Unpopular opinion: Hotswap boards are just training wheels for the real hobby

I built a GMMK Pro with Kailh Box Jades last year and thought it was the endgame. Then I soldered a simple 60% with Gateron Ink Blacks and the sound and feel were on a different level. The fixed connection just makes everything more solid and consistent. Am I crazy for thinking hotswap is holding people back from better builds?

3 comments

3 Comments

skyler5163mo ago

Honestly, you're right and that soldered feel is just unbeatable.

karenw233mo ago

Gatekeeping is lame. Hotswap lets people try things without a huge risk. Soldering is a skill, not a magic quality button. Your better build is just your personal preference, not a universal truth. Let people enjoy the hobby how they want.

danieltaylor9d ago

Used to be all about hotswap myself, thought soldering was just for people who liked making extra work. But after swapping switches on a board a few times and never being totally happy with the sound, I finally soldered one up and it was a night and day difference. The fixed connection really does change the feel enough that I can see why some people think hotswap is a crutch.

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