[IC] Gateron Switches

[monotagary]

I would be on board for 200 Gateron Clears. Soft and super smooth linears, I can't resist.

[Elrick]

This is a simple question to those lusting after these so-called "Gateron" switches;

What is the difference between these versions and "Kailh" switches? 

Remembered a few months back everyone was booing and hissing at them when they started filling up Razer, Noppoo and various other Chinese made keyboards.  NO one wanted them then suddenly I see everyone here including a few older members, chaffing at the bit to buy some suspect Chinese made copies of our favourite CherryMX switch.

Why don't you guys stick with the Original CherryMX switch rather than go blind into buying various other poorly made copies (just presuming that all copies are inferior to the original)?

[ideus]

This is a simple question to those lusting after these so-called "Gateron" switches;

What is the difference between these versions and "Kailh" switches? 

Remembered a few months back everyone was booing and hissing at them when they started filling up Razer, Noppoo and various other Chinese made keyboards.  NO one wanted them then suddenly I see everyone here including a few older members, chaffing at the bit to buy some suspect Chinese made copies of our favourite CherryMX switch.

Why don't you guys stick with the Original CherryMX switch rather than go blind into buying various other poorly made copies (just presuming that all copies are inferior to the original)?

Some have reported that these are very smooth, I think that report has fueled the interest in these, I agree that we should prefer the originals while they last; with these new prices if people get moving to the cheaper copies I think Cherry will eventually stop to manufacture their own switches. That may mean our boards with original Cherry will become all collector's  items, but I think that may damage the keyboard aficionado communities. I really hope that scenario to be far in time, meanwhile I am buying the Cherry switches I need to have my own stock for my keyboards. I will let the crowd to go and buy the copies.

[Findecanor]

I will fill in the form later tonight. Has anyone tested the browns?  Any details at all on them. Are they really close to exact clones of cherry browns?

Yesterday, I saw a post that linked to Gateron's official force graphs for brown and blue. Today, I can't find it... Anyone know what I am talking about?

[monotagary]

This is a simple question to those lusting after these so-called "Gateron" switches;

What is the difference between these versions and "Kailh" switches? 

Remembered a few months back everyone was booing and hissing at them when they started filling up Razer, Noppoo and various other Chinese made keyboards.  NO one wanted them then suddenly I see everyone here including a few older members, chaffing at the bit to buy some suspect Chinese made copies of our favourite CherryMX switch.

Why don't you guys stick with the Original CherryMX switch rather than go blind into buying various other poorly made copies (just presuming that all copies are inferior to the original)?

Always eloquent Elrick.

Supposedly the linear switches are as smooth as or smoother than vintage blacks, which I think is the biggest draw to these.

[Hak Foo]

I want to like MX Blue/Green, mostly for the keycap compatiblity, so I keep looking for new riffs on them that will make them more, for lack of a better term, ALPSlike.  Suppsoedly the Gateron blue is louder and acutates higher, both of which are promising signs.

[hwood34]

This is a simple question to those lusting after these so-called "Gateron" switches;

What is the difference between these versions and "Kailh" switches? 

Remembered a few months back everyone was booing and hissing at them when they started filling up Razer, Noppoo and various other Chinese made keyboards.  NO one wanted them then suddenly I see everyone here including a few older members, chaffing at the bit to buy some suspect Chinese made copies of our favourite CherryMX switch.

Why don't you guys stick with the Original CherryMX switch rather than go blind into buying various other poorly made copies (just presuming that all copies are inferior to the original)?

I hope your trolling?

[nubbinator]

It's Elrick, so I doubt it.

[Zeal]

This is a simple question to those lusting after these so-called "Gateron" switches;

What is the difference between these versions and "Kailh" switches? 

Remembered a few months back everyone was booing and hissing at them when they started filling up Razer, Noppoo and various other Chinese made keyboards.  NO one wanted them then suddenly I see everyone here including a few older members, chaffing at the bit to buy some suspect Chinese made copies of our favourite CherryMX switch.

Why don't you guys stick with the Original CherryMX switch rather than go blind into buying various other poorly made copies (just presuming that all copies are inferior to the original)?

I hope your trolling?

It's alright. If they don't want to enjoy the great feeling of linear gaterons, then so be it.

Plus Gateron was founded in Taiwan, just their plant is in China. Plastics are imported from Switzerland. I have faith in Taiwanese tech (totally not biased ).

Elrick, if you'd like to read more about these gaterons, I made a mini build log here: https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=68061.0

[hwood34]

This is a simple question to those lusting after these so-called "Gateron" switches;

What is the difference between these versions and "Kailh" switches? 

