Anyone else gone back to membrane keyboards?

NZXT30 · 28 Sep 2017 at 10:36

Yup membrane ftw. Those overpriced, noise polluting, slow-typing machines people were throwing in the trash 15 years ago... Its madness whats going on with them at the moment.

Its also laughable reading peoples experiences with mechanical keyboards. Trying to explain how different switches are better for different things etc. when membrane simply does everything better!

adolf hamster · 28 Sep 2017 at 12:48

NZXT30 said:
Yup membrane ftw. Those overpriced, noise polluting, slow-typing machines people were throwing in the trash 15 years ago... Its madness whats going on with them at the moment.

Its also laughable reading peoples experiences with mechanical keyboards. Trying to explain how different switches are better for different things etc. when membrane simply does everything better!

wouldn't say it does everything better, gaming for example if you're holding down a key for an extended period (generally w) then the lighter key of a mech board is a boon.

ExPerienceThis · 28 Sep 2017 at 13:47

Have you looked at the Steelseries m800?

As a fan of membrane but wanting to jump on the mechanical bandwagon this is perfect. Had it for nearly 1 or 2 (bad memory) years this xmas and cant fault it.

SkodaMart · 28 Sep 2017 at 13:54

I've had two and gone back to membrane.
I had a razor black widow and a steel series, both stopped working correctly pretty fast.
I now use a roccat isku and it's been brilliant.

NZXT30 · 28 Sep 2017 at 14:44

adolf hamster said:
wouldn't say it does everything better, gaming for example if you're holding down a key for an extended period (generally w) then the lighter key of a mech board is a boon.

How about a keyboard that is great for gaming and typing, its silent and wont annoy everyone around you or your teammates on teamspeak, it's bulletproof lasting forever and available everywhere for £20 for a good one.

Dunno mate I've been gaming for 20 years and never noticed any fatigue on my keyboard fingers.

chroniclard · 28 Sep 2017 at 15:10

Really like my mechanical keyboard but it is noisy if you are typing. Wouldn't actually be bothered if I went back to a standard keyboard though.

macca672 · 30 Sep 2017 at 18:07

NZXT30 said:
Dunno mate I've been gaming for 20 years and never noticed any fatigue on my keyboard fingers.

THIS!!!! 35 years here and never had "fatigue" from a keyboard

Game pads are another matter, anymore than an hour these days and my forearms and hands go numb!

wellibob · 5 Oct 2017 at 14:42

NZXT30 said:
Yup membrane ftw. Those overpriced, noise polluting, slow-typing machines people were throwing in the trash 15 years ago... Its madness whats going on with them at the moment.

Its also laughable reading peoples experiences with mechanical keyboards. Trying to explain how different switches are better for different things etc. when membrane simply does everything better!

Spot on. I do have a K70 rgb red, but I have no issues using membrane keyboards and prefer them tbh.

Wulfster · 6 Oct 2017 at 08:55

Seen this new keyboard by Roccat coming soon? Membrane V2.0 (reworked) interesting and looks good.

https://www.roccat.org/en-GB/Products/Gaming-Keyboards/Horde-AIMO/

Best

Wulf

StarShock · 6 Oct 2017 at 15:18

I love my corsair with its cherry reds for gaming, but I kinda hate typing on it.

jonessa · 7 Oct 2017 at 21:59

ExPerienceThis said:
Have you looked at the Steelseries m800?

As a fan of membrane but wanting to jump on the mechanical bandwagon this is perfect. Had it for nearly 1 or 2 (bad memory) years this xmas and cant fault it.

+1 for this.

A bit of a hybrid - however, I still find typing more accurate on a membrane, but do love my M800 for looks feel and build.

Edit: also - only paid £79 for it in a sale.

Hedge · 8 Oct 2017 at 08:56

I prefer mechanical but it's certainly not something worth crazy money. I have an Ozone strike battle and a Corsair strafe RGB. I got both of them for under 60 quid. I would seriously struggle to justify paying more than that.

I wouldn't want to go back to membrane but I doubt I'd notice much if I did.

The-Plethora · 9 Oct 2017 at 14:36

I haven't made the leap yet. No idea why I can't seem to find a wireless mechanical keyboard without all this RGB nonsense.

CyberScy · 20 Oct 2017 at 14:24

I've never really tried membrane, they do sound interesting though

w1ze1 · 21 Oct 2017 at 14:56

The-Plethora said:
I haven't made the leap yet. No idea why I can't seem to find a wireless mechanical keyboard without all this RGB nonsense.

The new Logitech G613 fits your bill.

Wrinkly · 22 Oct 2017 at 08:25

Using Corsair's with Cherry MX Silent and Red switches. I prefer the Silent, couldn't go back to membrane.

You can use o-rings to reduce the key travel as well as noise.

Evian · 29 Oct 2017 at 17:26

Many people are saying it's too loud how about just buying a set of O-Rings?

Kelt · 29 Oct 2017 at 18:58

Nah, once you go mech you never go beck.

Mason- · 29 Oct 2017 at 19:38

I've got a Razor Blackwidow 2013 Stealth. And the only reason I got one was because there was that bug where Razor had a 90% off code on anything on their website so I got it for £9 + P&P.

It's US layout though so it's bugging me. Been trying to convince myself to get a new keyboard for the last 3 years

. I'm in the same boat as you and I just don't get it. They're loud and 'feel' isn't really something I care for in a keyboard. And I code for my job, play FPS games quite often. I've always preferred laptop style chiclet keyboards, I'm going to probably get a Cherry Strait. Seems to fit the bill.

EsaT · 30 Oct 2017 at 10:20

Wrinkly said:
You can use o-rings to reduce the key travel as well as noise.

O-rings help to "soften/smooth" bottoming noise.
But not to noise from springs kicking keys hard back to top position.
Keeeping that under control needs more controlled lifting of finger.

Here's some good stuff abotu damping those different noise sources:
https://www.reddit.com/r/Mechanical.../a_relatively_simple_method_of_silencing_any/

Cherry MX Silent apparently uses rather similar approach in both cushioning bottom impact and rise to upper position.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R939TYKyZUE

After having previously done some testing in shop I eventually bought Logitech G710+ which comes with o-rings. (when there was good discount on it)
And definitely wouldn't call it as that quiet.

Actually Topre had clearly smoothest sound from switches I had tried.
Which shouldn't be surprise because mechanical design is combination of membrane (/rubber dome) and spring.
Romer-G might be somewhat toward Topre's sound profile.

adolf hamster said:
wouldn't say it does everything better, gaming for example if you're holding down a key for an extended period (generally w) then the lighter key of a mech board is a boon.

Actually typical membrane keyboard doesn't have that heavy bottoming force.
Though no doubt there are (/have been) plenty of difference between manufacturers:
Some membrane keybords are incredibly "mushy" and there's no slightest feel except that of just like pressing some jelly/rubber...
With low profile and short travel some HP keyboards are just total torture to use.
While never felt Keytronics of 20 year ago or Logitech membrane keyboards being such mushy.

Mechanical switches again have always highest force at bottom and lowest force in start of travel:

MX Black has rather notable bottoming force.
Red is lot more comfortable in it, but again resistance before actuation is very light.
Brown kinda combines some feel before actuation to light bottoming force.