Welcome Guest ( Log In | Register )

Bump Topic Add Reply RSS Feed
87 Pages « < 81 82 83 84 85 > » Bottom

Outline · [ Standard ] · Linear+

 [V33] Lowyat.Net Mechanical Keyboard Club

views
     
babylon52281
post Jun 7 2025, 04:18 PM

Look at all my stars!!
*******
Senior Member
2,651 posts

Joined: Apr 2017
Question on case foam modding as I understand it gives a better sound profile to budget keebs like mine.

Im a bit confused which is the material to go with so I will just layout what I have on hand:

IXPE PE foam (3mm)
user posted image

Expanded PE EPE foam (5mm)
user posted image

Thin HDPE foam layer (1mm)
user posted image

I do have concern if any of these will create static charge and kill the PCB as its not going to be shielded ontop of the case foam.

I got these free so I dont mind chucking either any after selecting the one to use.

This post has been edited by babylon52281: Jun 7 2025, 04:20 PM
horns
post Jun 7 2025, 11:18 PM

\m/
*******
Senior Member
3,038 posts

Joined: Nov 2009
it's up to you to experiment.

in general, foams are optional. they are used in few areas in a mkb: gap between plate and pcb (plate foams), between key switches/stabilizers and pcb (switch foams), between pcb and bottom case (case foams), or between top and bottom housing (force-break mod). however, you should first find out the purposes of using foams in mkb, e.g., sound dampening/enhancements, vibration reduction. these foams affect typing sound and feel. if not done right, they can introduce undesired side effects, some kits are not meant to use foams to be good, and the presence of foams kills their signature characteristics significantly.

note that the choice of material and thickness depends on the desired sound and feel, and also other components in a board, e.g., denser foams like poron can offer more dampening than eva, only use thin plate foam when you use a thick top plate.

there are modular prebuiltsthat include all pre-cut foams in the market. it's a good thing, because at least you can either use or take out any of them to get to what you want to achieve.

do not use foams that are too thick that cause undesired pressures to the pcb. it might lead to weird behaviors to a board.
Maxieos
post Jun 8 2025, 07:25 AM

Look at all my stars!!
*******
Senior Member
3,752 posts

Joined: May 2008
Just for a beginner budget question , where to find a shop which allow to test typing experience on mkb switch ? I doubt shops will open box and let you test.

If there is no option to test the typing experience on each switch ,which one should be a basic choice ?

Would like to have office type of keyboard example the look iKBC CD108 but can't find who is selling.
» Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... «

Thanks
xxboxx
post Jun 8 2025, 05:51 PM

The mind is for having ideas, not holding them
*******
Senior Member
5,254 posts

Joined: Oct 2004
From: J@Y B33
QUOTE(Maxieos @ Jun 8 2025, 07:25 AM)
Just for a beginner budget question , where to find a shop which allow to test typing experience on mkb switch ? I doubt shops will open box and let you test.

If there is no option to test the typing experience on each switch  ,which one should be a basic choice ?

Would like to have office type of keyboard example the look iKBC CD108 but can't find who is selling.
» Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... «

Thanks
*
Go to some shops in mall that have display model of mkb such as Harvey Norman and All IT. If at Lowyat Plaza maybe have even more shops that display of mkb.
horns
post Jun 8 2025, 07:53 PM

\m/
*******
Senior Member
3,038 posts

Joined: Nov 2009
if you're in klang valley, you can also check out mecha and mkb. i believe there are some more, but i'm not sure if they are in klang valley.

for the rest of the questions, not sure. i'm out of loops of mkb trending for a long time haha
babylon52281
post Jun 8 2025, 10:12 PM

Look at all my stars!!
*******
Senior Member
2,651 posts

Joined: Apr 2017
QUOTE(horns @ Jun 7 2025, 11:18 PM)
it's up to you to experiment.

in general, foams are optional. they are used in few areas in a mkb: gap between plate and pcb (plate foams), between key switches/stabilizers and pcb (switch foams), between pcb and bottom case (case foams), or between top and bottom housing (force-break mod). however, you should first find out the purposes of using foams in mkb, e.g., sound dampening/enhancements, vibration reduction. these foams affect typing sound and feel. if not done right, they can introduce undesired side effects, some kits are not meant to use foams to be good, and the presence of foams kills their signature characteristics significantly.

note that the choice of material and thickness depends on the desired sound and feel, and also other components in a board, e.g., denser foams like poron can offer more dampening than eva, only use thin plate foam when you use a thick top plate.

there are modular prebuiltsthat include all pre-cut foams in the market. it's a good thing, because at least you can either use or take out any of them to get to what you want to achieve.

do not use foams that are too thick that cause undesired pressures to the pcb. it might lead to weird behaviors to a board.
*
It seems my keeb has 3 layer below the switches
user posted image

And below it has quite a bit of space. I will use it for a while, get the hang of it, and see again if adding foam will help.
babylon52281
post Jun 8 2025, 10:58 PM

Look at all my stars!!
*******
Senior Member
2,651 posts

Joined: Apr 2017
QUOTE(Maxieos @ Jun 8 2025, 07:25 AM)
Just for a beginner budget question , where to find a shop which allow to test typing experience on mkb switch ? I doubt shops will open box and let you test.

