Gateron Magnetic Jade vs Gateron KS-20 Dual-Rail Magnetic Orange

Overview

The Gateron KS-20 Dual-Rail Magnetic Orange is another recent magnetic HE switch to hit the market. Let's see how it compares to the popular Gateron Magnetic Jade!

Product Details


	Gateron Magnetic Jade HE Linear Switch	Gateron KS-20 Dual-Rail Magnetic Orange HE Linear Switch
Switch Type	Linear	Linear
Top Housing Material	PC	PC
Bottom Housing Material	Nylon	Nylon
Stem Material	POM	POM
Bottom Out Force	50g	50g
Total Travel	3.5±0.2mm	4.1±0.2mm
Factory Lube	Yes	Yes

Compared to the Gateron Magnetic Jade, the Gateron KS-20 Dual-Rail Magnetic Orange features a Dual-Rail structure (like the Gateron Dual-Rail Lunar Probe switch), and an LED diffuser. The Gateron KS-20 Dual-Rail Magnetic Orange also has a full travel distance of 4.1mm while the Gateron Magnetic Jade has a shorter travel distance of 3.5mm.

Switch Sound

The Gateron KS-20 Dual-Rail Magnetic Orange sounds slightly deeper pitched and muted than the Gateron Magnetic Jade. The difference in sound profiles could be caused by the differences in the way the two switches are designed.

The Gateron KS-20 Dual-Rail Magnetic Orange is designed to be a full travel switch where the bottom out occurs on the rails. The Gateron KS-20 Dual-Rail Magnetic Orange in particular has a bottom housing that is more hollowed out right underneath where the rails would usually bottom out to increase the amount of surface area that comes in contact between the stem and the bottom housing. The Gateron Magnetic Jade is designed to be a shorter travel switch where the bottom out occurs on the pole of the stem. Switches that have a pole bottom out typically have a louder and slightly higher pitched sound whereas switches that have a rail bottom out have a softer and slightly lower pitched sound.

The Gateron KS-20 Dual-Rail Magnetic Orange also has an open bottom housing design which could create a thinner and quieter sound due to the sound dispersing out of the opening. In contrast, the Gateron Magnetic Jade has a closed bottom housing design which could create a fuller and louder sound due to the sound being enclosed in the switch housing without any leakage.

Bottom housing comparison:

Here are some sound tests:

Switch Feel

The most noticeable differences for switch feel between the Gateron KS-20 Dual-Rail Magnetic Orange and the Gateron Magnetic Jade is their travel distances. The Gateron KS-20 Dual-Rail Magnetic Orange has a full travel distance that has a softer bottom out feel. The Gateron KS-20 Dual-Rail Magnetic Orange actually feels like it travels slightly further down because of the hollowed-out area in the bottom housing where the stem rails would sit. Whereas the Gateron Magnetic Jade has a short travel distance that has a sharper pole bottom out feel similar to other recent long pole switches.

In terms of wobble, although the Gateron KS-20 Dual-Rail Magnetic Orange has a dual-rail stem design, it seems to have slightly more stem wobble than the Gateron Magnetic Jade. In general, the Gateron KS-20 Dual-Rail Magnetic Orange feels looser and rattlier than the Gateron Magnetic Jade, which I imagine is due to the open bottom housing of the Gateron KS-20 Dual-Rail Magnetic Orange since it creates another plastic-to-plastic contact point between the stem pole and the well in the bottom housing. On the other hand, the Gateron Magnetic Jade feels tighter and clean to type on since there is minimal stem wobble.

In terms of smoothness, both the Gateron KS-20 Dual-Rail Magnetic Orange and the Gateron Magnetic Jade are incredibly smooth with no noticeable scratch or leaf/spring ping.

Gateron Magnetic Jade enclosed bottom:

Gateron Magnetic Jade Linear Switches

Gateron KS-20 Dual-Rail Magnetic Orange open bottom:

Gateron KS-20 Dual-rail Magnetic Orange Linear Switches

Things to Note

Before installing magnetic hall effect switches on your keyboard, check and ensure they are compatible with your keyboard. Depending on the design of the board, incompatible magnetic switches may damage the HE PCB.

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