Glorious Lynx Optimization Guide

Guides & Resources

Aug 12 2021

With Glorious Lynx finally released into the wild, we felt it was the right time to discuss some valuable tips and tricks for getting the most out of this linear switch.

Like every other aspect of the keyboard community, these recommendations are purely subjective. Each keyboard, environment, typing surface, and user are unique. So, we suggest experimenting with your switches to find what you prefer!

Understanding Linear Switches

Before diving into ways to improve your Lynx switches, let's break down the benefits that linear switches provide over alternative switch types.

Linear switches are notably different from their tactile and clicky counterparts. Unlike the latter types, linears have a smooth downstroke with no tactile bump.

The operations of linear, tactile, and clicky switches (Credit)

Regarding their sound, linears lack any click bar and tend to produce a quieter typing experience overall. Their operation is nearly silent, producing a sound only if they strike the keyboard's plate.

User preference varies, but linears are considered an excellent choice for high-intensity gaming. Their unimpeded downstroke allows you to quickly pull off rapid keystrokes without a tactile bump.

Their quick and precise actuation also makes them an excellent option for fast typers who do not need the feedback tactile and clicky switches offer.

Check out our official Glorious Lynx Sound Test featuring Alexotos

Lube Your Lynx

That subtitle may sound a little...off. But, hear us out. Linear switches benefit significantly from having their components lubed, making their operation even more buttery smooth and quick.

Pressing down on a lubed Glorious Lynx, you will immediately notice a difference from their stock version. Lube mitigates friction during the downstroke, making the switch feel even more buttery smooth.

Any subtle spring ping or scratchiness also is reduced, making the switches sound deeper and highly satisfying to hear when typing. Seriously, you cannot get enough of a board full of lubed switches.

Learn how to lube switches with this easy-to-follow video featuring JTTR

Lynx switches come in pre-lubed and unlubed versions, allowing you to bypass the lubrication process if you just don’t have the time or roll up your sleeves to do it yourself. For tips and tricks to DIY lubing, check out our article on "Why you should lube your keyboard switches."

Additionally, we have a suite of high-quality lubing equipment that will make the process even more enjoyable, rewarding, and frustration-free.

Swap Your Switch Plates

Even more so than lubing, switch plates significantly impact how your switches sound and even feel. All GMMK PRO keyboards come with an aluminum plate, which strikes a good balance by offering a flexible yet firm typing experience.

Polycarbonate Plate (Left) and Brass Plates (Right)

Polycarbonate Plates

The optional polycarbonate plate will make your Lynx switches sound more resonant, producing a deeper tone due to the material's more flexible nature.

The typing experience on a polycarbonate plate is softer than on the brass and aluminum options, meaning when your Lynx switches strike the board, there will be a more noticeable "cushion."

Some users prefer this material if they typically "bottom-out" their keys. Bottoming out is when the keycap strikes the plate, and some users do so with more force than others.

Lynx switches, being a faster linear, may cause you to do so. So, the polycarbonate option may be the best option for you.

Brass Plates

Brass plates are heavy and unyielding. Unlike the deeper tone produced from their plastic counterparts, brass plates create a higher-pitched sound that some users in the community refer to as "musical."

Striking the brass plate with your Lynx switches, you will immediately notice a firmer typing experience.

Some users enjoy the tactility that comes with this more rigid typing surface. There is no doubt when you bottom out a switch on a brass plate.

Keycaps

Similar to switch plates, keycap materials can affect how your switches sound while typing. The difference between ABS and PBT keycaps may not be as drastic, but there you can't discount that a difference is noticeable.

Throwing some PBT plastic keycaps on your Lynx switches will produce a deeper, fuller tone compared to their ABS counterparts.

This change in sound is due to the PBT material being thicker and less flexible than ABS.

GMMK PRO with GPBT Pastel Keycaps

If you are looking to deepen the noise produced by your Lynx switches, adorning them with PBT keycaps is quicker and easier than lubing or swapping plates - making them an excellent way to see if you want to go in that direction or not before fully committing.

We recommend checking out our GPBT line of keycaps for an in-stock, affordable, and aesthetically pleasing set of PBT material keycaps!