A little review about Gateron 2nd gen linear switch (prior knowledge about old/vintage mx black is required)

I have heard Gateron since its 1st gen switch, I never really interested to it back then, prolly because no one praises it back then.
Until 2nd gen switch, it has caugh my attention especially dat-translucent-top-and-bottom switch.

The original translucent cover switch could be found from vintage Cherry keyboards,
such as translucent black switch, and translucent clear switch (linear).
Refer to the photo below is cherry mx translucent black (they are vintage by default, ignore the dirt)



So I just bought 300 pieces Gateron switch last week. Of the 300 switches,
200 are mx black-like with 65g actuation, 100 are mx clear-like linear type with 35g actuation.
According to official, lifespan of each switch is up to 50 million actuations.
Also credits to Yuksti telling me their feeling is identical to Mx vintage black then I have the urge to try it and compare on my own.

They arrived to my doorstep few days ago, and I took the opportunity today to fully tune it. #syukurholiday
The most basic about tuning are stickering and lubing the switch housing, stems, and spring (not really necessary).
Of course, the veteran would know how to "tune" so you get the "max" result in handling, or rather typing experience.

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Test
In this test I have simply picked two reference from Cherry mx switch, also tuned by myself using Krytox GPL 107 solution.

1. WYSE black switch. They are cheap to obtain (140 Chinese Yua per keyboard), but you have to desolder, harvest and wash by yourself.
2. Cherry G80-2551HAD vintage black switch. These cherry vintage keyboards black switch are the best of linear feel until now (same goes to translucent black)

Just to be fair in this comparison I have also fully lubed the gateron linear switch (black).
To my surprise, the "linear-ness" is almost same as vintage black. You could really feel the "emptiness" inside the switch housing.
Meaning that you literally can't feel any scratchiness at all. If you were given a blindest, I don't think you can even feel the difference.

Lubed wyse black is completely out of league in terms of feeling this time. The only good thing about it is much more economical obtain compared to "authentic" vintage black.
Besides, it is exhausting to harvest and wash every single switch in WYSE terminal keyboard.

Cost & Benefit
With the cost of Gateron switch at 1.30 Chinese Yuan each, it is a no-brainer.
VS. vintage black
You don't want to spend 6.00 yuan for one vintage black which you could get something cheap but same performance , do you ?
VS.WYSE black switch
Again, WYSE Keyboard is out of league in cost benefit. After paying 140 yuan solely for a keyboard, you are yet to pay agent for shipping your stuff to doorstep.
Then, it takes a lot of effort desolder and wash all of the switches available.
With all these cost added and what not, an average WYSE mx black could simply fetch more than 1.60 yuan, while Gateron, brand new switch is just 1.30 yuan, and it is far lighter with packaging.

Conclusion
I have been using Cherry vintage black switch two years ago and touched more than 10 keyboards with old/vintage linear switch.
Gateron 2nd gen linear switch is something spectacular. Not only it does the same feeling as Cherry vintage black, it is a lot more times cheaper as well.
For people using Cherry MX Red or the new Black, you will definitely feel the "smoothness, linear-ness" once you have changed all the switches.
FYI, the new linear switch in keyboard nowdays always feel scratchy due to new mold which Cherry has made.

Gateron switch mounted on my "lube station"


110 Gateron switches opened up


Stickering process