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
I came from a Filco Majestouch 1 with cherry browns. I'd say the difference in feeling is pretty pronounced. Matias QuietPros are much more tactile, a little heavier, and actuate much higher than the browns. The result is a much "crisper" feeling keyboard. They're also quieter because they don't really bottom out. Really enjoying it.
Only downside I'd say is that keycaps are REALLY hard to pull, to the point that I'm worried I'm going to yank the entire switch out.
I'll break it down subjectively from my experience. I will say that both are definitely shorter than any of my Cherrys and as someone who bottoms out hard even on clears I really notice it (yeah yeah I learned to type on a selectric III). The quiets are almost abrupt with as short as they are in my travel. That said, the shorter travel of the quiet click isn't bad, it is just different. In my recent trips I've been bringing either the Pok3r with black or clear and the V60 Matias with quiet click, as it is still that good. It might be because of the shorter travel, but I'm going to say that the Matias quiet has a way more noticeable bump than the clears.
With as hard as I type, I'm not going to say that even the quiet click aren't actually all that quiet. The Clicky Pros echo quite well in this case, so they are pretty loud, but if they were in a different case I don't know if they would be nearly so loud. I like the much lower pitch of the Clicky better than the Green high pitched sound, but I'd also say that the Matias Clicky Pro is significantly louder even with the lower pitch. Neither of them are as satisfying as a buckler spring, but I can't in good conscience type with one of those near any other human being with as loud as I am with them. With my model M, my parents would walk into my room and say it sounded like I had a machine gun.
As invisibro pointed out, if you are going to pull the keycaps expect it to be hard and get one of the nice key pullers with wires as the dinky ones they include just don't cut it and you will be more likely to damage the cap than pull it.
I'm thinking about going in for a set of the Fuhua and a set of the linears as I don't have either of those.
i do like (lubed) Clears just like you, my favourite switch till now. If you ever get the chance to try 55g Topre, do it! Silenced it's an incredible quiet and smooth typing experience with a bump you may love.
Also since I'm getting that I guess I'll be going for the clicky instead of the quiet click
Right now i've around 15 Cherry mks and one Topre, the Realforce is "expensive", is even getting more expensive if you plan on moding with Cherry sliders and maybe a metal case later. But honestly, if i would have started with a Topre 55g i might have stopped to buy and try Cherry mks after the second, maybe third one, and would own two or three moded Topres instead. And this is coming from someone who really loves lubed clears, this makes me think and i wouldn't have thought that way a couple of weeks ago.
I have lots of experiance with Alps keybaords, and I always break caps when restoring them, or end up destroying a switch (even while being careful)
They come off pretty easy now.