5 ms·

Sort of tangent - but I've always thought there would be physical stores in big cities (like NYC, where I am) where I could try a number of different keyboards

Sort of tangent - but I've always thought there would be physical stores in big cities (like NYC, where I am) where I could try a number of different keyboards and keys since it's such a tactile experience. But there seems to be no stores like this? So... is everyone ordering keys and keyboards, returning them, trying others, etc.? I know there are key switch samplers... is that it? Thanks

hananova 6mo ago
A combination of key samplers and going with the first acceptable switch rather than trying all of them and going with the best.
zerebos 6mo ago
If you live in NYC take a trip to your nearest Microcenter, they often have tons of keyboards out that you can play with and get a feel for
- gregsadetsky 6mo ago
  for sure, that's probably the best option here in NYC/Brooklyn but it definitely feels limited when compared with all of the options available online (that probably applies to most things) there's a specialized store in Brooklyn for modular synths [0] - obviously they don't stock every module but still... I'd assume that a keyboard store would be... popular? maybe? haha (((((((((should I start a keyboard store ahaha - I swear this was not market research))))))) [0] https://maps.app.goo.gl/rvsPscrphv1iKU8D8 https://maps.app.goo.gl/rvsPscrphv1iKU8D8
  - mjmas 6mo ago
    Rebalancing: ))
cocoto 6mo ago
Pc hardware stores often have some keyboards available to try (mostly cheap cherry mx stuff).
gosub100 6mo ago
I've thought about this. why not a boutique Keyboard Store in Grand Central? Every make, model, and design of keyboard and accessory.
GZGavinZhao 6mo ago
I want one for HiFi headphones / IEMs! I feel really bad to order two or three models that I want and have to return all but one, because I can't really tell the difference just by looking at the specs sheet. My ears should be the ultimate judgement.
idle_zealot 6mo ago
> So... is everyone ordering keys and keyboards, returning them, trying others, etc.? I know there are key switch samplers... is that it? It's pretty wild the degree to which our lives and economy depend on cheap shipping/trucking. Why have a store when a truck can deliver a 100g trinket for someone three States over.
- anonymous908213 6mo ago
  I mean, you still need a truck to get the item to the store... Delivery is actually more resource-efficient if the store isn't within walking distance of its customers. If instead of making 10 people get in their car and make a round trip to the store/warehouse, you put 10 packages in one vehicle and deliver to everyone in the same neighborhood with one trip, you're looking at an order of 90% less wasted emissions.
  - loloquwowndueo 6mo ago
    > instead of making 10 people get in their car and make a round trip to the store Tell me you’re in the US without telling me you’re in the US :)
    - anonymous908213 6mo ago
      I'm actually not, but the person I was replying to clearly was given the "three states over" comment. I explicitly specified the statement was conditional on customers not being within walking distance.
      - loloquwowndueo 6mo ago
        Driving across three states to go buy something is peak US :)
        cweagans 6mo ago
        Peak east coast US! You can travel three states of distance and back in a day or less on the east coast. Three states over and back would be a day or two minimum, but potentially nearly a week on the west coast. (Depends on start and stop locations obviously, but if you start from eg Portland, three states over could be the Dakotas).
pluskid 6mo ago
Yeah, this is a US issue. If you go to Tokyo or Taipei, you will find physical stores in cities with many different kind of mechanical keyboards.
- intrasight 6mo ago
  I would love to visit a Tokyo store with mechanical keyboards! My solution is to buy a mech keyboard from some well respected vendor and try it out. I return the vast majority.
  - gregsadetsky 6mo ago
    ok wow - https://maps.app.goo.gl/6mxrDe8H9e4u1ru38 https://maps.app.goo.gl/6mxrDe8H9e4u1ru38 (in Tokyo) yeah, that's what'd I want!
    - canpan 6mo ago
      The Keyboard Speciality shop you linked is great. It is always surprisingly crowded for such a niche topic. The have good test boards with different key switches. Note that in the area are quite a few other good shops. Tsukumo has various hardware across many floors and also keyboards, in b1 they also have a razer store. Then there is a shop across the street Galleria or something, more targeting esports, if you are into that.
    - Teknoman117 6mo ago
      I went there last time I was sent on a business trip to Japan! It’s a fun little shop. Wasn’t so crowded at the end of October :)
    - RestartKernel 6mo ago
      I've been there, but it definitely felt like more of an enthusiast experience. Someone who's just looking into getting their first mechanical keyboard would do better at a larger shop stocked with cheaper keyboards and a greater variety of common switch types. That being said, the shop is located in a surprisingly quiet area, surrounded by other small enthusiast shops. I especially liked "High Beam" a few stores down, which specialises in handheld PCs.
prmoustache 6mo ago
It is such a niche market that even in a big city it doesn't make much sense to have physical shop dedicated to it. Most people into it are into custom dwsign and color, it would be impossible to stock everything and people would just go to the shop trying the keys and layout then order cheaper online to have the exact combo they want.
- dd8601fn 6mo ago
  I don't even need to touch every configuration of all the things. I just want a place I can press a row of each switch type from all the vendors.
LeoPanthera 6mo ago
If you live in the bay area, Microcenter Santa Clara has lots to try.
- klooney 6mo ago
  Central Computer too
walrus01 6mo ago
