Editing Cherry MX Clear

{{Infobox dswitch
| image name        = Cherry MX clear.jpg
| manufacturer      = [[Cherry]]
| product code      = MX1A-C1xx
| introduced        = 1988 or earlier
| contact mechanism = [[Contact mechanism#Metal leaf|Metal leaf]]
| switch type       = Tactile
| actuation force   = 55 cN
| tactile force     = 65 cN
| peak force        = ca. 95 cN
| family            = [[Cherry MX]]
}}

[[File:Mx_clear_illustration.gif|right]]

The '''Cherry MX Clear''' switch is a medium stiff, tactile, non-clicky mechanical keyboard switch in the [[Cherry MX]] family.

The slider is not actually clear but [[colourless]] (in effect, translucent white). The word ''Clear'' is Cherry's own designation to distinguish it from the older [[Cherry MX White]] which is a clicky switch. Older types of the "white" also have translucent white sliders and are therefore visually indistinguishable from clears.

The [[Cherry MX Tactile Grey]] switch is used for space bars in keyboards with Cherry MX Clear switches. It has a similarly-shaped stem but a stiffer spring.

==History==
MX Clear is reported to have first appeared in 1989;{{citation needed}} however, it was included in a March 1988 numbering system datasheet for MX switches so it is assumed to have been in production in 1988 or earlier.

{{-}}

==Key feel==
[[File:CherryMXClearBrownForceTravel.png|right|thumb|250px|Force/Travel diagram (CN / mm) comparing Cherry MX Clear to Cherry MX Brown. Each graph is the slider colour.  Shadowed lines are the up-strokes]]

Similar to the [[Cherry MX Brown]], it has a tactile bump before the activation point. The tactile bump is more pronounced than a [[Cherry MX Brown]] but not as sharp as most rubber domes and [[Topre Switches|Topre switches]]. It is longer and peaks higher, at around 65 cN.

There is a dip at the tactile point (65 cN), below which resistance increases sharply up to around 95 cN at the bottom. Typists who are not used to the switch may feel this tiring. However, proponents of the switch claim that the high resistance cushions the stroke helping you to avoid bottoming out, and that would be beneficial to the fingers in the long term.

Because of the size of the tactile bump, it has the most friction of all [[Cherry MX]] switches.

As of 2012, these switches are available directly from the manufacturer and some suppliers.

==Modifications==
The Cherry MX Clear has one of the stiffest springs of all [[Cherry MX]] switch variants. Some people dislike the stiffness but appreciate the large tactile bump and have therefore replaced the springs with lighter springs.

Within the keyboard community these modifications are called:
* "[[Cherry MX Panda Clear|Panda Clears]]": A 'Clear' slider with a spring from a [[Cherry MX Black]]
* "[[Cherry MX Ergo Clear|Ergo Clears]]": A 'Clear' slider with a spring from a [[Cherry MX Brown]], [[Cherry MX Red|Red]] or [[Cherry MX Blue|Blue]]

==Keyboards==
* Some [[Cherry G80-1000]]
* Some [[Cherry G80-1800]]
* [[Cherry G80-1824]]
* Some [[Cherry G80-3000]]
* Some [[Cherry G80-3190]]
* Some Cherry G80-8113
* [[Cherry G80-9009]]
* Some [[Chicony KB-5981]]
* Most Chyron keyboards (especially [[Chyron Duet|Duet]], Max & Maxine)
* Code keyboard
* Some [[Deck]] & TG3 keyboards
* Some [[Ducky]] Shine (II/III)
* Some [[Leopold]] keyboards
* [[Phoneboard+]]
* [[SkiData]] keyboards
* [[WASD Keyboards]] Version 2
* [[Weytec Mk06]]

==Gallery==
<gallery widths=250px heights=187>
File:Cherry MX clear vs white.jpg|Cherry MX Clear and [[Cherry MX White]]
File:CherryMX_clear_062065.jpg|MX clear switches in shipping box.
</gallery>

==See also==
* [[Cherry MX Tactile Grey]]: Used for space bars in keyboards with MX Clear switches.
* [[Cherry MX White]]: Sometimes confused with the MX Clear.

[[Category:Cherry MX]]
[[Category:Tactile switches]]
[[Category:Metal contact switches]]
[[Category:Production switches]]
[[Category:List of all keyboard switches]]