On the new K20 mechanical keyboard, what type of switches are they using? I see the site mentions Light Strike LX Optical switches, is that just the type or is that the brand?  

z999z3mystorys
After looking it up a bit, "light strike" is a brand (with another brand being Flaretech), "optical switches" is a type of switch in the same way a "mechanical switch" is a type of switch, and the liner and clicky are variations of that type of switch, like you find with various colors of mechanical switches.
 
At least from what I've been able to gather here real quick.

That is what I was thinking as well. 

Your standard mechanical switches that you are familiar with require physical contact of a leaf spring to activate the input.
 
Optical Mechanical switches replaces that leaf spring with an infrared light beam to activate the input. This in turn means the responsiveness can be faster than the traditional mechanical switch and also means the durability of an optical switch is far greater. Also smoothness is improved since there is no friction from a leaf spring. 

Noodle 1
I've never heard of these switches before. How do they compare with Corsair's and Razer's optical-mechanical switches?

You have, Razer's optical switches are LK Light Strike Libra switches but with built in stabilizers. As for Corsairs, I'm not 100% certain of their OPX optical switches but I'm pretty sure they are made by Gateron. 


Optical switches are hollow inside. There is not contacts or anything to actually activate the input. They're just a shell housing with a spring and stem, clicky switches will have an additional mechanism to create that click and tactile feel. The switch basically allow or block the infrared light beam to activate the input. They all function and perform exactly the same. The only difference between them all is the actual feel of pressing down on the switch due to the materials, the type of plastic used. Either way they are vey smooth feeling switches with little to no scratchiness to them compared to Cherry MX mechanical switches where you can feel the friction between the stem and housing. 

In general, would it be possible to have hot-swappable optical switches?

Noodle 1
I've never heard of these switches before. How do they compare with Corsair's and Razer's optical-mechanical switches?

i never had this specific optical switches before, but i have the once from flaretech.
I have a Wooting Keyboard (i can highly recomend it) and it feels great, but i cant compair to Corsair's or Razer's cuz i dont have any of them.

I ordered one to try, I'm thinking it should be decent and can't beat the price right now if you are an elite member.
 
 

Others are saying that the keyboard is pretty loud? Is it as loud as a mechanical switch?

CLL1990
its all subjective anyways so theres really now way to tell other than trying it in person

 Agreed, even if the sites say the switches are comparable to another brand they may feel completely different to you.

Joshdb2010Awesome thanks for the info.  Ill try and go for the linear then.  I don't think I would like a very loud keyboard.

 
Fair warning: I bought the K20 with linear switches a couple of weeks ago, and to me it's fairly loud (as others have said), especially compared to my Logitech G11. Once you get going on it, there's a definite light 'ringing' sound that accompanies every keystroke. I like the keyboard in general, and I'm getting used to it. But if you live in a quiet environment, it may seem loud to you.
 
If you're interested, here are my recorded examples of my terrible typing on my keyboards (Dropbox). Both keyboards are at the same desk, and both have some form of cushioning under them.
 
Edit: Sorry, looks like EVGA doesn't want me to link my files even though it let me get as far as adding them.
C'est la vie!

EVGATech_DanielM
Is your file a video?

Nope! Just 13 second MP3 audio files.
 

tmaeller

EVGATech_DanielM
Is your file a video?

Nope! Just 13 second MP3 audio files.

It's just our forum anti-spam measures for members who haven't hit 10 posts yet.  Get a couple more posts and you'll be able to post it.