I'd love to hear some first typing impressions from people who have a full board of zealios that isn't just a circle-jerk of unnnggg these switches are perfect. I'm not saying they're bad by any means, I just would like an honest review of both the up and down-sides.
Well... I've been typing on my Zealio-QFR with 62g (no additional lube) since I got them last Wednesday.
Switches I like: Alps Orange, Alps Monterey Blue, Matias Quiet Click, Model F Buckling Spring, of the MX I liked Blues the best -- Zealios are now my favorite.
Switches I don't like: 45g Topre, MX Clear, MX Brown, Stock Alps Cream Damped.
To sum up: I like a softer tactile experience, but I also don't mind noise -- and if I can I actually like a good click. Topre and cream damped alps are too mushy for me. I need it to be a little crisper.
I find the Zealios to be far and away the best of the MX switches that I've ever tried. They are very, very smooth, and there's a decent tactile bump in there that lets you know you've hit it. It reminds me much more of an Alps switch than it does an MX switch, and in fact if the actuation was up a little higher it would be very reminiscent of oranges. The only possible negative to me (other than they are more expensive) is that the upstroke sound is actually very different. I have SA caps on my QFR and it's much more "thocky" than it was with the browns on it. I don't know if that has something to do with the polycarb top or how smooth and crisp the switches are, but it's ... different, and will take a little getting used to.
I'll let someone who tried homebrew ergo clears jump in on that comparison, but overall I am very happy with the switches.
