Gateron Teardown

[hwood34]

Yes, 1.3 Chinese Yuan equals 0.18 Euro

Considering that a cherry switch costs about 0,55 eur, you need to buy more than 50 switches to even consider the gaterons. Plus the cost of the proxy (maybe it was included).

proxy cost was 10%

[azhdar]

Damn those Gateron black seems interesting .
I love my mx blacks but something slightly lighter and smoother is exactly what I'm looking for . Can't wait to try them on Varmillo switch tester .

[monotagary]

How much did you pay?
Cost of the switches / each piece
Delivery
Taxes

From which vendor did you buy? Please add a link.

I got them at ¥1.30 from loveq on Taobao. I used Taobao Focus as a proxy, international shipping was almost $20

Thanks for the vendor link hwood. I've been trying to track down some Gaterons as a cheaper alternative to clear switch housings from an RGB board... but I'm terrible at navigating Taobao.

Luckily the biggest seller of them had part of the title in english . But you have to jump on them when they're in stock, they sell out pretty quickly

I better keep a close eye on this page then!

[whentheclouds]

Everyone joining the bandwagon. Chu chuu~~
#LinearGaterons2k15

between your build log and this thread, i seriously think I will get these for my kustom build. i mean, better than lubed vintage blacks? that's as big an endorsement as can be

[berserkfan]

hwood, awesome work! This must be the most important review to have come out in the past few months!

My personal view: looks like I was correct about the leafs being copper. That was the easiest way to save money, and the manufacturer did it. I am extremely disappointed, because it seems that most other things about Gateron are very positive.

Leafs being copper will decrease the life of this switch greatly, especially in a humid environment.

[Defect]

I ordered a bunch of 35g (presumably Gateron) springs off MD.  Wondering if anyone here has some and can test if they will work with unlubed clears.

I would assume that 35g is too light and will have struggles with pushing on the upstroke.

Hwood looks like you didn't get any of the reds, so don't know if this applies.  Would you mind trying with one of those 50g bottom out springs?

But on a similar note...any way to tell if Gateron springs are stainless steel?

[Dihedral]

The main issue with MX clones appears to be consistency... what are your thoughts on the consistency of the switches within your sample?

[hwood34]

The main issue with MX clones appears to be consistency... what are your thoughts on the consistency of the switches within your sample?

Well with the small batch I have I haven't noticed and inconsistency. All the blues click evenly and the blacks all feel the same.

[Zeal]

I have faith in Gateron. Taiwanese founded company running their plant in China. They import their plastics from Switzerland and it's apparent in the switch tops.

[tp4tissue]

I ordered a bunch of 35g (presumably Gateron) springs off MD.  Wondering if anyone here has some and can test if they will work with unlubed clears.

I would assume that 35g is too light and will have struggles with pushing on the upstroke.

Hwood looks like you didn't get any of the reds, so don't know if this applies.  Would you mind trying with one of those 50g bottom out springs?

But on a similar note...any way to tell if Gateron springs are stainless steel?

It's not that 35g struggles with upstroke..

It's that @ <40g  the weight of your hand/fingers may trigger the key past 2mm travel..


which is why they use 45g..

You also have to take into account that all of these springs will lose ~ 5g over time..

[berserkfan]

Sorry but TP, how do springs lose weight over time? If I could do that for myself I would be pretty happy.

[Zeal]

Sorry but TP, how do springs lose weight over time? If I could do that for myself I would be pretty happy.

As you compress the springs over the course of a long time, they will become slightly "shorter" from all the squishing. That's why "vintage" blacks usually have softer springs than stock blacks.

[aceps00]

Would love to give these a try, thanks for the write up 

[iTzi]

Nice review for nice switches !
Do you feel any difference in the noise level between Cherry blue and Gateron blue ?

[hwood34]

Nice review for nice switches !
Do you feel any difference in the noise level between Cherry blue and Gateron blue ?

The sounds is pretty similar, though the MX blues are a little more plasticy sounding

[KRKS]

From what I've heard Cherry Ergo-Clears have a tendency to get stuck with lighter spring, would the smoother stem help with that?

I'm looking into Ergos because Browns' bump feels too small and I don't like heavy switches(I thought about using Blue spring).

[hwood34]

From what I've heard Cherry Ergo-Clears have a tendency to get stuck with lighter spring, would the smoother stem help with that?

I'm looking into Ergos because Browns' bump feels too small and I don't like heavy switches(I thought about using Blue spring).

A smoother stem might help, but I think for the most part the problem would remain. And thanks to Poly for reminding me that Gateron clears are linear. The only tactile switches Gateron makes are browns

[Oobly]

From what I've heard Cherry Ergo-Clears have a tendency to get stuck with lighter spring, would the smoother stem help with that?

