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The HMX Firecracker and HMX Retro J switches are both standard MX mechanical switches of the tactile breed. They both feature standard stem shape, - g , - mm , 2.50 mm pre-travel, however, they come with different top housing (P3 vs PC), bottom housing (P6 vs Nylon PA66), stem material (POK vs POM), spring (22 mm single-stage KOS vs single-stage extended KOS), actuation (40 g vs 36 g), bottom-out force (58 g vs 55 g), total travel (3.50 mm vs 3 mm). That said, they are only slightly 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 HMX Firecracker is a tactile standard MX mechanical switch with P3 top housing, P6 bottom housing, and POK stem (standard shape). It features a 22 mm single-stage KOS spring. The 40g actuation occurs at 2.50mm. The 58g bottom-out occurs at 3.50mm. Factory lubing? Yes! Designed by Yowzers. Manufactured by HMX. | The HMX Retro J is a tactile standard MX mechanical switch with PC top housing, Nylon PA66 bottom housing, and POM stem (standard shape). It features a single-stage extended KOS spring. The 36g actuation occurs at 2.50mm. The 55g bottom-out occurs at 3mm. Factory lubing? Yes! Designed by HMX. Manufactured by HMX. |
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| Name | HMX Firecracker | HMX Retro J |
|---|---|---|
| Type | tactile | tactile |
| Footprint | 5-pin | 5-pin |
| Top housing | P3 | PC |
| Bottom housing | P6 | Nylon PA66 |
| Stem material | POK | POM |
| Stem shape | standard | standard |
| Spring | 22 mm single-stage KOS | single-stage extended KOS |
| Tactile force | - g | - g |
| Actuation | 40 g | 36 g |
| Bottom-out | 58 g | 55 g |
| Tactile bump position | - mm | - mm |
| Pre-travel | 2.50 mm | 2.50 mm |
| Total travel | 3.50 mm | 3 mm |
| Lube | Factory lubing? Yes! Stem legs and stem sliders are covered with a very thin coat of 205g0. The spring and leaf are lubed with dry film. | Factory lubing? Yes! Stem legs and stem sliders are covered with a very thin coat of 205g0. The spring and leaf are lubed with dry film. |
| Designer | Yowzers | HMX |
| Manufacturer | HMX | HMX |
By tracking prices and in-stock status of 30+ well-known keyboard stores worldwide, we can state that availability of the HMX Firecracker and HMX Retro J switches is exactly the same: some
Clicking the links below take you to some notable keyboard shops offering HMX Firecracker and HMX Retro J 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!
Comments on HMX Firecracker switches | Comments on HMX Retro J switches |
Enter the HMX Firecracker, a tactile switch designed by yowzer, a fellow tactile enthusiast. A switch the New York Times calls a revelation and HMX calls give me your freight forwarding address. Feel: A snappy and slightly pronounced bump. Sound: Kinda deep kinda clacky – KeebzNCables. The HMX Firecracker Tactile switch is designed by our dear friend Yowzers. These amazing switches feature a P-shaped tactile bump, which makes them super satisfying to type with. Material-wise, this is the first HMX tactile switch that uses a POK stem. Paired with the nylon housing, the POK stem creates a full, clacky, but not overly loud bottom-out sound – Unikeys. | The HMX Retro J tactile switch features a loud and clacky sound profile. They are manufactured using HMX's newest tactile switch mold, which differentiates them from HMX's previous tactile switches such as Cilantro or Frog tactile switches. The Retro J tactile switch comes with minimal pre and post-travel. The tactile bump is rounded and close to a D shape – Unikeys. |
