Gateron vs Cherry switches

[jcoffin1981]

These Gateron switches have been around for a while now, and I was wondering what people's opinions were vs. the two keyboards.   I honestly cannont decide 100!% so I keep them  both on the desk and switch back and forth.

The Gateron brown is lighter and smoother.  I also replaced the keycaps with very expensive aftermarket  PBT keycaps.  I have to say there may be some quality control issues with the V60 Gateron boards.  My  originial was shipped the wrong model.   The second was damaged and caused the spacebar to repeat almost every stroke.  Turns out the frame was bent at the spacebar.  This is my third one and I love it, but  I still experience the spacebar chatter, though not as frequently.

The  Poker 3 has Cherry Brown switches and I like it very much.  It's stiffer compared to the GTR, but there is no chatter anywhere.  However some of the keys ping, which drives me nuts.  I'm also not a fan of the keycaps,  but it's still much better than the standard Dell ABS.  I'm just curious where other's opinions stand on this.

[bocahgundul]

I have to say that modern cherry sux ass and gateron is better than this modern cherry mx. But nothing can beats vintage worn cherry mx

Gateron might feels lighter cause its smoother than the modern cherry that you got

[jcoffin1981]

There is no question, the pressure  to actuate the  switch is definitely lighter.  I think they both actuate at about 45g, but the cherry brown switch has to overcome the peak resistance, which is around 55g.  With so little resistance to press the Gateron brown, I find that just resting my fingers on the home row I get accidental keystrokes, which I never get with Cherry.

One thing that absolutely drives me bonkers is the chatter or extra keystrokes, specifically on the space bar.  I  constantly have to go back and correct these mistakes.  If anyone has any tips on how to combat this I'd be much oblidged.  I did update the firmware to V107, which is the most recent.  Somedays I think I like the Gateron V60 better, and others I  like  the poker 3 better.  I can't decide, so I keep both.

[gain]

I've converted to Gateron for the most part

Just need an equivalent to the MX White without me butchering god knows how many and we're good 

So far I'm not a fan of the new switch housing, maybe my stance will change after I see them in person,

[romevi]

I've converted to Gateron for the most part

Just need an equivalent to the MX White without me butchering god knows how many and we're good 

Although I'm sure my stance will change after I see them in person, so far I'm not a fan of the new switch housing.

I'm confused by your last statement. Your stance will change once you see them in person? So you haven't used Gateron?
And you're not a fan of the new Gateron housing, the black and transparent?

[gain]

I've converted to Gateron for the most part

Just need an equivalent to the MX White without me butchering god knows how many and we're good 

Although I'm sure my stance will change after I see them in person, so far I'm not a fan of the new switch housing.

I'm confused by your last statement. Your stance will change once you see them in person? So you haven't used Gateron?
And you're not a fan of the new Gateron housing, the black and transparent?

My bad, a little brain dead today!

Nah I have a misc pile of them already with the old housing, just not sure how to feel about the fully translucent housing they now have.

Maybe I just need to see them in person.

[axtran]

My bad, a little brain dead today!

Nah I have a misc pile of them already with the old housing, just not sure how to feel about the fully translucent housing they now have.

Maybe I just need to see them in person.

To be fair, the new housing is a transparent top and what looks like (depending upon batch) a black or a white colored base. The transparent bases I've only seen from Zeal's switch orders. They're just as smooth, albeit manufactured quality I'd say higher than the stock, "frosty" Gateron switch.

[bocahgundul]

Make room for the Grandaddy of them all

Show Image

Hey that isn't a Pro 2 >:D

This is cool tho

Show Image

We can use gateron housing without making any feel difference right? I love those translucent housing

[saxophone]

A bag of Gateron RGB reds just arrived. I believe the "RGB" is simply used to indicate that it's the new batch as all the listed RGB ones on taobao are ones with the newer black housing + clear top rather than the old frosted ones.

