The version of Azure Dragons I’ll be looking at is the first version. I can’t compare it to the other iterations of this switch because I don’t own those switches as of writing.
Background:
These switches were originally a group buy switch that ran on May 9, 2021 until June 31, 2021, so the GB ran for about a month. The original run included a sticker of the pixel Azure Dragon GoPolar used for promotion. GoPolar took inspiration from the mythology of the Chinese constellation, where the Azure Dragon is a mythological creature that symbolizes spring, and is seen as the guardian of the East. Interpretations of the Azure Dragon are somewhat consistent with it being an eastern dragon, it’s mostly the colors that may vary per artist's interpretation, but the colors often associated are azure, violet, green, different tints of blue for the base. It would be cool to see a special run of the switch with a different coloring, but considering the amount of versions we already have, it may not happen anytime soon.
After the GB, these switches became in-stock to various vendors around the world at a slightly higher price. As far as I know, Gateron has released three other versions of the switches - these being version 1.5, version 2, and the recently released version 3 - I’m not too sure on the differences among all four versions, but I know v1.5 has a different top housing and a much cleaner bottom housing. Version 2 has a more crystal-like top, and version 3 has a better leaf and is now pre-lubed. Each is an improvement from the previous iteration. There might even be another iteration by next year.
Appearance & Spec
Kicking off with general information first, Azure Dragons uses MX latches, as opposed to Kailh latches. The switch has 5 pins on the bottom, generally a standard Gateron switch. In the Geekhack page, it’s mentioned that Gateron is using a new mold for these switches, an improved KS-9 mold from what Gateron normally uses. Majority of the improvements are internal though, nothing much on the external of the switch.
Onto the top housing, it’s made from transparent polycarbonate with an azure or light blue tint to it. - Similar to an Aqua Zilent, but brighter in color - Externally, there’s the all capslock Gateron logo embossed at the top of the housing, and a wide gap with an indent for LEDs in the front. There aren't a lot of noteworthy things here other than the long posts to keep the leaf in check, and impressively, the really firm latches. I’ve disassembled one over and over again, and the latches are still quite strong, barely affecting the wobble of the switch.
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The bottom housing’s material on the other hand is Nylon PA66. It has a bit of a texture to it, with some leftovers from manufacturing. it’s a little rough around the sides, especially around the clips from the front and the back. There’s a wide gap for Surface Mounted LEDs, and even a small cavity for more compatibility. There’s also the letters on the bottom, but interestingly, no gateron trademark, it’s instead replaced with a big capital letter. Internally, the housing has 4 manufacturing marks on the side, and has 4 extra more on the interior floor. Speaking of the floor, specifically the sliders, and center mass have slightly elevated flooring.
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For the stem, it’s made from POM, in the color of aquamarine or pantone 7471C. It's 13.6mm long, making it a long pole, and the thickness of the pole is 1.8mm. The end of the pole has a chamfered edge measuring with a thickness of 1.1mm.The legs on it has a pretty sizable bump, opposite of it, there are right-side triangles on each side, giving it a claw-like shape. Other miscellaneous observations, the horizontal flaps of the actual stem are indented, and have letters written on the back of the flap. There’s also a sprue mark at the top of the stem, dead center of it.
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Lastly, the Azure Dragon comes with a two-stage spring that’s 18mm in length. Bottom out force is 67g and operating force is 63g. It’s silver in color. It has about 13 coils, give or take and each coil has a fair amount of spacing in-between.
Tactility & Wobble
Azure Dragons have their bump located at the very top, with a medium level of tactility that has a rounded feeling to it. - The level of tactility is similar to Holy Pandas. - It has a P-shaped bump to it too. There’s a very tiny amount of pre-travel that can barely be felt, that I’d say to be within a margin of error; barely any pre-travel. Tactility is noticeable with the angular bump, but its tactility isn’t as defined as compared to Drop’s Holy Panda. There isn’t any linear feel to the switch too, from the bottom out to the top up of the switch.
For wobble, the overall housing has some slight wobbling. Housing wobble is more noticeable when moving the switch up and down compared to when moving it from the left and right. Similar case for stem wobble too. North and South has a lot more wobble compared to the East and West axis.
Sound:
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My observations for sound might differ from other people’s experiences. Board configurations and environment are also a big factor to sound, so take this portion with a bit more grain of salt as I’ve been called out previously for this part. I don’t know if I just have an untrained ear or I can’t describe sounds properly. My mic will also affect how the switch sounds in the video.
