Author Topic: [IC] Gateron Switches (Read 102730 times)

hwood34 · « **on:** Tue, 27 January 2015, 10:36:31 »

GB here

Now that everyone's seen the goodness of Gateron switches, I decided it was time to at least gauge interest for a Gateron GB. At ~~10,000~~ 20,000 switches per type, we can get them for 0.99 yuan ($0.16). We're also looking into buying them from a third-party vendor. Right now, Gateron offers switches in these flavors:

Blacks - 50g Linear
Blues - 55g Clicky
Clears - 35g Linear
Browns - 45g Tactile
Reds - 45g Linear

For more info on Gaterons:
Teardown and Review
Review
Build log using Gateron Clears

Our numbers:
Clears: 11,000
Blacks: 4100
Blues: 8000
Browns: 8200
Reds: 1500

azhdar · « **Reply #1 on:** Tue, 27 January 2015, 10:43:21 »

Quote from: hwood34 on Tue, 27 January 2015, 10:36:31

Now that everyone's seen the goodness of Gateron switches, I decided it was time to at least gauge interest for a Gateron GB. This would be a while in the future considering I haven't found any independent seller that could support a GB and don't know how exactly to go about contacting Gateron (though to have someone who could speak chinese wouldn't hurt). From Taobao, they cost ¥1.30 per, but I'm not sure what kind of pricing we could get for a bulk order. Right now, Gateron offers switches in these flavors:

Blacks - 50g Linear
Blues - 55g Clicky
Clears - 35g Linear
Browns - 45g Tactile
Reds - unknown, maybe someone could translate this page?

the horrible google translate seems too say "same accentuation point that cherry red "

frosty · « **Reply #2 on:** Tue, 27 January 2015, 10:44:00 »

I think clears will fetch the highest interest! Down for 130 of these if it happens.

justnits · « **Reply #3 on:** Tue, 27 January 2015, 10:48:43 »

the gateron red is supposedly a copy of cherry red, so is the rest.
the only different ones is the gateron clear which is a featherweight linear as opposed to cherry's tactile clear.

ideus · « **Reply #4 on:** Tue, 27 January 2015, 10:55:27 »

Interested to try them out. Keep us all posted as details become available.

justnits · « **Reply #5 on:** Tue, 27 January 2015, 11:02:48 »

Quote from: hwood34 on Tue, 27 January 2015, 10:36:31

Now that everyone's seen the goodness of Gateron switches, I decided it was time to at least gauge interest for a Gateron GB. This would be a while in the future considering I haven't found any independent seller that could support a GB and don't know how exactly to go about contacting Gateron (though to have someone who could speak chinese wouldn't hurt). From Taobao, they cost ¥1.30 per, but I'm not sure what kind of pricing we could get for a bulk order. Right now, Gateron offers switches in these flavors:

Blacks - 50g Linear
Blues - 55g Clicky
Clears - 35g Linear
Browns - 45g Tactile
Reds - unknown, maybe someone could translate this page?

i've heard from people who tried gaterons before mentions that the gateron clicky blues have a lot of inconsistency in terms of clickiness. same goes to 2nd generations (the one that you linked is 2nd generation gateron)
i only heard the stock linear switches is buttery smooth when compared to stock cherry linears, don't know much about their browns though...

Sygaldry · « **Reply #6 on:** Tue, 27 January 2015, 11:05:29 »

Id be down for 90 or so of the Gateron Clears

jdcarpe · « **Reply #7 on:** Tue, 27 January 2015, 11:07:59 »

Just for clarity (haha, pun intended), Gateron clears are light linear switches, as stated in the OP...correct?

evolveS · « **Reply #8 on:** Tue, 27 January 2015, 11:18:53 »

Interested in the black Gateron switches

hwood34 · « **Reply #9 on:** Tue, 27 January 2015, 11:20:36 »

now with an interest form

hwood34 · « **Reply #10 on:** Tue, 27 January 2015, 11:20:50 »

Quote from: jdcarpe on Tue, 27 January 2015, 11:07:59

Just for clarity (haha, pun intended), Gateron clears are light linear switches, as stated in the OP...correct?

yep

byker · « **Reply #11 on:** Tue, 27 January 2015, 11:21:00 »

I actually just sent out a few emails last night regarding group buy pricing and stock for some gateron switches. I will let you know what I get in reply!

justnits · « **Reply #12 on:** Tue, 27 January 2015, 11:21:32 »

Quote from: jdcarpe on Tue, 27 January 2015, 11:07:59

Just for clarity (haha, pun intended), Gateron clears are light linear switches, as stated in the OP...correct?

correct, they are suppose to be lighter than cherry linear red

hjc1710 · « **Reply #13 on:** Tue, 27 January 2015, 11:22:04 »

Would be interested in some clears for a possible board, not sure how many yet though, but 80-105. And probably the smallest amount of reds I could buy, for comparison to cherry's.