Remembered a few months back everyone was booing and hissing at them when they started filling up Razer, Noppoo and various other Chinese made keyboards.  NO one wanted them then suddenly I see everyone here including a few older members, chaffing at the bit to buy some suspect Chinese made copies of our favourite CherryMX switch.

Why don't you guys stick with the Original CherryMX switch rather than go blind into buying various other poorly made copies (just presuming that all copies are inferior to the original)?

I hope your trolling?

It's alright. If they don't want to enjoy the great feeling of linear gaterons, then so be it.

Plus Gateron was founded in Taiwan, just their plant is in China. Plastics are imported from Switzerland. I have faith in Taiwanese tech (totally not biased ).

Elrick, if you'd like to read more about these gaterons, I made a mini build log here: https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=68061.0

Also: https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=68113.0

[jacobolus]

I got to play with some loose Gaterons at the bay area meetup. They all seemed nice. The clicky ones have a slightly different sounding click than loose MX blue switches, but it’s hard to get a good sense of them outside the context of a keyboard. The linear ones are definitely smoother than recent linear MX switches. Again it’s a bit hard to judge the feel or stiffness of loose switches.

[Elrick]

Plus Gateron was founded in Taiwan, just their plant is in China. Plastics are imported from Switzerland. I have faith in Taiwanese tech (totally not biased ).

Elrick, if you'd like to read more about these gaterons, I made a mini build log here: https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=68061.0

Get the feeling from all the pictures I've seen of these Gateron's, that they seem to come in CLEAR switch casings, is that why you are all so more excited about owning?

They are definitely new and look exactly like our traditional CherryMX switches BUT are you sure they can last 50 million times when used?

[Nai_Calus]

I got to play with some loose Gaterons at the bay area meetup. They all seemed nice. The clicky ones have a slightly different sounding click than loose MX blue switches, but it’s hard to get a good sense of them outside the context of a keyboard. The linear ones are definitely smoother than recent linear MX switches. Again it’s a bit hard to judge the feel or stiffness of loose switches.

Yeah, the board that the blues got put into for demonstration purposes sounded different and felt a little different than my MX Blues here at home. As for the clears... *steals mini USB cable from PS3 contoller and plugs in board* They're super, super light and very smooth, it takes almost no force at all to type on them. It's actually a little awkward, I'm getting a ton of errors typing this because they activate so easily. Like, almost no resistance at all. Kind of nice actually, like typing on a cloud.

[Zeal]

Plus Gateron was founded in Taiwan, just their plant is in China. Plastics are imported from Switzerland. I have faith in Taiwanese tech (totally not biased ).

Elrick, if you'd like to read more about these gaterons, I made a mini build log here: https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=68061.0

Get the feeling from all the pictures I've seen of these Gateron's, that they seem to come in CLEAR switch casings, is that why you are all so more excited about owning?

They are definitely new and look exactly like our traditional CherryMX switches BUT are you sure they can last 50 million times when used?

The smoothness of their linears is what attracts my attention. The translucent whitish housing is just a Cherry on top (no pun intended)!
Only time will tell regarding durability

[whentheclouds]

Only time will tell regarding durability

early adopter risk, as i see it.

i didn't fill the form because i'd just buy from Zeal when he stocks them

[strict]

The smoothness of their linears is what attracts my attention. The translucent whitish housing is just a Cherry on top (no pun intended)!
Only time will tell regarding durability

+1

I think what caught most peoples attention was that these are supposedly as smooth or smoother than vintage/nixdorf blacks. The opaque housing is certainly neat but not enough on its own to drive this kind of interest. I'm more than willing to take the risk of questionable durability. If they are trash and die its not like they would damage a PCB or anything. The worst thing you would have to deal with are dead switches and that can be fixed easily and quickly.

[hwood34]

Plus Gateron was founded in Taiwan, just their plant is in China. Plastics are imported from Switzerland. I have faith in Taiwanese tech (totally not biased ).

Elrick, if you'd like to read more about these gaterons, I made a mini build log here: https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=68061.0

Get the feeling from all the pictures I've seen of these Gateron's, that they seem to come in CLEAR switch casings, is that why you are all so more excited about owning?

They are definitely new and look exactly like our traditional CherryMX switches BUT are you sure they can last 50 million times when used?

Well, it mostly has to do with the smooth stems, with the clear casing being a plus. And at this point, I see absolutely no reason why the would last for the rated amount of time.

