Author Topic: Potentially Counterfeit Cherry Mx Clears (Read 7853 times)

tp4tissue · « **on:** Wed, 12 June 2013, 01:17:32 »

So on the OLD cherry mx clear I have, it has a LINE through the rightmost cherry

On the New cherry mx clears I got with the ergo-dox, there's no line through the right most cherry, the fruit portion of the logo itself looks kind of blobby..

Counterfeits??

OLD cherry clear in the MIDDLE... NEW blobby clear on the RIGHT..

New Cherry MX blue on the LEFT

The_Ed · « **Reply #1 on:** Wed, 12 June 2013, 01:19:34 »

...

Newer mold, but you already knew that...

tp4tissue · « **Reply #2 on:** Wed, 12 June 2013, 01:23:08 »

Quote from: The_Ed on Wed, 12 June 2013, 01:19:34

...

Newer mold, but you already knew that...

hi ed, is there a reference for this information?

I hadn't heard about new molds.

The_Ed · « **Reply #3 on:** Wed, 12 June 2013, 01:29:29 »

The differences in the housings are used to identify vintage blacks for example. There are quite a few threads and pics floating around showing the differences.

tp4tissue · « **Reply #4 on:** Wed, 12 June 2013, 01:34:22 »

Quote from: The_Ed on Wed, 12 June 2013, 01:29:29

The differences in the housings are used to identify vintage blacks for example. There are quite a few threads and pics floating around showing the differences.

hm... well... ok.. i'll take ur word for it.

since I don't see a reason you'd lie to me.. unless.... you're one of the proprietors of these counterfeits... hm..... an agent sent from them...

nsrexler · « **Reply #5 on:** Wed, 12 June 2013, 08:15:52 »

I just took a keycap off of my Ducky to check, and the Cherry logo does look kind of "blobby", as you described it. Unless Ducky is using counterfeit switches, I think you're alright.

tp4tissue · « **Reply #6 on:** Wed, 12 June 2013, 09:09:20 »

Quote from: nsrexler on Wed, 12 June 2013, 08:15:52

I just took a keycap off of my Ducky to check, and the Cherry logo does look kind of "blobby", as you described it. Unless Ducky is using counterfeit switches, I think you're alright.

, who's to say they're not... oems will do any sorta krazy things to save a buck on volume.

boost · « **Reply #7 on:** Wed, 12 June 2013, 09:13:57 »

maybe post a pic?

tp4tissue · « **Reply #8 on:** Wed, 12 June 2013, 09:34:43 »

Quote from: boost on Wed, 12 June 2013, 09:13:57

maybe post a pic?

Updated OP with Pictars

SpAmRaY · « **Reply #9 on:** Wed, 12 June 2013, 09:38:12 »

Whats up with the upside down 'A' on the middle switch in the bottom photo?

tp4tissue · « **Reply #10 on:** Wed, 12 June 2013, 09:40:04 »

Quote from: ray4jc on Wed, 12 June 2013, 09:38:12

Whats up with the upside down 'A' on the middle switch in the bottom photo?

idk... where be all the xperts

The_Ed · « **Reply #11 on:** Wed, 12 June 2013, 09:41:59 »

They're ALL real switches dumbass, stop trolling.

tp4tissue · « **Reply #12 on:** Wed, 12 June 2013, 09:42:58 »

Quote from: The_Ed on Wed, 12 June 2013, 09:41:59

They're ALL real switches dumbass, stop trolling.

you say that... bu.... I've never seen these blobby ones before...

perhaps these are the kerkel clears made in China?? that that other dude was group buying, and massdrop people just so happen to source from as well??

SpAmRaY · « **Reply #13 on:** Wed, 12 June 2013, 09:46:22 »

here is a potato pic of what is in my ducky

kmiller8 · « **Reply #14 on:** Wed, 12 June 2013, 09:47:18 »

Cheap chinese knock-offs! that's probably why this whole "vintage" garbage exists. People using chinese clone switches compared to legit ("""vintage""") Cherry switches.

tp4 may have stumbled onto something!

The_Ed · « **Reply #15 on:** Wed, 12 June 2013, 09:48:09 »

I have seen many different logos in my time as I source Cherry POS boards. Those are all real switches using different molds that cherry had over the years.

The troll is feasting tonight...

tp4tissue · « **Reply #16 on:** Wed, 12 June 2013, 09:49:46 »

Quote from: The_Ed on Wed, 12 June 2013, 09:48:09

I have seen many different logos in my time as I source Cherry POS boards. Those are all real switches using different molds that cherry had over the years.

The troll is feasting tonight...

Why are you so sure, that counterfeits couldn't have made it into the supply chain and INTO YOUR HANDS as well....

tp4tissue · « **Reply #17 on:** Wed, 12 June 2013, 09:51:17 »

Quote from: ray4jc on Wed, 12 June 2013, 09:46:22

here is a potato pic of what is in my ducky

(Attachment Link)

Yup that looks like my batch from the ergodox..

