Author Topic: Best stock linears? (Read 21311 times)

killyou · « **on:** Tue, 25 September 2018, 02:04:26 »

Hello. What would be the best stock linear switch? I never got into linear switches and maybe it is time to try them out properly. I was thinking about Tealios or Kailh BOX. In terms of weighting I currently use Zealio 67g as my daily driver but I feel like I'd enjoy slightly lighter linears. Thank you for all recommendations.

vegs · « **Reply #1 on:** Tue, 25 September 2018, 03:23:59 »

Kailh Box Blacks are excellent stock switches. The bottom out weight for those are ~70g.

chyros · « **Reply #2 on:** Tue, 25 September 2018, 06:02:29 »

Fujitsu leaf springs 3rd gen and Alps SKCL green are fantastic IMO.

Ruskie · « **Reply #3 on:** Wed, 26 September 2018, 11:16:21 »

Personally, for linears, if you are going for the budget end of things, Gateron linears as well as the Kailh Box/speed linears are very good for the price. If you are going for the straight up BEST modern linear stock switch, I think that handily goes to Tealios or Tangerines. There is damn near NO friction with those switches.

MajorKoos · « **Reply #4 on:** Wed, 26 September 2018, 11:19:33 »

Quote from: Ruskie on Wed, 26 September 2018, 11:16:21

Personally, for linears, if you are going for the budget end of things, Gateron linears as well as the Kailh Box/speed linears are very good for the price. If you are going for the straight up BEST modern linear stock switch, I think that handily goes to Tealios or Tangerines. There is damn near NO friction with those switches.

+1 for Tealios - they're very nice to type on.

Hyde · « **Reply #5 on:** Thu, 27 September 2018, 23:28:41 »

For budget option I find Gateron Yellow is quite good, the weight is inbetween MX Red and MX Black and in my opinion sits at a good sweet spot.

I get less typo on Gateron Yellow than MX Red. However I don't mind MX Red either lol.

killyou · « **Reply #6 on:** Fri, 28 September 2018, 14:36:29 »

I've read about people lubing Tealios, is there a reason to do that if there is almost no friction? If it would save me the lubing part I might go with Tealios.

Hypersphere · « **Reply #7 on:** Fri, 28 September 2018, 15:03:42 »

Linears are not my favorite type of switch. However, if you are interested in Cherry mx or clones, Cherry started out with a purely linear switch (mx black), and this is still what they do best.

Vintage blacks are legendary for their smoothness, but some folks find them too heavy.

In the "vintage" category, there are linear Alps switches, such as the SKCC Greens found in the IBM "Pingmaster" boards and SKCL Yellow or Green switches found in, for example, some older Zenith boards.

Contemporary Cherry mx switches tend to feel scratchy, but Gaterons tend to be smoother. Among Gaterons, I like their Yellow switches. Gateron Yellows are very smooth and the weight is ideal -- heavier than Cherry mx Red and lighter than Cherry mx Black.

I haven't tried Zeal linear switches, but I like their tactile switches -- I've tried Purple Zealios (65g) and Blue Zilents (67g). Note that the spring weights of Zeal switches refer to the bottom-out force rather than the actuation force. I find the Zilent 67g switches to be a bit light. In fact, I replaced the spring on the spacebar switch with a heavier spring because I was causing too many unwanted spaces.

klennkellon · « **Reply #8 on:** Fri, 28 September 2018, 19:29:40 »

If we don't want to talk about vintage switches the linear Kailh BOX or Kailh Speed series linears are very good.

I'll also mention the Bloody Optical switches.

PyroL · « **Reply #9 on:** Fri, 28 September 2018, 19:32:38 »

Quote from: chyros on Tue, 25 September 2018, 06:02:29

Fujitsu leaf springs 3rd gen and Alps SKCL green are fantastic IMO.

HaaTa told me that gen 1 Fujitsu Leaf Springs are nicer, what do you think?

Olumin · « **Reply #10 on:** Mon, 01 October 2018, 09:07:09 »

Honeywell Halleffect. Hehe.

Sorry

Wazrach · « **Reply #11 on:** Mon, 01 October 2018, 15:17:47 »

Typing this on my BenQ Zowie Celeritas II, with Flaretech optical switches. They are EXTREMELY smooth and silky, as well as fairly quiet. They are made by the same manufacturer as the switches in the Wooting One, but modified for Zowie, apparently. These are how Cherry MX Reds should be. They're a little heavier than Reds, but lighter than Blacks.

If you keep an eye out on Amazon warehouse deals, you can get keyboards like this used - mine happened to be "Like New", and it looks like nobody has ever touched it. Normally, this keyboard costs around £120 new, but I got it for £50. It's very well-built for a modern keyboard, but the whole thing is a bit of a grease magnet, unfortunately. I haven't been able to open it and look inside, due to the case still holding together after I removed 8 hidden screws...

wholypantalones · « **Reply #12 on:** Mon, 01 October 2018, 16:58:44 »

Retooled MX blacks from arrow.com for .35 cents a piece. First time in two years I haven't lubed them all before a build.