I'm looking into Ergos because Browns' bump feels too small and I don't like heavy switches(I thought about using Blue spring).

These Gateron "Clears" are actually linear, like Reds and Blacks.

I can highly recommend ErgoClears with 62g springs! They're by far my favourite MX switch. 62g springs work fine on brand new, stock, unlubed switches without causing any sticking and they just feel even better with worn in and lubed stems You can "shave" new Clear stems by scraping the mold lines smooth. It makes them less "scratchy" and reduces the time they take to wear in.

[hwood34]

Just in case people haven't seen it yet, here's the IC for a Gateron buy

[Dihedral]

From what I've heard Cherry Ergo-Clears have a tendency to get stuck with lighter spring, would the smoother stem help with that?

I'm looking into Ergos because Browns' bump feels too small and I don't like heavy switches(I thought about using Blue spring).

These Gateron "Clears" are actually linear, like Reds and Blacks.

I can highly recommend ErgoClears with 62g springs! They're by far my favourite MX switch. 62g springs work fine on brand new, stock, unlubed switches without causing any sticking and they just feel even better with worn in and lubed stems You can "shave" new Clear stems by scraping the mold lines smooth. It makes them less "scratchy" and reduces the time they take to wear in.

Where would you recommend picking up 62g springs at a good price? I'm looking to build an ergo clear board.

[justordinary]

Since the gateron leaf is a little different, if you swap gateron black stems into a cherry housing, does it still feel as good as it is on the gateron housing?

[Zeal]

Since the gateron leaf is a little different, if you swap gateron black stems into a cherry housing, does it still feel as good as it is on the gateron housing?

The smoothness found in Gateron switches is the combination of the smooth stem + housing. Putting a Gateron stem into a Cherry housing will still be smooth -- just not as smooth as in the original housing.

From what I've heard Cherry Ergo-Clears have a tendency to get stuck with lighter spring, would the smoother stem help with that?

I'm looking into Ergos because Browns' bump feels too small and I don't like heavy switches(I thought about using Blue spring).

These Gateron "Clears" are actually linear, like Reds and Blacks.

I can highly recommend ErgoClears with 62g springs! They're by far my favourite MX switch. 62g springs work fine on brand new, stock, unlubed switches without causing any sticking and they just feel even better with worn in and lubed stems You can "shave" new Clear stems by scraping the mold lines smooth. It makes them less "scratchy" and reduces the time they take to wear in.

Where would you recommend picking up 62g springs at a good price? I'm looking to build an ergo clear board.

I sell a variety of springs on my site if you're interested.

[Findecanor]

Can a Gateron be opened while mounted in an enthusiast plate that has cutouts that would allow mounted Cherry MX switches to be opened without desoldering ?

[Zeal]

Can a Gateron be opened while mounted in an enthusiast plate that has cutouts that would allow mounted Cherry MX switches to be opened without desoldering ?

Yes. I've opened one up with switch tools with no problem.

[Dihedral]

Since the gateron leaf is a little different, if you swap gateron black stems into a cherry housing, does it still feel as good as it is on the gateron housing?

The smoothness found in Gateron switches is the combination of the smooth stem + housing. Putting a Gateron stem into a Cherry housing will still be smooth -- just not as smooth as in the original housing.

From what I've heard Cherry Ergo-Clears have a tendency to get stuck with lighter spring, would the smoother stem help with that?

I'm looking into Ergos because Browns' bump feels too small and I don't like heavy switches(I thought about using Blue spring).

These Gateron "Clears" are actually linear, like Reds and Blacks.

I can highly recommend ErgoClears with 62g springs! They're by far my favourite MX switch. 62g springs work fine on brand new, stock, unlubed switches without causing any sticking and they just feel even better with worn in and lubed stems You can "shave" new Clear stems by scraping the mold lines smooth. It makes them less "scratchy" and reduces the time they take to wear in.

Where would you recommend picking up 62g springs at a good price? I'm looking to build an ergo clear board.

I sell a variety of springs on my site if you're interested.

Cool! Do you just sell gold springs or normal ones as well? Also do you ship to UK?

[Zeal]

Since the gateron leaf is a little different, if you swap gateron black stems into a cherry housing, does it still feel as good as it is on the gateron housing?

The smoothness found in Gateron switches is the combination of the smooth stem + housing. Putting a Gateron stem into a Cherry housing will still be smooth -- just not as smooth as in the original housing.

From what I've heard Cherry Ergo-Clears have a tendency to get stuck with lighter spring, would the smoother stem help with that?

I'm looking into Ergos because Browns' bump feels too small and I don't like heavy switches(I thought about using Blue spring).

These Gateron "Clears" are actually linear, like Reds and Blacks.

