| Switch Type: Linear | Mount: PCB Mount (5-pin) | Spring: Single Stage | Price: $23.00 (35 pcs) on Gateron |
| Top Housing: Nylon PA66 | Bottom Housing: Nylon PA66 | Stem: POM | Factory Lubed: Yes |
| Actuation Point: | 2.0 ± 0.6mm | Actuation Point: | 2.17mm |
| Actuation Force: | 50 ± 15 gf | Actuation Force: | 48.5gf |
| Total Travel: | 4.0mm Max | Total Travel: | 3.95mm |
| Peak Tactile Point: | N/A | Peak Tactile Point: | N/A |
| Peak Tactile Force: | N/A | Peak Tactile Force: | N/A |
| Reset Point: | 1.6mm | Reset Point: | 2.14mm |
| Bottom-out Force: | 60gf | Bottom-out Force: | 59.5gf |
| Stem Length: | 10.44mm | ||
The Gateron CAP Yellow V2 is an innovative switch featuring an enlarged and hollowed out bottom housing aiming to reduce wobbliness. The stem has also been redesigned to accommodate this new feature. Therefore, it’s worth noting that the stem and bottom housing cannot be interchanged with normal switches as they would be incompatible.
TL;DR
Apart from it being a new design which is always refreshing to see, it’s a pretty scratchy switch with minor inconsistencies. It’s not the cheapest either, so it isn’t really a compelling option to many buyers. If you want this, the Gateron Yellow is a safer and cheaper option. If you need something a little heavier, the Gateron Black exists in the same realm.
Smoothness: 4/10
On-centre keypresses are noticeably scratchy with slight differences from one switch to the next especially at slow keypresses.
Off-centre keypresses are substantially scratchier with noticeable binding at slow keypresses.
Overall, even though these come factory lubed, they’re still very scratchy switches and would need a lot of work to get them to be smooth. As a stock switch, I wouldn’t recommend them to anyone.
Gateron CAP Yellow (V2) switch disassembled.
Weighting: 7/10
According to Gateron, these switches have an actuation force of 50g at 2.0mm and a bottom-out force of 60g at 4.0mm. The reset point is indicated on their force curve to be around 1.6mm.
Gateron CAP Yellow (V2) force curve.
As you can see from the force curve above, the Gateron CAP Yellow V2 were within its outlined specs.
However, I recorded the reset point to be at 2.14mm, not the 1.6mm Gateron claimed it to be. This difference is greater than 0.5mm which I automatically apply if a tolerance has not been given which is the case here.
Also, there’s a slight bump in the upstroke near the top of the travel which go from 25gf to 30gf. I’m not exactly sure what is causing this. It isn’t noticeable when using the switch.
Gateron CAP Yellow (V2) vs. Gateron Yellow force curve.
The above force curve shows a comparison between the Gateron CAP Yellow V2 and the Gateron Yellow. It’s clear that the Gateron Yellow is slightly lighter from around 2.4mm where both switches are very similar in weighting till the end of their travel. Their upstroke is also very similar.
The Gateron CAP Yellow V2 also exhibits a sharp downward spike at 2.4mm. This was recorded on the force gauge in the 3 tests I did with the same switch.
Gateron CAP Yellow (V2) vs. Gateron Black force curve.
The above force curve shows a comparison between the Gateron CAP Yellow V2 and the Gateron Black. It’s clear the Gateron Black is the heavier switch between the two, although it’s interesting to see that both switches start out very similarly until around 0.8mm into the travel. Their upstroke shares no similarities in weighting with the Gateron Black being clearly heavier.
Overall, it’s a medium weighted switch with minor inconsistencies; namely the sharp downward spike around 2.4mm and the 5gf bump towards the top of the upstroke. I still prefer a weighting closer to the Gateron Black, but I found these to be comfortable to use even with its inconsistencies. A V3 solving these issues would be a welcome improvement.
Sound: 5/10
They’re super quiet for a non-silenced linear switch which is impressive. This isn’t the first time I’ve encountered this, but it is very rare. They’re on the thocky side of things and you can hear some scratchiness if you listen closely.
Overall, they aren’t anything remarkable.
The Gateron CAP Yellow (V2) stem length is 10.44mm.
Typing Performance: 7/10
The scratchiness was the very first thing I noticed when starting to type with them. I wouldn’t say it’s bad per se, but it certainly doesn’t feel nice when typing slowly as this is where you would feel the scratchiness the most.
Despite the scratchiness, I actually enjoyed typing on these. The weighting is close to my preference and its consistency, while not amazing, was tolerable.
Overall, it’s a scratchy switch, sure, but its general performance wasn’t too bad. I just wish it was less scratchy and a bit more consistent.
Gaming Performance: 5/10
It’s not too shabby for fast-paced games. Its scratchiness was barely a factor and its inconsistencies were unnoticeable.
However, things change when it comes to slower-paced games. Off-centre keypresses feel very scratchy and was instantly noticeable. Plus, I noticed heavy binding in certain cases which felt absolutely horrible.
Overall, I wouldn’t recommend these to anyone who play slower-paced games unless you’re willing to put the effort into making them smoother.
Final Score = 28/50 (56%)