[snipars]

they might not last 50 trillion years because the contact points aren't made of 24 carat gold, but these seem like a really good cheap alternative to MX 
people who have used them, which of the linear switches did you enjoy using the most?

[DrHubblePhD]

apparently linking your own email is against TOS 

[Zeal]

btw gateron has an email (redacted) you should just try contacting them 

[Kira]

I'd be in for 100 clears, 100 browns, and 100 reds =)

[Oobly]

This is a simple question to those lusting after these so-called "Gateron" switches;

What is the difference between these versions and "Kailh" switches? 

Remembered a few months back everyone was booing and hissing at them when they started filling up Razer, Noppoo and various other Chinese made keyboards.  NO one wanted them then suddenly I see everyone here including a few older members, chaffing at the bit to buy some suspect Chinese made copies of our favourite CherryMX switch.

Why don't you guys stick with the Original CherryMX switch rather than go blind into buying various other poorly made copies (just presuming that all copies are inferior to the original)?

After Cherry got bought by the ZF group, the quality control has not been as good as in the past. They also seem to be rushing the process a bit and this results in more prominent mold lines on the stems, making them all "scratchy". It takes a LONG time for these newer ones to wear in and the scratchiness to fade. They are also, contrary to their catchy marketing-speak, NOT innovating anything in their MX line, whereas companies like Kaihua and Gateron are doing something a little different (higher actuation point on Razer versions, 35g springs on Gateron "Clears", etc.). The linear sliders of these are apparently really smooth (like a new Cherry MX should be, but isn't).

As long as they don't brand them as Cherry MX switches, there isn't a legal issue here and ethically it's acceptable for most since they're doing more than just making clones, but "improving" the design in their own way.

If Cherry doesn't wake up soon, they're going to lose a big chunk of their market to these "clones". If I were Cherry (or even a clone maker) I would change the range to all 62g springs (measured like Korean springs) and just one of each type (clicky, tactile, linear), with the tactile using Clear stems.

[00zeRO]

This is a simple question to those lusting after these so-called "Gateron" switches;

What is the difference between these versions and "Kailh" switches? 

Remembered a few months back everyone was booing and hissing at them when they started filling up Razer, Noppoo and various other Chinese made keyboards.  NO one wanted them then suddenly I see everyone here including a few older members, chaffing at the bit to buy some suspect Chinese made copies of our favourite CherryMX switch.

Why don't you guys stick with the Original CherryMX switch rather than go blind into buying various other poorly made copies (just presuming that all copies are inferior to the original)?

After Cherry got bought by the ZF group, the quality control has not been as good as in the past. They also seem to be rushing the process a bit and this results in more prominent mold lines on the stems, making them all "scratchy". It takes a LONG time for these newer ones to wear in and the scratchiness to fade. They are also, contrary to their catchy marketing-speak, NOT innovating anything in their MX line, whereas companies like Kaihua and Gateron are doing something a little different (higher actuation point on Razer versions, 35g springs on Gateron "Clears", etc.). The linear sliders of these are apparently really smooth (like a new Cherry MX should be, but isn't).

As long as they don't brand them as Cherry MX switches, there isn't a legal issue here and ethically it's acceptable for most since they're doing more than just making clones, but "improving" the design in their own way.

If Cherry doesn't wake up soon, they're going to lose a big chunk of their market to these "clones". If I were Cherry (or even a clone maker) I would change the range to all 62g springs (measured like Korean springs) and just one of each type (clicky, tactile, linear), with the tactile using Clear stems.

Don't forget the ability to still use MX-stemmed keycaps to customize your keyboard. Win all around, I say.

[snipars]

It seems odd to me that a lot of people are wanting to buy the gateron clears which are lighter than MX red, since most people on here tend to complain about MX red being too light

[jacobolus]

I’d love to see some force curves comparing Gateron to MX switches. I highly doubt Gateron clears are actually 10g lighter than MX red.

[00zeRO]

It seems odd to me that a lot of people are wanting to buy the gateron clears which are lighter than MX red, since most people on here tend to complain about MX red being too light

New shiny things...we are kind of like fish or ravens in that respect.

[CPTBadAss]

FWIW, I've been playing with these for a few days in keychains. I've got the Gateron Blacks and Blues. I'm more interested in the Blacks.

The Blues feel like they took a Kailh Blue (which feels pretty much like an MX Blue) and moved the actuation point up to about where an Alps switch would be. Not my favorite to be honest. If I want clicky Alps, I'll use clicky Alps .

