Hey,

I’m choosing keys switches.

I have to choose between kailh red or the pro red (for a zsa voyager).

I’m torn because I’m reading online that many find the normal reds too stiff, but I’m worried that the pro red won’t allow me to rest on the home row without misfires.

I absolutely do rest my fingers on the home row. Especially when starting typing. I use the concave feel of the caps to confirm I’m in the right place to start.

My research suggests that the mx blacks I use at home are stiffer than the reds (60gf, but much more travel), and the keys on my thinkpad are in theory stiffer too (57gf).

Has anyone here trodden this same path? Any insights?

  • @[email protected]
    3•2 months ago

    Can you order some testers first, or maybe ask around in a local keyboard group if someone can let you try their keys? I find it to be the easiest way to figure out what’s actually comfortable.

    • @[email protected]OP
      3•2 months ago

      local keyboard group

      Hah, that’s a good one. We don’t really have that where I’m from.

      testers

      That would be the logical thing to do. I’m being impatient, but you are probably right. If I’m dropping that kind of money, I’d better get the switches right.

      • @[email protected]
        3•2 months ago

        Fair enough, I live in Germany which is exceedingly convenient for the hobby. Around when I decided to build my first keyboard, there was a convention a few hours away by train. Went there and tried out all these testers and keyboards that these super nice people were providing. Based on what I’ve always liked, I thought I wanted a 20-40g linear low profile switch, but turned out I loved Kaihl sunset, which was tactile and 55g or something.

        So, yeah, if you’re not sure, best to try to get some testers. Good luck!

  • @pixelprimer
    2•2 months ago

    If you’re looking at red pro, I’d go for ambient twilights the new silent switches are improvements in every way for linears.

  • halfwaythereEnglish
    1•2 months ago

    I also rest my fingers. I just got some 95g actuation. For me, perfect due to at my work using cut resistant gloves under latex gloves I miss fire cause I can’t feel a damned thing. For home/gaming use, hell no. 70-75 is good for me. Everyone is different though. By some try them out to figure what you like. They aren’t that expensive.

  • tuckerm
    1•2 months ago

    This same question you’re asking is what made me realize that I just don’t really like linears, so I’m not sure if my insight will help your decision.

    I’ve never used Kailh Reds or Red Pros, but I did have some 40g linear switches and found them to be too light. Even if I wasn’t getting misfires, I would notice the keys sagging a little bit under my fingers, which was irritating. And the only way to not have that happen was to get really stiff springs, which was also not pleasant. That’s what made me realize that the tactile bump in tactile switches really has a functional purpose, so I just always go with tactile switches now.

    • @[email protected]OP
      1•2 months ago

      Sadly I don’t have much choice of kind of switch: it’s for a keyboard for use in a shared office.

      I use mx black at home and find them good to type on.

      I ended up buying a switch tester. Just waiting for it to arrive from aliexpress.