Cherry releases value segment mechanical Switch called Viola
High-precision mechanical key switch for premium value. Thanks to a simple design, a unique switching characteristic, and a new contact system, VIOLA replaces entry-level technologies such as rubber domes and hybrid solutions.
It thus represents a significantly higher quality alternative when it comes to reliability, typing feel and durability. Other key features include industry-standard key cap mounting, RGB support and hot-swap functionality.
With VIOLA, CHERRY presents the first fully mechanical key switch for keyboards in the value sector, offering price-sensitive customers a complete mechanical solution. The switch has been developed from scratch and is characterised by its unique technical properties: the patented, self-cleaning V-Shape contact system* establishes an efficient connection between two pads on the circuit board. Due to its minimalist, solderless design, the switch offers hot-swap functionality and can be easily replaced or removed from the keyboard. The V-Shape contact system also features a distinctive switching characteristic: a two-stage, linear actuation that's been defined as "CrossLinear" by CHERRY. An actuation force of 45 cN is required for the pretravel of two millimetres. After that, the actuation force ramps up to 75 cN at the end of the travel distance (four millimetres). The resulting characteristic curve enables CHERRY VIOLA to offer ergonomic overtravel and fast reset. Also, CHERRY specially designed the shifting characteristics to meet the requirements of the target consumers.
The main housing of CHERRY VIOLA consists of a high-precision CAD part made of plastic polymer. With a tolerance of less than 0.01 millimetre and a total of eight guide rails on the inside, this ensures wobble-free and scratch-free operation. The outer part of the housing serves as a mounting bracket for the mechanical keyboard. The new CHERRY VIOLA switch for value keyboards uses an industrial standard stem for worldwide compatibility with commonly used key caps with cross receptacle.
CHERRY VIOLA is optimised for use with monochrome or RGB-capable SMD LEDs. The compact light-emitting diodes can be mounted directly on the circuit board of the keyboard for cost-efficient, fully automated production. In addition, CHERRY has designed the upper part of the VIOLA housing to be transparent and to guarantee uniform illumination of the entire key cap, resulting in a bright display of all 16.8 million colours of the RGB spectrum.
Senior Member
Posts: 1963
Joined: 2013-06-04
As long as they're silent, I wouldn't mind spending a bit more for a reliable, comfortable keyboard. At the moment I have Asus Cerberus and I like it, I wouldn't be willing to spend more on a keyboard. Plus, I hate the sound and feel of mechanic keyboards.
Senior Member
Posts: 14010
Joined: 2004-05-16
Ban.
Jokes aside, I use a cherry blue leopold keyboard from like 2012 at work and annoy the shit out of everyone. I could see myself buying a cheaper, silent variant. I've had good experiences with cherry so maybe ill look into this
Senior Member
Posts: 3026
Joined: 2008-02-25
I bought a k70 lux rgb with mx reds a few weeks ago after using a MS sidewinder x6 for 16 years, my number 4 key had been temperamental for a long time so i retired her to the scrap heap, the k70 is my first mech keyboard and my first impression when trying the keys was not good, the initial down stroke wasn't too bad but the keys were very noisy when released, so i did a bit of research and got myself a few o rings from a local hardware store....not cheap by any means but they actually dampened the key release noise, now i paid over £4 for 10 and given that i needed 120 to do the whole keyboard i took to ebay and found a pack of 120 o rings for this sort of thing and i paid £2.25 for the 120 and they do help a lot, well worth the money and 20 minutes or so to remove each key to fit the o ring, now i have reasonably quiet mx reds.
Senior Member
Posts: 11808
Joined: 2012-07-20
I can be persuaded to buy 2nd mechanical keyboard for daily use. Even as costly as one I have now. But that next one has to have low total travel (around 2mm max). And actuation point at 1/2 of max travel. (And I would prefer it to be w/o numpad.)
My current keyboard has very fast actuation due to short actuation distance. But bottoming out means longer distance till switch releases contact.
It took some time before I got used to it as my previous mechanical behaved quite differently. And I see a lot of space for improvement as result.
Senior Member
Posts: 1026
Joined: 2008-07-10
Depending on how much clickety-clack these switches make, could it mean the return of mechanical keyboards in the workplace?