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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: hwood34 on Thu, 15 January 2015, 21:36:17

Title: Gaterons
Post by: hwood34 on Thu, 15 January 2015, 21:36:17
So I want to try Gateron switches, I've heard good things about the smoothness, but I can't find much information on them so far, or where to find all the colors. So far I know that:
gateron red=slightly lighter reds
gateron blue=slightly heavier blues
gateron yellow=pretty much super blacks

I'm not sure about Gateron blacks or clears though. Thoughts on these or any general points on the switches?
Title: Re: Gaterons
Post by: Zeal on Thu, 15 January 2015, 21:45:50
I just ordered ~200x Gateron white/clears. They're apparently super light & smooth reds (35g vintage black?). Will report back once I receive them. :)
Title: Re: Gaterons
Post by: Sniping on Fri, 16 January 2015, 00:14:33
The clears I tried felt weird. I'm not sure if they were a special batch but they had this very slight tactile bump that was a bit odd.

They're very smooth, but the switch top got a bit loose after I opened the switch. Be wary of that when trying to mod the switches.
Title: Re: Gaterons
Post by: hwood34 on Fri, 16 January 2015, 11:42:24
It'll be a small sample size, but I just ordered 15 blues, 10 blacks, and 10 yellows.
Title: Re: Gaterons
Post by: nubbinator on Fri, 16 January 2015, 11:42:56
Where do you find these?  Every time I saw them go up, they were gone almost immediately.
Title: Re: Gaterons
Post by: hwood34 on Fri, 16 January 2015, 11:43:43
Quote from: nubbinator on Fri, 16 January 2015, 11:42:56
Where do you find these?  Every time I saw them go up, they were gone almost immediately.
Taobao. It looks like they only have 200 or so in stock at a time
Title: Re: Gaterons
Post by: SpAmRaY on Fri, 16 January 2015, 11:47:47
link?
Title: Re: Gaterons
Post by: Defect on Fri, 16 January 2015, 11:52:41
Wish the tops were more transparent like the ones I bought a while ago (http://i.imgur.com/lcVHgXfh.jpg)

Yellow stems look nice.  Everyone seems to say the plastic allows for smoother action...I'm more curious about the durability.
Title: Re: Gaterons
Post by: hwood34 on Fri, 16 January 2015, 12:33:35
Quote from: SpAmRaY on Fri, 16 January 2015, 11:47:47
link?
Reds (http://h5.m.taobao.com/awp/core/detail.htm?spm=a230r.1.14.83.UiQACx&id=39950103483&ns=1#detail)
just search gateron and they'll all pop up
Title: Re: Gaterons
Post by: Zeal on Sat, 24 January 2015, 00:21:56
Just going to throw pictures here. Hopefully you don't mind. :P

Tops off
(http://i.imgur.com/3QZoiI8.jpg)

Disassembled a Gateron White & MX Red.
(http://i.imgur.com/UsJUbIC.jpg)

Gateron's 35g spring is like a penis with erectile dysfunction. No kidding. Just look at it! However, the "35g" spring does have an interesting bottom out feeling to it. The force curve feels really "bouncy" after actuation. Maybe it's the bendy spring giving that feeling? Not sure. I like it.
(http://i.imgur.com/xqF4JTi.jpg)

Switch stem comparison:
(http://i.imgur.com/trV9XRB.jpg)

Bottom housings:
(http://i.imgur.com/nPNNeiL.jpg)

Underneath:
(http://i.imgur.com/M3tV4nh.jpg)

PCB Mount Gaterons do not fit properly in the PCB I had. I had to shave a bit of the leg for it to fit snugly. Haven't measured it yet, but the PCB supports are either too thick, or aren't far appart enough.
(http://i.imgur.com/OQxSRk7.jpg)

In summary, I really love how smooth they feel for stock switches. The Gateron has the feet lubed slightly, while reds are not, surprisingly. I'd have to say stock Gateron Whites are smoother than worn in blacks (Using my small sample size of ~8 lubed, WYSE blacks) The slider has a slipperier feeling when you rub your nail against it vs Reds. Gateron sliders in stock MX Switches do feel better than stock Reds (way smoother), but still not as smooth as in the original Gateron housing.
Title: Re: Gaterons
Post by: sethk_ on Sat, 24 January 2015, 00:24:24
Quote from: Zeal on Sat, 24 January 2015, 00:21:56
Just going to throw pictures here. Hopefully you don't mind. :P

Tops off
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/3QZoiI8.jpg)


