HMX Sunset Gleam, also known as the Duck Duck switch, is a new linear switch designed by Knock Knock Studio and manufactured by HMX. I believe I don't have to say much about HMX at this stage. They have been pushing out new blend materials, better molds, and improved factory lube along the way. You will see these features on the Sunset Gleam switches as well. Thank you for reading this post, and please allow me to get into more details about them!
Switch Specifications For 3.5mm
Switch type: Linear
Designer: Knock Knock Studio (Designer of the Stella 80 keyboard kit)
Manufacturer: HMX
Stem material: LY
Top Housings: PC
Bottom Housing: Modified PA66
Operating Force: 42±5g
Bottom-out Force: 48±5g
Pre-travel: 2.0mm/2.0mm
Total Travel: 3.5±0.3mm
Spring: 22mm Single-Stage KOS stainless steel extended spring
Switch Specifications For 4.0mm
Switch type: Linear
Designer: Knock Knock Studio
Manufacturer: HMX
Stem material: LY
Top Housings: PC
Bottom Housing: Modified PA66
Operating Force: 50±5g
Bottom-out Force: 56±5g
Pre-travel: 2.0mm/2.0mm
Total Travel: 4.0±0.3mm
Spring: 22mm Single-Stage KOS stainless steel extended spring
Factory Lubed: Yes! mixed GPL105&GPL205 on leaf spring, stem feet, and bottom housing rails. Dry film lube on springs
Important to Note: The first batch of the Sunset Gleam switches will come with a 3.5mm travel.
The second batch in April will come with full travel（4.0mm）.
Materials:
HMX and its partnered designers have been obsessed with the LY blend materials lately. One reason for that is HMX's LY blend is stern and smooth, and it does create a satisfying bottom-out feeling and sound when paired with almost any bottom housing. Figuring out the LY blend is not an easy thing to do. You have to find the perfect balanced mix of POM and UPE to make the material strong enough while being smooth at the same time. Otherwise, what you will get is a softer LY that can be easily broken or shrink too much due to its UPE nature. HMX chose to go with just a little bit more POM and less UPE so it can benefit from both POM and UPE's advantages while setting aside the shortcomings.
HMX's PC top housing is also something else.
PC top housings are usually known for their friable top-out sound due to the nature of the material. By doing some "secret" modifications to the PC housing mold,
the top-out sound of the Sunset Gleam is concentrated and subtle.
It does not come with that loud and unpleasant noise anymore. Of course,
PC is one of the smoothest materials, and you won't have to worry about the smoothness of the Sunset Gleam switches at all!
The bottom housing of the Sunset Gleam switch is made of modified PA66. HMX told us that they added some fiberglass to it but not much.The purpose is to make the bottom-out sound as solid as possible without making it the clackiest bottom-out ever. When paired with the LY stem, each keystroke will sound solid and clacky.
However, it won't be as loud and clacky as some other HMX options such as the Hyacinth V2U or Deep Navy switches. They would be a great option for you if you are looking for a more subtle "clack".
Vendors:
US and Canada: Unikeys
https://unikeyboards.com/Korea：Swagkeys
https://smartstore.naver.com/swagkey/Other regions: Pending（Please contact me directly）
