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[Iced]

Has anyone gone back to membrane keyboards after using a mechanical one for any significant period of time? I've owned a mechanical keyboard with brown switches for a couple of years and, although I love typing on it, I feel like I'm just being a pain to my live-in girlfriend (who I moved in with after getting the keyboard). This is especially true with gaming, where I will often press down hard on the keys during really intense gameplay.

Is there any going back?

 

[Enter the Dragon Punch]

No, God no. I can't even go to other types of mechanical switches at this point... Blue or bust.

 

[Fracas]

I can't even imagine going back.

 

[The 18th Letter]

I tried and it was awful.

Can't you buy sound dampeners for your keys? I thought I saw something like that once

 

[NormalFish]

No, God no. I can't even go to other types of mechanical switches at this point... Blue or bust.

.

 

[ThoseDeafMutes]

I mean you can but it's not ideal.

If you've switched between PC gaming with mech and laptop gaming then you know what to expect. It's not as good to use but you're not going to literally die or anything.

 

[Dr_Boris_Goltz]

I tried and it was awful.

Can't you buy sound dampeners for your keys? I thought I saw something like that once

I tried these on my blue switches and they felt too mushy. It was as if I was using a membrane.

 

[Giolon]

There's no going back. Browns don't make that much noise. My dishwasher makes more noise.

 

[Yaboosh]

What a tiny compromise to make your living situation much more pleasant for your partner.

 

[derExperte]

Try those: http://www.wasdkeyboards.com/index....mx-rubber-o-ring-switch-dampeners-125pcs.html

 

[DigitalRicket]

Same issue here. Bought a nifty $100 mech keyboard and I can't stand it! I actually prefer chiclet keys like on a Mac for typing or for gaming. The keys are too bulky and get in the way of actually moving from key to key.

 

[Iced]

What a tiny compromise to make your living situation much more pleasant for your partner.

Yeah this is what I'm thinking. I'd certainly feel less guilty those nights when I'm doing some late night gaming.

 

[OldGangWarily]

Haha, I had a very similar feeling until I bought my fiancee a Cherry MX Brown keyboard. Now she uses it for work.

 

[Yaboosh]

Yeah this is what I'm thinking. I'd certainly feel less guilty those nights when I'm doing some late night gaming.

Yeah, you won't have to use it all the time but clicky keys late at night are extremely annoying.

 

[The Dear Leader]

It's like going from a Guitar Hero strum bar to a Rock Band 1 strum bar. Just mussy grossness, I can't not have a mechanical keyboard.

 

[sleverfunk]

Put some o-rings on or get a mx red keyboard or some of those silent mx keys from corsair.

 

[nilbog21]

I was forced to after I spilled coffee on mine. It has been horrible tbh. every day is pain

 

[manny10032]

Corsair STRAFE RGB MX Silent

You are welcome!

 

[GeoNeo]

It's like going from raw dog back to using a rubber...

 

[Kid Ska]

There's no going back. Browns don't make that much noise. My dishwasher makes more noise.

This, 100%. No way I'd ever go back, I love my browns.

 

[betawi]

I've been thinking about switching back to membrane as well, although for me, the reason is cable.

Is there any wireless mechanical keyboard out there?

 

[TheSeks]

Have you... I dunno, asked her if you were being annoying with your keyboard? I'm sure you're making a bigger deal about the sound than she would.

 

[OneUh8]

Yeah even reds and brown switches make some noise and they are supposed to be quiet. Maybe try something other than a cherry switch? I know Logitech uses a different kind of switch on some keyboards.

 

[TheChewyWaffles]

Mechanical sucked to me. Wayyyyy too loud.

 

[Unicorn]

Membrane, the stealth keyboard.

 

[Fularu]

There's no going back. Browns don't make that much noise. My dishwasher makes more noise.

You have a very loud dishwasher,

I have a K95 RGB with brown switches and I find it loud as fuck. My dishwasher is 46 db though

 

[Jacksinthe]

I can't touch anything that isn't a Cherry MX Blue anymore.

Will be hard to go back, OP.

 

[chrominance]

I switch between a mechanical keyboard at home (Cherry MX Browns) and a membrane keyboard at work, and honestly I think you'll be alright. I don't game at work, obviously, so I can't say for sure that you'll be able to go back no problem, but I used a membrane keyboard for decades playing PC games before I got this keyboard, and I was fine.

A mechanical keyboard is nicer in some ways but I don't think the difference is so huge.

 

[jrcbandit]

Try Cherry MX Red switches before going back to a crappy membrane keyboard.

 

[Zafir]

I switch between a mechanical keyboard at home (Cherry MX Browns) and a membrane keyboard at work, and honestly I think you'll be alright. I don't game at work, obviously, so I can't say for sure that you'll be able to go back no problem, but I used a membrane keyboard for decades playing PC games before I got this keyboard, and I was fine.

A mechanical keyboard is nicer in some ways but I don't think the difference is so huge.

Same here.

I do really like my mechanical keyboard at home, and I love how it feels. That said, it's not the end of the world when I have to use a membrane keyboard a work.

