Choc Mechanical Keyswitches - Collin’s Lab Notes #adafruit #collinslabnotes

Kailh Choc switches have that #mechanicalkeyboard feel with a refreshingly low-profile #adafruit #collinslabnotes
Shop Choc switches @ Adafruit:

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[Gbb]

V2 of the Choc switch DOES support cherry stems, but Make sure you account for it in your designs. The stem is wider than the original so they are not interchangeable

[linksfueszigerdog]

I just put these chocs into my Guitar Hero guitars fretboard. So far I really love it.

[stan]

I have a keyboard with those key sizes. I love them.

[MMuraseofSandvich]

I'm more of a scissor switch guy (got way too used to laptop-style ultraflat keyboards), but I had to purchase a gaming PC for work (1), which came with a mechanical keyboard. I think the switches are linear (no audible or tactile response mid-stroke), and honestly it was pretty good even though it was "clacky". It's great to see how mechanical keyboards have evolved in this open way where anyone can make anything from a streaming deck to a full keyboard; the only downsides are that this stuff is quite pricey, the backlighting is messier than membrane keyboards (2), and they are often much heavier than other keyboard types.

The low-profile Chocs look pretty sweet. The downsides are, they're still much thicker than a scissor switch, and they can't be backlit (yet). These are relatively new, so it'll be fun to see what Kailh and the others come up with. I saw a mechanical scissor switch a few months ago, though that thing looked way too delicate.

(1) No, not for game-related stuff, I needed a high-spec PC with a recent Nvidia card ASAP, and all the workstations were slated to ship in December; I needed the PC in mid August and it was the only thing that was shipping.
(2) Light will spill all around the keys because getting an LED into the keycaps is not easy compared to putting it in or behind the switch body. This isn't a bad thing until you have a lit keyboard in a dark bedroom.

[vilmondesribeiro]

Interesting, I never heard about it before

[reddcube]

Cherry does make low profile switches.

[W_W-fy]

Do they require less force to click than the Cherry MX reds?

[robobar]

Are there switches that detect “velocity” to use as midi, or aftertouch? I did get some pressure sensitivity parts .. not sure how to implement