But the Gateron Blacks I've been comparing to a Nixdorf Black and stock worn-in/old MX Black. I think it's smoother than the old MX Black. And compares very favorably to the Nixdorfs. The Nixdorfs are still a touch lighter but about the same smoothness I think. I'll have to play some more. But I'm hoping that if I just grab Gateron Blacks and swap the springs, I can get a Nixdorf-esque feeling without the Nixdorf hunt and prices. More impressions as I keep playing.

Shoutouts to hwood34 for loaning me some Gatorade.

Edit: Initial impressions

[snipars]

FWIW, I've been playing with these for a few days in keychains. I've got the Gateron Blacks and Blues. I'm more interested in the Blacks.

The Blues feel like they took a Kailh Blue (which feels pretty much like an MX Blue) and moved the actuation point up to about where an Alps switch would be. Not my favorite to be honest. If I want clicky Alps, I'll use clicky Alps .

But the Gateron Blacks I've been comparing to a Nixdorf Black and stock worn-in/old MX Black. I think it's smoother than the old MX Black. And compares very favorably to the Nixdorfs. The Nixdorfs are still a touch lighter but about the same smoothness I think. I'll have to play some more. But I'm hoping that if I just grab Gateron Blacks and swap the springs, I can get a Nixdorf-esque feeling without the Nixdorf hunt and prices. More impressions as I keep playing.

Shoutouts to hwood34 for loaning me some Gatorade.

Edit: Initial impressions

It's great to be hearing that these are good, although do you know anything aobut how durable they might be?

[monotagary]

FWIW, I've been playing with these for a few days in keychains. I've got the Gateron Blacks and Blues. I'm more interested in the Blacks.

The Blues feel like they took a Kailh Blue (which feels pretty much like an MX Blue) and moved the actuation point up to about where an Alps switch would be. Not my favorite to be honest. If I want clicky Alps, I'll use clicky Alps .

But the Gateron Blacks I've been comparing to a Nixdorf Black and stock worn-in/old MX Black. I think it's smoother than the old MX Black. And compares very favorably to the Nixdorfs. The Nixdorfs are still a touch lighter but about the same smoothness I think. I'll have to play some more. But I'm hoping that if I just grab Gateron Blacks and swap the springs, I can get a Nixdorf-esque feeling without the Nixdorf hunt and prices. More impressions as I keep playing.

Shoutouts to hwood34 for loaning me some Gatorade.

Edit: Initial impressions

It's great to be hearing that these are good, although do you know anything aobut how durable they might be?

It's probably too early to tell. Until a few people start getting full boards of these and using them daily, I don't think their durability can be gauged.

[CPTBadAss]

Um I mean I could buy some and do some destructive tests to them but I don't think anyone in the community has had enough time on them. Let me build me build a board with Gaterons and type on it in a year. I'll let you know then.

It's the same issue with Kailhs. Except I actually own a Kailh board so maybe I should transplant them and start typing.

[snipars]

Um I mean I could buy some and do some destructive tests to them but I don't think anyone in the community has had enough time on them. Let me build me build a board with Gaterons and type on it in a year. I'll let you know then.

It's the same issue with Kailhs. Except I actually own a Kailh board so maybe I should transplant them and start typing.

I think if i build an ergodox or a GON i'll use gaterons

[Sygaldry]

It seems odd to me that a lot of people are wanting to buy the gateron clears which are lighter than MX red, since most people on here tend to complain about MX red being too light

Not sure if many think reds are too light since there is a whole camp of us that like Blacks with super light (50 or 55g) springs. I think it's more likely that people here tend to avoid reds because blacks are supposedly better than reds even with the same springs.

[snipars]

It seems odd to me that a lot of people are wanting to buy the gateron clears which are lighter than MX red, since most people on here tend to complain about MX red being too light

Not sure if many think reds are too light since there is a whole camp of us that like Blacks with super light (50 or 55g) springs. I think it's more likely that people here tend to avoid reds because blacks are supposedly better than reds even with the same springs.

oh so the stems are supposedly better? i assumed they were the same

[hwood34]

Um I mean I could buy some and do some destructive tests to them but I don't think anyone in the community has had enough time on them. Let me build me build a board with Gaterons and type on it in a year. I'll let you know then.

It's the same issue with Kailhs. Except I actually own a Kailh board so maybe I should transplant them and start typing.

I think if i build an ergodox or a GON i'll use gaterons

That's the spirit

[00zeRO]

Um I mean I could buy some and do some destructive tests to them but I don't think anyone in the community has had enough time on them. Let me build me build a board with Gaterons and type on it in a year. I'll let you know then.

