Is Keycap Interference Really That Bad?

[@WrexBF]

I freaking hate south facing LEDs. South facing LEDs have uneven lighting. You can literally see south facing LEDs by simply looking at the keyboard, and it's very distracting. They also don't light up the characters well. If you're worried about keycap interference, buy some o-rings.

[@mrpixelator]

Unfortunately, the group promoting the 'gamers shouldn't get our good keyboards because they're dumb gamers without appreciation for the things we prioritize (bullshit) and we want an easy hands-off solution to (overblown) interference issues' message has seemingly won out. I wonder if any of these folks realize how they've hurt this market by forcing out large numbers of folks who would like both a good sounding/feeling quality kb AND functioning shine-through for work requiring darkness (like art and video) or gaming?

[@genetalavera4256]

Same I just stopped using rgb on my south facing boards simply because the rgb shining on the bottom is so annoying compared to north facing ones.

[@ruddra_nick_biswas]

I went to buy keyboard after seeing south facing keyboard rgb light sine through the keycaps I bought north facing keyboard and it's have long pull switch so no keycaps interferences and im so happy with it that I go for north facing one

[@awwastor]

Lots of newer switches don’t have interference, switches with longer stems, long pole switches and even some „normal” switches which were subtly adjusted to be smoothed where the cherry keycap would hit, preventing it from touching

[@mrpixelator]

And yet here we are with the majority of new 'good' keyboards with idiotic south-facing switches - many of these boards have RGB lighting that is almost totally useless for illuminating the keys (so why even have it?) thanks to the loudmouths who've somehow convinced the big kb makers to exclude folks wanting shine-through because 'they're gamers and don't care about good keyboard sound and feel'.

[@lifeasagamerswife1961]

So... people who float and don't bottom out will also not experience keycap interference?

[@st0nedpenguin]

It most definitely is. But good news is it's only an issue on some switches, and some more recent switches are starting to take action to remedy it. I slapped some XDA profile keycaps on my daughter's board and she's all good. As a bonus most of the cuter sets are XDA too.

[@BrianStormy]

That is def true. A lot of cooler and cuter keycaps are usually not cherry like xda haha

[@Attackthattitan]

So does XDA eliminate interference or just reduce it?

[@bananabaird]

@@Attackthattitan ^^^^bump!!!!

[@yenahh6954]

@@Attackthattitan i have north facing and bought XDA Mocha Keycaps, and no, i doesn't have interference, it's only for cherry keycaps.

[@voltenbolt]

@@Attackthattitani have xda keycaps no interference

[@Dracstar]

This is without a doubt one of the clearest videos in the entire keyboarding community. You answered literally all of my questions... thank you

[@BrianStormy]

That means a lot! Thank you!

[@GerrryPv]

4:01 That song made me forget about keyboards and now I want to test my headphones.

[@klouwde2373]

I got into the keyboard community back in 2020 when i built my keyboard and switch interference was barely talked about. I'm getting back to the hobby because I want to get new switches and the interference test confused me so this video did a really good job of explaining it.

[@gail_blue]

Kailh box v2(and others) use switch housing that won't interfere with cherry keycaps. Personally, I think it's short-sighted to blame the orientation, because the "perfect" keyboard would have north-facing switches for the better RGB, and not interfere with cherry keycaps. You just end up trading one problem for another. If people had blamed the switch housings instead of the orientation, this would be a non-issue by now. And making south-facing keyboards just makes it less likely that it will be solved anytime soon.

[@Oozaru85]

No issue for me. I use XDA keycaps anyway. Dont like Cherry or OEM.

[@dvglab]

So... I have to deal with the worst backlit legends on keycaps with south facing LEDs because someone doesn't like the interference with the cherry profile keycaps. I don't need damn cherry profile keycaps but I really need top brand keyboard base with north facing LEDs. I spent a ton of time and money trying to find most comfortable keycaps compatible with south facing LEDs.. but no luck. South facing LEDs taking me no chance to backlit north facing keycaps legends. I'm not a gamer and I don't need a keyboard light like Christmas tree.. Hey Akko Monsgeek you should make a monsgeek M5 with north facing LEDs for me and a lot of people like me.

[@mrpixelator]

THANK YOU, this has been my issue since I got wind of this whole 'movement' to force south-facing LEDs on the market to the exclusion of usable shine-through for the rest of us. Like nobody who likes a quality sound or feel keyboard could possibly also game or do work that requires a darkened workspace? Pffft. Selfish and short-sighted, because they're trying to push out 'gamer casuals who don't really know what's good' etc. and in the end they're costing the manufacturers and themselves money. $99 for a keycap set with imperfect legend alignment? Goofy weird legend fonts and all kinds of quality control variables? Keep trying to make the keyboard industry your personal small group. More folks into keyboards will mean more options, more competition, more innovation, better tech, better products.

[@ruadeil_zabelin]

I was wondering why I never really noticed the interference at all... but i have holy panda's. That's why. Thanks

[@jalencheng]

wish you added a sound of them both

[@mutasimhasanmuhi3607]

3:34 what's the keycaps? it's XDA I know but want the name.

[@IvanRodriguez-ot6yl]

I still don't get how a key cap being taller on top makes it interfere. It makes no sense. No one explains it well.

