MAY 2017 | +:0 91HOW ARE THEY BETTER?
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Optical switches can allow quicker response times. One
way is similar to what Cherry is aiming for with its Speed
switches, and what other brands like Logitech, Creative,
and SteelSeries have done with custom switches. By
reducing the actuation and travel distance, the idea is that
you can effect more key presses within a shorter span of
time.
However, that isn’t a benefit unique to optical switches,
and the more significant change is the elimination of metal
debounce time. When a metal contact strikes a surface, it
bounces several times before settling, and this can result
in multiple key presses registering. Keyboards thus have to
implement “debouncing”, or a period of time where no new
inputs are accepted, in order to let the key settle.
This introduces some delay between key presses, but it’s
usually imperceptible when done right. Optical switches
don’t use metal contacts for switch actuation at all, so
debounce time is completely eliminated. In theory, this
means that they’re inherently faster.¼F/
Again, this stems from the non-reliance on metal contacts
(some optical switches still have these, but they are not
required for the switch to work). While metal contacts
can wear out and oxidize and thus degrade performance,
optical switches are not subject to these concerns and
should last longer.
Furthermore, their very design does not require any
soldering of the switches to the PCB. Soldering quality is
often a good indicator of the overall quality of a keyboard,
but they’re also an additional point of failure for traditional
mechanical keyboards. Since optical switches don’t need to
be soldered, there’s technically less chance of failure.
One added bonus is a certain degree of waterproofing.
The lack of solder, sealed electronics, and the light-
dependent functionality of the switches combine to allow
these keyboards to withstand careless accidents.½F0
Finally, optical switches could enable new and novel
keyboard designs. A prime example is the Wooting One
analog keyboard, which uses Flaretech switches from
Adomax to allow for pressure-sensitive analog controls.
This means that you could dictate how quickly your
character moves in game, depending on how hard you press
down.
Flaretech switches are also modular, and individual
switches can be removed and replaced with a different
switch type. These allows for plenty of keyboard
customizations after purchase without needing to know how
to use a soldering iron.PICTURES
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