Linear Switches or Tactile Switches?

[msattam]

Hey all,

I'm contemplating between the G710 and the Corsair Gaming K70. I can get the G710 for $90 while I can get the K70 for $126. The main purpose of my keyboard will be gaming, primarily first person shooters. How much of an advantage is a linear switch?

Thanks!

 

[ssddx]

generally linear switches are better for gaming while tactiles are better for typing.

the key dropout at activation combined with the tactile bump can mean an improvement on typing accuracy however hinder such things as double tapping a direction (still possible but hinders it slightly). linear switches on the other hand may feel strange to type on by some and might hurt typing accuracy a bit though handle double taps and holding keys just above the activation point for quick activation that a tactile switch doesnt do as well.

how much of an advantage depends mainly on what games you play and your playstyle. i found doubletapping directions in games like unreal tournament to be a bit harder on tactiles (on cherry blues, though i had no problems on my oldschool model m which has a different design). this may also be an issue on some mmos and action based games or anything which requires quick double-taps of keys. otherwise, there really is not much of an advantage and whatever advantage you have is lost on typing.

tactile: typing advantage
linear: some gaming advantage if double-tapping or half-pressing keys.

 

[msattam]

generally linear switches are better for gaming while tactiles are better for typing.

the key dropout at activation combined with the tactile bump can mean an improvement on typing accuracy however hinder such things as double tapping a direction (still possible but hinders it slightly). linear switches on the other hand may feel strange to type on by some and might hurt typing accuracy a bit though handle double taps and holding keys just above the activation point for quick activation that a tactile switch doesnt do as well.

how much of an advantage depends mainly on what games you play and your playstyle. i found doubletapping directions in games like unreal tournament to be a bit harder on tactiles (on cherry blues, though i had no problems on my oldschool model m which has a different design). this may also be an issue on some mmos and action based games or anything which requires quick double-taps of keys. otherwise, there really is not much of an advantage and whatever advantage you have is lost on typing.

tactile: typing advantage
linear: some gaming advantage if double-tapping or half-pressing keys.

Thanks for this. Can you give me an example where double-tapping or half-pressing keys is useful? In an FPS

 

[ssddx]

some games use double-tapping for things like dodge or roll (such as double tapping forward to roll or dash forward. unreal tournament did this and its a fps. i dont think battlefield or any of the others do though but i dont play them so i'm not going to say for sure.

half-pressing is more useful in action or mmo games for skills though i suppose you could have limited success with it in fps games if theres a certain skill which would benefit from it.

linear switches are generally preferred for their feel for gaming as well though quite honestly you can use either kind of keyswitch to game on and it all comes down to personal taste.

 

[msattam]

some games use double-tapping for things like dodge or roll (such as double tapping forward to roll or dash forward. unreal tournament did this and its a fps. i dont think battlefield or any of the others do though but i dont play them so i'm not going to say for sure.

half-pressing is more useful in action or mmo games for skills though i suppose you could have limited success with it in fps games if theres a certain skill which would benefit from it.

linear switches are generally preferred for their feel for gaming as well though quite honestly you can use either kind of keyswitch to game on and it all comes down to personal taste.

Do you think it's worth another 30 bucks? That's different to everyone, but to you personally, is it?

 

[ssddx]

personally i cant stand linear keyswitches as they feel odd to type on (and i type alot!).

i've always preferred tactiles though honestly good high quality rubber dome membrane keyboards are fine too.

 

[msattam]

Thanks for all the helpful advice. I think I'll be going with the G710.