Keyboard Switches You've Never Heard of

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ZealPC switches: zealpc.net/
KBDFans: kbdfans.com/collections/switches
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[@optimumtech]

Down the rabbit hole we go!

[@asphyxxia]

The endgame is a lie. Welcome to the club

[@spidermain]

I have E8.5 and GMK camping R2 coming my way soonTM

[@StefanKamer]

The rabbit hole is VERY real! I'm diving into it right now as well (also got the Tofu 60% with DZ60). So, if you like your Linears, things to look into are HHHH H1's (this can be kinda heavy though), Alpacas, C3 Tangerines V2, and Durock Linear L-Series switches (the difference in the L-Series is purely stem color).

[@joeltacorda]

What switch tester is that? I love that thing and the keycaps!

[@nazarie]

I'm pretty pumped for my Lekker keyboard and switches. The analog actuation ability has SO much potential.

[@TaeKeyboards]

Come join the aus community 😎

[@kaitoharrison872]

Hey, just recently subscribed to you. I bought my first mech (Tecware Phanthom L) thanks to your video. Though I choose Brown Instead of Blue.

[@wildfiregaming8252]

Hey like you vids lol

[@edouqrd946]

ʎʇᴉunɯɯoɔ snɐ ǝɥʇ uᴉoɾ ǝɯoƆ

[@mami1330]

You guys sound the same

[@Aidan-wu2ec]

@@kaitoharrison872 good choice. Blues = Fortnite switch

[@allen6778]

ONE OF US ONE OF US ONE OF US ONE OF US

[@pretzel3779]

ONE OF US

[@myfrostycore]

He's one of us ...

[@noahcordier7002]

Yes

[@dyno269]

ONE OF US ONE OF US

[@ktzplayz2601]

yes

[@JadonHan]

Lol

[@labibsaud8064]

ONE OF US ONE OF US ! ONE OF US ONE OF US ! ONE OF US ONE OF US!

[@alhadjiril]

into the r/mk rabbithole we go

[@xXDarthBagginsXx]

Safer than the r/mechmarket rabbit hole lol

[@baammm3871]

@@xXDarthBagginsXx $300-400 keycaps, $1.50 per switch, $800 or more cases. Yep definitely safer on your wallet

[@phusitchaiphatikul9610]

@@zdawgdawgdawg9204 implying you can get Keycult for retail(which is really unlikely) mechmarket is sort of where you can get highend cases, though they come are reallllly high premium

[@baammm3871]

@@zdawgdawgdawg9204 good luck finding any of that for that price on r/mm man LOL

[@spray6193]

@@zdawgdawgdawg9204 send a link then to the person who is selling a no.2/65 keycult for retail price 👍

[@ferariforest6073]

1:18 NK Blueberry 2:13 Zealios 3:25 Zilent 4:08 Box Jades 4:50 NK Creams 5:30 Lasers 6:32 Gateron Black Inks 7:11 Tealios

[@izmi8059]

All hail the ferariforest.

[@epixxor3468]

"Lesser known" and "NK Creams" hahaha

[@jacksonspencer2707]

At least Holy Pandas were spared that title

[@donkeytrash1969]

@@jacksonspencer2707 lol. He thinks novel creams aren't popular

[@arcanum3882]

I mean, most people have never heard of them. Most gamers for that matter.

[@franciscovazloupa7655]

That's kinda funny

[@HaHa-gg9dl]

@@arcanum3882 gamers rise up

[@solitajre222]

This is absolutely one of your best videos ever made. The macro shots panning/zooming slowly. The crisp and perfect focus of the shots. Amazing overlaid editing and information. Just fantastic!

[@dingo4601]

I first started watching optimum tech when he had 60k subs, now he is closing in on 300k, Amazing how this channel is growing... Keep up the good work man.

[@fridtjoftienken5075]

I started at 25k but he grew so fast😅😂 I guess just great Content

[@SavoyerMatt]

Now we wait for the "I just expended $10k in group buys and now Im broke." video

[@spencernorth2949]

Lol

[@adamkija6895]

This video is serioulsy dangerous for my wallet

[@1ace1000]

Agreed. Seriously... Sooooo tempting...

[@lachlanhempell]

@@1ace1000 yep, 500aud gone

[@Aidan-wu2ec]

You can make a keyboard for like 100$ doe... Gateron Milky Yellows, GK61x/GK64x, and some cheap keycaps from KBDfans.com (you can also get the switches from KBDfans.com)

[@hachi497]

@@Aidan-wu2ec Milky Yellows are the best budget switch out there. I even have a $350 build with Milky Yellows in it.

