In the world of custom keyboards, tactile switches are becoming more and more famous.
The creation of the Holy Panda Switches, which is often called the holy grail of touch switches, is one of the main reasons for the rise in demand.
The Holy Panda has affected the way many new keyboard switches look and has made it possible for better ones to come.
Some of the most popular feedback switches on the market for mechanical keyboards are Holy Panda switches.
The switch is best known for its snappy feel, rounded bump, and unique sound quality. Even though there are a lot of tactile switches, the Holy Panda is still a fan choice because of how it feels.
In 2017, Top Clack user “Quakemz” made the Holy Panda by putting together two switches. He was the first person to think of putting the stem of a Halo True and the body of an Invyr Panda together.
This unusual mix made the ultimate tactile frankenswitch, which is a switch made up of parts from different switches.
In this piece, we’ll learn more about the Holy Panda switch, talk about what makes it unique, and look at some of its many different versions and clones.
What Are Holy Panda Switches?
Holy Panda switches are made up of bits from different switches. The first Holy Panda switch was made up of:
- Housing (and often a spring) from an Invyr Panda switch
- From a Halo switch, a stem or slider
Because of this: Holy Panda. The Holy Panda was made by putting together the solid case and spring from the Invyr Panda and the stem from the Halo switch.
Holy Pandas are loved for two reasons: they are very touchable and have an obvious round bump, and when they are in the right keyboard, they sound great.
Zealios v2 switches are more shaped and easier to feel, but they don’t sound the same, for example. The Holy Pandas are different because of how they sound.
People love Holy Pandas, and the most famous video on Holy Pandas on YouTube shows why.
What do Holy Pandas feel like?
Holy Pandas are known for having more feel and snap than other tactile switches, but what makes them different?
First off, the name is really catchy and easy to remember.
But if you look closely at how the switch is made, you can see that the Invyr Panda case is made for a linear switch, which is why it is much tighter than usual.
The Halo stem and how tight the bottom housing is make the interesting snap and feel that people talk about.
Also, when the stem hits the housing of the Invyr Panda, it makes a deep, bassy sound, which adds to the user’s pleasure.
This switch stands out from the rest because of how it feels and how it sounds.
Some people don’t like how it feels, but if you want a switch with a quick, sharp bump and a nice sound, the Holy Panda is great.
Are Holy Pandas Clicky?
They’re not clicky switches. Holy Pandas have a bump that looks like a clicky switch, but they don’t make the same clicking sound.
Are Holy Pandas worth it?
If you like physical switches, then yes, Holy Pandas are worth trying, especially now that there are a lot of different kinds of Holy Pandas that are affordable.
Holy Pandas are often thought of as one of the best tactile switches, so if you want to end your tactile trip, you can use them.
Holy Panda Variants
It can be expensive to make frankenswitches because you need to buy two sets of switches and then join them.
Fans have thought that housings from GSUS and YOK switches are good alternatives to the original Invyr Panda housings since they are no longer available.
Drop started taking group orders for ready-made Holy Panda switches with authentic Halo stems and re-tooled housings in late 2018 or early 2019, and you can now buy them on their site. These are the switches that are the most like the original Holy Panda.
Other companies, like Glorious, Yok, and Fekker, are now making cheaper copies of the Holy Panda so that more people in the mechanical keyboard community can buy them.
Here’s a short look at how the three compare to the original Holy Panda changes.
Glorious Panda Switches
The person who made Holy Panda, Quakemz, said that the Glorious Panda line was “the best version of Holy Panda.”
The original INVYR Panda case molds are used to make these switches, which have better internals and better materials.
It has a 67g spring and a POM stem. There is less pretravel for the tactile bump to happen, and the upward stroke is harder. It comes from the mill without grease and needs to be put on.
Glorious Panda Specifications
- Average Stem Wobble (less leeway than TKC Kiwi and Zealios v2)
- Housing Tolerance: Excellent (might not need switch shooting)
- Leaf Ping: Yes
- Price at Retail ($/Switch): $0.69
Feker Panda Switches
These are the Holy Panda copies that cost the least. Like the others, it has a POM switch stem that looks like a halo, a Polycarbonate top housing, a Nylon bottom housing, and a 67g spring.
It feels the same as the original holy panda and still has the round bump that makes it stand out.
It doesn’t have any oil on it when it comes out of the plant, but it’s not as scratchy as a panda.
Fekker Panda Specifications
- Stem Wobble: Average (less room for error east-west than Glorious Panda)
- Excellent (might not even need to be filmed)
- Leaf Ping: Just About
- The price at retail is $0.48 per switch.
Holy Yok Panda
Basically, these are a twist on the GSUS switch, which was one of the first options to the original Holy Pandas.
They come in different colors, like Red, Mint, Polar, and Trash, but they’re all pretty much the same. The Yok Panda makes a sound that is a little bit deeper than the other two Panda clones.
Holy Yok Panda Specifications
- Stem Wobble: Low (less space than Glorious Panda).
- Excellent (might not even need to be filmed)
- Leaf Ping: Just About
- Price at Retail: $0.55 per Switch
Are Holy Pandas Good for Gaming?
At 67 grams, Holy Pandas are a pretty heavy switch. If you’re coming from a fast gaming switch or even just a regular Cherry MX switch, the change in how heavy it is to press a key will definitely make you tired.
I would only suggest playing games with Holy Pandas if you are used to gaming with heavier buttons.
My Recommendations
Drop Holy Pandas, YOK Purple Trash Pandas, and Glorious Pandas are the three most common types of Holy Pandas.
I think the Drop Pandas are the most like the original Holy Pandas, as long as you get a consistent, high-quality lot.
At $1 per switch, Drop is one of the Panda clones with the most expensive prices.
Glorious Pandas cost $0.60 per switch and work almost as well. The stem is less stable and the sound isn’t as loud, but for 40% less money, they are a much better deal.
Yook Purple Trash Pandas aren’t really Pandas, but with a stronger bump, they do almost as well as a Panda. They cost $0.55 per switch, which is the same as the Glorious Pandas.
Drop is the best way to get the most like the real Holy Panda experience. Go with Glorious if you’re happy with a 90% experience and want to save some money.