If there isn't a keyboard selection at somewhere like B&H's location on Manhattan's west side, it's unlikely for there to be retail display space for similar anywhere else. Setting aside even 50 square feet of standing height display tables with sample keyboards, as a product, is not cheap in terms of retail display space that could be better used for other high-volume, higher profit margin products. In an ideal world we could have something along the lines of a ca. 2002 era Fry's Electronics in size and concept of broad selection of products. But you'd need something the size of the largest Costco to have a really full array of every type of electronic gadget/product that's available online, and as we know, Fry's went famously bankrupt...
m463 6mo ago
They have lots of keychron keyboards to try, even weird custom ones, at Central Computers in silicon valley.
abhinavsharma 6mo ago
Best Buy has keychron
cantSpellSober 6mo ago
Sounds like you need to attend the next NYC Mechanical Keyboard Meetup
- gregsadetsky 6mo ago
  wow! I'm sad I missed it last month! https://nyckeyboardmeetup.com/events/20260314/ https://nyckeyboardmeetup.com/events/20260314/ any idea when the next one will be?
wfleming 6mo ago
Stores, no, but there are meetups of keyboard nerds where people bring a bunch of them. There’s one in NYC run by a former coworker of mine: https://nyckeyboardmeetup.com/ https://nyckeyboardmeetup.com/. Schedule is somewhat sporadic, and unfortunately you just missed the most recent one, but you might enjoy checking out their next event.
patsplat 6mo ago
There’s the NYC Mechanical Keyboard Meetup if you would like to see and try different builds. Most people will let you try their builds. https://nyckeyboardmeetup.com/ https://nyckeyboardmeetup.com/
sho_hn 6mo ago
Berlin has a nice one: https://geekboards.de/ https://geekboards.de/ Edit: Turns out, sadly, had one: https://geekboards.de/blogs/news/were-closing-our-berlin-showroom https://geekboards.de/blogs/news/were-closing-our-berlin-sho...
- gregsadetsky 6mo ago
  sad to hear...! I also found https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicalKeyboards/comments/1h6gtw7/im_closing_my_mechanical_keyboards_shop_in_berlin/ https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicalKeyboards/comments/1h6gtw... with more Q&A from the owner
_thisdot 6mo ago
There is a Keychron store in Bangalore that lets you do this. They even have a computer with a USB C wire sticking out so you can take any keyboard to it and type on Monkeytype. Since the keyboard community is a small one, it’s never really crowded. However, in my experience it takes at least a week of continued use to be able to judge whether a switch is good for you.
davkan 6mo ago
It’s a tiny market in the US. Most people just buy a razer or corsair from Best Buy if they do it in person.
Modified3019 6mo ago
TL:DR Ultimately I settled on incredibly smooth, linear pre-lubed hall effect/TMR switches, and that’s what I strongly recommend to others. I played around with different mechanical switches for a bit, getting a few switch testers and hemming and hawing about which would be my chosen one. Honestly most all of it will be better than your typical $20 rubber dome dell e-waste. I got a Leopold keyboard with tactile mx clears as my first “real” keyboard and it was definitely an improvement and enjoyed it for a few years. However after my final xbox gamepad once again started getting stick drift, I moved one with Hall effect sticks (gamesir). It was so much better that it resulted in me wanting to try a hall effect keyboard with more customizability. Took a chance with a Keydous NJ98-CP V3 HE (pale green) because it was well reviewed and priced well enough to take a risk on. I love it so much I got my sister one. It turns out what I truly loved about old IBM beamspring switches wasn’t so much the click, but the smoothness. Typical mechanical linear switches with electrical contacts feel scratchy to me which I find repellent. Oddly enough, having a tactile bump to overcome somehow hides that. But a lubed Hall effect switch is as low friction as you can get and I love them. It’s literally fun to type on, and works great for gaming. As a bonus, it’s pretty quiet too, making it less obnoxious for others to be around. You’ll need to adjust the activation point to prevent accidental activation when resting your hands, but that’s basically it as far as doing things differently. As a side note, my mouse is a keychron M5, a “vertical” mouse, which works quite well and supports the higher polling rates I’m looking for. Also highly recommended if you need to give your tendons a break. Personally I think Razer has slightly better algorithms for smoothing and accurately translating my movement intentions, but this is only something I notice when “playing” Excel, and it’s not enough that ergonomics don’t easily win out.
bombcar 6mo ago
There are tens (hundreds?) of keyboards but only a handful of different switch types and manufacturers-with some study and preparation you can narrow down the switch feel pretty quickly. Then it’s a matter of choosing the style, so yes, many simply collect keyboards of their favorite switch type - and often don’t even return the ones they don’t use. The elites don’t want you to know this but the keyboards are not free you can take them home I have 458 keyboards. One of the fun type mix the various key switches to have different feel and different locations (easier/lighter switches at the edges for example).
wrigby 6mo ago
Probably Microcenter in Brooklyn is your best bet, but still limited selection. It really feels like there should be a hole-in-the-wall gaming PC shop in LES - maybe we should just open one?
- gregsadetsky 6mo ago
  I’m extremely interested. Email in profile - reach out and let’s grab coffee?
TranquilMarmot 6mo ago
In Seattle we have a sizeable mechanical keyboard community that does a monthly meetup. It's a great way to try out different switches/keycaps/layouts/etc. It's worth seeing if there's anything similar near you.