[@Aidan-wu2ec]

@@hachi497 yeah milky blacks are really good too

[@Pliko121]

Your ability to create videos of topics that some of us are currently looking into is uncanny! Just purchased Gateron Ink and Everglide switches. 10/10 video as always!

[@TarekAlShawwa]

Bro the shots in these videos are literal art

[@JosePerez-wu5kb]

1:58 - Blueberry 3:13 - Zelios 3:54 - Zilent 4:14 - Jade 5:22 - Creams 5:57 - Cyan 6:00 - Pink 6:56 - Ink Blacks 7:38 - Telios V2 8:28 - Sakurios 8:31 - Roselios 8:34 - Helios

[@ArslanKhan-tf4xp]

truly the tip of the iceberg when you consider the effects of different lube, adding films, swapping springs and frankenstein switches.

[@donkeytrash1969]

... adding different lubes and film is still the top of the iceberg

[@HaHa-gg9dl]

@@donkeytrash1969 Whats the bottom then?

[@donkeytrash1969]

Swapping springs and Frankensteining switches

[@leonqu5729]

@@donkeytrash1969 I'd say you could consider filming and lubing more of a middle of the road, with the tip being finding all the different ones and using em stock

[@MarcoSpelta85]

1:55 and overall these are fairly smooth switch 2:00 blueberries screaming in scratches

[@flyingchic3n]

Ive always been interesting in building a mechanical keyboard myself, but Ive always been so overwhelmed by the plethora of options and opinions. I really appreciate these videos, you do a great job summing up just the best stuff

[@specialA8D]

When I saw this I was so sure Holy Pandas were going to make an appearance :(

[@JitsKamps]

It is not an off the shelf switch so I get why it is not in the video

[@Allsurrender]

jits Kamps It could be on the shelf, considering how Drop is pushing GB and GB and ppl still have a high demand on it (when there’s better/interesting alternative around). Drop probably make it available just like their halo switches for all those bucks b4 ppl discover other cheaper and nicer alternatives.

[@nate2604]

There not off the shelf switches. Just I'm a little surprised that halo switches didn't at least get a mention.

[@zon6158]

but it isnt lesser known at all

[@derrickf8053]

The silence on the sakurios is no joke. Seriously quiet and perfect for the office. A little scratchy if unlubed but still generally smooth.

[@beatrice6509]

Impressive attention to detail there, choosing different objects in the background to go with the switch colors :o Great video as always!

[@mitchell2719]

> You've Never Heard of I accept your challenge Love to see you getting into keyboards!

[@donkeytrash1969]

Exactly what i thought

[@overloss1237]

Will say that this is by far the best custom mech video from a video quality point of view. Loving the macro shots and quality!

[@cheng1991]

Man, your videos are so clean, always a feast for the eyes!

[@haurjie]

I'm going to shout out your channel in one of my next videos since I'm building my first mini-ITX system, working with a 3900X with B550. You've inspired me to do it. Thank you, keep up the great work!

[@randallcromer66]

Wow, I don't even have a clue that there were so many different choices when it came to keyboard switches. Thank's for the information I appreciate it. ✊😉👍

[@swirle13]

There are tons more than this haha. The recent trend in switches are color themed switches like serika colored switches, the two Mito Laser colored in this video, alpacas are themed to match SA Bliss, homerow co colored switches, etc

[@nate2604]

Just wait till you find out about Frankenswitches

[@1ava]

this is just the tip of the iceberg

[@AmpedZWeb]

The best switches options video I’ve seen yet. Roselios are my next switches. Pure silence.

[@philipps4322]

Custom mech keyboards are where it’s at! 🙌🏼 Love your videos!

[@Polymath2B]

Thanks so much! I desperately needed a good side by side comparison of the zelios and the zilents, I think I’m going with 67g zilents :)

[@e_yiizy]

I'm currently on the Gateron Silent Black Inks lubed with 205g0 and filmed with clear film. Definitely one of the top switches on the market.

[@abmeight08]

My personal favourite is Gateron Red Ink. Its very smooth and the acoustic is pleasing too. I can understand why you like Black Ink.

[@steben7164]

yeah ive heard of every single one of these and not just heard, but have experience with em, quite nice switches

[@grendel3115]

bruh optimum has literally every niche for geeks on the internet. I LOVE IT

[@marcellkovacs5452]

I spent weeks trying to decide between Cherry Browns and Blues. I'm glad I didn't find out about the other 1524 options.