Just some more info, the middle switch is from a much older purchase maybe 2-3 years ago.

tp4tissue · « **Reply #18 on:** Wed, 12 June 2013, 09:54:19 »

Quote from: kmiller8 on Wed, 12 June 2013, 09:47:18

Cheap chinese knock-offs! that's probably why this whole "vintage" garbage exists. People using chinese clone switches compared to legit ("""vintage""") Cherry switches.

tp4 may have stumbled onto something!

Just to clarify this I am ""speculating"".. as these blobby ones are NEW TO ME... I haven't seen them before...

The_Ed · « **Reply #19 on:** Wed, 12 June 2013, 09:55:04 »

I'm sure because I have gotten the switches from CHERRY POS BOARDS WITH DOUBLESHOTS... They were made in Germany, NOT China.

tp4tissue · « **Reply #20 on:** Wed, 12 June 2013, 09:57:35 »

Quote from: The_Ed on Wed, 12 June 2013, 09:55:04

I'm sure because I have gotten the switches from CHERRY POS BOARDS WITH DOUBLESHOTS... They were made in Germany, NOT China.

says the sticker on the bottom, did you see a guy eating a german sausage delivering the board to you driving a bmw... oh wait, half of most bmws are made in china.. oh wha.... say it ain't so....

The Ed, I'm not trying to troll or be angry or anything malicious, I just have these doubts....

tp4tissue · « **Reply #21 on:** Wed, 12 June 2013, 10:00:38 »

Any one have one of those new leopold 660 MX clear boards, could you pull the cap and check please...

The_Ed · « **Reply #22 on:** Wed, 12 June 2013, 10:02:04 »

You DO realize that Cherry Corp has factories in Germany, the Czech Republic, and CHINA right? Yes, that's right, you can get authentic switches made by Cherry Corp from China.

SpAmRaY · « **Reply #23 on:** Wed, 12 June 2013, 10:04:21 »

Quote from: tp4tissue on Wed, 12 June 2013, 10:00:38

Any one have one of those new leopold 660 MX clear boards, could you pull the cap and check please...

I was thinking this as well.

tp4tissue · « **Reply #24 on:** Wed, 12 June 2013, 10:05:35 »

Quote from: The_Ed on Wed, 12 June 2013, 10:02:04

You DO realize that Cherry Corp has factories in Germany, the Czech Republic, and CHINA right? Yes, that's right, you can get authentic switches made by Cherry Corp from China.

Right, well ok, through my doubt, we're now organizing some information..... i've done ya'll a favor...

We need some more sources of course... I'm not discounting you the ED,, I am merely weighing you against other possibilities...

How come we don't have Cherry reps up in here..

daerid · « **Reply #25 on:** Wed, 12 June 2013, 10:21:32 »

All the clear switches I got from my ErgoDox look like the left one in the first pic/middle one in the 2nd pic

tp4tissue · « **Reply #26 on:** Wed, 12 June 2013, 11:51:36 »

Quote from: daerid on Wed, 12 June 2013, 10:21:32

All the clear switches I got from my ErgoDox look like the left one in the first pic/middle one in the 2nd pic

Most of mine look like the middle pic as well... but a large handful looks like the Rightmost switch... maybe they did handful of counterfeits and handful of real..

dante · « **Reply #27 on:** Wed, 12 June 2013, 11:53:22 »

qtan said a while back that one of the reasons he didn't import the special edition Keycool 87 w/ "Clears" was he believed they were fake. (Circa 2011?)

Binge · « **Reply #28 on:** Wed, 12 June 2013, 11:54:32 »

this is a whole lot of bullsh!t-- do they not feel the same or something?

shifted · « **Reply #29 on:** Wed, 12 June 2013, 11:56:50 »

Sounds interesting. Any company that is discovered to be using counterfeits basically signed their own death certificate. At least it would seem no one would continue to buy from them, especially the people from forums like this which probably make up a lot of their sales.

dante · « **Reply #30 on:** Wed, 12 June 2013, 12:01:28 »

I remember an article on Deskthority as well as ShakeR stating that Clears were EOL due to slow sales. I can't believe Deck / Ducky / Leopold / etc could have purchased enough switches to reverse this especially with the demand for Browns so high.

On the other hand I can't imagine people who would pirate these switches would expect to make a huge profit on them - they would be better off cloning Cherry Browns, Blues, or Reds.

tp4tissue · « **Reply #31 on:** Wed, 12 June 2013, 12:18:25 »

Quote from: dante on Wed, 12 June 2013, 12:01:28

I remember an article on Deskthority as well as ShakeR stating that Clears were EOL due to slow sales. I can't believe Deck / Ducky / Leopold / etc could have purchased enough switches to reverse this especially with the demand for Browns so high.

On the other hand I can't imagine people who would pirate these switches would expect to make a huge profit on them - they would be better off cloning Cherry Browns, Blues, or Reds.

