(http://i.imgur.com/z7OwCb2.jpg)
Table of Contents
Soundtrack (#post_Tunes)
Intro (#post_Intro)
Background (#post_BG)
General Comparison between MX Blacks and Gateron Blacks (#post_GeneralCompare)
Testing (#post_Testing)
Final Thoughts (#post_Final)
Soundtrack
If you really want to get into my head for this review, maybe you’d like to put these tunes on while you read. This is some of what I was listening to when I was working on this review.
Rotting Out’s set from This is Hardcore 2015 (https://vimeo.com/117653417)
Mutoid Man’s set from Vacation Vinyl 2014 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZXRiNkTHSs)
RIP to Rotting Out and here’s to hoping that Mutoid Man tours more often.
Intro
In late 2014 and early 2015, an influx of Cherry MX keyswitch clones hit the mechanical keyboard market. Razer introduced their Green and Orange switches, which are manufactured by Kailh (http://www.anandtech.com/show/7911/razer-blackwidow-ultimate-mechanical-gaming-keyboard-review/3). To me, they’re different from the Kailh Browns (https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=65164.0) and Blues (https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=62357.0) which seem to go for a more direct copy of the MX switches. Goate has more switches coming out. But it’s Gaterons that have seem to become the most popular of these new clones; although Kailh switches besides the Razer switches seem to be well received (https://www.keychatter.com/2015/03/26/review-keycool-hero-104-rgb/).I’ve been trying to get a hold and test as many of these MX clones as I could. Thanks to hwood34 and jdcarpe, I have a bunch of Gateron Blacks which will be integral to this review. Previously I did a spring swap with Cherry MX Black switches (https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=44749.0) so this review will be similar to that. I have a bunch of gold springs (Thanks Photoelectric), a bunch of Gaterons, and a bunch of Krytox lubricant. Let’s do some testing.
Background
It was a little hard hunting down information about Gateron so this may not be 100% accurate. This is the best I could find and I’ll share it with that warning.
According to this website which seems to compile information on Chinese manufacturers (http://en.b2b168.com/c168-13626625.html), Gateron is a brand owned by Huizhou Jia Yang Electronics (HJYE) (http://www.hzjy-cnt.com/en/Main.asp?SortID=29). The Gateron brand is the switch manufacturer and the b2b168 site lists “keyboard switch” and “mechanical keyboard switch” as a main product. This datasheet seems to refer to Gateron as a company (http://www.weistang.com/article-1160-1.html) on it’s own but I couldn’t find any information on the Gateron Electronic Technology Co. LTD. The Gateron brand being owned by HJYE (https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=68145.msg1620755#msg1620755) seems to correspond with the information on their website and information from Zeal; Zeal seems to have a business relationship with them in some capacity. Gateron seems to have a website setup which can be found here (http://www.gateron.com/). I previously didn't see this so it might be new. I also haven't Google Translated it but it looks like you cannot order anything off it. Please correct me if this isn't the case though.
Setup
Now that we’re bored reading about some business nonsense ;), let’s move on to more interesting stuff. I have the following springs:
- 55g lubed gold
- 62g lubed gold
- 60g lubed gold
- 65g lubed gold
- Stock MX Black spring with no lube
- Stock Gateron Black spring with no lube
- Stock lubed Gateron Black spring
And as a direct comparison, I have the following MX switches on hand:
- Stock lubed MX Black switches in a Razer Orbweaver
- 65g lubed MX Black switches in an Epsilon keyboard (https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=41390.0)
- A single Nixdorf switch gifted from Hzza
- Vintage MX Blacks (lubed and stock)
I then have made a little switch tester with the following layout. The switch tester is from Spamray but it’s simply a plate with M7 switches from eBay (http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-pc-White-Keyboard-5x5-keys-5-keys-Metal-Panel/130541363513?afsrc=1&rmvSB=true). The plate will hold MX and MX clones just fine. It’s mounted on a piece of thick Styrofoam.