EDIT: Filled out interest form.

hjc1710 · « **Reply #14 on:** Tue, 27 January 2015, 11:29:08 »

Wait, does Gateron do PCB mount switches? If so, I might be more interested and get a full 115 clears.

Zeal · « **Reply #15 on:** Tue, 27 January 2015, 11:31:51 »

Quote from: hjc1710 on Tue, 27 January 2015, 11:29:08

Wait, does Gateron do PCB mount switches? If so, I might be more interested and get a full 115 clears.

Yes, but you must shave/sand off the friction points on the PCB mounted switches. Else you're going to have a really sore thumb from trying to force them all in.

Karura · « **Reply #16 on:** Tue, 27 January 2015, 11:36:25 »

I have tested out the switches in person (thanks to Zeal!), and I can confirm that these are the real deal, we had vintage blacks to compare to, and the clear (linear) Gateron was better in all aspects: smoother, slicker, tighter switch top, tighter PCB mount when compared to Cherry MX.

Only potential issue I see is that: they are untested for durability, perhaps the smoothness felt in the switches might be attributed to lower durability, and the wearing away of the slider... we won't know unless someone uses it for a year or two and reports back.

tl;dr: It is solid as can be.

Quote from: Karura on Tue, 27 January 2015, 00:09:46

Quote from: Karura on Sun, 25 January 2015, 22:51:09
Gaterons are going to be the next big thing on GH.

hjc1710 · « **Reply #17 on:** Tue, 27 January 2015, 11:37:08 »

Quote from: Zeal on Tue, 27 January 2015, 11:31:51

Quote from: hjc1710 on Tue, 27 January 2015, 11:29:08
Wait, does Gateron do PCB mount switches? If so, I might be more interested and get a full 115 clears.

Yes, but you must shave/sand off the friction points on the PCB mounted switches. Else you're going to have a really sore thumb from trying to force them all in.

Hmmmmm... I can live with that, thanks for the heads up though!

Lemme know if this IC ever separates into plate mount and PCB mount, my current form entry assumes plate mount.

Karura · « **Reply #18 on:** Tue, 27 January 2015, 11:38:40 »

Quote from: Zeal on Tue, 27 January 2015, 11:31:51

Quote from: hjc1710 on Tue, 27 January 2015, 11:29:08
Wait, does Gateron do PCB mount switches? If so, I might be more interested and get a full 115 clears.

Yes, but you must shave/sand off the friction points on the PCB mounted switches. Else you're going to have a really sore thumb from trying to force them all in.

We were able to force an unmodded (was it? I forgot) one in right? Then afterwards it was tight to the point of not ever being pulled out?

Fire Brand · « **Reply #19 on:** Tue, 27 January 2015, 11:38:59 »

Glad you posted this as I was almost about to put a order for them two nights, anyway filled the form 120 of black and clears

IvanIvanovich · « **Reply #20 on:** Tue, 27 January 2015, 12:05:31 »

I'll bite if we can get them for decent price like $.60/ea or less.

hwood34 · « **Reply #21 on:** Tue, 27 January 2015, 12:10:28 »

Quote from: Karura on Tue, 27 January 2015, 11:38:40

Quote from: Zeal on Tue, 27 January 2015, 11:31:51
Quote from: hjc1710 on Tue, 27 January 2015, 11:29:08
Wait, does Gateron do PCB mount switches? If so, I might be more interested and get a full 115 clears.

Yes, but you must shave/sand off the friction points on the PCB mounted switches. Else you're going to have a really sore thumb from trying to force them all in.

We were able to force an unmodded (was it? I forgot) one in right? Then afterwards it was tight to the point of not ever being pulled out?

Well, on my dolch I had to press it down a little harder, but i could do it fine without sanding

Zeal · « **Reply #22 on:** Tue, 27 January 2015, 12:12:34 »

Quote from: Karura on Tue, 27 January 2015, 11:36:25

I have tested out the switches in person (thanks to Zeal!), and I can confirm that these are the real deal, we had vintage blacks to compare to, and the clear (linear) Gateron was better in all aspects: smoother, slicker, tighter switch top, tighter PCB mount when compared to Cherry MX.

Only potential issue I see is that: they are untested for durability, perhaps the smoothness felt in the switches might be attributed to lower durability, and the wearing away of the slider... we won't know unless someone uses it for a year or two and reports back.

tl;dr: It is solid as can be.

Quote from: Karura on Tue, 27 January 2015, 00:09:46
Quote from: Karura on Sun, 25 January 2015, 22:51:09
Gaterons are going to be the next big thing on GH.

Quote from: Zeal on Mon, 26 January 2015, 21:38:48

Quote from: hwood34 on Mon, 26 January 2015, 20:29:31
Quote from: billnye on Mon, 26 January 2015, 20:26:25
Very nice write up!