That all said, if you do want to stick with a mechanical keyboard you could maybe try some other switches. The Romer G switches from Logitech are a bit quieter.

 

[Ruff]

I feel like the only person on earth who prefers Chiclet keys to anything else XD

 

[sunshine and gasoline]

I'll have no big problems with going back to a membrane keyboard, I already use one at work though I would be rather reluctant to switch out a mechanical keyboard for a membrane when on my gaming PC. Only if my significant other was unable to tolerate it would I consider doing so.

 

[Inumbris]

I've been thinking about switching back to membrane as well, although for me, the reason is cable.

Is there any wireless mechanical keyboard out there?

There aren't many, but they're out there! From what I've heard, the Filco Majestouch Convertible 2 is one of the best.

As for your question OP, I don't think I can ever go back. I love my MX Blues so much. The only compromise I would make in a similar situation would be going to a stealthier switch type and dampening rings, but I can never go back to membrane now, given a choice.

 

[Caffeine]

had no issues going back mechanical was just too loud to play at night. I had cherry mx blues

 

[Lunarwhale]

I can barely stand using the membrane keyboards at my job - they feel so off to me now that I'm use to blues at home. Try some sound dampeners (like o-rings) or teach yourself to use lighter presses. Put a pad under your keyboard if your desk is part of the noise problem.

If your problem is bottoming out keys, membrane keyboards are still going to be well audible. They can make a decent amount of noise.

 

[WaterAstro]

I'm waiting to see if Logitech will release a non-shitty key cap version with Romer G.

They've only been using Romer G on their high-end keyboards that sport the angled keycaps, and it's a "DRM" keyboard because Romer G isn't compatible with any other key caps.

 

[Zafir]

I'm waiting to see if Logitech will release a non-shitty key cap version with Romer G.

They've only been using Romer G on their high-end keyboards that sport the angled keycaps, and it's a "DRM" keyboard because Romer G isn't compatible with any other key caps.

They already have?

The G810 has fairly standard key caps. Standard in the sense of shape. They still can't be swapped.

 

[creatchee]

They already have?

The G810 has fairly standard key caps. Standard in the sense of shape. They still can't be swapped.

Have the G810. It's the best keyboard I've ever used.

 

[Astral/H3X]

Cherry Red + O Rings = compromise. Should be making about as much noise as a membrane.

 

[Apoleptica]

I prefer membrane keyboards personally. Mechanical ones make me feel like I'm using a 1950's typewriter.

 

[Silent_Ocarina]

Corsair STRAFE RGB MX Silent

You are welcome!

This is the one I have, but it's the only mechanical keyboard I've ever used, so I can't really compare it to anything. However, I had to send it back to Corsair (literally just last week) so I returned to an old Dell keyboard. And honestly, I don't find it that bad at all. Of course I prefer my Strafe, but I didn't find the Dell keyboard to be unbearable or even "worse" than my Strafe. Just slightly different feel. But I guess I'm just weird.

 

[SGRX]

Topre switches are quieter than Cherry but still offer a superior experience compared to membrane keyboards.

 

[bonesmccoy]

No, impossible.

 

[nullpoynter]

It's a pity Microsoft quit making the Sidewinder X4 keyboard. That keyboard is great, and in my opinion, is still a great keyboard compared to the mechanical alternatives of today.

 

[Giever]

It's completely fine. I have a buckling spring keyboard for my desktop, but whenever I use my laptop it's a total non-issue.

 

[DieAntwoord]

Go with cherry blacks. They have a sound very similar to membrane but the feel of mechanical.

 

[Panda Rin]

Not even a question. I immediately get frustrated whenever I type on a membrane keyboard.

I use reds though, still fairly loud, but they're no blues.

 

[Iced]

Anyone have any o-ring recommendations? I believe this is the solution I am looking for, as I tend to bottom out quite a bit. I am using a CM Storm Quickfire Pro.

Edit: I'm also a filthy Canadian (sorry) so Canadian sites are appreciated!

Edit 2: Would these be okay? I'd have to wait a while since they're coming from Hong Kong, but the price is certainly right: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00VHXHP6Q/

 

[Iorv3th]

Try those: http://www.wasdkeyboards.com/index....mx-rubber-o-ring-switch-dampeners-125pcs.html

Anyone have any o-ring recommendations? I believe this is the solution I am looking for, as I tend to bottom out quite a bit. I am using a CM Storm Quickfire Pro.

Edit: I'm also a filthy Canadian (sorry) so Canadian sites are appreciated!

Edit 2: Would these be okay? I'd have to wait a while since they're coming from Hong Kong, but the price is certainly right: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00VHXHP6Q/

I have the same keyboard. I think i'm going with the ones in the quote above. Mine is pretty loud too.

 

[Iced]

I went with these because they're cheap and I don't mind waiting for delivery: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B00VHXHP6Q/

Curious to hear more feedback from anyone who uses dampeners with their mechanical keyboards, particularly cherry brown switches.