Wuque Diamond Switch Review
Being one of the lucky 50 few to get early hands-on experience with Wuque's newest entry in the hall-effect market with two new switches: Cullinan and Heart of the Ocean. These were provided by Wuque Studios free of charge with the condition of a fair review in return. This is one of those unique instances where a company nails the enthusiast mindset, Wuque Studios set out from scratch to design: a smooth, balanced, and distinguished sounding keyboard switch. This is not a slight tolerance change, not a simple recolor that warrants a name, but instead a completely new design with new processes involved that redefines what a hall-effect keyboard switch is. Perhaps, even outclassing some leaf-spring based contact keyboard switches in the linear department for sound alone.
Main event being the sound, goes into a unique direction for the polymer world. Commonly, metals, ceramics, and gemstones can be found to have a crystalline structure which also produces their signature sound. Some polymers also lend themselves to this property being semi-crystalline. The stem materials present POM(Heart of the Oceans) & PA12(Cullinans) have a degree of this I suspect, which may have been further enhanced through annealing. One must remember, the stem is only a small part of the entire switch though. Polycarbonate which makes up most of switch plastics does not lend itself to such readily, however with additional chemical processes I believe Wuque Studios bypassed that hurdle to produce the unique pop-rock crystal sound. In my humble opinion, the most important feature and consequently delight of the diamond switches. My best take, on each variant is: Cullinans play at this lightly with a sublime number of pop-rocks & a deep signature, while Oceans maximize the number of pop-rocks & even sound a bit deeper at the same time. None of these switches sound as if they were cheap injected molded plastic, which now spoils using any other switches. It cannot be a mistake, naming them diamonds neither as the gemstone is naturally crystalline itself. That is not the only area they live up to their name, as this further holds true in appearance.
Shimmering to cast micro rainbowing due to the exceptional optical clarity. This extends to the diffuser(s) on the switches too. Any lighting as a result consistently specks over the top housing, whereas other polycarbonate top switches can have some darkening near the opposing side of the LED if present. The Cullinans also take the shimmer in two directions, the stem is quite optically clear in contrast to the Oceans' bluish hue and having a secondary diffuser to increase the diffusion further if a pcba comes with secondary led. If not, maybe it will lighten the thought from OCD individuals on the lack of asymmetry which in other words means the switch is truly reversible without any downsides. Unsurprisingly, they will make the LED lighting appear brighter too. With a full set the LEDS could be set to a lower brightness if one so desires, due to the slightly amplified brightness. The bedazzling is not yet over, what about the remainder of the switch experience?
Installation was seamless and the same can be said for removal. The amount of force I have used on my past switches both leaf-spring contact and hall-effect gets put into perspective on how little force is necessary to retrieve the switches back from the keyboard plate looking at you Geon RAWs. Polycarbonate is highly known to be ductile, the polished process and/or tolerance tweaking will allow even the most basic installation or removal feel crisp. The unique octagonal stem also has a slight quality of life construction, typically advertised dust-proof will fall below the housing, while the one in present is designed to stop slightly above the top housing. Therefore, the switch remains dustproof better than other offerings in market when fully depressed. Whilst, providing some keycap clearance for Cherry profile(which has been a problem in the past with Wooting Lekker switches). As a result, the consistent automated light lubrication should remain in place for a very long time and eerily the switch has zero scratch as if it is gliding on an ice-rink. The T-rail guides also deserve a mention; eradicating fully the common issue in hall-effect switches of off-center key presses leading to a tactile event, a very welcome bonus. The spring is lightweight and non-fatiguing; gamer audience was considered in the design process. Altogether I am shocked very much, but I remember this is the ambition of Wuque Studios again. All roads lead to price.
$2 a switch may be a hard pill to swallow for some, but for the serious audience this switch lives up to the marketing hype it generated and then laps it again. The switch falters in stem wobble a smidgen if one was to nitpick. Tolerance tightening is an expensive matter which in turn would sour out the interested audience, while presenting a scratchy switch with preload that significantly increases friction for the cost of stability. Personally, I look forward to fitting a brand-new layout completely with Heart of Oceans and using it for all of my keyboard related tasks!
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