[@winebartender6653]

The interference happens on the "south side" of(some) north facing switches. That hump that swoops down will hit the insert of many cherry profile (and other low profile) switches. The "insert" is the ridge that exists on the inside of the keycap, near the top. Many newer switches (look at gateron oil king as an example) have that hump pinch inward near the bottom of it to prevent the interference from happening.

[@amanosatoshitranslates]

wait that why when i put akko cream blue switch to north facing keyboard, it just bend? i already switched to KTT tofu cabbage before and it had zero bending problems. i only tried putting it on numpad and 9 fails and only 6 success. and still one key just freaks out when i press it. i was forced to put back original switch. and again. i used KTT tofu cabbage and when i was changing the switches, i never had that problem.

[@Sofeh]

I've personally found that not "all" cherry keycaps encounter interference - GMK does, but cheaper sets from China sometimes don't. I guess their version of cherry might be a little different

[@BrianStormy]

Yeah might have something to do with their molds being a bit different. That’s interesting to know tho 👍🏻

[@BlackMetalVengeance]

Does anyone know what are the keycaps at 3:09? I am looking for something similar for south facing switches.

[@Delbs1]

Tbh, I really like cherry profile because of its ergonomics. A Lower and slightly tilted profile fits me so well, when I go back to OEM profile keycaps, they seem just too big. I've been struggling with my GK61 optical, because I LOVE it's switches, but theres no PCBs with South Facing// without RGB.

[@miyou3playz_yt389]

You can mod your keycaps to be able to have no interference on a north facing pcb, like putting a piece of paper in the keycap

[@mrpixelator]

I thought keyboard enthusiasts were a DIY bunch? Get out your Dremel and grind down the offending edge - or pick out one of MANY switches that won't interfere with your preferred cherry caps. Stop demanding RGB backlit-killing south-facing switches. It basically renders RGB lighting a useless gimmick and kills the market for those of us who need backlit keys for professional reasons, not just gaming.

[@Mr.BananaManYT]

do glorious panda's have longer stems?

[@d1kgaws12]

Do all Akko CS switches have longer stems?

[@BrianStormy]

no

[@チェンジャッキー-k8h]

0:00What is this keyboard?

[@BrianStormy]

marvodiy undefined 61

[@チェンジャッキー-k8h]

@@BrianStormy thank you! It's a very good keyboard

[@JoshUwU]

can i ask if cherry profile keycaps will have interference with hyperx alloy origins core keyboard?

[@kaiserdostuff]

Yes. I use cherry on corsair for 3-5 years, only to know there is interference recently after pandemic. Moral of the story, you only know what the heck is dat until people pointed out what the heck is dat.

[@luispadilla2842]

does your akko radiant reds have a long stem poll like the silvers? I plan on using them on a north facing build.

[@BrianStormy]

Not that I noticed

[@MrBaracu]

I have a rk68 and akko jelly blacks and i cant hear a difference with cherry keycaps

[@yenahh6954]

They said it's the the GMK cherries only, the offbrands/chinese cherry profile keycaps mostly work on north facing

[@dereklee6518]

Do the akko cs rose reds have interference?

[@gilberttan7244]

you work with them bro? please ask them why create nyo model when they can just sell the pcb for the mod007s

[@BrianStormy]

I don’t work with anyone to create keyboards. I just get products and review them stating my thoughts

[@mrpixelator]

The problem with this is there is a gross exaggeration of the problem and too much pandering to the extremists who demand the only solution being south-facing switches. The comments threads always showcase the loudest whiners, whether it's this issue or anything else. Then the negative and false stereotype that 'no people wanting RGB will buy a truly good quality keyboard'. Bullshit. You really think people into keyboard sound and performance don't also game? Ridiculous. But sadly videos like this continue that nonsense about 'two entirely unrelated markets'. Furthermore, the adherence to one particular switch standard is even sillier in 2024 when there are plenty of more switches out there that don't have interference - and if keyboard hardcores are so self-described experts and DIY savvy building your own decks and so forth, why is the solution to pander to the exclusionary whiners and flip the switches making it near impossible to have RGB shine-through ON RGB KEYBOARDS (making it useless) rather than these so well-informed and purist-minded folks sanding down their switches and fixing the issue themselves? Keyboard sound fetishists need to stop attacking other people to get their way and exclude whole segments of the market that exist and could result in lower prices, more competition and the evolution of technology. When you lie and project about other folks and try to keep the hobby all to yourself, you're shooting yourselves in the foot. FURTHERMORE, lots of us do art, video and other work that basically demands a dim lighting environment, so RGB backlit keycaps can often be a work thing, not just a gaming thing. Think about the ramifications of trying to exclude folks... Signed, gamer+keyboard enthusiast with a dark workroom.

[@jammies701]

Nice video

[@BrianStormy]

Thank you my friend!

[@XenetifyGD]

People should stop complaining about north facing switches. Just buy long pole stems. It’s not like there aren’t any pros to a north facing keyboard, the solution is so simple and people are complaining.

[@miyou3playz_yt389]

Not every longpole stem avoids interference

[@mrpixelator]

@@miyou3playz_yt389 So what? Such a DIY-proud group as keeb folks should have no problem figuring it out without making RGB lighting a silly useless feature you pay for but can't use.

[@justanotherpxrson]

yes. yes it is.

[@enriquev302]

if you notice the diference, yes, yes it is hahaha

[@Shamuel-0]

is it just me or does this dude sound like keybored