Zealio
 |
This article requires additional photographic illustration — clear, plus a family photo of clear and purple together |
| Manufacturer | Gateron |
|---|---|
| Family | Gateron KS-3 series |
| Product name | Zealio |
| Introduced | August 2015 |
| Switch type | Tactile; linear |
| Sense method | Metal leaf |
| Rated lifetime | 50 M |
| Keycap mount | Cherry MX mount |
| Switch mount | PCB mount, PCB mount |
| Website | zealpc.net/collections/switches/products/zealio |
The Zealio switch series are boutique key switches distributed solely by Zeal PC. They are clones of Cherry MX switches produced by Gateron. It includes tactile variants akin to Cherry MX Ergo Clear.
Description
The switches are manufactured exclusively for Zeal PC by Gateron, based on their KS-3 series. Unlike Gateron's regular switches, switches have been available with fully transparent housings and the springs are gold-plated. The transparency is supposed to help with backlighting and the gold-plating makes the springs resistant to corrosion which supposedly reduces friction when the keys are pressed.
The tactile variant's purple stem is less tight on keycaps than the Cherry MX Clear. The feel is reported to be smoother - even smoother than lubricated Ergo Clears. [1]
The top housing still carries the Gateron logo. The bottom mould and the tactile purple slider were custom made for Zeal PC.
There have been reports of the clear bottom melting more easily from the heat of a soldering iron than other switches. Zeal PC therefore now offers the purple switch also in a 65g variant with a milky bottom like regular Gaterons.
Variants
| Stem colour | Depicted | Type | Bottom-out weight | Bottom | Mount | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
Lavender | Round 6 | Tactile | 62 g | Transparent | PCB |
 |
Violet | Round 6 | Tactile | 65 g | Transparent | PCB |
 |
Translucent | PCB | ||||
 |
Plate | |||||
 |
Deep violet | Round 6 | Tactile | 67 g | Transparent | PCB |
 |
Deeper violet | Round 6 | Tactile | 78 g | Transparent | PCB |
 |
Translucent | Linear | 62 g | Transparent | PCB | |
|
65 g | |||||
|
67 g |
From round 2 onwards, the different weights use different pigmentation.[2]
Purple Zealios modified with heavier springs for use in the space bar or enter positions are called Deep Purples.
From group buy round 4 onwards, the stem wobble is supposed to have been reduced. [3]
The round 6 translucent PCB mount base is translucent white, while the plate mount base is translucent cream and distinctly darker.
Availability
Switches have become available in batches for pre-order. The first group-order run was started in August 2015[4]. It is now (as of Dec 2017) on its eighth run. There have been eight rounds of Zealios, with the switches currently being in round 8.
- Zeal PC's web site.
- Group orders on Geekhack.
- Group orders on Massdrop. For instance, they have been available as an option for the WhiteFox keyboard
References
- ↑ Keychatter.com: REVIEW: Project Zealio switches Posted on 2015-08-19. Retrieved 2015-08-20.
- ↑ Geekhack — [GB] R2 PURPLE ZEALIO SWITCHES (Complete)
- ↑ Geekhack: R4.5 Zealios/Zealencios/Zstabs quick & short GB. Dated 2016-12-31. Retrieved 2016-12-31.
- ↑ Geekhack – GB: PURPLE/CLEAR ZEALIO SWITCHES (Complete). Dated 2015-08-25. Retrieved 2016-11-08
