So who has bothered getting the rubber O ring Keyboard Dampeners?

.:SAmSuNG:. · 26 Sep 2013 at 17:29

So I bit the bullet and ordered my first mechanical keyboard. Was really torn between the Logitech G710+ with the brown switches and white back lighting or the Corsair K70 in black with either Red or Brown switches.

I decided against the Logitech due to the over all plastic looking appearance which considering price i felt was a deal breaker. Also I really wanted the white back light so ended up with a K95 instead of the K70. Would have preferred brown switches but red should be fine as i rarely do much else than game.

Anyway im thinking of ordering some O rings for it but are they worth it? I see the Logitech comes with them as standard.

Make · 27 Sep 2013 at 08:19

I have the Logitech.

I tried taking the o-rings off from the arrow keys to test, I hammered em a bit, and I did not hear any sound difference nor any kind of difference on the feel either.

Maybe they're a gimmick, maybe not. For me, they give no added benefit

Jeps · 27 Sep 2013 at 10:42

I recently bought a corsair K70 with red switches and some o-rings to go with it. I found they didn't make much difference to the sound and I didn't like how they made the keys feel so I took them off after testing them on a few keys. The K70 does clack when you bottom out but its not massively loud, I actually like it!

The K70 is the first mechanical keyboard I've owned and I have to say it is fantastic. I was worried that the red switches might be a bit too light as I tend to rest my fingers on top of them but they are perfect but typing is a bit more challenging. I still regularly hit keys I don't mean to when typing fast but I'm getting better at it.

.:SAmSuNG:. · 27 Sep 2013 at 14:56

Well i think i can live with the noise so wont bother thanks.

MrMarvelous · 27 Sep 2013 at 19:24

I was toying with the idea of buying some but then I decided I like the noise so didn't bother.

PapaLazaru · 27 Sep 2013 at 21:48

I bought some and took them off soon after. They just don't feel right to me.

Sin_Chase · 28 Sep 2013 at 14:11

I put O-rings on, not branded or sold for use in keyboards however. Just standard o-rings in the correct ID/OD.

I noticed a difference in sound, removes a lot of the cheap plasticy sounding click when keycaps bottom out so worth it for the couple of £ they cost in my opinion.

Would never buy a 'branded' purpose built product however, they are JUST o-rings!

hardjack79 · 2 Oct 2013 at 13:07

I'm wondering the same thing. I wouldn't mind reducing the travel slightly on my CM QF Storm TK, reducing the impact, and reducing the CLACK CLACK CLACK at the same time (not that it is overly noisy).

It seems strange to me that there is no cushioning on most mechanical keyboards. We are effectively whacking our finger tips against a hard surface every key press. EDIT: every keypress that bottoms out at least.

Sin_Chase, where did you find your generic O-rings for so cheap? I haven't had much luck when I've searched online.

Sin_Chase · 4 Oct 2013 at 19:48

I bought these on auction.

METRIC NITRILE RUBBER O-RINGS 4mm ID X 2.5mm SECTION

hardjack79 · 5 Oct 2013 at 12:54

Good man. I'll have another shot at finding some now that I know its been done before. Cheers.

Sunbed · 6 Oct 2013 at 10:09

I used to have them on my K90. They reduced the click noise but they make the key feel a bit more rubbery, which I suppose defeates the point of a mechanical keyboard. My new Ducky sounds and feels nicer without so I leave them off now.

Ryan-3 · 6 Oct 2013 at 14:04

I wouldn't stick them on main keys, just on those you totally mash like Enter or the Spacebar.

hardjack79 · 6 Oct 2013 at 17:47

Interesting idea Ryan. Space and Enter and Backspace are the main motivation for me.

I found a very cheap set of 105 o-rings from China so when they arrive in 2-4 weeks then I'll report back on how they change the sound and feel of my MX Browns... coming from someone that is not totally enamored with mech keyboards so far.

Arcane · 8 Oct 2013 at 17:08

Stuck some of the WASD branded ones on, made a bit of a difference, not worth the effort really, couldn't be bothered to take them off again though.

Ryan-3 · 9 Oct 2013 at 09:27

I put some on keys that are stabilised, so I really don't want the hassle of trying to get them back off again

hardjack79 · 18 Oct 2013 at 12:51

My O-rings arrived from China and I've installed them on most of the keys (excl F# & numpad). I'm much happier with this keyboard now. I'm lightly bottoming out most of my keystrokes but its not a big deal. I like the reduced travel and obviously its a lot quieter.

The dimensions are ID 5mm, OD 8mm, thickness 1.5 mm. They fit perfectly. The rubber seems slightly softer than typical black O-ring compound, at least in my limited experience.

They delivered 110 rings so I have few spare and at some point I'll try putting 2 rings on the letter keys to see how the further reduced travel feels. Although I'll note that the larger keys on the CM QF Storm TK have 3 mounting points to dampen (no stabilisers) so a few additional rings are needed there.

Conclusion: for about £3.50 this has greatly increased my enjoyment of this keyboard

implosiveturnip · 18 Oct 2013 at 14:53

I might have to give these a go as my space bar takes an absolute beating too...