Gaterons for the Corsa it is
damn straight yo

Everyone joining the bandwagon. Chu chuu~~
#LinearGaterons2k15

^^^

Quote from: hwood34 on Tue, 27 January 2015, 12:10:28

Quote from: Karura on Tue, 27 January 2015, 11:38:40
Quote from: Zeal on Tue, 27 January 2015, 11:31:51
Quote from: hjc1710 on Tue, 27 January 2015, 11:29:08
Wait, does Gateron do PCB mount switches? If so, I might be more interested and get a full 115 clears.

Yes, but you must shave/sand off the friction points on the PCB mounted switches. Else you're going to have a really sore thumb from trying to force them all in.

We were able to force an unmodded (was it? I forgot) one in right? Then afterwards it was tight to the point of not ever being pulled out?
Well, on my dolch I had to press it down a little harder, but i could do it fine without sanding

Could it be that your Dolch PCB already had "widened" PCB holes? The ones I tested on were brand new PCBs.

n0rvig · « **Reply #23 on:** Tue, 27 January 2015, 12:13:42 »

Neato! Make it happen!

justnits · « **Reply #24 on:** Tue, 27 January 2015, 12:32:43 »

Quote from: Zeal on Tue, 27 January 2015, 11:31:51

Quote from: hjc1710 on Tue, 27 January 2015, 11:29:08
Wait, does Gateron do PCB mount switches? If so, I might be more interested and get a full 115 clears.

Yes, but you must shave/sand off the friction points on the PCB mounted switches. Else you're going to have a really sore thumb from trying to force them all in.

zeal, you referring to first generation gateron switch or second generation or it's actually a gateron problem?
i heard the first generation gateron switch has slightly larger stem size, whereas the second generation design is almost identical to cherry mx switch.

Zeal · « **Reply #25 on:** Tue, 27 January 2015, 12:38:46 »

Quote from: Zeal on Tue, 27 January 2015, 10:28:30

Quote from: swill on Tue, 27 January 2015, 06:16:08
Quote from: Zeal on Mon, 26 January 2015, 23:15:02
Sourcing off Taobao for a GB is pretty silly.
Swill, the only tactile switch they have are browns.
OK. And I guess taobao is the only possible source for them right now even at larger quantities. Fair enough.

Is anyone working on trying to find a more reliable source for them yet or is everyone still just seeing if they are any good?

I'm thinking about giving them a long distance call...Gimme some time

Will most likely contact Gateron by phone sometime in Feb. Since EMS price spikes up at shipments over 10-20kg, I'd like to use my DHL discount by setting up an import w/ the manufacture.

Btw, for anyone that's curious about Gateron, they're a Taiwanese founded company in China (like Foxconn), and also use imported plastics (PA12) from Switzerland. They make household/industrial appliance switches, vehincle / waterproof / dustproof switches, and mechanical (Gateron) switches. etc..

Their manufacturing plant is capable of 3 million switches / month.

hwood34 · « **Reply #26 on:** Tue, 27 January 2015, 14:51:49 »

Is there a way to see the total number of orders of each type? Like a script or something to add them all up

Zeal · « **Reply #27 on:** Tue, 27 January 2015, 15:34:36 »

Quote from: hwood34 on Tue, 27 January 2015, 14:51:49

Is there a way to see the total number of orders of each type? Like a script or something to add them all up

If you set up your IC response form in columns, it should be easy to just sum up the columns.

hwood34 · « **Reply #28 on:** Tue, 27 January 2015, 15:43:12 »

Quote from: Zeal on Tue, 27 January 2015, 15:34:36

Quote from: hwood34 on Tue, 27 January 2015, 14:51:49
Is there a way to see the total number of orders of each type? Like a script or something to add them all up

If you set up your IC response form in columns, it should be easy to just sum up the columns.

but that takes, like, work and stuff

FrostyToast · « **Reply #29 on:** Tue, 27 January 2015, 15:45:17 »

I would be in for say, 100 clears?

Joey Quinn · « **Reply #30 on:** Tue, 27 January 2015, 17:57:31 »

I'd be down for some clears and reds.

swill · « **Reply #31 on:** Tue, 27 January 2015, 18:20:25 »

I will fill in the form later tonight. Has anyone tested the browns? Any details at all on them. Are they really close to exact clones of cherry browns?

Vintage · « **Reply #32 on:** Tue, 27 January 2015, 18:39:53 »

Curious about the blues especially.... filled the form.

Joey Quinn · « **Reply #33 on:** Tue, 27 January 2015, 18:42:48 »

Quote from: swill on Tue, 27 January 2015, 18:20:25

I will fill in the form later tonight. Has anyone tested the browns? Any details at all on them. Are they really close to exact clones of cherry browns?

