Cherry MX Clear
 | |
| Manufacturer | Cherry |
|---|---|
| Family | Cherry MX |
| Product code | MX1A-C1xx |
| Introduced | 1988 or earlier |
| Switch type | Tactile |
| Sense method | Metal leaf |
| Tactile force | 65 cN |
| Actuation force | 55 cN |
| Peak force | ca. 95 cN |
The Cherry MX Clear switch is a medium stiff, tactile, non-clicky mechanical keyboard switch in the Cherry MX family.
The slider is not actually clear but colourless (in effect, translucent white). The word Clear is Cherry's own designation to distinguish it from the older Cherry MX White which is a clicky switch. Older types of the "white" also have translucent white sliders and are therefore visually indistinguishable from clears.
The Cherry MX Tactile Grey switch is used for space bars in keyboards with Cherry MX Clear switches. It has a similarly-shaped stem but a stiffer spring.
History
MX Clear is reported to have first appeared in 1989;[Citation needed] however, it was included in a March 1988 numbering system datasheet for MX switches so it is assumed to have been in production in 1988 or earlier.
An official Ergo Clear switch with a lighter spring was announced in late 2022, after many years of mods and counterparts from other manufacturers.
In June 2024, Cherry announced a Silent Clear.
Key feel
Similar to the Cherry MX Brown, it has a tactile bump before the activation point. The tactile bump is more pronounced than a Cherry MX Brown but not as sharp as most rubber domes and Topre switches. It is longer and peaks higher, at around 65 cN.
There is a dip at the tactile point (65 cN), below which resistance increases sharply up to around 95 cN at the bottom. Typists who are not used to the switch may feel this tiring. However, proponents of the switch claim that the high resistance cushions the stroke helping you to avoid bottoming out, and that would be beneficial to the fingers in the long term.
Because of the size of the tactile bump, it has the most friction of all Cherry MX switches.
As of 2012, these switches are available directly from the manufacturer and some suppliers.
Modifications
The Cherry MX Clear has one of the stiffest springs of all Cherry MX switch variants. Some people dislike the stiffness but appreciate the large tactile bump and have therefore replaced the springs with lighter springs.
Within the keyboard community these modifications are called:
- "Panda Clears": A 'Clear' slider with a spring from a Cherry MX Black
- "Ergo Clears": A 'Clear' slider with a spring from a Cherry MX Brown, Red or Blue
Keyboards
- Some Cherry G80-1000
- Some Cherry G80-1800
- Cherry G80-1824
- Some Cherry G80-3000
- Some Cherry G80-3190
- Some Cherry G80-8113
- Cherry G80-9009
- Some Chicony KB-5981
- Most Chyron keyboards (especially Duet, Max & Maxine)
- Code keyboard
- Some Deck & TG3 keyboards
- Some Ducky Shine (II/III)
- Some Leopold keyboards
- Phoneboard+
- SkiData keyboards
- WASD Keyboards Version 2
- Weytec Mk06
Gallery
Cherry MX Clear and Cherry MX White
MX clear switches in shipping box.
See also
- Cherry MX Tactile Grey: With stiffer spring, for space bars in keyboards with MX Clear switches.
- Cherry MX Ergo Clear: With lighter spring.
- Cherry MX Silent Clear: With internal noise-damping.
- Cherry MX White: Sometimes confused with the MX Clear.