[@jamesgreene6207]

Built my keeb with Sakuraba the other day and im absolutely loving it

[@sopek1427]

I realised he has a different mat for the background, pink, orange, grey & table white. Just the minor details that makes it nice to watch.

[@etmargallo]

Amazing video, awesome comparisons... love this channel 👍

[@EJRodriguez1]

I went both sides of the spectrum not too long ago with some Kailh box Jades and Zeal pc Healios. The Healios really made me want to explore silent switches more so i recently purchased some Kailh box silent browns. Gotta say these are my favorite switch yet.

[@mohammadimad]

this guy just keeps bringing new content by surprise every video. just like corona virus

[@davidl5852]

My baby Zealios V2s 😍 I love them so muchhh

[@Moshenokoji]

I've been using Kaihl speed copper for my wasd, shift, control, and alt keys and Kaihl speed bronze for the rest and been loving it.

[@JacobZimmerman0]

What’s the idea there? More tactile feedback for WASD or something?

[@ap4702]

@@JacobZimmerman0 And lower actuation distance

[@TriconPOE]

I thought the title was wrong until I heard of the sakurios/roselios! Thanks for the video!

[@dyno269]

Thinking about this, you may help a lot our hobby thanks to this, and possibly future, videos by getting more people into Custom Keyboards I mean, I started getting into SFF builds because of this channel, and shortly after a brand like NZXT release on the market a wildly available and good quality ITX case Imagine how much can change the Custom scene if mainstream brands decide to get into this seeing that there is a lot of new people getting into the hobby! Makes me excited for the future!

[@lcarn500]

I got hooked on to ITX PCs and keyboards while watching your videos. Damn, what an expensive habit!

[@llaumegui]

This video is beautiful, nice colors !

[@rafindeed]

Laughs in r/mk

[@adamkija6895]

Muahhahah.. do you think he's one of us?

[@kcfish4862]

Definitely one

[@BigChimpEnergy]

Laughs in r/mm

[@mikeoxlong918]

Wonderful video as always

[@P8qzxnxfP85xZ2H3wDRV]

I'm still looking for a keyboard with special stabilizers, so that the backplate can be completely closed. With floating keys. A mechanical keyboard focussed on hygiene. That you can easily blow out daily and properly clean each week, without disassembly (more than just pulling off the keycaps).

[@TheMOTP]

I chose Gaterons Red, waiting for them to arrive. Just like ink black they are buttery smooth (according to the reviews). Gonna lube them with 205g0, case is Tofu 60 black and Black-Dye PBT keycaps. Can't wait I'm so excited :P

[@flarbles7631]

Ever considered putting some of your awesome shots on flickr as wallpapers?

[@Kyuzi]

@J Hemphill THAT IS GRINDR

[@Altis1]

Went down the rabbit hole myself recently. Ended up going with the Gateron Ink Black V2 backed up with a brass plate. I know lube and filming wasn't necessary but I did it anyways. It was tedious but worth it.

[@ggwptech]

currently rocking lubed gateron milky yellows and zealios on two of my keyboards. going down the rabbit hole!

[@KyranOh]

Absolutely love my NK Creams. Favorite linear

[@xXBallsackGamingXx]

I am getting these as well. Do you think they are scratchy? Are they light enough for gaming?

[@DonnyDonnMendoza]

After the Kailh Box Jades, there's the Box Navys which takes the tactility and the click to the next level! I can't wait for my Box Navys to arrive! I might try those Mito Laser Pinks or Gateron Ink Blacks next as the rest of my family are going to hate it when I use the Box Navys LOL!!!

[@NolzXD]

I think it would've been cool if you had included some of the newer linear switches, like the alpacas/mauves, H1s, tangerine v2s etc. Still a great video though!

[@fakeyhero]

Love the video. I just wanted to know where did you get the switch tester kit

[@johnstjohn4705]

I like the feel of Kailh Box Jades, and Zealios V2s are great, but they can't compete with Drop Holy Pandas, which for me are heavenly.

[@velociroger]

PSA for people that want to try switches with POM housings (NK creams/blueberries): the housing requires some break in to be as smooth as zeal or ink switches. This also means that if you use them normally, they'll break in at different rates. If you care about the switch consistency, I recommend a hotswap board so you can rotate your switches to even out their use.

[@AZEOforreal]

Sakurios are another worldly smooth. Love them for gaming, or when im doing my school work in the library. Its so nice

[@cinialvespow1054]

you bring your mech keyboard to the library? How do?

[@AZEOforreal]

@@cinialvespow1054 look up sakurios typing test lubed. You'll understand. I bring it for school work

[@sebastianlugo5613]

I've contemplated creams and inks for the past week or so. Going for the inks. Thanks!