Brand is everything in this business..... Anything that's not cherry is practically worthless... Cherry logo is what sells the switch..

kmiller8 · « **Reply #32 on:** Wed, 12 June 2013, 12:18:52 »

Quote from: dante on Wed, 12 June 2013, 12:01:28

On the other hand I can't imagine people who would pirate these switches would expect to make a huge profit on them - they would be better off cloning Cherry Browns, Blues, or Reds.

You can get "cherry MX" Browns, Blues and Reds for sub-$.33/switch new from China. I highly doubt they're real...

Oobly · « **Reply #33 on:** Mon, 07 October 2013, 12:36:43 »

Just had a quick look at the clears I pulled off my Ducky. Some have the larger logo, some have the smaller.. And they all were on the same board. They feel identical and have the exact same internals. I would say, don't worry, they're all legit. I don't see Ducky using fakes. I reckon companies are getting a mix of old and new or stock from different factories due to the shortage, that's all.

dante · « **Reply #34 on:** Mon, 07 October 2013, 12:46:28 »

Umm.....

http://imgur.com/a/7ujle#0

SpAmRaY · « **Reply #35 on:** Mon, 07 October 2013, 12:54:44 »

Quote from: dante on Mon, 07 October 2013, 12:46:28

Umm.....

http://imgur.com/a/7ujle#0

That should probably be shared more often!

Computer-Lab in Basement · « **Reply #36 on:** Mon, 07 October 2013, 12:57:27 »

Quote from: SpAmRaY on Mon, 07 October 2013, 12:54:44

Quote from: dante on Mon, 07 October 2013, 12:46:28
Umm.....

http://imgur.com/a/7ujle#0

That should probably be shared more often!

Hey, some of those pictures are mine! (at least Ripster asked before using them, and gave me the photocred)

rowdy · « **Reply #37 on:** Mon, 07 October 2013, 16:03:32 »

Shame about the yellow switches.

Otherwise I'd probably have one or two without keycaps.

Just for the ~~look~~ science.

phatdood9 · « **Reply #38 on:** Mon, 07 October 2013, 17:08:59 »

Quote from: dante on Mon, 07 October 2013, 12:46:28

Umm.....

http://imgur.com/a/7ujle#0

Maybe they started crafting them to look more like cherry mx switches

zoolzoo · « **Reply #39 on:** Mon, 07 October 2013, 20:20:50 »

TP..Its just an ergodox... might as well just throw the trashy fake switches on it.

rowdy · « **Reply #40 on:** Mon, 07 October 2013, 20:22:11 »

Quote from: phatdood9 on Mon, 07 October 2013, 17:08:59

Quote from: dante on Mon, 07 October 2013, 12:46:28
Umm.....

http://imgur.com/a/7ujle#0

Maybe they started crafting them to look more like cherry mx switches

That's probably the point, so unsuspecting people will buy them thinking they are Cherry switches.

kaiserreich · « **Reply #41 on:** Mon, 07 October 2013, 20:48:44 »

Quote from: kmiller8 on Wed, 12 June 2013, 12:18:52

Quote from: dante on Wed, 12 June 2013, 12:01:28
On the other hand I can't imagine people who would pirate these switches would expect to make a huge profit on them - they would be better off cloning Cherry Browns, Blues, or Reds.

You can get "cherry MX" Browns, Blues and Reds for sub-$.33/switch new from China. I highly doubt they're real...

That's the same price I can buy it for, from Taiwan.

In fact, here is a vendor in Taiwan that sells it.
http://www.armygroup.com.tw/shop/goods-6133.html
I think I replied to you once, on this?

With larger volume, they should be cheaper than that.

PadawanGeek · « **Reply #42 on:** Mon, 07 October 2013, 21:47:50 »

Here's a pic of the switches on my Leopold FC660M which I had gotten from China, looks the same as those of TS with the inverted 'A'.....

Oobly · « **Reply #43 on:** Fri, 18 October 2013, 02:28:57 »

They all look legit to me, even those "cheap" Chinese ones ... Sorry, but I have yet to see any evidence of fakes even existing. Clones are a different matter.

AFAIK Cherry require a large MOQ for switches (300k or so) so even the prices you see on Mouser, etc aren't really "bulk" prices like you could get from a warehouse big enough to buy massive quantities (like some chinese warehouses) or have a deal with Cherry. If you are making 104 key boards with LEDs, steel plates, good PCB, nice keycaps, etc, I doubt you can affor to spend $100 just on the switches and still make enough off the sales.

They are made in different factories with subtly different molds, but all the switches I have seen so far that have the Cherry logo on seem to be the real deal.

So... anyone with real evidence of fakes please present it, otherwise please stop giving credence to a rumour.

terran5992 · « **Reply #44 on:** Fri, 18 October 2013, 05:21:56 »

Do they feel any different?

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Author Topic: Potentially Counterfeit Cherry Mx Clears (Read 7853 times)