Smoothest MX or MX-Compatible Linear Switch?

[Suruga Devil]

MX Reds don't cut it for me anymore. Even with bike chain oil as lube, these things still scratch beyond belief. Looking to go ham with a custom upgrade.

In your opinion, what is the smoothest MX or MX-Compatible switch? Anything goes here, as long as it's MX, so mixing and matching parts is kosher. Also, for you guys who are experienced with switch lubes, which one provides the smoothest experience?

Right now I'm thinking that Linear Zealios might be the key, with polishing and lubricating. Thoughts?

[klennkellon]

Lubed Gaterons?

or ideally,

Linear ALPS with ALPS to MX adapters.

[jacobolus]

“Vintage” MX black switches from the mid-1980s are a lot nicer than modern ones. Probably as good as any MX clone you’ll find.

[pr0ximity]

Vintage MX are the best linears I've tried, and I have a nice sampling of linears at my disposal.

SKCL are very nice, but have subtle tactility and are very prone to contamination.

Gateron are incredibly smooth, I'd almost say more than vintage MX, but their plastic is very soft.

Regardless, lube them with the thinnest Krytox oil you can get ahold of: 100-series, the lower number the thinner the oil is, 100-103 would probably be best.

[mind_funeral]

GATERON

[SBJ]

Lubed Gaterons?

or ideally,

Linear ALPS with ALPS to MX adapters.

I'm using stock Gaterons right now and they feel really smooth. Lubing them seems like it'd be a fun project however.

[chyros]

Probably Gaterons or vintage blacks. The smoothest linear switches aren't MX-compatible, though.

[Jibsey]

Gateron Clears are quite smooth. But I feel like the light actuation force contributes to that as well slightly.

[merlin64]

You need to use grease instead of oil to lube it. Oil will just sit at the bottom, grease will remain on the sliders.

My experience has been 80s vintage blacks and Gaterons are the smoothest Cherry MX switches.

[Suruga Devil]

Probably Gaterons or vintage blacks. The smoothest linear switches aren't MX-compatible, though.

Yeah, if there were such things as new Hall Effect switches with MX-compatible mounts, I'd burn a village to get them.
As of now, MX is the best I've got.

[CPTBadAss]

Probably Gaterons or vintage blacks. The smoothest linear switches aren't MX-compatible, though.

Yeah, if there were such things as new Hall Effect switches with MX-compatible mounts, I'd burn a village to get them.
As of now, MX is the best I've got.

Nah. SKCM Green Alps are smoother imo. And they're attainable/usable now. But if you're stuck on MX mount, I'd go with lubed Gateron Blacks.

[Suruga Devil]

Probably Gaterons or vintage blacks. The smoothest linear switches aren't MX-compatible, though.

Yeah, if there were such things as new Hall Effect switches with MX-compatible mounts, I'd burn a village to get them.
As of now, MX is the best I've got.

Nah. SKCM Green Alps are smoother imo. And they're attainable/usable now. But if you're stuck on MX mount, I'd go with lubed Gateron Blacks.

Good to know. I've heard that Green Alps are smoother, but I've always taken that assessment with a grain of salt since there's probably a bias among Alps owners to how good the switches are. I can consider options, though finding keysets for Alps is supposedly a nightmare 

[CPTBadAss]

You asked a very subjective question. Should be prepared for a very subjective answer. No one has measured friction coefficients of switch stems yet so every answer will not be objective. Including mine....especially if I'm talking about Alps lol.

[Suruga Devil]

You asked a very subjective question. Should be prepared for a very subjective answer. No one has measured friction coefficients of switch stems yet so every answer will not be objective. Including mine....especially if I'm talking about Alps lol.

Very true. The consensus on MX-compatible switches seems to be that Gateron takes the crown in the linear department. I'll see how lubed Gateron Blacks work out, thank you all for your help!

[chyros]

Probably Gaterons or vintage blacks. The smoothest linear switches aren't MX-compatible, though.

Yeah, if there were such things as new Hall Effect switches with MX-compatible mounts, I'd burn a village to get them.
As of now, MX is the best I've got.

Nah. SKCM Green Alps are smoother imo. And they're attainable/usable now. But if you're stuck on MX mount, I'd go with lubed Gateron Blacks.

Good to know. I've heard that Green Alps are smoother, but I've always taken that assessment with a grain of salt since there's probably a bias among Alps owners to how good the switches are. I can consider options, though finding keysets for Alps is supposedly a nightmare 

Alps-mount is probably the second-easiest mount to get caps for. Although admittedly, it's a big difference with Cherries xD .

Alps are eally nice, but they're old AND susceptible to dust; not a great combination. This is a major reason why people's opinions on them vary, I think.

By the way, if you want linear Alps, you don't necessarily need greens. Even blacks, when linearised, are super smooth, just as good as greens IMO. Greens come in really cool boards though .

[Findecanor]

Aren't the linear Zealios already lubed?

[Suruga Devil]

Aren't the linear Zealios already lubed?

Oh, yeah, I just checked and they are. I'd honestly jump on them right away if there were any in stock, but for now the Gateron Blacks are coming in.

[Harms]

No one likes Gateron Red :O. My persona; fav

[Sifo]

Nixdorfs... wtf is this even a question

[jamster]

Depending on what you mean by MX-compatible, then Royal Kludge type Topre clones. The factory dental banded thing makes them feel very close to linear, and they are way smoother than Cherry switches. Compatible with normal key caps.

[mason]

1. Vintage blacks with stock springs

[pr0ximity]

Aren't the linear Zealios already lubed?

Oh, yeah, I just checked and they are. I'd honestly jump on them right away if there were any in stock, but for now the Gateron Blacks are coming in.

I might actually prefer unlubed ones. They're extremely smooth already, and the rebound feels different to me on my lubed and unlubed Gateron Blacks.

1. Vintage blacks with stock springs

Truth.

[mind_funeral]

Off topic, but do the Zealios tactile switches come lubed?

[davkol]

Yup.

[kekman]

fill the switch housings with jelly for that frictionless experience 

functionality not guaranteed