TheGlyph · « **Reply #13 on:** Tue, 02 October 2018, 17:46:43 »

I was quite surprised with how nice Kailh box dark yellows felt, maybe another one worth checking out!

OfTheWild · « **Reply #14 on:** Tue, 02 October 2018, 17:50:46 »

Gateron Yellow or Black
C3 Tangerines (gateron)
Tealios
Cherry retooled blacks

All of those are silky smooth right from the bag and i would feel confident saying they are fine w/o doing additional work for lube or oil.

JP · « **Reply #15 on:** Tue, 02 October 2018, 19:15:37 »

White linear Space Invaders.

killyou · « **Reply #16 on:** Tue, 02 October 2018, 19:50:14 »

I ordered a bag of Tealios, let's see whether linears will appeal to me.

MHayden · « **Reply #17 on:** Wed, 28 November 2018, 01:12:23 »

I've never found a linear switch better than the Matias ones. They are extremely light and have a very high activation point.

Sup · « **Reply #18 on:** Wed, 28 November 2018, 10:59:19 »

Quote from: Ruskie on Wed, 26 September 2018, 11:16:21

Personally, for linears, if you are going for the budget end of things, Gateron linears as well as the Kailh Box/speed linears are very good for the price. If you are going for the straight up BEST modern linear stock switch, I think that handily goes to Tealios or Tangerines. There is damn near NO friction with those switches.

Tangerines are just recolored standard Gateron linears with a costum spring. It's just a more expensive Gateron black. So IMO it shouldn't be seen as one of the best linear stock switch.

TheGlyph · « **Reply #19 on:** Wed, 28 November 2018, 12:12:14 »

At the NorCal meetup I tried 78g retooled blacks and they were stunning.

Geroximo · « **Reply #20 on:** Wed, 28 November 2018, 17:15:39 »

If you're on a budget, you can't beat lubed Gateron Blacks.

Merranza · « **Reply #21 on:** Thu, 29 November 2018, 06:08:17 »

I'm totally addicted to Gat Clears now

rejuvienate · « **Reply #22 on:** Thu, 29 November 2018, 07:31:55 »

How about Mod switches? they sound pretty good

appaboy · « **Reply #23 on:** Thu, 29 November 2018, 07:33:48 »

Vintage black are the perfect linear switch In my opinion. Smooth, gradual and extremely easy to find with the bonus of having mx mount and a good sound

Ptolemy · « **Reply #24 on:** Wed, 05 December 2018, 18:23:24 »

Kailh Box Blacks, Gateron Blacks or vintage MX blacks. Stay yards away from MX Reds as they are scratchy and a pain to do much of anything on.

wholypantalones · « **Reply #25 on:** Wed, 05 December 2018, 18:40:33 »

Invyr pandas, obviously.

leece3 · « **Reply #26 on:** Fri, 07 December 2018, 14:43:52 »

Hmm, I think I am one of the few here who don't lube their switches, but I prefer linears. I would lov eto have lubed ones thought, and I got one board with lubed vintage blacks with 67g springs. Is like heaven
to me.

But stock I tried retooled blacks, gateron yellows, and Tealios. Stock, there is really a slight difference between the last two, and Tealios are my favorite of the three. I don't even miss some lube, except for
some spring ping.. gateron also have some ping, otherwise I like both, but Tealios except the spring sound is already perfect for me.

The retooled were a little bit too heavy for me, but still usable and fun. But the Tealios I really like.

Once I start lubing myself, I am not sure if the Tealios might get too silent actually. Maybe I might just
lube the springs some day..

Sup · « **Reply #27 on:** Fri, 07 December 2018, 15:00:18 »

Tealios are prelubed btw.

leece3 · « **Reply #28 on:** Fri, 07 December 2018, 16:44:19 »

Quote from: Sup on Fri, 07 December 2018, 15:00:18

Tealios are prelubed btw.

OK, that explains something.. And compared to the work saved, then the price is actually very good. But I heard similar things of kailh box switches as well, maybe?

romevi · « **Reply #29 on:** Fri, 07 December 2018, 16:51:40 »

Gateron Yellow.

frydaja · « **Reply #30 on:** Fri, 07 December 2018, 17:22:16 »

Razer Greens /s

Post-retool MX Reds

Sup · « **Reply #31 on:** Fri, 07 December 2018, 18:02:03 »

Quote from: romevi on Fri, 07 December 2018, 16:51:40

Gateron Yellow.

Can't agree more Gateron linears for EVVVVVVVVVVVVVEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR.

Puddsy · « **Reply #32 on:** Fri, 07 December 2018, 19:00:57 »

Tealios or gat yellows.

Quote from: Sup on Fri, 07 December 2018, 15:00:18

Tealios are prelubed btw.

Source?