If there is no option to test the typing experience on each switch  ,which one should be a basic choice ?

Would like to have office type of keyboard example the look iKBC CD108 but can't find who is selling.
» Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... «

Thanks
*
So far been to various ALL IT and Thundermatch has quite a few choices to test. For my case, last year I was in Tokyo so I had the chance to go test all I wish in Akiba. Particularly, Yodobashi had nearly all the keyboard models on sale with demo units to test. That was how I used them to narrow down the type of switch I prefer.
horns
post Jun 8 2025, 11:23 PM

\m/
*******
Senior Member
3,038 posts

Joined: Nov 2009
QUOTE(babylon52281 @ Jun 8 2025, 10:12 PM)
It seems my keeb has 3 layer below the switches
» Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... «

And below it has quite a bit of space. I will use it for a while, get the hang of it, and see again if adding foam will help.
*
that means your board already has a plate foam (it's the so-called ixpe pad). you can take it out and try typing to see if it make a difference.

pc plate is soft, so be careful when you install key switches without the plate foam.
quarantined
post Jun 9 2025, 04:29 PM

Create Not Imitate
*******
Senior Member
3,396 posts

Joined: Mar 2005
From: KL
QUOTE(horns @ Jun 8 2025, 07:53 PM)
if you're in klang valley, you can also check out mecha and mkb. i believe there are some more, but i'm not sure if they are in klang valley.

for the rest of the questions, not sure. i'm out of loops of mkb trending for a long time haha
*
I just buy bunch of test switches from Desk Monxter to test on my own board. They have a good selection.
horns
post Jun 9 2025, 07:48 PM

\m/
*******
Senior Member
3,038 posts

Joined: Nov 2009
QUOTE(quarantined @ Jun 9 2025, 04:29 PM)
I just buy bunch of test switches from Desk Monxter to test on my own board. They have a good selection.
*
nice haha previously i saw a fb reel video (or was it yt shorts?) about two ladies shopping at one in klang valley. they looked happy with their new purchases (customized at the shop), but i couldn't recall anything useful unfortunately.
Maxieos
post Jun 9 2025, 09:58 PM

Look at all my stars!!
*******
Senior Member
3,752 posts

Joined: May 2008
QUOTE(babylon52281 @ Jun 8 2025, 10:58 PM)
So far been to various ALL IT and Thundermatch has quite a few choices to test. For my case, last year I was in Tokyo so I had the chance to go test all I wish in Akiba. Particularly, Yodobashi had nearly all the keyboard models on sale with demo units to test. That was how I used them to narrow down the type of switch I prefer.
*
The shop you mention all are particularly custom brand with key cap.Mostly all shop doesn't allow you to open box for the keyboard to test.They will not open a logitech for you just to type.
ALL IT and Thundermatch which outlet have keyboard to test ?
They only display laptop , phone , accessories , gadget speaker audio.No keyboard.Even only 1 keyboard on a PC demo set.

If without typing , which one is close to membrane keyboard with tactile feedback and activation force ?
horns
post Jun 9 2025, 11:14 PM

\m/
*******
Senior Member
3,038 posts

Joined: Nov 2009
something is not right. when i checked the technical specs of cherry mx2a red, the bottom-out (final) force is now 100cN?! black and honey are 110cN! these numbers are different from what're stated in the force-travel diagrams in their pdfs.

edit: 100cN/gf is about 100g

This post has been edited by horns: Jun 9 2025, 11:17 PM
babylon52281
post Jun 10 2025, 09:55 AM

Look at all my stars!!
*******
Senior Member
2,651 posts

Joined: Apr 2017
QUOTE(Maxieos @ Jun 9 2025, 09:58 PM)
The shop you mention all are particularly custom brand with key cap.Mostly all shop doesn't allow you to open box for the keyboard to test.They will not open a logitech for you just to type.
ALL IT and Thundermatch which outlet have keyboard to test ?
They only display laptop , phone , accessories , gadget speaker audio.No keyboard.Even only 1 keyboard on a PC demo set.

If without typing , which one is close to membrane keyboard with tactile feedback and activation force ?
*
I go to their flagship stores ie Lowyat, Midvalley KL, Sunway, where they have gaming rigs setup, so I tried those gamer setup keebs as well some of their demo keebs. At lowyat theres other big stores got demo too; viewnet, sri comp, etc
diaBoliQu3
post Jun 10 2025, 10:56 AM

☆ Untitled ☆
*******
Senior Member
5,631 posts

Joined: Aug 2011
From: ☆ Kuching ☆
» Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... «


Well, I almost order S98 but again the color is kinda turned off for me. I have experience with pink white PBT keycaps last time and after quite some time, those bright keycaps are visibly dirty. Although black or dark color will get dirty too, at least I don't see it. laugh.gif

So I checked out F99 Pro and F108 pro. I think F99 pro is the best bang for buck, but budget wise it cost 2.5 more than my budget. S98 slightly above my budget, but sadly only comes in white color.

