optical switch but not the others.

some of the older GK61 boards were optical. Not sure if they're still floating around on banggood and the like

 

[Chamkey]

I think I've just taken a step into dangerous territory and I'm incredibly confused on what I need to do.

2 Keyboards.
1 is a redragon devarajas hot swappable.
1 is a Razer Blackwidow v3 not hot swappable but I can do mill max conversion. This is expensive though (200 mill max 3305s for over a grand).
Both keyboards have faulty switches. so I bought new ones, knowing that my devarajas is hot swappable. I like the rgb on the Razer though and the fact that it's programmable. Also, my redragon has 2 rgb lights that aren't working. One is dead completely (z key) and one doesn't have red anymore (b key). Osu really took it's toll on this keyboard.

I know that I'm not really top of the range with the switches I ordered (outemu box red) but I think I'll upgrade later on.

Can anyone provide some insight on what I should do?

 

[FeelsBranMan]

I think I've just taken a step into dangerous territory and I'm incredibly confused on what I need to do.

2 Keyboards.
1 is a redragon devarajas hot swappable.
1 is a Razer Blackwidow v3 not hot swappable but I can do mill max conversion. This is expensive though (200 mill max 3305s for over a grand).
Both keyboards have faulty switches. so I bought new ones, knowing that my devarajas is hot swappable. I like the rgb on the Razer though and the fact that it's programmable. Also, my redragon has 2 rgb lights that aren't working. One is dead completely (z key) and one doesn't have red anymore (b key). Osu really took it's toll on this keyboard.

I know that I'm not really top of the range with the switches I ordered (outemu box red) but I think I'll upgrade later on.

Can anyone provide some insight on what I should do?

Isn't the razer keyboard locked to razer switches? Either way, if you are willing to install mill max sockets, i feel like you should just solder the switches instead to save yourself money.

Personally, i'd either replace the switches on the redragon (2 rgb lights wouldn't bother me that much) or get a new keyboard.

 

[Chamkey]

Isn't the razer keyboard locked to razer switches? Either way, if you are willing to install mill max sockets, i feel like you should just solder the switches instead to save yourself money.

Personally, i'd either replace the switches on the redragon (2 rgb lights wouldn't bother me that much) or get a new keyboard.

Razer is not technically locked, just that switches are soldered onto the board. Once desoldered and mill max converted, you're technically able to use any switch on it Like in this video.

 

[catamonx]

Hey Guys

please advise between the below keyboards and which you would recommend.

https://www.takealot.com/akko-5087b-plus-multi-modes-bluetooth-5-0-2-4ghz-and-type-c-hot-/PLID94056384.

https://www.takealot.com/keychron-k8-pro-87-key-tenkeyless-rgb-wireless-mechanical-keyboa/PLID92692794.

Which would we say is best value for money? what would you recommend for about R2500 budget?

 

[Cujo26]

Hey Guys

please advise between the below keyboards and which you would recommend.

https://www.takealot.com/akko-5087b-plus-multi-modes-bluetooth-5-0-2-4ghz-and-type-c-hot-/PLID94056384.

https://www.takealot.com/keychron-k8-pro-87-key-tenkeyless-rgb-wireless-mechanical-keyboa/PLID92692794.

Which would we say is best value for money? what would you recommend for about R2500 budget?

I'd say the K8 Pro, purely because of the QMK support, but if you prefer the look of the Akko, it might be more worth it to you

 

[goldfritter]

I spent just $30 on a mechanical keyboard to prove you don’t need to waste your money

Budget mechanical keyboards have certainly come a long way

www.tomsguide.com

Keychron C3 Pro - TKL with gasket mounts, pre-lubed switches and sound-deadening for only USD40. Add USD10 for hot-swappability. Looks like great value for a beginner.

@XtaCy696 | CGSATech any idea if this will make it SA side?

 

[ThatGuyJD]

Got myself a Keychron V5 as a Christmas present. Really great board and do really appreciate the smaller size of the 96% compared to my previous 100%. I am a numpad guy and no I'm not not going to be running a separate numpad.

Started a new job recently and we are provided the cheapest Microsoft wireless keyboard and mouse combo to use which is as horrible as you'd expect.

Any recommendations for an non 100% with a numpad and wireless, other than just getting a V5 max and crying about import fees?
If possible I'd be leaning to having the separated arrow keys but not a train-smash if not possible.

Would prefer wireless just for ease of use at the office, running wired at home isn't an issue so got the standard V5 for home.

 

[catamonx]

I'd say the K8 Pro, purely because of the QMK support, but if you prefer the look of the Akko, it might be more worth it to you

Thanx for this I did pull the trigger here when it was a daily deal.
am very happy so far