Disassembled a Gateron White & MX Red.
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/UsJUbIC.jpg)


Gateron's 35g spring is like a penis with erectile dysfunction. No kidding. Just look at it! However, the "35g" spring does have an interesting bottom out feeling to it. The force curve feels really "bouncy" after actuation. Maybe it's the bendy spring giving that feeling? Not sure. I like it.
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/xqF4JTi.jpg)


Switch stem comparison:
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/trV9XRB.jpg)


Bottom housings:
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/nPNNeiL.jpg)


Underneath:
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/M3tV4nh.jpg)


PCB Mount Gaterons do not fit properly in the PCB I had. I had to shave a bit of the leg for it to fit snugly. Haven't measured it yet, but the PCB supports are either too thick, or aren't far appart enough.
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/OQxSRk7.jpg)

Can you swap the housing? This would be a cheap alternative to clear switch tops.
Title: Re: Gaterons
Post by: intelli78 on Sat, 24 January 2015, 00:26:23
Quote from: Zeal on Sat, 24 January 2015, 00:21:56
Gateron's 35g spring is like a penis with erectile dysfunction. No kidding.

Today I learned my pen0r is like a 35g Gateron switch! :)

Quote from: Zeal on Sat, 24 January 2015, 00:21:56
PCB Mount Gaterons do not fit properly in the PCB I had. I had to shave a bit of the leg for it to fit snugly.

Now that's a bit odd. Everything ok with the plate mount versions / pin spacing?
Title: Re: Gaterons
Post by: Zeal on Sat, 24 January 2015, 00:26:55
Quote from: pwnnarwhal on Sat, 24 January 2015, 00:24:24
Quote from: Zeal on Sat, 24 January 2015, 00:21:56
Just going to throw pictures here. Hopefully you don't mind. :P

Tops off
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/3QZoiI8.jpg)


Disassembled a Gateron White & MX Red.
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/UsJUbIC.jpg)


Gateron's 35g spring is like a penis with erectile dysfunction. No kidding. Just look at it! However, the "35g" spring does have an interesting bottom out feeling to it. The force curve feels really "bouncy" after actuation. Maybe it's the bendy spring giving that feeling? Not sure. I like it.
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/xqF4JTi.jpg)


Switch stem comparison:
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/trV9XRB.jpg)


Bottom housings:
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/nPNNeiL.jpg)


Underneath:
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/M3tV4nh.jpg)


PCB Mount Gaterons do not fit properly in the PCB I had. I had to shave a bit of the leg for it to fit snugly. Haven't measured it yet, but the PCB supports are either too thick, or aren't far appart enough.
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/OQxSRk7.jpg)

Can you swap the housing? This would be a cheap alternative to clear switch tops.
Was in middle of editing my reply :P

I haven't tried using the top on a cherry housing. I don't see why it wouldn't fit though. Will double check tomorrow.
Title: Re: Gaterons
Post by: Zeal on Sat, 24 January 2015, 00:28:46
Quote from: intelli78 on Sat, 24 January 2015, 00:26:23
Quote from: Zeal on Sat, 24 January 2015, 00:21:56
Gateron's 35g spring is like a penis with erectile dysfunction. No kidding.

Today I learned my pen0r is like a 35g Gateron switch! :)

Quote from: Zeal on Sat, 24 January 2015, 00:21:56
PCB Mount Gaterons do not fit properly in the PCB I had. I had to shave a bit of the leg for it to fit snugly.

Now that's a bit odd. Everything ok with the plate mount versions / pin spacing?

I'd take PCB mount switches over plate mount anyday. :P
I only got PCB mount, so no plate mounted Gaterons to try. But the pin alignments fit no problem. Shaving the PCB supports isn't that much of a hassle. But it for sure would not force itself into the PCB. I had to remove the switch and look at the "scraped" off plastic and then shave that off.
Title: Re: Gaterons
Post by: hwood34 on Sat, 24 January 2015, 00:31:28
Thanks for the pics Zeal! I'm still waiting on the blacks and blues I ordered.
Title: Re: Gaterons
Post by: Evo_Spec on Sat, 24 January 2015, 00:58:24
Quote from: Zeal on Sat, 24 January 2015, 00:21:56
More
Just going to throw pictures here. Hopefully you don't mind. :P

Tops off
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/3QZoiI8.jpg)


Disassembled a Gateron White & MX Red.
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/UsJUbIC.jpg)


Gateron's 35g spring is like a penis with erectile dysfunction. No kidding. Just look at it! However, the "35g" spring does have an interesting bottom out feeling to it. The force curve feels really "bouncy" after actuation. Maybe it's the bendy spring giving that feeling? Not sure. I like it.
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/xqF4JTi.jpg)


