The mechanical keyboard community is being tapped by Cherry for new product ideas. The Cherry MX Black Clear-Top is a nod to enthusiasts who would love to use an old-school terminal keyboard with extra-smooth typing.
The switch was known as the Nixie switch before the announcement of the MX Black Clear-Top. The switch was made by Cherry in the 1980's. The German switch maker was tasked with creating a version of its linear MX Black switch with "milky" upper housing, a 63.5 g actuation force rather than 60 g, and "the relatively rare solution at the time of having a diodes integrated into the switch for n-key rollover,"
The linear switch was mostly used in keyboards for computers.
The end of production of the keyboards and the black-and-white switches was caused by the acquisition of Nixdorf bySiemens.
You need to get your hands on an old terminal keyboard in order to find the Nixie switch. Since keyboards with the switches became so hard to find, there's been a lot of interest in seeing them.
AdvertisementIt's a pretty penny to be charged by the reseller. Someone tried to sell the Nixie switches for 7.6 euro each, but the price was $3 to $5 each. Right now, you can buy a Cherry MX Black switch for $0.
What is great about using this switch to type? The switch is similar to an MX Black switch but has a more striking look. The linear switches have 4mm of travel and 2mm of pre-travel, whereas the MX Black Clear-Top switches need more force to start depressing.
Similar to mechanical switches, obsession is based on smooth travel and good acoustics.
ThereminGoat, a switch reviewer, said that the Nixie switch was very smooth.
The switch makes a "solid, muffled, and deep bottoming out noise; whereas, the topping out noise is ever so slightly thinner and shifted toward a higher pitched sound." Chyrosran22's review of the NixdorfCT06-CT07/2 M SoftKeys can be found on the internet.
AdvertisementYou might wonder why Cherry decided to change the name of the Nixie to a name with less imagination.
The switch looks like it used to, but Cherry said it made enhancements that made it better. It's a popular lubricant for linear switches.
According to ThereminGoat, the Nixies were not free from scratch, and not as smooth as some of today's switches.
The lube-free version of the MX Black Clear-Top is available for people who prefer a different type of lubrication.
The switch's descriptive name may fall in line with how Cherry's other switches are named.
The switch is connected to the MX Black.
The switch is made with modern manufacturing techniques that allow a 50 million warranty. It goes without saying that the switches you find at a thrift store or on eBay don't have the sameDurability claims.
All official distributors worldwide will be able to purchase the MX Black Clear-Top mechanical switches at the start of 2023.
The switch was inspired by community interests. It was announced last month that it was based on a design shared in a forum post in 2011.
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