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.