hananova 6mo ago

A combination of key samplers and going with the first acceptable switch rather than trying all of them and going with the best.

zerebos 6mo ago

If you live in NYC take a trip to your nearest Microcenter, they often have tons of keyboards out that you can play with and get a feel for

gregsadetsky 6mo ago
for sure, that's probably the best option here in NYC/Brooklyn but it definitely feels limited when compared with all of the options available online (that probably applies to most things) there's a specialized store in Brooklyn for modular synths [0] - obviously they don't stock every module but still... I'd assume that a keyboard store would be... popular? maybe? haha (((((((((should I start a keyboard store ahaha - I swear this was not market research))))))) [0] https://maps.app.goo.gl/rvsPscrphv1iKU8D8 https://maps.app.goo.gl/rvsPscrphv1iKU8D8
- mjmas 6mo ago
  Rebalancing: ))

cocoto 6mo ago

Pc hardware stores often have some keyboards available to try (mostly cheap cherry mx stuff).

gosub100 6mo ago

I've thought about this. why not a boutique Keyboard Store in Grand Central? Every make, model, and design of keyboard and accessory.

GZGavinZhao 6mo ago

I want one for HiFi headphones / IEMs! I feel really bad to order two or three models that I want and have to return all but one, because I can't really tell the difference just by looking at the specs sheet. My ears should be the ultimate judgement.

idle_zealot 6mo ago

> So... is everyone ordering keys and keyboards, returning them, trying others, etc.? I know there are key switch samplers... is that it? It's pretty wild the degree to which our lives and economy depend on cheap shipping/trucking. Why have a store when a truck can deliver a 100g trinket for someone three States over.

