I’ll preface by saying that I am only just learning about membranes, scissors, and the various sort of linear + tactile switches. I apologize if I ask any dumb questions. I’m here to learn.
As I said in my intro, I’ve been using Thinkpad keyboards for decades and recently moved (back) to a series of sk-8855s. The problem I’m having with the sk’s is that they are seemingly, at a hardware level, unable to generate certain key combinations which are central to my day-to-day workflow and which I became accustomed to via use of my wireless Thinkpad Compact keyboards. Specifically, I have 2 US sk-8855s and one Japanese sk-8855 which are flatly unable to produce the Super+Shift-Right arrow combo. All other arrow keys work fine with those modifiers. Digging around on some forums it seems as though this is a hardware problem though one very few people run into due to the combo being a little unusual. As far as I can tell, this might be a function of the way the kb’s are wired and their rollover depth.
As it seems intractable to get the sk’s to generate this key combo and I do really want to go full frame keyboard and get off the Compacts, I went down the path of a Tex Shinobi with the default Cherry Reds. That keyboard is able to generate all of the key combos I need however I very much dislike the Cherry Reds both in terms of sound and feel. Before I order a DIY kit and start futzing about with, say, the Cherry Browns perhaps someone on this board can advise on what I might be able to do to reproduce the sk-8855 feel with a different set of switches using the Tex Shinobi chassis?
I’d actually prefer a key cap size closer to the sk but if I can get sound, pressure, and tactile snap right I’ll just take that as a win and make the adjustment on the cap size.
You might try Silent Boba U4 switches. They’re often recommended for people who want a refined dome-like experience but can’t or won’t go Topre. We have some true switch gurus here though, so maybe someone else has better ideas.
Keycaps are always going to be a challenge with a trackpoint board, as the notches mean limited selection or some very brave (and resale-killing) DIY. If you are feeling adventurous (and spendy), and you don’t mind small spacebars, The HHKB Studio JIS version has proper arrow keys, a trackpoint, and a cylindrical cap profile that’s probably just a bit closer to the SK-8855’s generation of keycaps. Getting one could turn into an expensive project, however, and even with the currently favorable exchange rates, its MSRP is closing in on USD300. Its 45g linear MX switches are probably more akin to the 35g light domes on their Topre boards, so you’re still looking at new switches. Factor in shipping and potential fees from a proxy or customs, and it could get up there.
Otherwise, there’s always full DIY with something borrowed from the ergo space, like a thumbstick, small trackball or even a salvaged trackpoint module to relocate. There’s also other alternative pointing devices, like a RollerMouse.
Thank you! I had been doing some research before joining here and these switches are not amongst the dozen or so in my list.
I’m watching YouTube videos of the Boba’s and it looks like they are a bit longer travel than the sk-8855 scissors. I hope that the right term … “travel”. One of the things I really like about the sk is the short travel.
I probably need to order one of those little chassis where I can mount and test several different switches.
Re pointing, I sidecar a decent optical mouse for when I do something that needs a bit more precision (ex: basic drawing) than I can produce with the Trackpoint. There’s also a Wacom over there for the really precise stuff. 95/4/1.
While I don’t think it will be the same as the sk’s, you might consider some switches like these Kailh Deep Sea Silent Mini Low Profile Browns (what a mouthfull):
They have laptop-like short travel, a mild “thud” bottom-out not too unlike traditional rubber domes, and if they are anything like the non-low-pro version of the same switch (one of my faves) they should have a pretty snappy tactile event.
I believe you’d need similarly low-profile stabilizers to go with shorty switches like those, and IIRC the Shinobi uses plate-mounted ones:
I’m not certain that the Shinobi’s caps would play nice with those switches, so you might consider grabbing any given Kailh or Gateron MX-mount (+) low profile sample from a site like SwitchOddities.com for testing first - but if the form factor works with the build, that type of switch is a great way to use (some) MX mount keycaps with a much shorter travel than traditional (4mm) or even otherwise “short travel” (3-ish+mm) MX compatible switches.
Good luck with the project, and feel free to keep the questions coming. Cheers!
I second this. If I was trying to do what you propose, I would test with the tecsee medium tactile switches. I adore how low they make keycaps sit, and they feel nice to type on IMO (short travel, quiet and thuddy). If you go this option, they also sell stabilizers to use with them that are very nice when lubed. But the only keycaps I’ve found that don’t hit these switch housings are SA and DSA. All other caps I’ve tried )(DCS, GMK, MTNU, MT3, KAM, KAT, PBS) all make contact. So you would definitely need to test them with the TEX caps.
I just recently picked up a fourth set of these switches for a planned build. I’m not aware of any US vendors that have them stocked. You can order them through KPRepublic or off of their Amazon, but it will take a few weeks to get them. Otherwise there is Aliexpress where they are sometimes called tecsee “pudding” switches.
Y, this is definitely the direction I’m going to go. I’m willing to suffer the TEX ADA keycaps if I can get a shorter throw. And the TEX Trackpoint is, honestly, better than the implementation on my actual Lenovo keyboards.