The switch has a high pitched, or clacky sound, especially the bottom out. Top up sound is pretty consistent, albeit a little quieter than the bottom out. It does have a few glaring issues at stock. It has a scratchy internal housing, and It also has a fair amount of spring ping. Both are easily remedied by lubing. Leaf ticking is barely audible due to other noises drowning it out at stock, even then, it’s not much of an issue, even when lubed, so nothing to worry about on that front.
If the majority of the internals are lubed, the switch loses that crisp clack and changes to sort of a wet high pitched clack. The leaf can occasionally be heard, but isn’t loud; leaf ticking is faint. It sounds a lot cleaner when lubed. The spring is a lot quieter and scratchiness from the housing is more subdued, but the leaf can occasionally be heard, though a lot more subtle - The leaf can still be heard, but are drowned out by the bottom out and top up sounds of the switch. - The high pitch clack of the switch does get toned down especially If the floor of the bottom housing is lubed. Adding film doesn’t change the sound if any at all, according to my ears anyways.
Modifications & Frankens:
The geekhack page for Azure Dragons mentions that lubing a tactile is subject to a more personal preference, so they’ve decided to keep it dry rather than having it factory lubed
As mentioned in the sound portion, lubing mutes the spring, and significantly lessens the scratchy sound of the housing. Lubing the bottom housing dampens the strong bottom out sound and feels damp every time I bottom out. - Lubing the floor of the bottom housing will be a big preference that I suggest people try out first before committing to lubing all of the switches. -. The typing experience once lubed will feel different compared to stock, both in feel and sound.
The switch does have some slight housing wobble, adding a film in between the housings negates this. It also slightly affects movement when the keycap is being moved around, motion feels slightly restricted on the edges when compared to stock.
As for using parts of the switch for frankens, there shouldn’t be too many issues, other than the top housing having the long poles in the interior that might prevent it from being compatible with some bottom housings.
Pricing:
Initially Azure Dragons along with Vermillion Birds - A linear switch that ran alongside Azure Dragons - originally ran as a group buy back in 2021. Soon after GB completion, the switch became in-stock to many different vendors. The Group buy price for these switches was divided into three sets: $.57 per switch for a pack of 70, $.56 per switch for 90 pieces, and $.55 per switch for 110 pieces. Converting the lowest price to Philippine Peso turns to Php 31.51 for a pack of 70 pcs, adjusted for inflation at the time of writing.
With that noted, not a lot of vendors are still selling the first version of these switches anymore, and are either selling versions 1.5 and or 2 now. - Soon version 3 as well.-, but I did find a few listings that have the retail pricing at around $7 for a pack of 10. So, $.70 per piece, which translates to almost PHP 39 in Philippine Peso or PHP 390 for a pack of 10. These are the retail prices, not the group buy prices.
My Thoughts:
Overall, I like the first iteration of the Azure Dragon, especially at stock. A little controversial opinion, but I think the stock experience gives it its own characteristics that I like. Scratch, pingy and all. That or I just really like using stock switches for the longest time.
Regardless, once modded, it's a huge improvement, especially towards the sound department. One thing that does put me off though is the slightly damp bottom out when I first lubed the switch. I don’t really mind it, but I prefer mine to have the floor dry for the feel and sound of it. It’s something to try out for yourself first before committing to lubing an entire batch.
Comparisons:
This section of the review looks at a few switches I have lying around that I think may be a good comparison at least. It’s gonna be a short and shallow comparison to each other that I have notable differences. I’m a little unsure on how I’ll structure this part of the review yet. Some feedback about it would be appreciated!
C3 Kiwi
- Pressing on the switch feels looser
- Tactility is weaker
- Scratch is less noticeable
- Has less stem wobble than Azure Dragons
Glorious Holy Panda
- Less clacky / less high pitched, even when Azure Dragon is lubed
- Feels a little more bouncier
- Slightly more rounder bump
- Has more stem wobble
- A little hard to tell each other apart for me, especially at normal typing use
Corsa
- Tactility is lighter
- Not scratchy, but the spring is loud at stock
- Has slightly more stem wobble
Lavender Purple
- The spring is lighter, and feels consistent. Azure Dragon has a heavier bottom out
- Has a more expressive rounded bump
- Slightly weaker tactility than Azure Dragon
Kangaroo
- Sounds a little muddled
- Feels like it has less travel distance
- No housing scratch, the spring sounds more ‘contained’
Promotional Graphics:
More Information:
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More Sound Test:
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