Puddsy · « **Reply #33 on:** Fri, 07 December 2018, 19:02:00 »

Quote from: rejuvienate on Thu, 29 November 2018, 07:31:55

How about Mod switches? they sound pretty good

They're not bad, but for linears you can get better value by just buying gaterons at the weight you want.

tron · « **Reply #34 on:** Sat, 08 December 2018, 16:09:22 »

I personally don't like the feel of lubed switches and only lube my stabs and maybe the spacebar switch to cut down on noise. The only lube I think feels amazing in switches is the OG Alps dry lube. It has a great "cold butter" smoothness which I prefer over the greasy/oily smoothness you get from modern wet lubes.

The smoothest stock/unlubed switches I've tried that have the best sound/feel balance: PCB mount Vintage MX Blacks(preferably from a Cherry G80) with lighter 60-65g Korean springs if you find them too heavy -or- Green SKCC/SKCL Alps. IMO these switches leave nothing more to be desired in the linear category.

jcoffin1981 · « **Reply #35 on:** Thu, 13 December 2018, 06:03:05 »

Quote from: leece3 on Fri, 07 December 2018, 14:43:52

Hmm, I think I am one of the few here who don't lube their switches, but I prefer linears. I would lov eto have lubed ones thought, and I got one board with lubed vintage blacks with 67g springs. Is like heaven
to me.

But stock I tried retooled blacks, gateron yellows, and Tealios. Stock, there is really a slight difference between the last two, and Tealios are my favorite of the three. I don't even miss some lube, except for
some spring ping.. gateron also have some ping, otherwise I like both, but Tealios except the spring sound is already perfect for me.

The retooled were a little bit too heavy for me, but still usable and fun. But the Tealios I really like.

Once I start lubing myself, I am not sure if the Tealios might get too silent actually. Maybe I might just
lube the springs some day..

I have a couple bags of Gateron browns that virtually every one of them pings. Annoys the bejesus out of me. The lube definitely helps with that. Smooth too, but lube makes switches feel less responsive so it's a double-edged sword. With lube LESS IS MORE in my opinion.

city · « **Reply #36 on:** Thu, 13 December 2018, 23:02:25 »

Quote from: appaboy on Thu, 29 November 2018, 07:33:48

Vintage black are the perfect linear switch In my opinion. Smooth, gradual and extremely easy to find with the bonus of having mx mount and a good sound

Where is the best place to find vintage blacks?

romevi · « **Reply #37 on:** Thu, 13 December 2018, 23:03:40 »

Quote from: city on Thu, 13 December 2018, 23:02:25

Quote from: appaboy on Thu, 29 November 2018, 07:33:48
Vintage black are the perfect linear switch In my opinion. Smooth, gradual and extremely easy to find with the bonus of having mx mount and a good sound

Where is the best place to find vintage blacks?

At the Vintage MX Store.

ArchDill · « **Reply #38 on:** Thu, 13 December 2018, 23:09:22 »

Not sure if I have commented on this yet...

Tealios are the best stock linear switch IMO.

I switched to silent black stems recently and I find myself missing the Tealio.

EDIT: Gateron Blacks are a close second. I also had yellows at one point but I had switched the spring out for something heavier.

frosty · « **Reply #39 on:** Fri, 14 December 2018, 00:59:26 »

Quote from: city on Thu, 13 December 2018, 23:02:25

Quote from: appaboy on Thu, 29 November 2018, 07:33:48
Vintage black are the perfect linear switch In my opinion. Smooth, gradual and extremely easy to find with the bonus of having mx mount and a good sound

Where is the best place to find vintage blacks?

r/mechmarket or here in classifieds.

city · « **Reply #40 on:** Fri, 14 December 2018, 17:17:03 »

Quote from: frosty on Fri, 14 December 2018, 00:59:26

Quote from: city on Thu, 13 December 2018, 23:02:25
Quote from: appaboy on Thu, 29 November 2018, 07:33:48
Vintage black are the perfect linear switch In my opinion. Smooth, gradual and extremely easy to find with the bonus of having mx mount and a good sound

Where is the best place to find vintage blacks?

r/mechmarket or here in classifieds.

Ah, have got a few things from mm but feel weird about buying vint blacks from there, I feel like it's such a crap shoot.

wholypantalones · « **Reply #41 on:** Fri, 14 December 2018, 19:31:22 »

Quote from: city on Fri, 14 December 2018, 17:17:03

Quote from: frosty on Fri, 14 December 2018, 00:59:26
Quote from: city on Thu, 13 December 2018, 23:02:25
Quote from: appaboy on Thu, 29 November 2018, 07:33:48
Vintage black are the perfect linear switch In my opinion. Smooth, gradual and extremely easy to find with the bonus of having mx mount and a good sound

Where is the best place to find vintage blacks?

r/mechmarket or here in classifieds.

Ah, have got a few things from mm but feel weird about buying vint blacks from there, I feel like it's such a crap shoot.

On mm, all cherry switches are vintage because what are you going to do?

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Author Topic: Best stock linears? (Read 21311 times)