HMX Black Cat switch
The HMX Black Cat is a tactile mechanical switch with PA12 Nylon top housing, P3 bottom housing, and POM stem (standard). It features a single-stage extended KOS spring. The 35g actuation occurs at 2.50mm. The 48g bottom-out occurs at 3mm. Extra: Light diffuser. Factory lubing? Yes! Manufactured by HMX.
Where to buy HMX Black Cat switches?
Here are some notable keyboard shops offering HMX Black Cat switches. When available, the prices indicated already include the discount - use the KBDNEWS coupon code at checkout to claim your saving!
Currency:
| Store | Area | Offer | Price | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mechanical Keyboards | US | 0.33 USD / 1 pcs 5% off, KBDNEWSMK | 0.33 USD | buy | |
| UniKeys | CN | 3.26 USD / 10 pcs 7% off, KBDNEWS | 0.33 USD | buy | |
| DiviniKey | US | 5.40 USD / 18 pcs | 0.30 USD | sold out |
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!
HMX Black Cat data sheet
| Name | HMX Black Cat |
|---|---|
| Type | tactile |
| Footprint | 5-pin |
| Top housing | PA12 Nylon |
| Bottom housing | P3 |
| Stem | POM standard |
| Spring | single-stage extended KOS |
| Tactile force | - g |
| Actuation | 35 g |
| Bottom-out | 48 g |
| Tactile bump position | - mm |
| Pre-travel | 2.50 mm |
| Total travel | 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. |
| Designer | unknown |
| Manufacturer | HMX |
Comments on HMX Black Cat switches
The Black Cat tactile switch is a clacky-sounding long-pole tactile switch manufactured by HMX. Unlike most short travel HMX tactile switches, the Black Cat tactiles have a PA12 top housing instead of a PC one. The PA12 material is better for calming down the overall top-out sound to make it not too shrill. With the POM stem and P3 bottom housing, the Black Cat switch overall sounds very pleasant. The tactile bump is very close to a D shape, like the retro J or Hydra switches. It's rounded and very comfortable to type on – Unikeys.
HMX Black Cat alternatives
Here are some notable alternatives to the HMX Black Cat, our reference switch. Competitors with comparable specs across parameters like switch type, housing material, actuation and bottom-out forces and travel distances — even color. Not perfect matches but the closest results in order of similarity.
| Sim. | Similar switches | Comparison | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 90% | HMX Retro J tactile, 5-pin, PC/Nylon PA66/POM, 36/55gF, 2.5/3.0mm | Compare | ||
| 90% | HMX K01 tactile, 5-pin, PA66 Nylon (matted surface)/PA66 Nylon/POM, 45/57gF, 2.0/3.8mm | Compare | ||
| 90% | HMX Hydra tactile, 5-pin, PC/P2/POM, 42/50gF, 2.3/3.1mm | Compare | ||
| 90% | Gateron Beer tactile, 5-pin, PC/PC/POM, 38/50gF, 2.0/3.4mm | Compare | ||
| 90% | HMX Longjing S tactile, 5-pin, PA66 Nylon/PA66 Nylon/POM, 45/50gF, 2.0/3.7mm | Compare | ||
| 89% | BSUN x Zuoce Studio Cheese Grape tactile, 5-pin, PC/PA+30% fiberglass/POM, 27/45gF, 2.0/3.2mm | Compare | ||
| 89% | Zuoce Litchi Milk tactile, 5-pin, POM/Nylon/POM, 40/50gF, 1.5/3.2mm | Compare | ||
| 89% | Duhuk Lumia Bitter Tea V2 tactile, 5-pin, PC/PBT/POM, 42/58gF, 1.8/3.0mm | Compare | ||
| 89% | Sillyworks X HMX Waverider V2 tactile, 5-pin, PC/PA66 Nylon/POM, 42/53gF, 2.0/3.8mm | Compare | ||
| 88% | MMD Holy Panda V3 tactile, 5-pin, PC/Nylon/POM, 45/60gF, 2.2/3.2mm | Compare | ||
| 88% | HMX Sandstorm tactile, 5-pin, PC/PA66 Nylon/POM, 50/58gF, 2.3/3.1mm | Compare | ||
To recap: we were looking for tactile mechanical switches possibly with PA12 Nylon top housing, P3 bottom housing, and POM stem (standard). The 35g actuation occuring at 2.50mm. The 48g bottom-out being at around 3mm. Extra: Light diffuser. Factory lubing? Yes! — similar to the HMX Black Cat.