First impressions: Just pushing down the slider directly shows that it's criminally smooth . 

I think that the difference doesn't like in only the plastic, but also in the construction of the housing: there's 2 outdent lines on the walls where the slider usually would be touching the housing, resulting in decreased contact surface and less friction from just that.

Anyways these things are amazing, I bought these to swap out the switches on my Zhuque swappable switch keyboard. If I had soldering equipment I'd definetly buy more and replace the switches on my other keyboards as well. Note the fact that there are no holes on the bottom of the casing for the SMD to glow through despite the switches being labeled RGB on taobao. Maybe you're supposed to cut out the hole by yourself? No idea.

[iLLucionist]

First impressions: Just pushing down the slider directly shows that it's criminally smooth . 

Topre-smooth?

[chyros]

Of course Gaterons are smooth, they drown them in lube xD .

[jacobolus]

But nothing can beats vintage worn cherry mx

Half this list (https://deskthority.net/wiki/Category:Linear_switches) is nicer than Cherry MX from the 80s [not really surprising... the older nicer switches cost a lot more to produce]. And there are plenty of linear switches that never made it to that list.

I agree that 80s MX switches are nicer than the current ones or most of the MX clones though.

[hwood34]

But nothing can beats vintage worn cherry mx

Half this list (https://deskthority.net/wiki/Category:Linear_switches) is nicer than Cherry MX from the 80s. And there are plenty of linear switches that never made it to that list.

I agree that 80s MX switches are nicer than the current ones or most of the MX clones though.

I'd really love to try a Hall Effect board someday...

[crickclackman]

Of course Gaterons are smooth, they drown them in lube xD .

More luuuubbbbeeee!

[saxophone]

Of course Gaterons are smooth, they drown them in lube xD .

No actually, I opened two of the switches to check. They're totally dry on the inside. There's no denying that the difference lies in the material that the slider is made out of.

[Corsa1r]

I'm also quite interested in Gaterons since finding the sound of vintage cherry blacks so nice to hear, and from what I've been told, Gateron blacks seem like they get a similar effect without all the screwing around under the hood.  (Which could end up being fun, but I don't really have the time).

[bocahgundul]

But nothing can beats vintage worn cherry mx

Half this list (https://deskthority.net/wiki/Category:Linear_switches) is nicer than Cherry MX from the 80s [not really surprising... the older nicer switches cost a lot more to produce]. And there are plenty of linear switches that never made it to that list.

I agree that 80s MX switches are nicer than the current ones or most of the MX clones though.

B-b-b-but he said cherry vs gateron right?

Well I'd love to try hall effect board tho is it possible to make a modern hall effect board?

[Geroximo]

I'm waiting for my gateron black board to arrive ... SO excited how they compare to Cherry MX

[Corsa1r]

I'm waiting for my gateron black board to arrive ... SO excited how they compare to Cherry MX

Oooh, which board did you get?  I've been looking around for a nice board with Gateron blacks.

[hwood34]

I'm waiting for my gateron black board to arrive ... SO excited how they compare to Cherry MX

Oooh, which board did you get?  I've been looking around for a nice board with Gateron blacks.

The Varmilo VA87MR is on Massdrop right now for $110. From what I've heard it's a decent board for the money

edit: nvm, all the Gateron options seem to be out of stock

[Corsa1r]

I'm waiting for my gateron black board to arrive ... SO excited how they compare to Cherry MX

Oooh, which board did you get?  I've been looking around for a nice board with Gateron blacks.

The Varmilo VA87MR is on Massdrop right now for $110. From what I've heard it's a decent board for the money

edit: nvm, all the Gateron options seem to be out of stock

I looked yesterday!  And saw that they were all sold out.  Are full Gateron-black boards hard to find put-together in general right now?

[Bevo]

How do gateron blacks feel compared to vintage blacks? Pretty similar?

[Corsa1r]

How do gateron blacks feel compared to vintage blacks? Pretty similar?

