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The Gateron Luciola and HMX Snow Crash switches are both standard MX mechanical switches of the linear breed. They both feature POM stem material, standard stem shape, 2 mm pre-travel, however, they come with different top housing (Ink vs PA66), bottom housing (Ink vs PA66), spring (22 mm black-plated double-stage vs 22 mm KOS single-stage extended), actuation (55 g vs 50 g), bottom-out force (60 g vs 58 g), total travel (3.60 mm vs 4 mm). That said, they are not too similar. Let's check out this side-by-side specs rundawn with details, availability -- and even current prices -- to figure out which one fits you the best!
The Gateron Luciola is a linear standard MX mechanical switch with Ink top housing, Ink bottom housing, and POM stem (standard shape). It features a 22 mm black-plated double-stage spring. The 55g actuation occurs at 2mm. The 60g bottom-out occurs at 3.60mm. Luminescent housing. Factory lubing? Yes! Manufactured by Gateron. | The HMX Snow Crash is a linear standard MX mechanical switch with PA66 top housing, PA66 bottom housing, and POM stem (standard shape). It features a 22 mm KOS single-stage extended spring. The 50g actuation occurs at 2mm. The 58g bottom-out occurs at 4mm. Factory lubing? Yes! Designed by Keebscape.Co. Manufactured by HMX. |
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| Name | Gateron Luciola | HMX Snow Crash |
|---|---|---|
| Type | linear | linear |
| Footprint | 5-pin | 5-pin |
| Top housing | Ink | PA66 |
| Bottom housing | Ink | PA66 |
| Stem material | POM | POM |
| Stem shape | standard | standard |
| Spring | 22 mm black-plated double-stage | 22 mm KOS single-stage extended |
| Actuation | 55 g | 50 g |
| Bottom-out | 60 g | 58 g |
| Pre-travel | 2 mm | 2 mm |
| Total travel | 3.60 mm | 4 mm |
| Lube | Factory lubing? Yes! | Factory lubing? Yes! Newest batch: To prevent a mushy and muted bottom-out, only the leaves and springs are factory-lubed. Leaves are lubed with a thin coat of 205g0 and 105g0 mix, and springs are lubed with dry-film. The stem, bottom housing, and top housing are all dry. |
| Designer | - | Keebscape.Co |
| Manufacturer | Gateron | HMX |
By tracking prices and in-stock status of 30+ well-known keyboard stores worldwide, we can state that the Gateron Luciola is much more widely available, but the HMX Snow Crash is also available in stores.
Clicking the links below take you to some notable keyboard shops offering Gateron Luciola and HMX Snow Crash switches. When accepted, the prices indicated already include the discount - use the KBDNEWS coupon code at checkout to claim your saving!
Prices, discounts, and stock status are checked regularly; however, changes since the last update cannot be ruled out. Everything here is for informational purposes only. Check the product pages for the latest prices!
Gateron Luciola force curve | HMX Snow Crash force curve |
| No HMX Snow Crash force curve available. |
Comments on Gateron Luciola switches | Comments on HMX Snow Crash switches |
The Gateron Luciola switch is a linear switch with a housing made of a luminescent material that glows for a certain period of time even in dark places. This switch uses the same Ink V2 mold and material, but is pre-lubed via automatic equipment, and it sending out light green glow in the night – Coffeekeys. | HMX Snow Crash switch, designed by Keebscape, is the first ever rail bottom-out HMX switch. It has a full 4mm total travel, traditional PA66 housing and POM stem, and an effortless but clean color. Unlike the traditional HMX switches we know of, the Snow Crash switches don't have a super loud and clacky bottom-out sound since they bottom out on stem rails. They still have that extremely tight stem and near-to-zero stem wobble, but they don't suffer from the so-called syringe effect. The reason is that the stem pole does not go deep into the stem hole so less friction and resistance are created. They are super smooth although they are made with more traditional PA66 and POM, and this is all attributed to HMX's precise molding and factory lubrication – Unikeys. |
