Glorious Panda Switches

Overview

Glorious Panda switches are a tactile mechanical keyboard switch manufactured by Glorious, a company established in 2014. These switches are designed for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts and custom builders who prioritize a distinct tactile typing experience. The Glorious Panda switch is a proprietary variant derived from the 'holy panda' switch design, a hybrid created by combining components from different existing switches. This design is known for its round, prominent tactile bump that occurs early in the keypress, followed by a smooth travel to actuation.

The switches are constructed with a polycarbonate top housing, an opaque nylon bottom housing, and a POM (polyoxymethylene) stem. This material combination contributes to the switch's sound profile and feel. The spring weight is rated at 67g bottom-out force, offering a medium-heavy feel that provides resistance without being overly fatiguing for extended use. Glorious Panda switches are compatible with standard MX-style hot-swappable or soldered PCBs, making them suitable for a wide range of custom keyboard projects. Their 3-pin design allows them to be used in most PCB sockets without modification, though 5-pin variants are also available for enhanced stability in plate-mounted applications.

The primary appeal of Glorious Panda switches lies in their tactile feedback, which provides a clear indication of actuation. This characteristic can benefit both typists who value accuracy and gamers who require precise keypress registration. While linear switches prioritize speed and quiet operation, and clicky switches offer audible feedback, tactile switches like the Glorious Panda aim to strike a balance, providing feedback without the loud click. The switches are sold in packs, typically 36 switches per pack, allowing users to purchase the exact quantity needed for their keyboard layout, from compact 60% boards to full-sized 104-key layouts. Their availability through Glorious's distribution network makes them accessible for hobbyists and professionals looking to upgrade or build custom keyboards.

When compared to other tactile switches like the Gateron Brown or Cherry MX Brown, the Glorious Panda offers a more pronounced and earlier tactile event. This distinct feel is often preferred by users who find lighter tactile switches too subtle. The smooth travel after the bump is also a key characteristic, preventing scratchiness often associated with some stock switches. This combination of a sharp tactile event and smooth travel is a significant factor in their popularity within the custom keyboard community, as detailed in various mechanical keyboard reviews on independent sites like RTINGS' Glorious Panda switch review. The switches come pre-lubed from the factory, which aims to further enhance smoothness and reduce spring ping, though some enthusiasts may opt for additional custom lubrication for optimal performance.

Key features

• Tactile Feedback: Features a distinct, rounded tactile bump early in the key travel, providing clear actuation feedback.
• 'Holy Panda' Feel: Emulates the tactile characteristics of the original 'holy panda' switches, known for their sharp and satisfying bump.
• MX-Style Compatibility: Designed to be compatible with most MX-style PCBs, supporting both hot-swappable sockets and soldered connections.
• Durable Construction: Utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, nylon bottom housing, and POM stem for consistent performance and longevity.
• Medium-Heavy Actuation: Rated with a 67g bottom-out force, offering a balanced feel that is neither too light nor too heavy for extended typing or gaming sessions.
• Factory Pre-lubed: Comes pre-lubricated to enhance smoothness, reduce friction, and minimize spring noise out of the box.
• 3-Pin and 5-Pin Options: Available in both 3-pin configurations for broad PCB compatibility and 5-pin variants for enhanced stability in plate-mounted setups.
• Customizable: Suitable for further modification, including custom lubrication (lubing) and spring swaps, by enthusiasts seeking to fine-tune their typing experience.

Pricing

Glorious Panda Switches are sold in packs, with pricing structured to accommodate various keyboard sizes and build requirements. The standard offering is a 36-pack, providing sufficient switches for most compact and tenkeyless keyboards, with additional packs available for full-sized layouts.

For current pricing and availability, please refer to the official Glorious Gaming switches product page.

Common integrations

Glorious Panda switches are hardware components designed for integration into mechanical keyboard PCBs. Their primary 'integration' involves physical installation into compatible sockets or solder points.

• Hot-swappable PCBs: These switches are designed for easy installation into hot-swappable keyboard PCBs, such as the Glorious GMMK Pro, which allow users to swap switches without soldering.
• Soldered PCBs: Can be soldered onto any mechanical keyboard PCB that supports standard MX-style switches, offering broad compatibility with custom keyboard kits. For example, many TKL and 60% custom keyboard kits from manufacturers like Keychron's Q series are compatible.
• Keycaps: Compatible with all standard MX-stem keycaps, including ABS, PBT, and various profiles (Cherry, OEM, SA, etc.), allowing for extensive aesthetic customization.
• Stabilizers: Work with plate-mounted or PCB-mounted stabilizers that support MX-style switches, such as those from Cherry or Durock, to ensure smooth operation of larger keys like the spacebar and shift keys.
• Aftermarket Lubricants: While factory pre-lubed, enthusiasts often apply additional lubricants like Krytox GPL 205g0 or Tribosys 3204 to further refine the switch's feel and sound, as detailed in various keyboard modding guides.

Alternatives

• Gateron: A major manufacturer of mechanical keyboard switches, offering a wide range of types including linear, tactile, and clicky, such as their popular Gateron Brown tactile switches. More information is available on the Gateron official website.
• Kailh: Known for producing various switch types, including their own tactile offerings like the Kailh Box Royal, which also features a distinct tactile bump. Visit the Kailh switch product pages for details.
• Cherry MX: The originator of the MX-style switch, Cherry MX offers a range of switches including the Cherry MX Brown, a widely recognized tactile switch with a lighter bump than the Glorious Panda. Learn more about their product line on the Cherry MX website.
• Akko: A brand that has gained popularity for its budget-friendly yet high-quality switches, including various tactile options with unique characteristics and spring weights.
• Durock/JWK: Manufacturers known for producing smooth linear and tactile switches, often chosen by enthusiasts for their modding potential and premium feel after lubrication.

Getting started

Integrating Glorious Panda switches into a custom mechanical keyboard build primarily involves physical installation. The process generally follows these steps, assuming a hot-swappable PCB:

1. Prepare the Keyboard PCB:
   - Ensure the PCB is clean and free of debris.
   - If using a barebones kit (e.g., Glorious GMMK Pro), ensure the plate and PCB are assembled.

2. Install Stabilizers:
   - Mount plate-mounted or PCB-mounted stabilizers onto the PCB for larger keys (Spacebar, Shift, Enter, Backspace).
   - Ensure stabilizers are lubricated for optimal performance.

3. Insert Switches:
   - Align the Glorious Panda switch's pins with the sockets on the hot-swappable PCB.
   - Gently push the switch down until it clicks into place. Ensure the switch is fully seated and straight.
   - Repeat for all desired key positions.

4. Test Functionality:
   - Connect the keyboard to a computer.
   - Use an online key tester tool to verify that all switches are registering key presses correctly.

5. Install Keycaps:
   - Align the keycap stem with the switch stem.
   - Press down firmly until the keycap is fully seated on the switch.
   - Repeat for all keycaps.

6. Final Configuration:
   - If applicable, use keyboard software (e.g., Glorious CORE for GMMK Pro) to configure keybindings, RGB lighting, and macros.

For soldered PCBs, the process involves soldering each switch's pins to the corresponding pads on the PCB, which requires soldering equipment and expertise.