I can highly recommend ErgoClears with 62g springs! They're by far my favourite MX switch. 62g springs work fine on brand new, stock, unlubed switches without causing any sticking and they just feel even better with worn in and lubed stems You can "shave" new Clear stems by scraping the mold lines smooth. It makes them less "scratchy" and reduces the time they take to wear in.

Where would you recommend picking up 62g springs at a good price? I'm looking to build an ergo clear board.

I sell a variety of springs on my site if you're interested.

Cool! Do you just sell gold springs or normal ones as well? Also do you ship to UK?

My inventory is mostly gold springs. I do have a bag of 60g & 62g standard SS springs though.
I also ship worldwide.

[Dihedral]

Since the gateron leaf is a little different, if you swap gateron black stems into a cherry housing, does it still feel as good as it is on the gateron housing?

The smoothness found in Gateron switches is the combination of the smooth stem + housing. Putting a Gateron stem into a Cherry housing will still be smooth -- just not as smooth as in the original housing.

From what I've heard Cherry Ergo-Clears have a tendency to get stuck with lighter spring, would the smoother stem help with that?

I'm looking into Ergos because Browns' bump feels too small and I don't like heavy switches(I thought about using Blue spring).

These Gateron "Clears" are actually linear, like Reds and Blacks.

I can highly recommend ErgoClears with 62g springs! They're by far my favourite MX switch. 62g springs work fine on brand new, stock, unlubed switches without causing any sticking and they just feel even better with worn in and lubed stems You can "shave" new Clear stems by scraping the mold lines smooth. It makes them less "scratchy" and reduces the time they take to wear in.

Where would you recommend picking up 62g springs at a good price? I'm looking to build an ergo clear board.

I sell a variety of springs on my site if you're interested.

Cool! Do you just sell gold springs or normal ones as well? Also do you ship to UK?

My inventory is mostly gold springs. I do have a bag of 60g & 62g standard SS springs though.
I also ship worldwide.

I can't find those standard springs on your site. What do I have to do to buy them?

[whentheclouds]

whoops nvm

[Zeal]

Since the gateron leaf is a little different, if you swap gateron black stems into a cherry housing, does it still feel as good as it is on the gateron housing?

The smoothness found in Gateron switches is the combination of the smooth stem + housing. Putting a Gateron stem into a Cherry housing will still be smooth -- just not as smooth as in the original housing.

From what I've heard Cherry Ergo-Clears have a tendency to get stuck with lighter spring, would the smoother stem help with that?

I'm looking into Ergos because Browns' bump feels too small and I don't like heavy switches(I thought about using Blue spring).

These Gateron "Clears" are actually linear, like Reds and Blacks.

I can highly recommend ErgoClears with 62g springs! They're by far my favourite MX switch. 62g springs work fine on brand new, stock, unlubed switches without causing any sticking and they just feel even better with worn in and lubed stems You can "shave" new Clear stems by scraping the mold lines smooth. It makes them less "scratchy" and reduces the time they take to wear in.

Where would you recommend picking up 62g springs at a good price? I'm looking to build an ergo clear board.

I sell a variety of springs on my site if you're interested.

Cool! Do you just sell gold springs or normal ones as well? Also do you ship to UK?

My inventory is mostly gold springs. I do have a bag of 60g & 62g standard SS springs though.
I also ship worldwide.

I can't find those standard springs on your site. What do I have to do to buy them?

PM'd

[snipars]

this is some exciting stuff, especially if the linear switches are as nice as they're said to be 
although there's the question of how durable they are and what kind of rate of failure they have. I really hope gaterons turn out to be a cheap MX killer

[ccc24]

Couple questions, would these switches fit on my ducky zero shine? And blacks are most like cherry vintage blacks right? And which switch would most be like mx green?

[hking0036]

this is some exciting stuff, especially if the linear switches are as nice as they're said to be 
although there's the question of how durable they are and what kind of rate of failure they have. I really hope gaterons turn out to be a cheap MX killer

I hope that they make cherry innovate more than anything. I'm glad to have more competition, it means that the quality can only go up. That said, I also hope that they can stick to one stem, although I'm sure the romer-g's and such use them for a reason I think that it'll just get confusing if you have eleventeen different types of key caps to buy. Only time will tell, though.

[davkol]

Quality can go down to keep price as low as possible too. That's what happened in the 90's anyway.

Weren't all sorts of Gateron switches a part of the Varmillo switch tester drop on MD?

Also, is Gateron the same thing as Gaote? Probably not...?

[hwood34]

Couple questions, would these switches fit on my ducky zero shine? And blacks are most like cherry vintage blacks right? And which switch would most be like mx green?

Yes, yes, and Gateron doesn't currently manufacture a heavy clicky switch, so your best bet would be blues.

Quality can go down to keep price as low as possible too. That's what happened in the 90's anyway.

