The LICHICX XCJZ / JKDK Crimson Red Silent and HMX Hydra switches are both standard MX mechanical switches of the tactile breed. They both feature POM stem material, - g , - mm , however, they come with different top housing (custom PAG nylon vs PC), bottom housing (mixed MPA nylon with improved C5G vs P2), stem shape (partial box vs standard), spring (16 mm single-stage vs 22 mm single-stage extended KOS), actuation (45 g vs 42 g), bottom-out force (54 g vs 50 g), pre-travel (2 mm vs 2.30 mm), total travel (3.70 mm vs 3.10 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 LICHICX XCJZ / JKDK Crimson Red Silent is a tactile standard MX mechanical switch with custom PAG nylon top housing, mixed MPA nylon with improved C5G bottom housing, and POM stem (partial box shape). It features a 16 mm single-stage spring. The 45g actuation occurs at 2mm. The 54g bottom-out occurs at 3.70mm. Manufactured by LICHICX. | The HMX Hydra is a tactile standard MX mechanical switch with PC top housing, P2 bottom housing, and POM stem (standard shape). It features a 22 mm single-stage extended KOS spring. The 42g actuation occurs at 2.30mm. The 50g bottom-out occurs at 3.10mm. Extra: Light diffuser. Factory lubing? Yes! Designed by HMX. Manufactured by HMX. |
|
|
| Name | LICHICX XCJZ / JKDK Crimson Red Silent | HMX Hydra |
|---|---|---|
| Type | tactile | tactile |
| Footprint | 5-pin | 5-pin |
| Top housing | custom PAG nylon | PC |
| Bottom housing | mixed MPA nylon with improved C5G | P2 |
| Stem material | POM | POM |
| Stem shape | partial box | standard |
| Spring | 16 mm single-stage | 22 mm single-stage extended KOS |
| Tactile force | - g | - g |
| Actuation | 45 g | 42 g |
| Bottom-out | 54 g | 50 g |
| Tactile bump position | - mm | - mm |
| Pre-travel | 2 mm | 2.30 mm |
| Total travel | 3.70 mm | 3.10 mm |
| Lube | unknown | 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 | - | HMX |
| Manufacturer | LICHICX | HMX |
By tracking prices and in-stock status of 30+ well-known keyboard stores worldwide, we can state that the LICHICX XCJZ / JKDK Crimson Red Silent is not available at the moment, while the HMX Hydra can be found in 4 stores.
Clicking the links below take you to some notable keyboard shops offering LICHICX XCJZ / JKDK Crimson Red Silent and HMX Hydra 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 LICHICX XCJZ / JKDK Crimson Red Silent switches | Comments on HMX Hydra switches |
XCJZ Crimson Red is a new silent tactile that utilises LICHICX’s unique silencing mechanism. It is essentially the silent tactile equivalent of XCJZ Lucy, the current meta for silent linear for it’s minimal mushiness on bottom out. There’s still some mushiness present, but it is still far better than some of its predecessors in the silent switch category – KeebzNCables. | The HMX Hydra tactile switch is designed by XLLAB and features a big almost D-shaped tactile bump similar to Retro J. It is an attempt to replicate the classic Gateron Type R's D-shaped bump, but with a touch of the signature HMX clacky sound profile and fantastic stem wobble control. Thanks to the P2 bottom housing, the Hydra switches are one of the clackiest HMX tactile switches so far – Unikeys. |
