DROP Holy Panda X Mechanical Keyboard Switches - PCB Mount Quiet & Tactile Switches, Cherry MX Style, 65g, (35 PCS, 5-Pin), Black

This is my first try of the Drop Holy Panda X. For some reason I have gravitated to the holy panda switches. Yeah, maybe because of the hype. But because I don't really let costs be a hindrance I went from Glorious pandas to the Drop + Invyr then finally the Holy Panda X. It is not locally available (Philippines) so it is more costly for me than the locally available switches, but I do like the feel and the sound especially after lubing. So the cost is more than worth it for me. I enjoy using it. I just hope they will last long as I am not really a collector or hobbyist. I use it mainly for work (not gaming) and sure look forward to a long time before buying replacements. The only thing is some switches are a bit tight on my keycaps (MT3) so it's difficult to replace the keycaps, I end up pulling out the switches along with the keycaps so I have to be extra careful when pulling them out. I ended up loving my keycaps for a longer time before thinking of replacing them (LOL).

I've used these switches on 2 builds, one for home and one for the office. They aren't too loud to annoy co-workers and have enough resistance to make it tactile, which I like.

Sounds good after lubing, can probably get away without any mods, but sounds very nice after applying some lube.

Typing feel is so subjective it's really hard to give meaningful feedback to others but, for what it's worth, I tried these as a Cherry MX Brown tactile replacement and they ended up being a fantastic substitute that have just a bit more resistance to my prior Cherry switches to help me avoid typing errors (I am a fairly heavy-handed typer and I kept accidentally keying the lighter Cherry Brown tactile switches.). Be sure to note that quantity of switches does not cover an entire keyboard typically so you might want to order two packs if you really want to upgrade all your switches on your entire keyboard.

Good but just seemed like they were touch scratch with a hollow ping at the end. Not bad but just seemed like they were missing that creamy smooth sound through out. I've had them in now a few day and while not disappointed not entirely happy.Really just dont feel like pulling them all out so I'm trying to force myself to like them

My Holy Panda X switches just came, and wow am I impressed. Finally a way to get that Holy Panda feel without having to build them yourself! For reference, I have a Drop CTRL MKB that came with Halo True switches. Compared to the Halo True's, the bump is a lot smoother, and it's like the "heaviness" issues the Halo's had is fixed. I already liked the sound of the Halo True's, the Holy Pandas is comparable but the weight just feels (and sounds) so right.If you are tired of mushy (looking at you Cherry MX) or too clacky of switches and you want the best of both worlds, try the Holy Pandas.

Just replaced my switches on my keyboard and they feel pretty dang good. Still quiet and doesn’t disturb my coworkers when I’m face rolling the keys while testing code. Smooth actuation on key presses which is…key. I’m happy with my purchase!

People hate drop for calling these holy pandas, which is whatever to me. It's not in the greatest taste since it causes more confusion in the keyboard world, but the switches are pretty decent.The worst part is the horrendous leaf ping. Some switches can be "cured" by lubing the leaf, but the ping came back and some switches seemed un-fixable. The ping isn't in a traditional sense, it almost sounds like a manufacturing defect (like a, creaky sound)Regarding lube:- These require lube, they sound awful without it. They have pretty much no factory lube I can tell.- When lubing, you NEED to add lube to the leaf. A lot of switches have factory lube applied here - if these do it's not much since they ping like crazy. I added GPL 105 grease in between the leaf (stick the brush in between the upside down U area and also lightly brush the front of it.Basically, do not buy these if you want a decent out of the box switch, you're better off going with something like the Boba U4T, pre-lubed glorious panda, or anubis.Regarding the sound:- When not lubed, these are awful. You can do so much better if you don't want to lube switches.- When lubed, including leaf, I love the sound (except for the few unfixable horrible sounding switches)- They are much more muted, and deeper sounding than the U4T - which I don't understand since every review says the U4T is the deepest, the U4T is definitely more clacky.- I like that these went away from the "long pole" trend. I just think they feel better, sound deeper, and in general have a much more "buttery" sound. I like a tactile on the market that actually offers something different than everything else.Regarding the feel:- I like these a lot, I actually like the more than the Boba U4T which is the tactile "gold standard"- Similarly, they have almost no pre-travel, and a tiny bit of post travel (more than U4T because of short stem), but the experience in between is what I like more - the bump is rounder and a little softer feeling.Regarding tolerances:- Need to give drop/gateron credit, I don't think it gets better than this.- They fit so tightly into the plate that they are almost hard to remove without damaging them. I did end up damaging a few upon removal. (Some people complain about this, but people also complain if they are too loose in the plate)- The stem tolerance in top housing is also as good as it gets, don't think it gets much better than this.- I don't think you could assemble these with films even if you tried.LEAF PING:- You have to lube the leafs, which is something people always advise against - i don't know why. Many factory bottom housings have a pre-lubed leaf (including the U4T, including many original holy pandas)Even after lubing the leafs, I still had a handful of switches in the junk pile because the leaf ping still was present - that tells me there is some manufacturing issue with those switches and however the bottom housing is assembled.That part is unacceptable to me, for a switch that costs this much. Every tactile switch has leaf ping, but these are the worst I've ever heard when not lubed.Spring Swap:- I spring swapped mine to durock 65g, so I can't comment on the factory spring. I'm sure all pinging issues are probably resolved when lubed though if you keep the factory spring.Verdict:I love the buttery sound of these and the rounded feel. I do not like the price, and that maybe ~5% of the switches had an un-fixable leaf ping problem (they sound so bad/scratchy).They are distinctly different from U4Ts and holy pandas in a way that I like (more muted, buttery sound, more rounded tactility). I would love them if they didn't have such horrible bottom housings.I ditched them for the Anubis, which have a different but also deeper sound than the U4T. They do not have the horrible leaf ping probably and are much cheaper.