Choosing Your Oil King Switches Series Set

Don't select a keyboard color based on the color. Several hours of use will bring about a different feel, as all of its operating forces, tactile response, sound quality, travel distance and spring return play a part in that.

The GATERON Oil King Switches Series Set is an extension of the Oil King line of an already popular linear experience. It comes in three distinct variations: Pink Linear Silent, Purple Tactile Silent and Yellow Heavy Tactile offering three ways to get a different smoothness, feedback and noise level.

The most important question to ask is: What is to be communicated to the fingers with each stroke?

One Series is dedicated to three different Typing Priorities

The switches are identical in construction (POM stem, nylon top housing, Ink-material bottom housing, factory lubrication and a five pin construction). The commonalities provide the series with a solid foundation and ensure the continuity of its consistent tone and style of the Oil King family.

Their experiences, however, are to be different, though:

• Pink emphasize gentle and subtle motion.
• Purple is quieter with a definite ‘feel' to it.
• Yellow is more resistant and has more "feel".

The series can also be compared to the classic Oil King Linear Switch Set for those users who prefer to have the linear character of the original series.

Select Pink If you want to be heard the most.

Oil King Pink is a linear silent switch that has an operating force of 45gf ±15gf, a pre-travel of 2.0mm ±0.6mm and a total travel of 3.8mm. It doesn't make a feeler bump and its silent design dampens the noise of typing.

This makes the Pink suitable for the shared office, late night, stream rooms and home based work stations. It's also lighter so it won't make users as fatigued as they may be when typing continuously, but users who have previously pressed heavy switches may press it too easily at first.

Play "Pink" if there is a need to be quiet and easy to travel, and less concerned with physical feedback.

Selects the appropriate color for quiet tactile confirmation: Purple.

Oil King Purple tactile silent structure. The force at which it is operated is lower at 55±15gf and provides earlier feedback due to its shorter pre-travel of 1.5±0.5mm, which eliminates the need for the user to hear the bottom-out sound.

Purple is for writers, programmers, office users, or anyone who appreciates making every keystroke deliberate. It falls somewhere between the smooth Pink and the hefty Yellow: quieter than a traditional tactile switch, but more expressive than a linear switch.

Purple is a relatively simple switch for users that have previously used a standard tactile keyboard and are entering a noise sensitive workspace.

Select Stronger Control – Yellow

Oil King Yellow is a heavy tactile switch that has an operating force of 60±15gf, a pre-travel of 2.0±0.6mm and a total travel of 3.4mm. It offers with its greater resistance and definite tactile event, more intentional character to each press.

It's ideal for players who favor more of a "hard feel" or "double shot" touch, or who like to have more control over their gameplay. The higher pressure can decrease false presses, but can cause fatigue for light typists for extended periods of work.

Yellow isn't "just" a tactile choice. It appeals to the active resistance and confirmation users.

Materials shape more than just the way they look.

The POM stem lends low friction movement, the nylon upper housing and lower housing made of Ink-material provide stability and increase the bottom out quality. In addition to the machine's ability to create a more uniform product, factory pre-lubing also lessens the need to make manual modifications immediately following the machine's use.

The series also features a 20mm black-plated spring for a responsive return. Those who wish to explore GATERON's broader range of switches can make a comparison of other constructions using the full range of switches collection.

Make sure that the keyboard is compatible before ordering.

The Oil King series features a five-pin MX-style structure, and is compatible with plug-in LEDs. Look at the position of the PCB, the position of the plates and the position of the hot-swap socket and LED of the keyboard before buying.

There are 5 plastic positioning legs that are provided in a 5-pin switch, but this switch needs holes on the PCB to match the legs. Although the switch's pin count is important for mounting, it's not the only factor for typing quality, according to the GATERON guide for three-pin and five-pin switches.

If the switch is only designed to be three-pin then it may be possible to clip the extra plastic legs, but it is best to check compatibility before ordering.

Ensure that the Switch matches real use.

The lightest switch doesn't necessarily mean the best switch, and tactile feedback doesn't necessarily mean the most comfortable input method for typing. Labels are not as important as personal habits.

In your opinion, how well are these practical questions answered?

Is the keyboard going to be in close proximity to others?

Have a tendency to hit the wrong keys by accident?

Would you like a ride that's smooth or has a bump?

Is it more important to have long typing sessions or firm control?

Is there a support for 5 pin switches on your PCB?

If they are still not sure which switch they want, they can try out a few different switch sizes on a GATERON switch tester in order to fully understand what they need before investing in a board.

Final Recommendation

Select Pink for quietest and lightest feedback, Purple for balanced silent feedback and Yellow for firm, heavy feedback. The ideal Oil King Switches Series Set is the one that best fits the noise tolerance, finger strength and level of confirmation of the user.

Look at the specifications and don't choose based solely on them. Once you have either narrowed it down using specifications or determined how the switch should feel during your activities, which are most likely your work, play, or typing activities that take up the bulk of your day, then evaluate.

FAQ

Q1. What are some of the Oil King series switches?

This series consists of Pink Linear Silent, Purple Tactile Silent and Yellow Heavy Tactile switches. There are different options for balance of sound, force and feedback.

Q2. Which Oil King switch has the lowest noise?

Pink and Purple both have silent structures. Pink would be better for a smooth linear travel, Purple for tactile confirmation.

Q3. Oil King series switches are factory-lubed?

Yes. All three are factory pre-lubed to minimise friction and for consistent out-of-box performance.

Q4. Do these switches fit hot swap keyboards?

They are compatible to work with five-pin MX style hot-swap PCBs. Please be sure to check the configuration of the PCB holes and LED before ordering.

Q5. What is the most suitable choice for extended period of typing?

Pink is the lightest (least heavy) and Purple gives feedback without being heavy. The user's preference for linear or bumping motion will determine which is best.