I want to know all of this.

[bocahgundul]

How do gateron blacks feel compared to vintage blacks? Pretty similar?

Wait till I get my hands on one bae

[Bevo]

How do gateron blacks feel compared to vintage blacks? Pretty similar?

Wait till I get my hands on one bae

Hurry up!

[bocahgundul]

How do gateron blacks feel compared to vintage blacks? Pretty similar?

Wait till I get my hands on one bae

Hurry up!

You can wait bae

I have some incoming! Just need a Vintage black

[Bevo]

How do gateron blacks feel compared to vintage blacks? Pretty similar?

Wait till I get my hands on one bae

Hurry up!

You can wait right bae?

*waits patiently*

[ideus]

Anyone has had experience with green Gateron's?

[romevi]

Anyone has had experience with green Gateron's?

Aren't they a little too new?

Aren't they a little too Raph?

[ideus]

Anyone has had experience with green Gateron's?

Aren't they a little too new?

Aren't they a little too Raph?

That is precisely why I am asking.

[xepherys]

I'm just jumping back into mechanical keyboards and ended up getting a switch tester to try four brands of blue, black, brown, and red switches.  I'm personally planning to pick up blues and really prefer the Cherry MX, but in the browns I like the Gateron's better - they feel smoother and have more... feedback for lack of a better term.  Actually, I think I prefer the Gateron reds over the Cherry as well.

[falkentyne]

There is no question, the pressure  to actuate the  switch is definitely lighter.  I think they both actuate at about 45g, but the cherry brown switch has to overcome the peak resistance, which is around 55g.  With so little resistance to press the Gateron brown, I find that just resting my fingers on the home row I get accidental keystrokes, which I never get with Cherry.

One thing that absolutely drives me bonkers is the chatter or extra keystrokes, specifically on the space bar.  I  constantly have to go back and correct these mistakes.  If anyone has any tips on how to combat this I'd be much oblidged.  I did update the firmware to V107, which is the most recent.  Somedays I think I like the Gateron V60 better, and others I  like  the poker 3 better.  I can't decide, so I keep both.

You have to open the switch and bend a small metal contact a very small amount to fix the chatter.  There was a detailed post on that, with pictures, awhile back but I don't have it.  You can try to search for the post.  I believe new runs of those switches fixed that issue.

[bocahgundul]

There is no question, the pressure  to actuate the  switch is definitely lighter.  I think they both actuate at about 45g, but the cherry brown switch has to overcome the peak resistance, which is around 55g.  With so little resistance to press the Gateron brown, I find that just resting my fingers on the home row I get accidental keystrokes, which I never get with Cherry.

One thing that absolutely drives me bonkers is the chatter or extra keystrokes, specifically on the space bar.  I  constantly have to go back and correct these mistakes.  If anyone has any tips on how to combat this I'd be much oblidged.  I did update the firmware to V107, which is the most recent.  Somedays I think I like the Gateron V60 better, and others I  like  the poker 3 better.  I can't decide, so I keep both.

You have to open the switch and bend a small metal contact a very small amount to fix the chatter.  There was a detailed post on that, with pictures, awhile back but I don't have it.  You can try to search for the post.  I believe new runs of those switches fixed that issue.

Where can I find the new run ones? I want to buy gateron switch but I don't want to run into this issues

[1391406]

So if Gateron's are smooth, how do they compare to Topre?

[falkentyne]

You can't compare Cherry MX switches to Topres (Gaterons are a clone of Cherry MX).
It's like trying to compare Topres to Alps or Alps to Beam springs.

Completely different kind of switch.

You have to actually buy a Topre (or find a switch tester for one, if one even exists).

Alps seem like they are more well known because many older keyboards used Alps or clicky alps, so they're considered a vintage type switch also.   The old Apple 2/Apple 2C and IIGS and other keyboards I believe used them.

