Definitive Answer - MX Clear

[robin13867]

Okay chaps (Ladies??),

Having the discussion with the factory at the moment to see whether they'll produce a custom MX switch for us and I really need your help.

The Ergo Clear switch. From what I can understand, this is some form of cannibalised 'hybrid' switch that you're producing yourselves. We thought it may be an idea to get these done officially...

So, I understand that the proposed stem-colour will be purple, but I really need to find out what is being done with the switch to make it an 'ergo clear'. Which switches and which parts are being used to make it? I'll then feed this back to the factory with a view to finding out OUR MOQ and a lead-time on creating it.

If the information is correct, it seems that this module would be popular both as a stand-alone switch, as well as potentially for sale to other manufacturers, so any help you can offer would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks once again!

Robin.

[HzFaq]

Ergo clears use the stem of a clear switch but the spring from a red/blue/brown switch. You get the light activation and a larger tactile bump.

[bhtooefr]

Although some people use slightly stiffer aftermarket springs to make release work better, as I understand.

[HzFaq]

True, there is a percieved problem that sometimes the lighter springs aren't strong enough to push the stem back up past the tactile point so some people use custom Korean springs (I think they usually have an activation point at like 55/60cn) to counter this.

I've used ergo-clears fairly extensivly (using a combination of both new and old springs and stems) just using red springs and never had a problem so YMMV on that one I guess.

[bhtooefr]

But, from a mass production standpoint, that matters, because that means the tolerances probably have to be tighter to use the red/brown/blue springs, increasing cost.

[Ascaii]

From personal experience I find the korean Ergo clear combo the best...62g springs with clear stems. My first ergoclear was a board with clear stems and brown springs, which I still use as my laptop-carry board.

If it would help I could loan you a couple oif the korean springs for testing purposes, robin.

[Soarer]

Make it orange and sell truckloads to GHers $$$

Now I doubt that this would be possible, but what would be cool is a new stem for clicky switches... I'm thinking a blue with a larger bump (in the same way that clear has a larger bump than brown).

[appeac]

I've done 3 ergo clear mods now, and have used new springs from brown and red switches with no issues with sticking on any of them. I suspect all reports of the switch not returning are the people raping old terminal boards for the springs.

[RC-1140]

That pretty much sums it up. I don't think the stem color is important, only the interiors. Stem of Cherry MX Clears, combined with springs of Cherry MX Browns/Reds/Blues, maybe a little bit stiffer, but not much.

[dirge]

Great idea get them to 7bit for distribution. Purple is a great idea! The Koreans are going to be soooo jealous !

[webwit]

Oblig.

[damorgue]

Why does some stems have a notch on the + part on the lower side and some on the top?
Why dies some have a small pin on the side of it and some not?

[Soarer]

The little pin just identifies a clicky switch. Dunno about the notch.

[damorgue]

The notch on the stem which the cap hooks onto. It is directed towards the Cherry logo of the housing on clears but towards the diode on the other colored switches.

[Soarer]

Yeah.. dunno if the notch has any significance though. The pin is mentioned in the datasheet.

[Daemon Raccoon]

I'd imagine that's it's to prevent a vacuum from forming with a tight fitting keycap.

[damorgue]

Sounds reasonable, but why place it differently on the clear stems then?

[Cindori]

If you wanna produce ergo clears, then call them ergo clears. because that's what they are. coming up with some new name and color is just a marketing trick that would cause confusion.

[RC-1140]

No, giving them the same color as the ordinary clears would cause confusion. Every cherry switch which has different characteristics has a different color. Just look at Blacks and Reds. Only the spring is different, the stem is identical, but still the switch has a different color. About the name: I'm not quite sure, we don't use the real names anyway. AFAIK Cherry calls the brown switches "Ergonomic", the Clears "Soft Tactile" and so on.

If Cherry will produce this as a new switch, then they should and they will sell it as a new switch.

It's no "marketing trick", it's just a new product from cherry.

[damorgue]

You both have valid points. They'd want to keep the name Ergo Clear because it has become fairly well known and significant, but they would make it look distinguishable from normal clears. I suggest they make it either very translucent, or opaque with a tint of some color. This way, Ergo Clear still makes sense and it won't look like a normal clear. I suppose their plastic doesn't allow for it to be very translucent, but opaque red or purple perhaps?

[Cindori]

It's no "marketing trick", it's just a new product from cherry.

A new product, but not new switch. That's what I meant with marketing trick.

I as a consumer, would probably buy a board of this new exciting "purple" switch, and I would be pretty angry when I found out it was actually not a new switch, but the ergo clear that has been around for a while and which I already have a board with. I agree that it should distinguish itself from the Clear MX, but what I'm getting at is that it shouldnt be marketed as a new switch...

[reverkiller]

It's no "marketing trick", it's just a new product from cherry.

A new product, but not new switch. That's what I meant with marketing trick.

I as a consumer, would probably buy a board of this new exciting "purple" switch, and I would be pretty angry when I found out it was actually not a new switch, but the ergo clear that has been around for a while and which I already have a board with. I agree that it should distinguish itself from the Clear MX, but what I'm getting at is that it shouldnt be marketed as a new switch...

The catch here is if you have a board with Ergo Clears, you will know that Purples are the same thing. Even if you didn't, you'd do your research to see what it was like and find someone saying "It's just a factory produced Ergo Clear!".

[RC-1140]

I as a consumer, would probably buy a board of this new exciting "purple" switch, and I would be pretty angry when I found out it was actually not a new switch, but the ergo clear that has been around for a while and which I already have a board with. I agree that it should distinguish itself from the Clear MX, but what I'm getting at is that it shouldnt be marketed as a new switch...

But then what about Reds? They are much younger than the Blacks, and some created "Ghetto Reds", before the release. They are not called Ergo Blacks, even though that is what they are. Blacks with lighter springs. Also what you call 'name' is not the real name of these switches. Maybe the new official name for them would be "Ergonomic Soft Tactile", but definitely not Ergo Clear. And every Cherry MX Switch Variant has its own color. I also doubt that there will be a great announcement. People who don't know much about Cherry switches won't know about Ergo Clears; people who know about them will also learn quickly, that these are Ergo Clears.

[Vierax]

As RC-1140 I was thinking about the story of Reds too : Why not calling actual Ergo Clear the "Ghetto Purple" :·þ

[mintberryminuscrunch]

Let's not care about the name until we have a price quote^^

[TheQsanity]

As RC-1140 I was thinking about the story of Reds too : Why not calling actual Ergo Clear the "Ghetto Purple" :·þ

Haha, Names are what the majority of people call them after they come out. Even if you have been calling them _____ for the longest time if more people call them something else they will sooner or later be called that.

[Keymonger]

Has anyone ever tried using an MX Clear spring with an MX Brown switch? I really like the MX Clear but the tactile point is ultimately too cumbersome. It's too stiff, too 'tactile' even. But what I don't like about the MX Brown is that the spring is too light, but the tactile point is quite alright.

[TheQsanity]

Clear Springs are the same or at least similar as Blacks according to the Wiki.

I would love an Orange colored switch. Anyone else?

[fossala]

Clear and black springs are different.

Concerning the colour, I'm not bothered. Keycaps are on it anyways.

[TheQsanity]

They only have a 5cN difference. Is the clear really lighter than the black?

So there is a spring between Blue/Brown/Red and Black?

To make this clear the spring groups go like this?:

• Brown, Blue, Red

• Clear

• Black

• Green, White . may be the same spring as black not sure

• (light) Grey, Dark Grey

edit: http://deskthority.net/wiki/Cherry_MX