Switches
I'm going to do short write ups of all the switches I have, excluding the few clicky ones, I don't like them :P
A lot of these switches I only have 1-5 of, so I can't do actual typing tests.
I will try to also include official manufacturer data where I can.
Linear Switches
Cherry Speed Silver
Very commmon switches, can serve as somewhat as a baseline for comparing linear switches, though they have shorter travel than usual (thus "Speed" Silver).
Pretty light, but very scratchy, rattling, and loud. Every part of the movement is noisy, you can hear plastic on plastic, the spring is audible if you listen closely and in general it sounds very bright and plasticky.
Perfectly adequate, but nothing special.
Tech specs
According to the manufacturer's website
| Measurement | gf/mm |
|---|---|
| Initial Force | 30 |
| Final Force | 100 |
| Actuation Force | 45 |
| Initial Travel | 1.2 |
| Total Travel | 3.4 |
Pictures
TODOKailh Deep Sea Silent Pro Box Linear Islet
What a name. I'll Just call it "Deep Sea Linear".
These are as far from clicky as you can get.
They are very smooth and sooooo quiet. You have to put your ear right next to them to hear the actual motion. They do make a tiny bit of sound bottoming out and coming back up. When pressed with force they make a satisfying thock.
All in all a drastic difference from the Cherry Silvers in sound and feel, and probably a little lighter. They have the same actuation force according to the spec sheet, but the graphs make these look they have a lot flatter force curve line.
Perfect for people who want light, linear, and quiet. I like them a lot, though I don't know if I'd like *typing* on them.
Tech specs
According to the manufacturer's website
| Measurement | gf/mm |
|---|---|
| Actuation Force | 45 |
| Initial Travel | 1.8 |
| Total Travel | 3.6 |
Pictures
TODOGateron Oil King
Shorter but worse name.
Veeery smooth, smoother even than the Deep Sea Linear. A bit louder and brighter-sounding than the Deep Sea Linear, not as thocky, but still very pleasant compared to the Cherry Silvers. Takes notably more force to press, too.
If you *hate* scratchy switches, and want something a little heavier.
Tech specs
According to the manufacturer's website
| Measurement | gf/mm |
|---|---|
| Actuation Force | 55 |
| Initial Travel | 2.0 |
| Total Travel | 4.0 |
| Spring Size | 20 |
Pictures
TODOGateron Smoothie
As the name suggests, very smooth! Maybe even smoother than the Oil King? Or maybe that's just the lighter spring.
It's a bit louder and brighter-sounding than the Oil King, but still pleasant, especially compared to the Cherry Silvers. Notably lighter than either one.
It is quite a bit louder than the Deep Sea Linear, with more of a bright clack compared to the Deep Sea's thock. It is a little lighter to press.
For those who want the lightest and smoothest operation.
Tech specs
According to the manufacturer's website
| Measurement | gf/mm |
|---|---|
| Actuation Force | 40 |
| Initial Travel | 2.0 |
| Total Travel | 3.6 |
| Spring | 22 |
Pictures
Gateron G Pro 1.0 White
Very light, semi-scratchy, as loud as the Cherry Silvers but less rattly. Lighter to press than the Gateron Smoothie, but nowhere near as smooth, and with more of a click sound than a clack sound.
Apparently these are not factory-lubed, which even the Cherry Silvers claim to be.
Tech specs are the same as the 3.0 below.
Pictures
TODOGateron G Pro 3.0 White
Very similar to the 1.0 above but quite a bit smoother, and a little quiter, and less bright-sounding. A small but significant improvement.
Get these if you need the lightest possible switch, otherwise I don't see any reason to take these over the Smoothies.
Tech specs
According to the manufacturer's website
| Measurement | gf/mm |
|---|---|
| Actuation Force | 38 |
| Initial Travel | 2.0 |
| Total Travel | 4.0 |
Pictures
TODOGateron G Pro 3.0 Yellow
Like the 3.0 in White but heavier. The sound is a little deeper, but it's no thock.
Tech specs
According to the manufacturer's website
| Measurement | gf/mm |
|---|---|
| Actuation Force | 50 |
| Initial Travel | 2.0 |
| Total Travel | 4.0 |
Pictures
TODOGateron G Pro 3.0 Silver
Like the Whites, but a little heavier, and notably shorter travel.
Significantly improved over the Cherry Silver they are modeled after.
Tech specs
According to the manufacturer's website
| Measurement | gf/mm |
|---|---|
| Actuation Force | 45 |
| Initial Travel | 1.2 |
| Total Travel | 3.4 |