Cobalt POM Linears: Sure, why not!
With the Cobalts, I might have found my favorite linear long pole linear switch!
TL;DR
Cobalt POM Linears are smooth, offer deep sound, and comes bundled with a very long spring. The unique offerings of Cobalts make them a worthy choice amongst a long list of long pole linears.
Digression
I really wanted to stay away from long pole linears, but they seem to have found a way to reach me. There are so many of them nowadays that, I’m unable to figure out what to try and what not to. This reminds me of a scene from Sacred Games where Sartaj Singh wonders where the trash comes from. These switches though are certainly everything but trash.
The proliferation of long pole linears has also made my spare time use very predictable. In spite of doing household chores, I’m just lubing long pole linears. This is also an apt occasion to bring in another famous scene from Sacred Games where in Ganesh Gaitonde suffers the unenviable plight of daily waking up, bathing, and getting punished. My spare time routine is wake up, take bath, and lube long pole linears.
Introduction and Structure
The Cobalt POM Linears are PCB mount (5-pin) long pole linear switches manufactured by JWK consisting of a full POM housing, a mystery material mix stem, and 20mm long gold plated springs. The switches are pre lubed and I found considerable oil on the stem legs and rails. The lubing was consistent across all stems and the housing was pretty dry.
The stem style and the housing material reminds me of the Durock POMs. The Durock POMs also are long pole linears with a full POM housing and a mystery material mix stem. However, the similarities end here as the sound profile and the springs offered are entirely different. The Cobalts feature a slow long spring of 63.5g bottom out force and an actuation force of 59.5g. Owing to its length, these springs already sit preloaded resulting in a much quicker realization of bottom out post activation.
The stem length of the Cobalt is almost equal to the Durock POM’s and is clearly not as lengthy as the Snags or LTs. Also, notice the unique shape of the stem legs of the Cobalts as they bend inwards rather than being straight as the others. The housing of the Cobalts is neither tight nor too loose, thereby allowing the usage of films. As is with most of the JWK switches, the stem wobble is minimal in both the axes.
Switch and Key Press
Sound test perception and switch press feelings vary on an individual basis. Hence, my observations in this section might not sync with the reader’s.
Stock
The stock switch press is smooth, the downstroke smoothness is on par with the CJs and the Tangerines. The typing experience is also enhanced by the long springs which sit preloaded making bottoming out that much easier resulting in the thud of the long poles hitting the bottom housing.
The sound even though subjective, was deeper with a clear pop in the downstroke and a snappier and louder pop in the return stroke thanks to the long springs and POM housing. There was definitely audible spring ping and I also found some springs to be bent reminding me of the famous Banana Kick of Roberto Carlos.
Lubed
I lubed the bottom housing rails with Krytox 205G0, bag lubed the springs with Krytox GPL 105, left the top housing dry, and left the factory lube as it is on the stems. I also filmed the switches with 0.15mm TX films. Not to my surprise, there was no spring ping whatsoever, both the downstroke and return stroke sounds didn’t alter much, if it did, it just become little deeper due to the films. After the initial force, the switch just glides effortlessly and hits the bottom producing a deep sound and returns pretty quickly generating an even deeper sound.
Conclusion
The Cobalt POM Linears bring something different to the table desk. They differ from the Durock POMs in having a deeper sound, uncommon housing colors, and long springs. These differentiating factors play along nicely with the already smooth and tight housing of the switch.
The shortcomings of the switch (spring ping) can easily be fixed with lubing. The effortless bottoming out and snappier return, coupled with a deeper sound profile make this my current favorite linear long pole switch. My search for a decent switch for the upcoming Mammoth 75 is fulfilled.
All switches should come with long and slow springs as default!