Weren't all sorts of Gateron switches a part of the Varmillo switch tester drop on MD?

Also, is Gateron the same thing as Gaote? Probably not...?

Yeah, you could get a regular MX tester, or one which either was just gaterons or a bunch of different MX compatible switches that included gaterons (forget). And Gateron and Gaote are two different things, yes.

[ablooga]

is there a keyboard that uses these switches? or do you have to just buy the switches separelyly

[hwood34]

is there a keyboard that uses these switches? or do you have to just buy the switches separelyly

The only one that I've seen using them is a custom keyboard, I forgot which one though. But no big brand stock keyboard come with them yet

[Eszett]

(deleted)

[Magna224]

As you compress the springs over the course of a long time, they will become slightly "shorter" from all the squishing. That's why "vintage" blacks usually have softer springs than stock blacks.

I have "essentially brand new" vintage MX blacks not worn in and they are much smoother than MX blacks you find in modern keyboards. Its not just the usage!

[hwood34]

As you compress the springs over the course of a long time, they will become slightly "shorter" from all the squishing. That's why "vintage" blacks usually have softer springs than stock blacks.

I have "essentially brand new" vintage MX blacks not worn in and they are much smoother than MX blacks you find in modern keyboards. Its not just the usage!

yea vintage springs are also made from 1.4310 SS instead of 1.4301

[Tofunator]

do the gateron housings fit onto the mx switches?

[CPTBadAss]

do the gateron housings fit onto the mx switches?

Yes

[Tofunator]

Yes

awesome. thanks

[MrRooks]

So my thing with Gaterons is... people seem to say they are very smooth but are concerned about durability. If they are made of softer plastic and maybe wear a bit faster, who cares? We're dealing with mechanical keybaords here. If you're interested in Gaterons in the first place your going to be doing some custom work to a KB. If they are smoother and last even half the time, what does it matter? The glory of mechs is they are easily repaired, switch died? Replace it!

I'm going to be doing a custom build with Gateron browns, unless they fail at a CRAZY fast rate I'll take the smoothness boost for a small durability hit. Cheaper and smoother? Sign me up...

[whentheclouds]

The glory of mechs is they are easily repaired, switch died? Replace it!

funny you say that. one of the appeals that initially drew me into researching mechs was the promise of longevity, i.e. buy it for life kind of deal. one single keyboard that you can use for a decade or more sounds pretty good, right? i thought so until i joined this unholy forum

[MrRooks]

The glory of mechs is they are easily repaired, switch died? Replace it!

funny you say that. one of the appeals that initially drew me into researching mechs was the promise of longevity, i.e. buy it for life kind of deal. one single keyboard that you can use for a decade or more sounds pretty good, right? i thought so until i joined this unholy forum

Slippery slope! haha. When I initially did my mech research it was a long time ago and I ended up with a Filco TKL MJ1 with browns, I've since put a programmable controller in it and it's still working great! Hell I don't even have shine on the keys and it's been used every day for 8+ hours. With a bit of self control you can buy one, and only one. But still, if Gaterons were around when I did my research many years ago and people said they were smoother but MIGHT have slightly lower durability(which hasn't even been proven, not enough time in the field) I would probably get those. If anyone doesn't know how to solder, mechs are a great place to learn. Soldering key switches is about as straight forward as it gets(assuming no SMD).

[whentheclouds]

When I initially did my mech research it was a long time ago and I ended up with a Filco TKL MJ1 with browns

twinsies :-) and i agree, spend a couple months here and before you know it, you're suddenly interested in actually customizing your keyboard, and the notion of using a stock board no longer appeals to you

[FoC_Tow]

When I initially did my mech research it was a long time ago and I ended up with a Filco TKL MJ1 with browns

twinsies :-) and i agree, spend a couple months here and before you know it, you're suddenly interested in actually customizing your keyboard, and the notion of using a stock board no longer appeals to you

Twinsies!! <3

(Didn't get a Filco TKL as my first mech, just enjoyed the fact you said Twinsies! Last time I did that around here people somehow felt like I have to justify my self for using that...  )

[Zukoi]

Does anyone know if there ever would be clones of cherry MX clears?

People are really desperate for them.

[Evo_Spec]

Does anyone know if there ever would be clones of cherry MX clears?

People are really desperate for them.

i'm hearing that browns are close, may not be the same but if people are actually "desperate" for them then it should be good enough for them.

[Zukoi]

Does anyone know if there ever would be clones of cherry MX clears?

People are really desperate for them.

i'm hearing that browns are close, may not be the same but if people are actually "desperate" for them then it should be good enough for them.

Well the reason why people choose clears in the first place is because browns leaves an underwhelming feeling. They are similar in that they are tactile but clears have a large bump for the tactile feel so you can see why browns can't replace clears.