Kailh Cherry ML Inspired low profile switches

[matt3o]

how do you use them without keycaps?

[scottc]

how do you use them without keycaps?

You could try typing really carefully on the stems

[davkol]

Or make own custom keycaps. Remember, that's kurplop...

[Kurplop]

Or make own custom keycaps. Remember, that's kurplop...

Yes, but I think that these switches could become a hit and it won't be long before there will be custom group buys as well as manufacturer available caps. What do you think?

[jacobolus]

I want someone to make keycaps for these which just barely cover the switch footprint, so they can be used with different spacing.

[Kurplop]

I want someone to make keycaps for these which just barely cover the switch footprint, so they can be used with different spacing.

+1 Well, we can at least agree about keyboards.

One of the pictures made it appear as if the Kailh switch occupies a bigger footprint than the Cherry. Is that true?

[Kurplop]

I want someone to make keycaps for these which just barely cover the switch footprint, so they can be used with different spacing.

+1 Well, we can at least agree about keyboards.

One of the pictures made it appear as if the Kailh switch occupies a bigger footprint than the Cherry. Is that true?

I answered my own question. I measured an ML and it is 11.39mm x 12.14mm. The data sheet says that the Kailh is 15mm square or 0.593". Since they are PCB mountable, they could be set right next to each other. So a 0.6" pitch would be doable in either direction.

[matt3o]

I should get 100-ish of them that I will use to build a test keyboard (most likely a 60%). In the meantime I told Kailh that I won't settle for anything lower than PBT keycaps and they seemed interested. Consider that we are a very (very) small market for them... it will take some time.

[jacobolus]

Definitely a bigger footprint than ML. My son is 4 months old... his hands are still a bit small to start typing on any of the above. But when he gets to be 5 or whatever, and wants to start learning to code, it would be great to have a more appropriate keyboard size. ML is probably the best bet for very tiny hands, but these Kaihua switches should be good for a kids in the 8–10 range I think.

[Chyros]

Definitely a bigger footprint than ML. My son is 4 months old... his hands are still a bit small to start typing on any of the above. But when he gets to be 5 or whatever, and wants to start learning to code, it would be great to have a more appropriate keyboard size. ML is probably the best bet for very tiny hands, but these Kaihua switches should be good for a kids in the 8–10 range I think.

Strange, I was under the impression that kids benefited from large rather than small keys. Why not go for a BigKeys or something?

[jacobolus]

Big keys are awful, unless you’re trying to press them with your fist or something. For a 1 year old, probably easier, but a 1 year old isn’t going to be typing regardless.

People give kids keyboards with large buttons because they dramatically underestimate kids’ abilities. Consider: It’s possible to train a 3–4 year old to play the violin.

[PollandAkuma]

What plates can they use? Just normal ones? Or special thin ones?


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[matt3o]

technically I believe it should be slightly thinner than cherry mx. I seem to recall it's 1.3mm (instead of 1.5).

I just got the tracking for a new batch of switches heading my way!

[matt3o]

Teaser





currently displayed at CES

[Wodan]

Wait YOU'RE at the CES?

Please bring some MX Silent Red

[Elrick]

Teaser



currently at CES

This looks exactly like the next new release by Apple as either an expanded iPhone with keyboard or some keyboard for a new range of iMacs.

Don't tell me you have deserted us poor PC people for the high life of Apple, what did Tim Cook offer you?

[matt3o]

Wait YOU'RE at the CES?

Please bring some MX Silent Red

the keyboard is, my butt is comfortably on the couch

I just talked to Ian from Kailih who showed me some pictures of a keyboard they are working on featuring the low profile switch.

This looks exactly like the next new release by them as either an expanded iPhone with keyboard or some keyboard for a new range of iMacs.

Don't tell me you have deserted us poor PC people for the high life of Apple, what did Tim Cook offer you?

I really don't know what you are talking about. The keyboard has the new low profile switches we are talking about. It's a keyboard made by Kailh not by me.

[Menuhin]

Perhaps related.

In this "Tesoro Gram Spectrum Gaming Mechanical Keyboard", there are some low profile switches also produced by Kailh, but these switches are sporting some MX compatible stems.
http://www.tweaktown.com/reviews/7863/t ... index.html

[Wodan]

The Tesoro switches look like they have standard MX dimensions, it's the keycaps that make it slim ...

[matt3o]

The Tesoro switches look like they have standard MX dimensions, it's the keycaps that make it slim ...

the switches are actually a tad smaller than cherry MX, but kailh are even thinner.

[Menuhin]

... But when he gets to be 5 or whatever, and wants to start learning to code ...

A family with coding education, cool!

If you don't like BigKeys, perhaps "LittleFingers" from DataDesk Tech will also work? (Have they already run out of business?)
http://www.datadesktech.com/education_base.html

I hope the low profile switches still sculpted caps to a certain degree. Will the new XDA profile caps work on it?

[Hking0036]

Looks pretty neat. I like a decent travel myself but it's cool to see it take off, will probably give them a try once either way when they make it out.

[TyGuy83]

I believe Tesoro has already created a desktop keyboard using these new switches also shown off at CES this year:

[matt3o]

those are not from Kailh, I'd like to test them anyway

[TyGuy83]

@matt3o Do you know who is supplying those switches? I thought they worked with Kaihua to develop the Tesoro Agile switch in the gram spectrum.

[matt3o]

I have no idea, but I asked Kailh and they say they don't supply the switches for that tesoro board.

also looking at the picture the switch looks completely different.

[variable]

According to Tom's Hardware they are gateron switches.
http://www.tomshardware.com/news/tesoro ... 33395.html

[Ail]

I hope they offer that board in Bluetooth. If so I will probably buy one to replace my Logitech tablet keyboard I use with my Surface Pro. 75/60% boards are still too bulky for my liking to tote around. The form factor is nice on that. Looks sleek, too.

[matt3o]

I got back from Kailh again and they are so kind to provide some custom keycaps together with the switches... very excited about it

[TyGuy83]

@matt3o Is Kailh still planning to keep these switches on laptops only?