On a recent day at work my friend Joe dropped by with a new keyboard he built. “Try it out for a few hours” he said. It weighed half a ton and had an unusual layout, smaller than an 87-TKL 80% keyboard. I plugged in its standard USB cable and as soon as I hit a few keys my jaw hit the floor and a flood of nostalgia tickled my brain. I was back in the UC Davis computer lab in the 1980s on a VT-320 terminal connected to a PDP-11 running Unix. I had forgotten how much I loved those keyboards, even more than the buckling springs that my 4.77 MHz Leading Edge Model D, and most other PCs, had at the time.
Turns out Joe built that keyboard with Clickiez switches. They’re amazing!
They are rated at 40 grams actuation, but this is misleading because it’s not peak actuation force. I measured by stacking pennies on them and got 70-75 grams. This is the same as buckling springs or Cherry MX Greens, a bit heavier than normal clicky switches like Cherry or Gateron Blues. Clickiez makes a heavier version, but don’t bother. 40 grams sounds too light but it’s not really 40 grams and it’s perfect.
The sound is quite unique. Compared to Cherry or Gateron clicky switches, they’re quieter and lower pitched with more of a “thwock” than “click-tick”. The tactile feedback is far superior to anything made by Cherry or Gateron. Crisp, definite, solid and consistent. This is an unbeatable 1-2 punch. These are the best switches I’ve ever typed on.
These switches are compatible with Cherry and Gateron. Same physical dimensions, same pin-outs. You can get a hot-pluggable keyboard with Cherry or Gateron switches and swap them for Clickiez. However, each Clickiez switch top-case has a slightly different shape than Cherry or Gateron, which may conflict with some kinds of key stabilizers. I didn’t run into this, but beware.
Another unique aspect of these switches is they can be configured in 3 modes:
- Clicky (default): medium force, crisp, tactile
- Tactile: slightly heavier force, slightly quieter, less crisp, more tactile
- Linear: lightest force, quietest, not clicky, not tactile
In addition, you can choose to lube them, or to use o-rings on the key-cap stems. Joe loaned me his leftover switches and I tried all combinations. I didn’t like the lube. Makes them just a tad lighter, quieter, softer and less crisp. It doesn’t seem like a big difference with a single switch, but when you do an entire keyboard, it’s huge – it completely transforms the feel. Some people might like it, especially if they’re used to laptop or bubble dome keyboards. The problem with lube is once applied, it’s virtually impossible to fully remove. So test it first! Key-cap o-rings make them a tad quieter with less harsh bottom-out and shorter stroke. No change in the weight or crispness. Tactile mode feels a bit wonky to me. I prefer the crispness of the default mode, and it’s plenty tactile.
NOTE: to reconfigure Clickiez switches you must pop open the switch case, remove & re-install the metal click-plate in a different position, then snap the switch case top back on. It helps to have 2.0x magnification, and before you reinstall the switch case top, gently bend the 4 snap prongs inward to ensure a snug fit.
I couldn’t resist – I had to have a keyboard with these switches! Joe recommended a DIY kit keyboard, but they were expensive. I love his custom-made half-ton keyboard with its thick slab of metal baseplate, but it’s not for me. For a daily driver I had to have something more conventional and budget-friendly. So I ordered a set of 90 Clickiez switches and bought a high quality hot-swappable 87-TKL layout keyboard with Gateron switches. Total cost for both was about $250. I pulled the Gaterons and installed the Clickiez in their default configuration.
Michelle had an old keyboard with Cherry Brown clone switches that was starting to die. I let Michelle try my new Clickiez keyboard. She loved it so I told her keep it, I’ll build another for myself. It also has the advantage of wired USB instead of wireless, which is simpler with superior response.
So I put in another order and built a second for work. I installed o-rings on the key-caps but it’s still a bit loud for typing on Zoom calls. As I type for extended periods of time, there’s no finger or hand fatigue. The o-rings help there, as they soften the bottom-out of the keys.
Note: I got a Keychron Alice layout keyboard for work, and added ZealPC V2 Zilent switches. These are a silent tactile switch, great for Zoom calls and not annoying your work neighbors. I use the Clickiez at home.
I still love buckling springs and use them at home. A while back I compared them to Cherry Blues: http://mclements.net/blogWP/index.php/2021/10/19/keyboards-cherry-blue-vs-buckling-springs
Compared to Clickiez, buckling springs are a smidge heavier in actuation and a lot louder with a very different timbre. The Clickiez are so different it’s hard to say which is better. Suffice to say Clickiez are the only switch that even comes close to buckling springs. Both are leagues ahead of anything from Cherry or Gateron. One advantage of hot-swap switch sockets is the modularity makes it a “forever” keyboard. If any switch ever fails, simply replace it. Can’t do that with buckling springs. Some have said the Clickiez are unique but not necessarily a daily driver kind of switch. I disagree and find them most excellent for all-day use.
References / links:
Clickiez switches: https://zealpc.net/products/clickiez
87-TKL Keyboard: https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=9270
Alice Keyboard: https://www.keychron.com/products/keychron-v10-alice-layout-qmk-custom-mechanical-keyboard