Choosing the right switches for your keyboard can be tricky. Fortunately, all Dygma keyboards are hot-swappable, so you can easily change the switches whenever you want.
When choosing your switches, you must consider the type of switch and its specifications. Let’s examine them.
Types of switches
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Linear These switches have a smooth keypress with no bump when you press them. These switches are relatively silent and fast; ideal if you want minimal resistance and the fastest response time. |
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Tactile These switches have a light bump when you press them, giving you tactile feedback when the key activates, indicating that you can release the key. If you’re unsure of what switch to get, this is the safest option. |
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Clicky These switches provide tactile feedback alongside a distinctive “click” noise when the key is activated. If you love to hear the sound of yourself typing, get these. |
Specifications
- Operation Force: The force needed to activate the switch is usually measured in grams of pressure or centinewton (cN). Pressure less than or equal to 50 cN is light, and the rest is medium or high.
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Activation Point: This is the point where the keyboard recognizes a keypress. It is measured in millimeters and is known as the Actuation Point or Operating Position.
- Total Travel Distance: It’s the distance your keycap travels until it hits the upper housing of the switch. It’s basically the distance until you bottom out. This is also measured in millimeters.
- Tactile Position: Tactile position is where you feel the bump on tactile and clicky switches. On linear switches, there’s no tactile position.
- Reset Point: Reset position is the distance at which the key is deactivated when released.
Below is a list of the switches we offer with the Dygma Defy and the Dygma Raise, along with their different characteristics.
| Switch | Type | Operation Force | Activation Distance | Total Travel |
| Kailh Speed Copper | Tactile | 50cN | 1.1mm | 3.5mm |
| Kailh Silent Brown | Tactile | 50cN | 1.8mm | 3.6mm |
| Cherry MX Brown | Tactile | 55cN | 2.0mm | 4.0mm |
| Gateron G Yellow | Linear | 50cN | 2.0mm | 4.0mm |
| Kailh Speed Silver | Linear | 40cN | 1.1mm | 3.5mm |
| Kailh Silent Pink | Linear | 35cN | 1.8mm | 3.6mm |
| Cherry MX Red | Linear | 45cN | 2.0mm | 4.0mm |
| Kailh BOX white | Clicky | 55cN | 1.8mm | 3.6mm |
| Cherry MX Blue | Clicky | 60cN | 2.2mm | 4.0mm |
| Kaih Speed Bronze | Clicky | 50cN | 1.1mm | 3.5mm |
Here's a video in which we discuss the characteristics of each of our switches and even try them out so you can hear how they sound.
With your keyboard, you'll receive an enhancement kit that includes a selection of all 8 switches we offer. This will help you decide whether to try a different switch.
Remember, you can purchase additional switch sets from Dygma's official store!
FAQs
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Can I buy the keyboards without switches?
No. Our keyboards ship with special thumb keys and are carefully packaged, requiring the keys to travel mounted. We cannot remove them from the order in any case. -
Why can't I have the switch that I want installed, and I have to buy it as an extra?
A few years ago, we offered thousands of different configuration options (up to 6048 per keyboard). This resulted in a considerable delay in the assembly process and enormous cost and complexity in logistics. To avoid that, we decided to assemble only the most popular configurations and, to compensate, offer the less switches as extras with a heavy discount.