anonymous908213 6mo ago
I mean, you still need a truck to get the item to the store... Delivery is actually more resource-efficient if the store isn't within walking distance of its customers. If instead of making 10 people get in their car and make a round trip to the store/warehouse, you put 10 packages in one vehicle and deliver to everyone in the same neighborhood with one trip, you're looking at an order of 90% less wasted emissions.
- loloquwowndueo 6mo ago
  > instead of making 10 people get in their car and make a round trip to the store Tell me you’re in the US without telling me you’re in the US :)
  - anonymous908213 6mo ago
    I'm actually not, but the person I was replying to clearly was given the "three states over" comment. I explicitly specified the statement was conditional on customers not being within walking distance.
    - loloquwowndueo 6mo ago
      Driving across three states to go buy something is peak US :)
      - cweagans 6mo ago
        Peak east coast US! You can travel three states of distance and back in a day or less on the east coast. Three states over and back would be a day or two minimum, but potentially nearly a week on the west coast. (Depends on start and stop locations obviously, but if you start from eg Portland, three states over could be the Dakotas).

pluskid 6mo ago

Yeah, this is a US issue. If you go to Tokyo or Taipei, you will find physical stores in cities with many different kind of mechanical keyboards.

intrasight 6mo ago
I would love to visit a Tokyo store with mechanical keyboards! My solution is to buy a mech keyboard from some well respected vendor and try it out. I return the vast majority.
- gregsadetsky 6mo ago
  ok wow - https://maps.app.goo.gl/6mxrDe8H9e4u1ru38 https://maps.app.goo.gl/6mxrDe8H9e4u1ru38 (in Tokyo) yeah, that's what'd I want!
  - canpan 6mo ago
    The Keyboard Speciality shop you linked is great. It is always surprisingly crowded for such a niche topic. The have good test boards with different key switches. Note that in the area are quite a few other good shops. Tsukumo has various hardware across many floors and also keyboards, in b1 they also have a razer store. Then there is a shop across the street Galleria or something, more targeting esports, if you are into that.
  - Teknoman117 6mo ago
    I went there last time I was sent on a business trip to Japan! It’s a fun little shop. Wasn’t so crowded at the end of October :)
  - RestartKernel 6mo ago
    I've been there, but it definitely felt like more of an enthusiast experience. Someone who's just looking into getting their first mechanical keyboard would do better at a larger shop stocked with cheaper keyboards and a greater variety of common switch types. That being said, the shop is located in a surprisingly quiet area, surrounded by other small enthusiast shops. I especially liked "High Beam" a few stores down, which specialises in handheld PCs.

prmoustache 6mo ago

It is such a niche market that even in a big city it doesn't make much sense to have physical shop dedicated to it. Most people into it are into custom dwsign and color, it would be impossible to stock everything and people would just go to the shop trying the keys and layout then order cheaper online to have the exact combo they want.

dd8601fn 6mo ago
I don't even need to touch every configuration of all the things. I just want a place I can press a row of each switch type from all the vendors.

LeoPanthera 6mo ago

If you live in the bay area, Microcenter Santa Clara has lots to try.

klooney 6mo ago
Central Computer too

walrus01 6mo ago

If there isn't a keyboard selection at somewhere like B&H's location on Manhattan's west side, it's unlikely for there to be retail display space for similar anywhere else. Setting aside even 50 square feet of standing height display tables with sample keyboards, as a product, is not cheap in terms of retail display space that could be better used for other high-volume, higher profit margin products. In an ideal world we could have something along the lines of a ca. 2002 era Fry's Electronics in size and concept of broad selection of products. But you'd need something the size of the largest Costco to have a really full array of every type of electronic gadget/product that's available online, and as we know, Fry's went famously bankrupt...

m463 6mo ago

They have lots of keychron keyboards to try, even weird custom ones, at Central Computers in silicon valley.

abhinavsharma 6mo ago

Best Buy has keychron

cantSpellSober 6mo ago

Sounds like you need to attend the next NYC Mechanical Keyboard Meetup

gregsadetsky 6mo ago
wow! I'm sad I missed it last month! https://nyckeyboardmeetup.com/events/20260314/ https://nyckeyboardmeetup.com/events/20260314/ any idea when the next one will be?

