Best keyboard switch 2013

[webwit]

Please suggest nominees for the Best keyboard switch in 2013. You have to give a short motivation for each suggestion.

Current suggestions (this list is frequently updated):

• Cherry MX Lock
• Nixdorf "Soft Touch" Black
• Clicky Univac magnetic switches
• Honeywell Micro Switch
• Matias Quiet switch
• Cherry MX Black
• Cherry MX Brown
• IBM beam spring
• Alps Plate Spring
• Cherry MX Ergo Clear
• Cherry MX Clear
• Topre switch
• IBM buckling spring
• Cherry MX Green
• Matias Click switch

[rindorbrot]

The only non-momentary switch in the Cherry MX lineup:
Cherry MX Lock

[photekq]

The Nixdorf "Soft Touch" Black without a doubt in my mind, as they are the perfect linear MX switch. They are perfectly smooth without lubricant, and allow a large amount of customisation like the rest of the MX line.

[Muirium]

The mad clicky Univac that HaaTa discovered this year:

[HaaTa]

Oh, once I get a couple of projects out of the way, I'm planning on assembling a team to reproduce the Univac magnetic switches

[7bit]

Micro Switch.

[Julle]

I nominate the Matias Quiet Pro switch. It takes some serious balls to make a mechanical keyboard with anything else than Cherry switches these days.

[CeeSA]

good point Julle - Matias Quiet Pro.

[Jmneuv]

The Nixdorf "Soft Touch" Black

Can you elaborate, please? Never heard of that switch.

[photekq]

The Nixdorf "Soft Touch" Black

Can you elaborate, please? Never heard of that switch.

These babies :

The original Cherry clear switch top.
PERFECTLY smooth without any modding - seriously, there is absolutely no scratchiness whatsoever.
Photo from ascaii

[Muirium]

The classic vintage black. How did they go wrong!

[kbdfr]

I'd like to nominate the Cherry MX black switch.

I hold it for the best switch ever made.
Simple, reliable, smooth and steady.
It guides your fingers on their way down and gently escorts them on their way up.
The perfect touch. Exactly what a professional typist needs

Edit:

[Ekaros]

I'd like to nominate the Cherry MX black switch.

I hold it for the best switch ever made.
Simple, reliable, smooth and steady.
It guides your fingers on their way down and gently escorts them on their way up.
The perfect touch. Exactly what a professional typist needs

Edit:

Heretic, MX Brown is the correct way!

I suggest a pre-poll for picking up one MX switch... Or group them to one...

[Halvar]

IBM beam spring. Now usable again.

[Muirium]

Quit showing off you, Mr. Beam Spring debutante!

I'll agree as soon as I have one too, of course. The one I've tried in a museum was magnificent.

[Compgeke]

I'm a bit odd in that I actually quite like the Alps Plate Spring switch that's used in the PS/2 P70. My only complaint is the PS/2 P70 has a raised keyboard without plate mounted switches, making for a very flexible keyboard.

[Game Theory]

Clicky Univac magnetic switches sound so nice!

[mr_a500]

That UNIVAC disturbs me... because now I have to find one.

I thought my keyboard quest was over with my beam spring, but now HaaTa has found not one, but two keyboards I must search for: the other being the ALPS magnetic reed keyboard. If there was a separate category for "Best clicky switch" and "Best linear", HaaTa could take both prizes with those two keyboards.

[Dubsgalore]

Vintage Blacks are my favorite from experience

The Nixdorf "Soft Touch" Black without a doubt in my mind, as they are the perfect linear MX switch. They are perfectly smooth without lubricant, and allow a large amount of customisation like the rest of the MX line.

How I wish i could try these..

[TheSoulhunter]

Ergo Clears, because... it's my favorite!
Also because all these custom springs (62g, 65g, 67g...) became available -> Less sticky Ergo Clears

[Muirium]

Oh, once I get a couple of projects out of the way, I'm planning on assembling a team to reproduce the Univac magnetic switches

For some reason I can't get this song out of my head.

There's going to be welding, helicopters and costumes, right? Looking forward to it!

[webwit]

Alternatively, if that doesn't work out, MacGyver will reproduce the Univac magnetic switches with nothing more than duck tape, fridge magnets, a rope, and spit.

[mr_a500]

As long as there's a helicopter, I'm in. There also has to be a red Ferrari and an estate in Hawaii... oh wait a minute - that's Magnum P. I.

[Muirium]

Note to TV execs: get back on your helicopters, take a good line of Beverley Hills high tea, and do what your 80s forefathers did! Those shows, those cuckoo, instantaneously classic shows.

[Belfong]

I think we gotta put MX Clears. Made even more popular by Code keyboard until it was out of stock WW and everyone is still hunting for one.

[Findecanor]

I think we gotta put MX Clears.

I second this. Was going to nominate if you hadn't beaten me to it.

[Ekaros]

Do we have time to do something different with this category?

This is horribly wide category always, any good options to narrow it down?

[Muirium]

Pitting old vs. new (let alone home made, as in several other categories) makes for a crazy vote. But that's what the first round is for, I guess. I'll be voting for the ancient novelty of Univac switches on this one (and Hall effects and beam springs if we get multiple votes) but for new stuff in other some categories. Just depends on the field.

[Ekaros]

Cherry MX could alone have the options for sufficient poll, throw in ALPs for good measure and we have same amount of canditates than a few other categories combined...

THESE ARE NO SUGGESTIONS
Cherry MX:
Black
Blue
Brown
Clear
Green
Grey
Red
White
And lock...

ALPS:
More crazy ;D

[Muirium]

A little digging in the archive, and I present for reference:

Best keyboard switch 2011: Cherry MX Brown.
Best keyboard switch 2012: Cherry MX Ergo Clear.

Can the tyranny of MX be put to an end before Cherry wins the hat trick? Can spring bucklers and rubber cuppers put aside their differences to unite against continued dominion? Can the archaeologists settle on some bloody thing? Can 002 ever find a hat that doesn't split open at the crown? The truth, gentleman, will out!