MX Clear Pins

[RBithrey]

Hey all,

Just a quick question - thinking of picking up a Keychron Q1 barebones kit just to try out this DIY gubbins and was going to pair it with some MX Clear switches.

Does anybody know if the MX Clears come with 3 or 5 pin mounts, and whether this matters for a barebones kit?

And, is this thing of MX Clears splitting keycaps a major issue?

Cheers!

[wobbled]

Mx clears have 3 pins, as to whether that matters I'd imagine that depends on the PCB.
Most if not all of these barebone kits look like they'll accept both.

I used mx clears years ago on my poker 3, never had any split caps.

[vvp]

The thick plastic protrusion in the middle of the switch is not a pin.

[Shorle]

My MX Clears came with 3 pins (I don't know if there are 5 pin variants), the keychron Q1 supports both 3 pin and 5 pin switches for hot-swap. Actually, anything that supports 5 pin also supports 3 pin.
5 pin is more stable though, which I personally only care for in hot-swap but 3 pin hot-swap should work just fine.
BUT, and this you should read:
The Keychron Q1 has south facing SMD. I am not 100% sure non SMD compatible Switch bottom housings even fit on SMD PCB but I am 100% sure that if you want to enjoy that RGB you need SMD compatible Switches. Otherwise the black switch housing blocks all that sweet Red, Green and Blue.

For the sake of counting pins to define between "PCB mount" and "plate mount" the middle one does count as a pin, yes.
3 pin / plate mount switch: 2 contacts for electronics + 1 "pin" for the stem pole.
5 pin / PCB mount switch: 2 contacts for electronics + 1 "pin" for the stem pole + 2 stability pins.

[RBithrey]

My MX Clears came with 3 pins (I don't know if there are 5 pin variants), the keychron Q1 supports both 3 pin and 5 pin switches for hot-swap. Actually, anything that supports 5 pin also supports 3 pin.
5 pin is more stable though, which I personally only care for in hot-swap but 3 pin hot-swap should work just fine.
BUT, and this you should read:
The Keychron Q1 has south facing SMD. I am not 100% sure non SMD compatible Switch bottom housings even fit on SMD PCB but I am 100% sure that if you want to enjoy that RGB you need SMD compatible Switches. Otherwise the black switch housing blocks all that sweet Red, Green and Blue.

For the sake of counting pins to define between "PCB mount" and "plate mount" the middle one does count as a pin, yes.
3 pin / plate mount switch: 2 contacts for electronics + 1 "pin" for the stem pole.
5 pin / PCB mount switch: 2 contacts for electronics + 1 "pin" for the stem pole + 2 stability pins.

Cheers for this Shorle, most appreciated. Looks like these might be 3 pin, but as and when I get the thing and build it, I'll see what happens, If all else fails, I've got a set of MX Speed Silvers here (not my preferred option, but there we go)

To be honest, I'm not the biggest fan of RGB, so it doesn't really matter to me whether the black switch housing blocks it out. Sure there'll be a way of turning it off in any software, but again. I'll have to wait till it arrives.

Cheers!

[SK-8K]

The MX Clears I got from NovelKeys were 5-pin (No jumper/diode).

[RBithrey]

So, the Keychron arrived today, and the Clears were 3 pins - all fitted in fine (minus one terrible case of some bent pins), and nothing's gone awry so far. Sure, I can't see the RGB, but it's not that big of deal to me, truth be told.

[Shorle]

If you don't use RGB anyway you might be better of to make sure to turn off the LED. LED don't have much power but I remember a very discolored alluminium case from not turning off underglow LED and I don't know if Switches not made for SMD dissipate the otherwise neglectable heat from LED too badly to cause malfunctions in the long run.

You've been around for some time so I guess you know why you are using MX clears, otherwise I'd have asked you to consider other switches that came to market since and are arguably better or at least cheaper, probably both.

[RBithrey]

If you don't use RGB anyway you might be better of to make sure to turn off the LED. LED don't have much power but I remember a very discolored alluminium case from not turning off underglow LED and I don't know if Switches not made for SMD dissipate the otherwise neglectable heat from LED too badly to cause malfunctions in the long run.

You've been around for some time so I guess you know why you are using MX clears, otherwise I'd have asked you to consider other switches that came to market since and are arguably better or at least cheaper, probably both.

Turned it all off just now - cheers for the headsup.

Truth be told, I'd never tried Clears, and just fancied picking a set up in case I liked them - they're just a bit heavy at the moment, but nothing more usage can't fix.

[Findecanor]

I learned to not bottom out on MX Clears. Just let your fingers be cushioned by the sharp increase in force after the actuation. Then they won't feel heavy any more.

BTW, I've got a Cherry G80-3000 with MX Clears. The G80-3000 has no plate => the switches have fixing pins.