(http://i.imgur.com/Eoli7T5.jpg)
(http://i.imgur.com/l7lPV5Z.png)
(http://i.imgur.com/Hk05Xk3.jpg)
General Comparison – MX Blacks vs Gateron Blacks
The first thing I noticed when I compare the two switches is how refined the Gateron switches feel in comparison to the MX. The MX Blacks feel a little rough and you can feel the stem’s friction points. The Gateron Blacks feel truly linear and smoother. Even compared to the lubricated vintage MX Blacks, I still prefer the Gateron Blacks. In fact, I said when I got the switches and I was messing with them, I said that the stock Gateron Blacks feel remarkably like the Nixdorf Black that I have. I continue to maintain this. For me, the stock and lubed stock Gateron Blacks are the closest switches to Nixdorfs without being Nixdorfs. And a keyboard enthusiast can actually get their hands on Gateron Blacks unlike the nearly impossible to find Nixdorfs. I should stress that by find, I mean getting the chance to pay for Nixdorf switches for an affordable, reasonable price.
I will say that I do like the MX Black springs and they’re nearly the same as the Gateron Black springs. I didn’t notice a difference between the springs when I swapped the two. I also noticed that the MX Black switches (https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=69644.0) seem to wobble more than the Gateron Blacks. But both have wobble. It helps to make off-centered strikes on the switch feel smoother.
Testing
(http://i.imgur.com/Lge7MZk.jpg)
- 55g gold spring lubed Gateron Black: I’ve tried 55g springs before, but they were normal and not gold plated. The other springs I’ve tried were far too light for me. Laughably light. Here the springs are still too light for me but there’s a little twist.
These gold plated springs feel light but they feel a little more responsive than the non-gold spring. A little springier and and maybe a little more “cushiony” on the bottom out like MX Clear springs. This is a running theme for the rest of the gold springs and the review.
- 60g gold spring lubed Gateron Black: These are still too light for my tastes and I actually think that the bottom out on these are the harshest of all the spring swaps. There is minimal cushion feeling as well.
- 62g gold spring lubed Gateron Black: For me this is the lighest spring I would use. If I recall correctly, there was special attention given to these when looking to make a spring for modified MX Clears. It reminds me of a lighter version of the MX Clear spring; there are similar bottom-out feeling and wonderfully springy. It’s still a touch light for me but I think I understand why gold-plated 62g springs are so popular.
- 65g gold spring lubed Gateron Black: 65g has always been my favorite aftermarket spring and it continues to be so. The weight is just right for me; a proper balance of a light touch but just heavy enough. As I’ve said multiple times, I prefer heavier switches. Again, the feeling of cushiony bottom out and smoothness is present. But it’s not as cushiony as say the MX Clear springs.
- Stock lubed Gateron Black: This is my new favorite linear MX-based switch. It’s a little lighter than a stock Nixdorf switch but it feels incredible. It’s the closest MX switch I’ve found to complicated Green Alps which are my second favorite linear switch after Hall Effect (but unlike HE switches, I can use them over USB). They’re a touch lighter than MX Blacks and the rebound doesn’t have as much resistance as the stock Gateron switches. The actuation force is smooth. Easily the smoothest MX-based experience I’ve tried. I will be getting rid of my MX Blacks that I’ve stocked away and I’ll be swapping my Epsilon switches for Gaterons. Since the Razer Blackwidow is a pain to take apart, I’m going to keep it together but I’d love to swap those out as well.
- Stock Gateron Black: A really really really nice linear MX-based experience. I highly recommend that if you’re too lazy, intimidated, or don’t have the time to mod your switches, just use these. The rebound is a little stiffer versus the lubed stock blacks and the actuation force takes a little more effort. But overall, this is a very nice linear switch. Much better than a stock MX Black or vintage MX Black in my opinion.
Final Thoughts
I’m over MX Blacks. I enjoyed them; I stocked up on them; I thought they were great linear switches. I also picked them up because I really enjoyed the springs and used them in other switch modifications. But something else came along that to me that feels better. I wasn’t as enthusiastic about some of the other clones I’ve tried because they didn’t do anything for me. But the Gateron Blacks are definitely an upgrade for me and definitely excites me. I hunted for Nixdorfs for a while and now I don’t have to. And I’m very happy that all I have to do is lube the stock switches and I’m good to go. Hell, I could use the stock switches and I’d be happy. Again, shoutouts to jdcarpe, Photoelectric, Hzza, and hwood34 for their help with this review.
I would be happy to do more comparisons with the Gaterons and the switches I’ve shown in the Setup so please let me know if you’d like any more opinions or thoughts on this topic from me.
And for more information on Gateron Blacks, please check out some other reviews and writeups such as these (https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=68145.msg1613165#msg1613165). You can also see sprit's post which has many other helpful links (https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=68943.msg1726407#msg1726407).