With initial budget 100 and after considering everything, almost get myself F99 pro but just like you said, the switches are so confusing and now ended up still typing with Lenovo keyboard in my office. sweat.gif Still got some time before next Shopee promo.
horns
post Jun 10 2025, 02:06 PM

\m/
*******
Senior Member
3,038 posts

Joined: Nov 2009
QUOTE(diaBoliQu3 @ Jun 10 2025, 10:56 AM)
Well, I almost order S98 but again the color is kinda turned off for me. I have experience with pink white PBT keycaps last time and after quite some time, those bright keycaps are visibly dirty. Although black or dark color will get dirty too, at least I don't see it. laugh.gif

So I checked out F99 Pro and F108 pro. I think F99 pro is the best bang for buck, but budget wise it cost 2.5 more than my budget. S98 slightly above my budget, but sadly only comes in white color.

With initial budget 100 and after considering everything, almost get myself F99 pro but just like you said, the switches are so confusing and now ended up still typing with Lenovo keyboard in my office. sweat.gif Still got some time before next Shopee promo.
*
just clean up keycaps with antibacterial wet wipes. just two pieces of wet wipes and like two minutes later, they will be clean and nice.
diaBoliQu3
post Jun 10 2025, 02:52 PM

☆ Untitled ☆
*******
Senior Member
5,631 posts

Joined: Aug 2011
From: ☆ Kuching ☆
QUOTE(horns @ Jun 10 2025, 02:06 PM)
just clean up keycaps with antibacterial wet wipes. just two pieces of wet wipes and like two minutes later, they will be clean and nice.
*
Yeah, life made easy with wet wipes.
horns
post Jun 11 2025, 09:52 AM

\m/
*******
Senior Member
3,038 posts

Joined: Nov 2009
most people do not care about this.

i bought 2x 110-unit yogurt from xllab. there is a sticker that provides brief switch specs on the containers. it's placed between the top cover, and the rest of the container, sticking them together (like a seal). both logos on the top and body are aligned properly. i think this is intentional, and it's a nice touch.

afaik, most vendors do not bother about this detail, with their branded containers. at least people at xllab know what they are doing with their own brand.

by the way, yogurt is nice haha
scchan107
post Jun 11 2025, 10:31 AM

Getting Started
**
Junior Member
205 posts

Joined: Feb 2007
QUOTE(Maxieos @ Jun 8 2025, 07:25 AM)
Just for a beginner budget question , where to find a shop which allow to test typing experience on mkb switch ? I doubt shops will open box and let you test.

If there is no option to test the typing experience on each switch  ,which one should be a basic choice ?

Would like to have office type of keyboard example the look iKBC CD108 but can't find who is selling.
» Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... «

Thanks
*
Mecha Malaysia @ Sunway - Bought my keychron bare board here, they do have switch to test.

Click and Brew @ Penang - Offer 1 stop solution for own custom board (pick your board, switch and keycap), I liked their informative switch corner. Press 1 switch, the monitor will show the name of the switch, specification of switch and the price of the switch.

But in the end of the day, i ended buying switch from Thundermatch for the Akko switch (45pcs per box at much cheaper rate). The shop assistance do open the switch box for me to do final feel test before i commit to full set of switches (3 boxes with spare)
quarantined
post Jun 11 2025, 11:28 AM

Create Not Imitate
*******
Senior Member
3,396 posts

Joined: Mar 2005
From: KL
QUOTE(horns @ Jun 11 2025, 09:52 AM)
most people do not care about this.

i bought 2x 110-unit yogurt from xllab. there is a sticker that provides brief switch specs on the containers. it's placed between the top cover, and the rest of the container, sticking them together (like a seal). both logos on the top and body are aligned properly. i think this is intentional, and it's a nice touch.

afaik, most vendors do not bother about this detail, with their branded containers. at least people at xllab know what they are doing with their own brand.

by the way, yogurt is nice haha
*
wow 220 pcs in total you really commit, are you building a battleship soon lol?

yeah I gotta say while not all HMX are great (and there are too many of them) Yogurts are definitely one of their keepers. That signature loud hmx clack will brighten up any dull keyboard.
josh5671
post Jun 11 2025, 12:11 PM

Regular
******
Senior Member
1,197 posts

Joined: Dec 2010
wait. HMX Yogurt not silent switch?
it still have HMX loud click/clack?
« Next Oldest · Hardware Clubs / Brand Discussions · Next Newest »
 

87 Pages « < 81 82 83 84 85 > » Top
Add ReplyOptions
 

Change to:
| Lo-Fi Version
 0.0362sec    0.50    6 queries    GZIP Disabled
Time is now: 25th November 2025 - 03:49 AM
All Rights Reserved © 2002- 2025 Vijandren Ramadass (~unite against racism~)
Removal Request
Powered by Invision Power Board © 2025  IPS, Inc.