Are reds or browns softer than cherry tactile switches? I'm also interested in this.

FunkMasterJ · « **Reply #34 on:** Tue, 27 January 2015, 18:48:22 »

Very interested in blacks and browns

strict · « **Reply #35 on:** Tue, 27 January 2015, 19:01:05 »

Extremely interested in this. Form filled out for 120 browns and 120 blacks.

jacobolus · « **Reply #36 on:** Tue, 27 January 2015, 19:18:26 »

You guys should talk to MassDrop about this. I suspect they’d be interested, and can probably get a bigger number of orders (= better bulk discounts), as well as handling all the hassle of distribution.

Sent · « **Reply #37 on:** Tue, 27 January 2015, 19:22:39 »

Interested in black and clears. Filled out the form.

hwood34 · « **Reply #38 on:** Tue, 27 January 2015, 19:23:07 »

Quote from: jacobolus on Tue, 27 January 2015, 19:18:26

You guys should talk to MassDrop about this. I suspect they’d be interested, and can probably get a bigger number of orders (= better bulk discounts), as well as handling all the hassle of distribution.

I hate massdrop with a passion. Pass

byker · « **Reply #39 on:** Tue, 27 January 2015, 19:58:46 »

Quote from: hwood34 on Tue, 27 January 2015, 19:23:07

Quote from: jacobolus on Tue, 27 January 2015, 19:18:26
You guys should talk to MassDrop about this. I suspect they’d be interested, and can probably get a bigger number of orders (= better bulk discounts), as well as handling all the hassle of distribution.
I hate massdrop with a passion. Pass

Samesies

strict · « **Reply #40 on:** Tue, 27 January 2015, 20:02:15 »

Quote from: byker on Tue, 27 January 2015, 19:58:46

Quote from: hwood34 on Tue, 27 January 2015, 19:23:07
Quote from: jacobolus on Tue, 27 January 2015, 19:18:26
You guys should talk to MassDrop about this. I suspect they�d be interested, and can probably get a bigger number of orders (= better bulk discounts), as well as handling all the hassle of distribution.
I hate massdrop with a passion. Pass

Samesies

+2

exitfire401 · « **Reply #41 on:** Tue, 27 January 2015, 20:18:23 »

Actually just purchased 100 clears (whites?) so I'll be passing on this one. Good luck with it though!

Time to get a set of cherrys to swap out the leafs!

billnye · « **Reply #42 on:** Tue, 27 January 2015, 20:21:10 »

pm sent to you my sir!

hwood34 · « **Reply #43 on:** Tue, 27 January 2015, 20:22:39 »

Quote from: billnye on Tue, 27 January 2015, 20:21:10

pm sent to you my sir!

PM'd replied

Kira · « **Reply #44 on:** Tue, 27 January 2015, 20:30:20 »

Yes please =D

billnye · « **Reply #45 on:** Tue, 27 January 2015, 20:35:38 »

No thanks I'll be passing on this

If you support fake Cherry switches, that is basically the same as supporting k3kc..... counterfeiters can gtfo

SpAmRaY · « **Reply #46 on:** Tue, 27 January 2015, 20:41:35 »

Quote from: billnye on Tue, 27 January 2015, 20:35:38

No thanks I'll be passing on this

If you support fake Cherry switches, that is basically the same as supporting k3kc..... counterfeiters can gtfo

They aren't fakes. They are cherry compatible. Didn't you read the official thread on this?

Vintage · « **Reply #47 on:** Tue, 27 January 2015, 20:42:24 »

I see no reason not to try alternatives. Options are always nice to have. Especially when they are relatively inexpensive options

And the "softer" feel these are supposed to have intrigues me.

jacobolus · « **Reply #48 on:** Tue, 27 January 2015, 20:47:54 »

Quote from: billnye on Tue, 27 January 2015, 20:35:38

If you support fake Cherry switches, that is basically the same as supporting k3kc..... counterfeiters can gtfo

If every product you buy must be a unique invention and not an imitation of someone else’s design, you must have a pretty spartan lifestyle. For instance, I’m pretty sure most of the parts on your car, your TV, your computer, not to mention your plumbing and electrical system, your furniture, your floor and walls and roof, all your clothing, and basically every other artifact you own is full of copied designs, going right back to the invention of the wheel.

Why single out riffs on long-out-of-patent keyswitch designs?

billnye · « **Reply #49 on:** Tue, 27 January 2015, 20:51:46 »

Yes my friends you must see the whole situation

Getaron switches are clearly Cherry fakes. They don't have Gold Crosspoint Technology (TM) which clearly means they are not authentic Cherry.

As a world-tier Cherry connesuir, I cannot endorse the sale of these switches.

We must work together as a community to end Gatorade tyranny

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Author Topic: [IC] Gateron Switches (Read 102730 times)