Switch stem comparison:
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/trV9XRB.jpg)


Bottom housings:
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/nPNNeiL.jpg)


Underneath:
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/M3tV4nh.jpg)


PCB Mount Gaterons do not fit properly in the PCB I had. I had to shave a bit of the leg for it to fit snugly. Haven't measured it yet, but the PCB supports are either too thick, or aren't far appart enough.
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/OQxSRk7.jpg)


In summary, I really love how smooth they feel for stock switches. The Gateron has the feet lubed slightly, while reds are not, surprisingly. I'd have to say stock Gateron Whites are smoother than worn in blacks (Using my small sample size of ~8 lubed, WYSE blacks) The slider has a slipperier feeling when you rub your nail against it vs Reds. Gateron sliders in stock MX Switches do feel better than stock Reds (way smoother), but still not as smooth as in the original Gateron housing.

Even though i already submitted my entry, this doesn't help me at all determining which stems were Gaterons.....
Title: Re: Gaterons
Post by: CPTBadAss on Sat, 24 January 2015, 01:08:16
If anyone here could loan me a few just for me to check out, I'd be really grateful. Really curious about these and I'm still kicking myself for not picking up that Gateron tester off Massdrop.

Thanks for the great pictures Zeal :D.
Title: Re: Gaterons
Post by: mouse.the.lucky.dog on Sat, 24 January 2015, 01:10:21
Are the stems of the blue's sheathed like on a Cherry?
Title: Re: Gaterons
Post by: Zeal on Sat, 24 January 2015, 02:00:09
Quote from: CPTBadAss on Sat, 24 January 2015, 01:08:16
If anyone here could loan me a few just for me to check out, I'd be really grateful. Really curious about these and I'm still kicking myself for not picking up that Gateron tester off Massdrop.

Thanks for the great pictures Zeal :D.
Hopefully someone near you can hook you up with a tester soon!
I think I'll be doing a 60% build soon w/ these switches to get a better realistic feeling on a board.

Quote from: mouse.the.lucky.dog on Sat, 24 January 2015, 01:10:21
Are the stems of the blue's sheathed like on a Cherry?
Not sure if I follow. What do you mean?

Quote from: Evo_Spec on Sat, 24 January 2015, 00:58:24
Quote from: Zeal on Sat, 24 January 2015, 00:21:56
More
Just going to throw pictures here. Hopefully you don't mind. :P

Tops off
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/3QZoiI8.jpg)


Disassembled a Gateron White & MX Red.
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/UsJUbIC.jpg)


Gateron's 35g spring is like a penis with erectile dysfunction. No kidding. Just look at it! However, the "35g" spring does have an interesting bottom out feeling to it. The force curve feels really "bouncy" after actuation. Maybe it's the bendy spring giving that feeling? Not sure. I like it.
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/xqF4JTi.jpg)


Switch stem comparison:
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/trV9XRB.jpg)


Bottom housings:
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/nPNNeiL.jpg)


Underneath:
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/M3tV4nh.jpg)


PCB Mount Gaterons do not fit properly in the PCB I had. I had to shave a bit of the leg for it to fit snugly. Haven't measured it yet, but the PCB supports are either too thick, or aren't far appart enough.
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/OQxSRk7.jpg)


In summary, I really love how smooth they feel for stock switches. The Gateron has the feet lubed slightly, while reds are not, surprisingly. I'd have to say stock Gateron Whites are smoother than worn in blacks (Using my small sample size of ~8 lubed, WYSE blacks) The slider has a slipperier feeling when you rub your nail against it vs Reds. Gateron sliders in stock MX Switches do feel better than stock Reds (way smoother), but still not as smooth as in the original Gateron housing.

Even though i already submitted my entry, this doesn't help me at all determining which stems were Gaterons.....

Haha! You can submit an entry everyday! Might as well take a guess and increase your odds of winning from RNG! :D
Title: Re: Gaterons
Post by: byker on Sat, 24 January 2015, 02:01:37
Those pictures are great Zeal!!


I am really tempted to try the yellows, if they are like super blacks!  8)
Title: Re: Gaterons
Post by: nubbinator on Sat, 24 January 2015, 02:03:08
So, when are one of you sending me a switch to play around with?
Title: Re: Gaterons
Post by: Zeal on Sat, 24 January 2015, 02:06:27
Quote from: nubbinator on Sat, 24 January 2015, 02:03:08
So, when are one of you sending me a switch to play around with?

