C3 Tangerine vs Gateron Oil King
The C3 Tangerine and the Gateron Oil King are often cross-shopped. The main differences: the Gateron Oil King is lighter to actuate (55g versus 62g); travel is 3.8 mm on the C3 Tangerine and 4 mm on the Gateron Oil King; stock they sound different: deep thocky linear versus deep, oily thock.
- Cheaper per switchGateron Oil King$0.60 versus $0.65
Choose the C3 Tangerine if
- you want a switch popular for thocky linear builds.
- you want a heavier, more deliberate press (62g).
Choose the Gateron Oil King if
- you want a switch popular for thocky builds.
- you want a switch popular for stock-ready linears.
- you want a lighter keystroke (55g).
- you want to spend less per switch.
C3 Tangerine vs Gateron Oil King, spec by spec
| C3 Tangerine | Gateron Oil King | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Linear | Linear |
| Compatibility | Standard MX sockets | Standard MX sockets |
| Actuation force | 62g | 55g |
| Bottom-out force | 67g | 65g |
| Pre-travel | 2 mm | 2 mm |
| Total travel | 3.8 mm | 4 mm |
| Stem | POM | POM |
| Top housing | PC | black nylon |
| Bottom housing | nylon | black INK blend |
| Spring | 62g or 67g | single-stage |
| Factory lube | light | full |
| Pins | 5-pin | 5-pin |
| Price / switch | $0.65 | $0.60 (stronger spec) |
| Sound profile | deep thocky linear | deep, oily thock |
| Released | 2020 | 2022 |
Highlighted rows are where the two differ; a check marks the objectively stronger spec (price, battery, modability). Feel and preference rows never get a check. Fields marked n/a are unpublished by the maker; we list only verifiable numbers.
Where they sit among all 227 switches we track
90% of the 198 switches tracked here actuate lighter than the C3 Tangerine; 70% of the 198 switches tracked here actuate lighter than the Gateron Oil King.
49% of the 224 switches tracked here have shorter total travel than the C3 Tangerine; 57% of the 224 switches tracked here have shorter total travel than the Gateron Oil King.
87% of the 193 switches tracked here cost less per switch than the C3 Tangerine; 83% of the 193 switches tracked here cost less per switch than the Gateron Oil King.
Where to buy the C3 Tangerine
No verified retailer link right now. Check the maker or your usual switch retailers.
Where to buy the Gateron Oil King
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