What is SpaceFN and why you should give it a try
The SpaceFN concept - setting up your space key as a layer switch when held - is probably one of the most useful tweaks in the keyboard hobby. Let me explain how it works. My SpaceFN article on kbd.news made some rounds recently - quite surprisingly given the age of this concept. This piece you're reading is a condensed version of the full post. If you're left with unanswered questions, you'll most likely find the info you're looking for in the original write-up. On my imaginary top list of the most useful keyboard features, tweaks and hacks, SpaceFN would deserve a podium finish for sure. But what makes it so special? In short: SpaceFN is easy to implement, easy to learn, costs nothing, can be used with any keyboard, and can improve your productivity instantly. I will list its benefits below, but can state right at this point that the SpaceFN concept, setting up your space key as a layer switch when held, is clearly one of the most useful tweaks in the keyboard hobby....
Apr 30, 2024
They are definitely the quietest mechanical switches on the market and you can check a noise comparison here - http://matias.ca/switches/quiet/
I have loose matias switches, but haven't tried these in a board for more than a minute.
Just so you know, Cherry Japan (Hirose) orange switches are linear, and feel like normal cherry switches.
I would not compare these to browns, but sadly, it's likely the closest cherry switch. These have less travel and little (or no) "top out" noise. As far as "quietest on the market", there's some contenders, like topre 30g silenced, but it is indeed very quiet: easily quieter than most domes, and all but a few mechs. I was impressed at the quietness / tactility ratio.
As far as bluetooth encryption, I haven't been able to find anything that's actually good. Everything I was able to find is either quite flawed from a security standpoint, or not bluetooth (some other form of wireless, which has no advantage to this).
Granted if you really just don't like Alps (to each their own: I haven't tried them, I know some people love them and others not so much) then it does seem unlikely that you're going to find the Matias switches to be a 180. But they're still not the same switch, they just share certain characteristics.
After reading some reviews on geekhack, deskthority, et al, they sound interesting, and the price for a wireless mechanical is very tempting to risk a try on.