For many enthusiasts, a satisfying typing experience doesn't just involve comfort or the noise level of typing. Many of these enthusiasts enjoy customizing keyboards, and there's a growing demand for switches that combine quieter typing with enhanced RGB performance.
To answer this demand, we can look at transparent PC housing silent switches. These combine the housing that can improve RGB performance, and combine this with a modular noise-reducing structure. What also makes these an attractive option is that they can very easily change the typing experience with a hot-swappable PCB while avoiding soldering.
In this article, we will analyze the workings of transparent PC housing silent switches, the benefits of these switches being hot-swappable, and specifically how the GATERON KS-6 Aliaz Silent Tactile Switch showcases this design the best.
Benefits of Using Silent Switches in Hot-Swappable Keyboards
In short, a hot-swappable keyboard PCB allows you to easily change switches. This makes hot-swappable key PCBs great for fine tuning switch type and modifying the typing experience.
For those who work in shared spaces and don't want to disturb others (or those who prefer quiet work at night), there are plenty of benefits a silent switch can provide:
1. Less Typing Noise
Silent Switches provide a dampening material that minimizes the impact noise during the press and return of the key. This dampening material also allows for a more pleasant typing experience.
2. Tactile Feedback
For a smoother and more pleasant typing experience, while also maintaining a bump in the switch to provide tactile feedback, silent tactile switches are a great choice.
3. Easy Switch Experimentation
The use of Hot Swap Sockets means that users can install and test differing switch styles themselves. This makes it easier than ever to locate the ideal custom combination of switch feedback, weight, and sound.
The Benefits of Transparent PC Housing for RGB Lighting
As with most things in life, the first impression of RGB lighting on a mechanical keyboard is made by the switch housing. Since the polycarbonate (PC) housing is transparent, it allows more light to be emitted through the switch, thus enhancing the RGB lighting effect.
1. Light Beaming Without Hurdles
Non-transparent PC switch housings can act as barriers to the light emitted by LEDs. Without barriers, RGB lighting gets emitted in the color and integrity of the LED.
2. Better Gradation of RGB Lighting
From the perspective of RGB lighting, a bottom housing that is clear is better because it causes the RGB lighting to diffuse and thus enhances illumination on RGB keyboards.
3. Sophisticated Minimalism
In clear style, RGB lighting in combination with keycap and keyboard design is better. Instead of less beautiful opaque housing and minimalist design, the focus is on RGB lighting.
For the RGB lighting enthusiast, transparent Silent Switches provide a design that is quieter when typing, yet maintains the RGB lighting design.
Example of a Transparent Silent Switch: GATERON KS-6 Aliaz Silent Tactile Switch
The GATERON KS-6 Aliaz features a housing that is both PC designed and clear with a tactile and silent design, therefore, switching is quiet and RGB lighting is unhindered.
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Specification
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Detail
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Stem Material
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POM
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Top Housing
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Transparent PC
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Bottom Housing
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Transparent PC
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Spring Material
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Black-plated steel
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LED Compatibility
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SMD LED and through-hole LED
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Mount Type
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MX-style 5-pin PCB mount
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Factory Lubrication
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No
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Switch Type
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Tactile
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The transparent housings help minimize obstruction of RGB lighting. Added internal structures help reduce unwanted noise from keystrokes. The tactile design gives feedback, and makes the switches versatile for use in productivity applications and gaming.
Spring Weights for Aliaz Silent Tactile Switches
Aliaz Silent Tactile Switches can use different spring weights to provide users with choices for their desired typing feel.
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Spring Weight
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Operating Force
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Pre-Travel
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Total Travel
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Type
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60g
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60 ± 15 gf
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2.0 ± 0.6 mm
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4.0 mm
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Tactile
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70g
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70 ± 15 gf
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2.0 ± 0.6 mm
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4.0 mm
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Tactile
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80g
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80 ± 15 gf
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2.0 ± 0.6 mm
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4.0 mm
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Tactile
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100g
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100 ± 15 gf
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2.0 ± 0.6 mm
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4.0 mm
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Tactile
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- 60g: This weight provides a light keystroke feel for less finger fatigue during long typing sessions.
- 70g: This weight strikes a good balance and feels great during typing with good resistance.
- 80g: This weight provides a greater sense of resistance and a firmer feeling return during typing.
- 100g: This weight is for users who like a greater sense of press and a heavier keystroke.
All versions share the same travel characteristics, allowing users to change spring weights while maintaining a familiar tactile profile.
Installation Tips for Hot-Swappable RGB Keyboards
Installing transparent silent switches is similar to installing other MX-compatible switches. For the best results:
1. Check 5-Pin Compatibility
The MX-style 5-pin design provides additional stability and fits most hot-swappable PCBs designed for 5-pin switches.
2. Installation Tips
When mounting the switch, align the pins with the corresponding socket and press down gently. Never attempt to forcibly push a switch into place. It may be that a pin is bent and therefore failing to make an electrical contact.
3. Testing
All switches should be tested to make sure they register keystrokes and properly illuminate before reassembling the keyboard.
Should You Lube Transparent Silent Switches?
The GATERON KS-6 Aliaz Silent Tactile Switch is a user customizable switch, since it has no factory lube.
Some of the benefits of light lube include:
- A smoother feel as components slide over one another
- Less noticeable pings and less friction noise
- An improvement to the overall typing experience
It is important to strike a balance because lube diminishes the tactile experience. It is recommended to use as little lube as possible while still getting the desired smoothness. For hot swappable keyboards, it is important to know that the switches can always be removed to change lube and customize the experience again.
Construct a Quieter and Brighter RGB Keyboard
For hot swappable keyboards, silent switches can be designed to be RGB compatible and used with varying weights and differing amounts of lube depending on user preference.
The design of the GATERON KS-6 Aliaz Silent Tactile Switch stands as an example of the cooperation between transparent housing switch design and silent switch design, and how it can be used to maximize both typing performance with a focus on aesthetics.
FAQs
Q1. Are silent switches safe to use on hot-swappable keyboards?
Yes. They are safe to be used on compatible hot-swappable PCBs.
Q2. Do transparent PC switch housings improve RGB?
Yes. Transparent housings allow more light to pass through and produce more vivid RGB.
Q3. Are silent switches good for gaming?
Yes. They keep things quiet when gaming but still have good feedback.
Q4. How are silent tactile switches different to normal switches?
Silent tactile switches have materials to dampen sound but still keep the tactile feedback.
Q5. What are the advantages of polycarbonate switch housing?
PC housings allow more light to pass through and have a clear RGB.