[@mitchell2719]

Check out TaehaTypes' linear switch comparison video. It's got creams, black inks, tangerines, tealios, and a couple other high end options, as well as a few blind sound tests

[@sebastianlugo5613]

@@mitchell2719 will do thanks

[@mrscotchguy]

So far my favorites are Invyr Boba housong with the UHMWPE linear stems.

[@febrianadji5758]

Starting to know mechanical switches from this week by having an outemu orange switches keyboard It's quite light with 50g force iirc

[@synchromatik]

_Next lvl video quality has entered mech keyboard community space_

[@drew.k2385]

Thumbnail looks so nice

[@henovesse]

love this kb contents

[@reviewforthetube6485]

All switches I actually have heard of lol but def a good videp not many people do videos like this anymore so thanks for that buddy

[@asthmaticrhino]

Other weird/good switches to check out. Some of these unfortunately aren't as readily available: Durock T1s: kinda in-between holy pandas and Zealios, have these on my main kb rn. Only available through group buy atm Keebwerk's Tacit switch: basically a silenced t1, im still waiting on these to ship. Hako Royal Trues/Clears: weird as fuck but a great typist switch. They use the Novelkeys box Royal tactile bump, but the spring is actually nonlinear progressive to mimic topre. It doesn't actually feel like topre, but you end up with a sharp tactile bump and then your fingers get "cushioned" by the increasing spring before you bottom out. Terrible for gaming. Clears have the lighter actuation force, they both bottom out at a fairly heavy 85g from the force curves I've found. C3 Tangerines: just a really solid linear, less thunky than creams. Gateron silent inks: a really smooth silent linear. Otemu sky/ice: sharper but the same amount of tactility as Zealios if that makes sense, the tactile bump happens over a shorter travel distance. There are mild differences between the ice and sky. I know forsure there's a silenced version of the sky as well Novelkeys Box Royal: the most tactile switch ever that's not clicky. Maybe too tactile. But damn if you don't know where the bump is. Aliaz silent tactiles: these I actually love recommending to newcomers. They have a more subtle tactile bump. I'd call them "more tactile silent browns" the bump is more noticable than cherry browns, esp in the 70 and 80 gram weight, but theyre also silenced, and as such nicer for office use. Do they have an especially sharp or large bump? no, but it gives you enough tactility to function well as feedback. Down the rabbit hole indeed lol...

[@sacresful3827]

durocks t1 aren't only available in groupbuy, they're literally in durock store on aliexpress, aswell as koala switches. comparing creams to tangeries lol

[@thomaslam778]

How to lubricate keyswitches video next? Would be cool to have a comparison (sound, feeling) of all the ways to lube the switches (TaehaTypes, u/hbheroinbob etc.) with different types of lube.

[@Lem0nwtf]

The best part of this video is that he used the same chassey for each switch. Most videos like this use different cases so you can't tell which switch you actually like the sound of

[@di5funk7ional]

i have the Laser Gateron switches on my Drop Alt Dusk with Manfred keys....FIRE!!!!

[@kevadu]

But I've heard of all of these... BTW, a bit of smooth pre-travel before the tactile/clicky bump is not necessarily a bad thing. Some of use quite prefer things that way.

[@1ava]

no one cares

[@hongyuangao8334]

Wish this video has come out one year ago so I didn't have to check these switches one by one. Great job. Would you like to have another video about lubrication?

[@delduked]

I have the tada68 in cast aluminum case with zealios 65g.... Best board ever

[@MrJulestark]

the kailbox seems soooo tempting 😦

[@MrGTbadboy]

Excellent channel. Can you put up a part list for making one of these? Also links to buy the parts. Your channel is pure art and very elegant. Thanks.

[@DeRock401]

I just returned my corsair k70 platinum with the cherry mx speed switches cuz I hated it. I'm now using a roccat 122 Aimo with brown switches and I love it

[@tarokamara23]

I literally want to invite this dude to my house and build a setup together

[@user-on2oh9mt9m]

I love your chanel keep making videos!!!

[@RafalBorowski]

When I started my mech keyboard obsession I went with Cherry. Favorite were Browns and Blues. I had gaterons and kailhs and they are all ok (sometimes less consistent imo) but recently I got into Kailh Box (Navy, Jade and Heavy Burnt Orange) and they are all awesome.

[@louisgarbour2737]

Try Box Royals. They're so so tactile I love them so much

[@RafalBorowski]

@@louisgarbour2737 Yeah I know they're basically 10g heavier Navy or Jades... I don't remember now of top of my head...

