Hi,
Welcome back!
I had a similar experience [started in 2018, was experimenting with Kailh Pro Purple and others, as Zealio V1 was going out-of-production]. Things like HP and Zealio V2 were coming in just when I was trying to find nicer medium and light-tactiles.
Thanks to Durock and some other manufacturers, we got light-and-medium-tactile renaissance during the pandemic.
Yes, Meteor Oranges were an early decent light-tactile than can be made better. 60 G Spirit Extremes are definitely too far! Even 14mm 55 G TX springs are decent enough with these. I found that those 55 G springs seemed punchier somehow than the stock springs!
But I also tried 60 G TX long. It was heavier than stock, but not obnoxious. You may wish to try that.
I am going to repost a builder’s experimentation with Meteor Orange for your and @Alders benefit:
You can see the variant I chose, but others may prefer those using replacement springs.
I agree completely about Durock Light Tactiles. I wanted to like them so much. Everybody is recommending them, and many like them. But I find the same problems - I don’t know what to expect when I press down on them. There does seem to be inconsistency, possibly with the factory-lube. And the shape of the tactility may present issues with actuation, just as with Zealio V2.
I suppose if I wanted better DLTs, I would have to buy unlubed Cotton Candy switches [nylon housing] and then see to it that they are very carefully and consistently lubed. Even then, I may not like the shape of the tactility.
So DLTs so far are not the solution to the problem.
Zealio V1R wants to be a medium-tactile, so it’s not an ideal Brown-replacement. However, I find that with some lubing and use of 14mm 60 G TX springs, they can be brought closer to a Brown. This makes them maybe palatable for light-tactile typists. [Also, use a PC plate.]
VERY interesting about Gateron Phantom Browns. I believe you, since I know that G Pro 3.0 are okay. Maybe a chance to try them on 11.11
On the subject of long-poles, I certainly have been along that journey a little. They became the ‘de facto’ switch since last year or so.
There are long-pole light-tactiles to choose from, and you seem to know of them. The Blueberry Chiffons have a decent bump. But I bought V1 with the noisy leaves, so the factory-lube doesn’t always cover it. V2 is alleged to have improved this.
I suspect that the Blueberry Chiffon is more of a light-medium or even medium-tactile unlubed. But once drenched with lube, it resembles more a top-mounted Brown, kind of like a Pro Purple. The long-pole isn’t too obnoxious, but you do notice it.
I’m gonna cut to the chase here - tried several long-pole light-tactiles and others.
If you enjoy light-tactiles, you might actually enjoy long-pole linears more than these. The long-pole already gives you a ‘feedback’ [albiet after activation] similar to that of light-tactiles. In testing various switches, stock OUTEMU Boba LT were more enjoyable than many light-tactiles.