Penyu Switches: At Ease Within the Shell (Initial Impressions)
Happy to finally receive one of the variants of the much anticipated wildlife switches: The Penyus. These are my initial impressions.
Happy to finally receive one of the variants of the much anticipated wildlife switches: The Penyus. These are my initial impressions.
Introduction
The Penyus are the linear version of the wildlife switches that were inspired by Zykos and Black Cherry Pies. The GB for this ran sometime in August 2021 and each switch costed INR 60 in the GB phase. The switches come in a biodegradable pouch that also has a resealable lock.
The manufacturers have claimed about supporting the WWF’s Malaysian Marine Turtle initiative through the sale of these switches. Hence, the switches are named after the turtles.
Structure
The switches are PCB mount (5 pin) and contain Nylon tops, Nylon blend bottoms, long pole POM stems and a 15mm 62g gold plated spring.
The switches are not lubed and the POM stem against the Nylon mix bottom feels smooth. Contrary to popular rounds in social media, the stems are not excessively long. For example, the stems of Gazzew LT Linears, and AERaeds are clearly longer than the Penyus.
The housing itself is neither too tight nor too loose. This medium fit does make it easy for opening up for lubing and providing a chance to use films. At the same time, it does not get stuck when used with tighter keycaps.
The stem wobble is minimal in the E-W direction. However, there is some play in the N-S direction. Above is a video comparing the stem wobble with Gateron Inks. Please note that this is not a standard/scientific way of comparing stem wobble.
Switch Press
The stock switch contains a little leaf ping and spring ping out of the box. The ping was not annoying and it was only audible with careful listening. The pole bottoming up produces a poppy sound and is further glorified by the custom nylon mix housings.
I lubed the stem rails, bottom housing sliders, and the bottom of the stem pole with Krytox 205g0. I also donut dipped the springs with the same lubricant. Lubing reduced the pitch of the pop of the stem bottoming out and brought down the pings to near zero levels. The smoothness of the switch was unchanged after lubing.
The keyboard in the above video has Lubed Gateron Black Inks on the “A” key, stock Penyu on the “S” key, and lubed Penyu on the “D” key.
Conclusion
Just like the turtles, these switches work well without any fuss. There is something for everyone here. Sound enthusiasts can just lube the spring and enjoy the poppy sound of the bottom and the stem, smoothness cravers can perform regular lubing and savor the polished feel, muted admirers (like me) can lube the stem poles and deafen the pole pop, finally no-time-to-lubers can pop these in and start using them in stock form.
Only downside or a mild drawback to the Penyus are that these switches don’t do something which the other long pole linears can’t. I cannot say that the Penyu cuts above the competition (LT linears, AEBoards Snags, Durock POMS …).
As Bill Copeland famously put it, “Try to be like a turtle at ease in your own shell”, the Penyu is at ease under its own housing.