wfleming 6mo ago

Stores, no, but there are meetups of keyboard nerds where people bring a bunch of them. There’s one in NYC run by a former coworker of mine: https://nyckeyboardmeetup.com/ https://nyckeyboardmeetup.com/. Schedule is somewhat sporadic, and unfortunately you just missed the most recent one, but you might enjoy checking out their next event.

patsplat 6mo ago

There’s the NYC Mechanical Keyboard Meetup if you would like to see and try different builds. Most people will let you try their builds. https://nyckeyboardmeetup.com/ https://nyckeyboardmeetup.com/

sho_hn 6mo ago

Berlin has a nice one: https://geekboards.de/ https://geekboards.de/ Edit: Turns out, sadly, had one: https://geekboards.de/blogs/news/were-closing-our-berlin-showroom https://geekboards.de/blogs/news/were-closing-our-berlin-sho...

gregsadetsky 6mo ago
sad to hear...! I also found https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicalKeyboards/comments/1h6gtw7/im_closing_my_mechanical_keyboards_shop_in_berlin/ https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicalKeyboards/comments/1h6gtw... with more Q&A from the owner

_thisdot 6mo ago

There is a Keychron store in Bangalore that lets you do this. They even have a computer with a USB C wire sticking out so you can take any keyboard to it and type on Monkeytype. Since the keyboard community is a small one, it’s never really crowded. However, in my experience it takes at least a week of continued use to be able to judge whether a switch is good for you.

davkan 6mo ago

It’s a tiny market in the US. Most people just buy a razer or corsair from Best Buy if they do it in person.

Modified3019 6mo ago

TL:DR Ultimately I settled on incredibly smooth, linear pre-lubed hall effect/TMR switches, and that’s what I strongly recommend to others. I played around with different mechanical switches for a bit, getting a few switch testers and hemming and hawing about which would be my chosen one. Honestly most all of it will be better than your typical $20 rubber dome dell e-waste. I got a Leopold keyboard with tactile mx clears as my first “real” keyboard and it was definitely an improvement and enjoyed it for a few years. However after my final xbox gamepad once again started getting stick drift, I moved one with Hall effect sticks (gamesir). It was so much better that it resulted in me wanting to try a hall effect keyboard with more customizability. Took a chance with a Keydous NJ98-CP V3 HE (pale green) because it was well reviewed and priced well enough to take a risk on. I love it so much I got my sister one. It turns out what I truly loved about old IBM beamspring switches wasn’t so much the click, but the smoothness. Typical mechanical linear switches with electrical contacts feel scratchy to me which I find repellent. Oddly enough, having a tactile bump to overcome somehow hides that. But a lubed Hall effect switch is as low friction as you can get and I love them. It’s literally fun to type on, and works great for gaming. As a bonus, it’s pretty quiet too, making it less obnoxious for others to be around. You’ll need to adjust the activation point to prevent accidental activation when resting your hands, but that’s basically it as far as doing things differently. As a side note, my mouse is a keychron M5, a “vertical” mouse, which works quite well and supports the higher polling rates I’m looking for. Also highly recommended if you need to give your tendons a break. Personally I think Razer has slightly better algorithms for smoothing and accurately translating my movement intentions, but this is only something I notice when “playing” Excel, and it’s not enough that ergonomics don’t easily win out.

bombcar 6mo ago

There are tens (hundreds?) of keyboards but only a handful of different switch types and manufacturers-with some study and preparation you can narrow down the switch feel pretty quickly. Then it’s a matter of choosing the style, so yes, many simply collect keyboards of their favorite switch type - and often don’t even return the ones they don’t use. The elites don’t want you to know this but the keyboards are not free you can take them home I have 458 keyboards. One of the fun type mix the various key switches to have different feel and different locations (easier/lighter switches at the edges for example).

wrigby 6mo ago

Probably Microcenter in Brooklyn is your best bet, but still limited selection. It really feels like there should be a hole-in-the-wall gaming PC shop in LES - maybe we should just open one?

gregsadetsky 6mo ago
I’m extremely interested. Email in profile - reach out and let’s grab coffee?

TranquilMarmot 6mo ago

In Seattle we have a sizeable mechanical keyboard community that does a monthly meetup. It's a great way to try out different switches/keycaps/layouts/etc. It's worth seeing if there's anything similar near you.