Panda Linears (initial reaction)

[pixelpusher]

Hmm... So I got my pandas today.  Bought them off of 1upkeyboards since I wasn't a part of the original group buy.   Gotta say I'm not impressed at all.  Mine feel like a scratchier Cherry Black with a bit less resistance at the bottom, what I imagine a Gateron yellow spring might feel like (although I haven't tried yellows so I'm not quite sure)

Long story short, I think Gateron Blacks are friggin amazeballz and was hoping that pandas were going to be even better... not close in my book.

I have the switches in a plate with caps and haven't soldered yet, but I don't think it's going to happen.  I believe I'll be pulling these out and reselling them

[loud_asian]

have you been keeping up with what other have said about them? It seems like pandas need a break in period before they're smooth

[pixelpusher]

have you been keeping up with what other have said about them? It seems like pandas need a break in period before they're smooth

I have heard that.  I also have never experienced a switch changing much after even years of use. Granted, my oldest board has Cherry Browns and I've only had it for 3 years.  But I do type on it a lot.  I wouldn't say they "break in"... more like, you get used to them.

Like the Cherry silent switches in my Filco at work, they are SUPER scratchy, but I've gotten used to them. 

[klennkellon]

have you been keeping up with what other have said about them? It seems like pandas need a break in period before they're smooth

Isn't this the case with pretty much all switches? If you give a scratchy ol' MX Black some heavy use it's just as good as a vintage.

[OfTheWild]

The "break in" is not because the plastic is changing (the plastic in the pandas are superior to most other switches) but the fact that the lube that was put in them is 1. minimal to the point of probably needing a bit more and 2. not spread out on the stem properly.

The panda is a very different switch from the gateron black. 67g spring with low tolerances vs. 50g spring and what tolerances. I agree though gateron blacks are beautiful switches if its slippery smooth that you're after.