Easing Into Linears

I see that black inks are very popular, but not that much red inks.
Is there anything different between them, except the actuation force?

I don’t think so. I plan to grab some samples of them eventually to compare them to the others I have because I’m curious, too. I’m guessing they are less popular because of the loud color - I think it could be awesome on some builds but black / gray go with almost everything.

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The day we started color matching the switch to the build is

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If possible I try to even match the switch films! :joy:

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Ha, same. A few weeks ago I took apart a whole board of switches to better match the films on a client board (and also because the clear films don’t distort as much as the rubbery gaskets).

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Dang y’all really go for it haha, I just got like one of each of the tx film colors and just like randomly grab one when I need one… when the pile I have out is low I’ll just dump a new one too so I usually end up with some random ones per board too

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They make it so easy! My imagination runs wild with all the possible color combos.

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Buy transparent films for piece of mind.

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or just throw all the colors in the same bag and just take what you get randomly :thinking:

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Perfect for the NK65 Milkshake Edition!

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or a handarboard

Wasn’t sure where else to mention this; just mounted some Gateron Yellows the other day having never used them before, and I really do like them. (Black housing version) For all the extra-nice linears I keep around, none sound or feel quite like these do. The mild, consistent texture in the travel pairs well with the same quality in the GMK plate mount stabs I’m using. With skating-smooth switches I was never happy with how those stabs felt because they stood-out, but this I like. It reminds me of a more mild version of the Cream’s texture.

For all the switches I’ve collected over the years, I think this might actually be my first set of linears in black nylon housings, and I do like how they absorb some of the higher-frequency vibrations compared to polycarb and such. The stabilized keys sound especially nice.

Anyway - I’ve been wondering what makes Gat yellows the budget kings, and now I know. (They also make for a great referential base-line for when folks I’m building for are deciding how much they want to spend on switches.)

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I’ve been thinking about revisiting Gateron Yellow. I was too deep into tactiles to appreciate them first time around. Now that I’m deep into linears, I may give them another go. I’ve no idea where the first batch went. Likely butchered as parts for some frankenstein switch lurking in the dark.

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Those are great switches when lubed (I own milky top ones).
Still has to try any JWK variant to compare but for me I can’t feel any scratchiness issue.

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I’ve had lubed Gat yellows and blacks in a few boards for a couple of years, and if I wasn’t chasing the diminishing returns dragon for linear switches, I could easily be satisfied in all aspects (but where is the fun in that).

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Ye, Gateron Yellow will most likely be my next purchase, I’m curious about that spring everyone praises. :yum:

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Or if you have linears around that you like but want a Gat Yellow feel, pick up the new 16mm “long” springs from TX and you’ll get a similar experience. I think the 62g ones would fit best, but you could go 65g as well.

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Thx for the tip! :+1:
But I actually need that milky top and white bottom for some frankenswitches I’m planning to make.

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Yes I’ve had the same experience in regards to mx reds being subpar for typing. Well actually the silent reds. I have a board with mx silent reds for work and though they are very quiet, I find the actuation force way too low. It could be because I’m used to NK Blueberries in my home board but I have the same issue of barely resting my fingers and it will actuate. Maybe I just type like a caveman.

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Thic Thock DL series 62g gives a similar experience also, did used them on Gat Blacks with close results.

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