It's the same issue with Kailhs. Except I actually own a Kailh board so maybe I should transplant them and start typing.

I think if i build an ergodox or a GON i'll use gaterons

That's the spirit

My goal is to do this with my Phantom build...

[Fnzzy]

It seems odd to me that a lot of people are wanting to buy the gateron clears which are lighter than MX red, since most people on here tend to complain about MX red being too light

I don't care about the weight, I have my own springs laying around. I want the switches for their nice looking housing and for having "linear clears". I like to have 62g clears for the alphas and then linear switches for the modifiers, and with Gateron Clears I can have that setup and the switches will all look the same! Also, I want to try those 35g springs with browns to see if it increases the tactile feel.

With that said, 110 Gateron clears please!

EDIT: Filled out the form and accidentally put "ß" in the field for blacks, please ignore that. I am only interested in 110 clears

[snipars]

It seems odd to me that a lot of people are wanting to buy the gateron clears which are lighter than MX red, since most people on here tend to complain about MX red being too light

I don't care about the weight, I have my own springs laying around. I want the switches for their nice looking housing and for having "linear clears". I like to have 62g clears for the alphas and then linear switches for the modifiers, and with Gateron Clears I can have that setup and the switches will all look the same! Also, I want to try those 35g springs with browns to see if it increases the tactile feel.

With that said, 110 Gateron clears please!

EDIT: Filled out the form and accidentally put "ß" in the field for blacks, please ignore that. I am only interested in 110 clears

are the gateron clears the only ones to have transparent housing?

[monotagary]

It seems odd to me that a lot of people are wanting to buy the gateron clears which are lighter than MX red, since most people on here tend to complain about MX red being too light

I don't care about the weight, I have my own springs laying around. I want the switches for their nice looking housing and for having "linear clears". I like to have 62g clears for the alphas and then linear switches for the modifiers, and with Gateron Clears I can have that setup and the switches will all look the same! Also, I want to try those 35g springs with browns to see if it increases the tactile feel.

With that said, 110 Gateron clears please!

EDIT: Filled out the form and accidentally put "ß" in the field for blacks, please ignore that. I am only interested in 110 clears

are the gateron clears the only ones to have transparent housing?

Nope, all of the Gaterons should have clear housing.

[Ngt]

I'm not sure if I want to order some. Will I be able to participate in the GB even though I don't register in the IC?

[sethk_]

I'm not sure if I want to order some. Will I be able to participate in the GB even though I don't register in the IC?

Yeah, these are to just see if it is worth it to run the GB's and see what price point they will most likely hit.

[Ngt]

I'm not sure if I want to order some. Will I be able to participate in the GB even though I don't register in the IC?

Yeah, these are to just see if it is worth it to run the GB's and see what price point they will most likely hit.

OK thanks.

[monotagary]

I really want some of the blacks for the TX1800 I'm about to join in on. And the clears are going to be exactly what I need for my SPRiT build.

Intrest form filled out, let's make this IC into a reality.

[Sniping]

I want to let everyone know that Gateron clears are tactile. I think there's a LOT of confusion about the clears.

Ignore the black switch housing, that's a Gateron clear stem.

[Zeal]

I want to let everyone know that Gateron clears are tactile. I think there's a LOT of confusion about the clears.

Ignore the black switch housing, that's a Gateron clear stem.

Can't tell if troll or troll.

[Paranoid]

Definitely interested in the clear switches if linear, seems perfect to get an all white switch.

[Ngt]

I want to let everyone know that Gateron clears are tactile. I think there's a LOT of confusion about the clears.

Ignore the black switch housing, that's a Gateron clear stem.

It looks like the clear has a threshold to pass like tactile stem has, however the test is not the best I have seen.

[Findecanor]

I am interested in white switches for my white keyboard. I wish that there were white Cherry stabilisers also, but I suppose that I could paint those.

Has anybody tried the browns?

[SpAmRaY]

I am interested in white switches for my white keyboard. I wish that there were white Cherry stabilisers also, but I suppose that I could paint those.

Has anybody tried the browns?

I've seen white stabilizers before from an old board.

[Sniping]

I want to let everyone know that Gateron clears are tactile. I think there's a LOT of confusion about the clears.

Ignore the black switch housing, that's a Gateron clear stem.

Can't tell if troll or troll.

It's not an MX clear if that's what you're trying to say. The bump is WAY too low in the keystroke to be an MX clear.

[Sniping]

Sorry guys, I'm wrong.

I swapped the Gateron red and black stem into a Cherry MX housing (black), and they seem to do the same thing as the clear did.