[bocahgundul]

@falkentyne I think what his trying to compare is the smoothness of gateron to topre

[katushkin]

I would like more tactile options.

[1391406]

@falkentyne I think what his trying to compare is the smoothness of gateron to topre

Correct.

[1391406]

You can't compare Cherry MX switches to Topres (Gaterons are a clone of Cherry MX).

Sure you can. People do it often. Topre feels closest to either MX Red or Brown, in my opinion. MX Browns aren't as smooth as Topre though, and feel a bit scratchy by comparison to me. However, I was curious about the smoothness of Gateron switches vs. the smoothness of Topre switches.

[bocahgundul]

You can't compare Cherry MX switches to Topres (Gaterons are a clone of Cherry MX).

Sure you can. People do it often. Topre feels closest to either MX Red or Brown, in my opinion. MX Browns aren't as smooth as Topre though, and feel a bit scratchy by comparison to me. However, I was curious about the smoothness of Gateron switches vs. the smoothness of Topre switches.

Nope we can't compare the feel of topre to any other switches!

Its crazy when you think that tomatoes is the same as steak 😂

[antCB]

had MX Blacks on my 6GV2, replaced them all last month with Gateron Blues. Chattering went away, and the keyboard gained a new life (IMO).

the keycaps also seem to be a tighter fit with the Gaterons opposed to the MX Blacks. Some keycaps were extremely easy to take apart with the MX Blacks, now they sit tight on the switches.

[tronbeaver]

Gaterons are overhyped.  Don't they have switch chatter?

[bocahgundul]

Nah don't listen to this trolls

They fixed the chatter issues tho

[1391406]

You can't compare Cherry MX switches to Topres (Gaterons are a clone of Cherry MX).

Sure you can. People do it often. Topre feels closest to either MX Red or Brown, in my opinion. MX Browns aren't as smooth as Topre though, and feel a bit scratchy by comparison to me. However, I was curious about the smoothness of Gateron switches vs. the smoothness of Topre switches.

Nope we can't compare the feel of topre to any other switches!

Too late, I already have.

I'm guessing no one who's reading this has used both Gateron's and Topre.

[Vittra]

You can't compare Cherry MX switches to Topres (Gaterons are a clone of Cherry MX).

Sure you can. People do it often. Topre feels closest to either MX Red or Brown, in my opinion. MX Browns aren't as smooth as Topre though, and feel a bit scratchy by comparison to me. However, I was curious about the smoothness of Gateron switches vs. the smoothness of Topre switches.

Nope we can't compare the feel of topre to any other switches!

Too late, I already have.

I'm guessing no one who's reading this has used both Gateron's and Topre.

https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=78773.msg2048910#msg2048910

Zealios are modified Gaterons to give some frame of reference.

I have Gateron Yellows on order from MD, but I don't expect to use them for quite some time for a direct comparison.

[iLLucionist]

You can't compare Cherry MX switches to Topres (Gaterons are a clone of Cherry MX).

Sure you can. People do it often. Topre feels closest to either MX Red or Brown, in my opinion. MX Browns aren't as smooth as Topre though, and feel a bit scratchy by comparison to me. However, I was curious about the smoothness of Gateron switches vs. the smoothness of Topre switches.

Nope we can't compare the feel of topre to any other switches!

Its crazy when you think that tomatoes is the same as steak 😂

Is Topre tomatoes or steak?

[reallifetim]

Good read here on some Gateron Black vs Cherry Black, even some vintage comparisons.

https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=70676.0

[romevi]

Vintage Blacks are GOAT. Been itching to get back to my B.face with Vintage Blacks, but waiting for a keycap set before pounding on it again.

[iLLucionist]

Good read here on some Gateron Black vs Cherry Black, even some vintage comparisons.

https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=70676.0

Nice, didn't knew about that.

[OwlWatch]

I personally prefer the Cherry switches, from what I have seen gateron switches always seem to get stuck when you first press them.