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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: KPopOG on Mon, 19 February 2018, 22:20:18

Title: Gateron or Kailh Speed?
Post by: KPopOG on Mon, 19 February 2018, 22:20:18

Switch preferences (preferably reply if you've used any of these)? Both listed on Massdrop (Kailh drop active now) for $25, and thinking of upgrading my $40 TKL with blue Outemus. Heard from a lot of people that Gaterons are a lot better, but the 1.1 mm travel distance on the Kailh is very attractive. If you think there's anything else that's worth upgrading (total budget preferably under 40 USD), then I'd be happy to hear it. Options as well as what I'm looking for listed below.

Current Keyboard: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N5F6W51/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_ep_dp_NYqIAb8B60P84

Gateron Switch Options (https://www.massdrop.com/buy/gateron-switches):

• Blacks
• Browns
• Clears
• Greens
• Reds
• Yellows
• Blues

Kailh Speed Switch Options (https://www.massdrop.com/buy/kaihua-kailh-speed-switches):

• Copper
• Silver
• Bronze
• Gold

What I'm looking for (little more typing than gaming, lots hate blues for gaming, but seem fine to me) (in order of importance):

• Near silent (Current Outemu blues extremely loud, maybe replace cheap metal top plate too?)
• Short travel distance (Current Outemu blues ~4 mm)
• Fast rebound times (Current Outemu blues seem to take forever to rebound, especially shift. (Swap stabilizers?))
  
• Little wobble

Sorry that I'm asking so much, but I really want the best I can get for my use. Thanks!

Title: Re: Gateron or Kailh Speed?
Post by: klennkellon on Tue, 20 February 2018, 01:48:47

Kailh Speed linears are good and smooth. But the Kailh BOX linears are even better and also a little quieter/bassier imo. The BOX switches are also "speed" switches with faster actuation and shorter 3.5mm travel and have the least wobble comparable to regular MX.

Gaterons are loud and wobbly but smooth from my experience.

Title: Re: Gateron or Kailh Speed?
Post by: KPopOG on Tue, 20 February 2018, 02:04:24

Quote from: klennkellon on Tue, 20 February 2018, 01:48:47

Kailh Speed linears are good and smooth. But the Kailh BOX linears are even better and also a little quieter/bassier imo. The BOX switches are also "speed" switches with faster actuation and shorter 3.5mm travel and have the least wobble comparable to regular MX.

Gaterons are loud and wobbly but smooth from my experience.

Thanks for the info!
Unfortunately, I have to go with Outemu switches. Made another post here https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=94155.0 (https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=94155.0), and ended up learning that even though my keyboard has hot-swappable switches, Outemu pins are thinner than typical switches. Not gonna waste 4+ hours (someone actually took the time haha) to file down every socket.

Title: Re: Gateron or Kailh Speed?
Post by: quasistellar on Wed, 21 February 2018, 10:04:07

I have Kailh Speed Coppers and quite like them.  Their tactile bump is at the VERY top of the keystroke, so it provides resistance immediately, and then drops off, and then the spring ramps up.  You can check the force curve on Input Club for yourself--it's very unique for an MX style tactile switch.  The tactile bump itself isn't very strong, but I haven't been able to press past the bump without activating the switch.  The bump kind of serves as a preventative for accidental keystrokes with such a high actuation point.  Only thing I think I'd prefer is a very slightly lighter spring, but I like very light switches in general, and this one is already very light.

Title: Re: Gateron or Kailh Speed?
Post by: floristfran on Thu, 22 February 2018, 08:37:14

I have the Kailh pro linears and I like them more than any other linears I've tried up to this point (other than maybe silent reds)