When (and if) you get picked by the RNG gods at the end of the month for my giveaway / when you guess the right switch(es). :p
Title: Re: Gaterons
Post by: nubbinator on Sat, 24 January 2015, 02:12:13
Quote from: Zeal on Sat, 24 January 2015, 02:06:27
Quote from: nubbinator on Sat, 24 January 2015, 02:03:08
So, when are one of you sending me a switch to play around with?

When (and if) you get picked by the RNG gods at the end of the month for my giveaway / when you guess the right switch(es). :p

RNGanesha hates me :(
Title: Re: Gaterons
Post by: Evo_Spec on Sat, 24 January 2015, 03:46:18
Quote from: Zeal on Sat, 24 January 2015, 02:00:09
Haha! You can submit an entry everyday! Might as well take a guess and increase your odds of winning from RNG! :D

I didn't catch that part, awesome.
Title: Re: Gaterons
Post by: Hak Foo on Sat, 24 January 2015, 11:41:25
How's the sound on the blues?

The thing I could never get my head around, as a fan of ALPS switches, is how plasticky Cherry Blue and Green sound.
Title: Re: Gaterons
Post by: Zeal on Sat, 24 January 2015, 13:11:50
Quote from: Hak Foo on Sat, 24 January 2015, 11:41:25
How's the sound on the blues?

The thing I could never get my head around, as a fan of ALPS switches, is how plasticky Cherry Blue and Green sound.
I didn't buy any Gateron blues, so I can't comment. Hopefully hwood will receive his purchase soon!

Regarding how "plasticky" Cherry blues sound -- it really depends on the batch they were made, and how much factory lube was applied on the feet. I've had ones that sounded really quiet compared to other blues. For example, the middle "lighter" blue has a nice softer click than the one on the left.
(http://puu.sh/eIMl5/0593ceff4c.jpg)
Title: Re: Gaterons
Post by: JDBear on Thu, 05 March 2015, 17:13:18
Quote from: hwood34 on Fri, 16 January 2015, 11:42:24
It'll be a small sample size, but I just ordered 15 blues, 10 blacks, and 10 yellows.

Where did you find yellows? I can only find this page http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=a230r.1.14.134.UiQACx&id=41317703873&ns=1#detail

but they are out of stock :/
Title: Re: Gaterons
Post by: hwood34 on Thu, 05 March 2015, 18:23:52
Quote from: JDBear on Thu, 05 March 2015, 17:13:18
Quote from: hwood34 on Fri, 16 January 2015, 11:42:24
It'll be a small sample size, but I just ordered 15 blues, 10 blacks, and 10 yellows.

Where did you find yellows? I can only find this page http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=a230r.1.14.134.UiQACx&id=41317703873&ns=1#detail

but they are out of stock :/
Yeah, the only sellers I find on there are him and love_q, both of which have stopped stocking gaterons
Title: Re: Gaterons
Post by: hking0036 on Thu, 05 March 2015, 18:47:20
Quote from: hwood34 on Thu, 05 March 2015, 18:23:52
Quote from: JDBear on Thu, 05 March 2015, 17:13:18
Quote from: hwood34 on Fri, 16 January 2015, 11:42:24
It'll be a small sample size, but I just ordered 15 blues, 10 blacks, and 10 yellows.

Where did you find yellows? I can only find this page http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=a230r.1.14.134.UiQACx&id=41317703873&ns=1#detail

but they are out of stock :/
Yeah, the only sellers I find on there are him and love_q, both of which have stopped stocking gaterons
what's the orange? Is that just a different angle yellow, or is that orange like I think it is?
Title: Re: Gaterons
Post by: hwood34 on Thu, 05 March 2015, 20:26:32
Quote from: hking0036 on Thu, 05 March 2015, 18:47:20
Quote from: hwood34 on Thu, 05 March 2015, 18:23:52
Quote from: JDBear on Thu, 05 March 2015, 17:13:18
Quote from: hwood34 on Fri, 16 January 2015, 11:42:24
It'll be a small sample size, but I just ordered 15 blues, 10 blacks, and 10 yellows.

Where did you find yellows? I can only find this page http://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=a230r.1.14.134.UiQACx&id=41317703873&ns=1#detail

but they are out of stock :/
Yeah, the only sellers I find on there are him and love_q, both of which have stopped stocking gaterons
what's the orange? Is that just a different angle yellow, or is that orange like I think it is?
I think they changed the color from orange to yellow at some point, but both are 150g