[@dtheo.1]

just got the heavy burnt oranges a few days ago and they’re great! what’s your experience with them?

[@RafalBorowski]

@@dtheo.1 Overall? Great. But let's face it... they are not for everyone. They are heavy AF :P I mean cherry blues are like a feather in comparecement. I started my obsession 10 years ago so now I have several (still not nearly enough) keyboards to pick from. Sometimes I switch when I get beer on them and have to switch and get the patient under shower, IPA spray and to dry... but lately I have just switched back to.... well... kailh browns (I gave my cherry browns to my 10 yo daughter since she asked me so I gave her the cherry not khail and don't have the heart to take it back so... :P) But yeah... they are great.... each key to their own... they all have their charm. They are like pokemon... eventually you gotta catch them all :P EDIT: Well khail browns for pc but I have 2 keyboards nearby since 2nd is connected to raspberry pi 4 (even though I have mobile remote control and access via ssh) and it's cherry blue. And as for the beer... sometimes it's just my wife sitting nearby and gesturing too much and flicking my cup of coffee on my keyboard so... it's not always me :P As for experience... All work great, different strokes for different folks. Longevity? Orange dunno, dry till now. Cherry flooded over 10-15 times... showered, IPA, dried... work as new... khail same but like... 5 times only.

[@zythepdx217]

I wanna try more of the box switches, been using jade box for 1.5 loving it

[@Democrab]

Polyoxymethylene(POM) isn't self-lubricating it doesn't turn into a powder/dry grease when it rubs against something(this is a use of graphite powder btw) it kinda just fills the holes when it rubs against something but it is hardly ever noticeable and can make fully POM switches very scratchy unlubed so yes little Timmy use your Tribosis 3203 on these NK switches

[@Silky_boi]

I need a cherry Mx “Ultra Green” with 120g of actuation force!

[@metameow1]

buy 120g springs on aliexpress and change them xD

[@cristivoiculescu96]

My wallet: heh heh, I'm in danger *nervous sweating*

[@Kvantum]

Typing this response from an Ergodox-EZ outfitted with Kailh/Novelkeys BOX Navies, aka Jades on steroids. 60g actuation, 90g bottom-out. Next-best thing to buckling springs (well, next-loudest, at any rate.)

[@NicoVolij]

0:02 i have that exact same keyboard and am i so happy to get my tofu

[@ssj_brownie6447]

Wow I actually thought there would be some switches I hadn’t heard of

[@samdavenport6604]

Any chance we can get some of these photos like the thumbnail to download as a wallpaper?

[@Iryuushen]

I'm extremely into the Zilent and Sakurios, Roselios and Healios rn (love them silent switches) maybe I'll try to build one. Do you by any chance have guide to build a wireless one? Or get a wireless keyboard and change the switches?

[@MrRambee]

Okay, as a radiologist who types all day, I definitely require an upgrade from my razer huntsman.

[@dementaeia]

1:20 NK Blueberry 2:23 ZealPC Zealios 3:27 ZealPC Zilents 4:11 Kailh Thick Clicks 4:49 NK Cream 7:12 ZealPC Healios V2

[@francescodiliso6402]

which are your favourite switch ? (clicky, tactile or linear )

[@TheJarJarKinks]

Just when I thought I'd collected enough information to make a choice, you're making me rethink my choice to go for tactile switches for my first real foray into this stuff. Don't know enough to know what I prefer. I've been dipping my toes into custom keyboards, so I'm, like, halfway between a normie and an enthusiast (so I've heard of, like, 60% of these).

[@dyno269]

Time for a part 2 featuring Alpacas, Holy Pandas, H1s and more xD

[@augiespear8804]

ATLAST another keyboard video

[@kasupjoo]

im curious to find out how far the cinematography of a tour guide for pc hw can get

[@nikolasapple2100]

Very satisfying video

[@gchyll2]

You should check out c3 tangerine and alpaca (which also have silent variants) linear switches..they are currently sold out though

[@jtechmkb]

great video. keeping the keyboard community rolling. :)

[@natelifts9284]

could you review the silk switches?

[@ThunderDraws]

hmm these Roselios look nice - my gateron silent yellows are a bit scratchy(well some of them are), maybe I should lube them

[@Cenzurat]

that's a rather bold assumption, but yah you're right and I also think it's weird to be informed on this subject, now I'm weirder, thanks a lot!

[@TheFakeKevKev]

You should review the HUANO Smoky White Advanced Tactile switch! They seem like extremely good budget tactile switches