C3 Tangerine vs Kinetic Labs Salmon
The C3 Tangerine and the Kinetic Labs Salmon are often cross-shopped. The main differences: the C3 Tangerine is lighter to actuate (62g versus 63.5g); travel is 3.8 mm on the C3 Tangerine and 4 mm on the Kinetic Labs Salmon; stock they sound different: deep thocky linear versus smooth salmon linear.
- Cheaper per switchKinetic Labs Salmon$0.55 versus $0.65
Choose the C3 Tangerine if
- you want a switch popular for thocky linear builds.
- you want a lighter keystroke (62g).
Choose the Kinetic Labs Salmon if
- you want a switch popular for JWK linears.
- you want a switch popular for customs.
- you want a heavier, more deliberate press (63.5g).
- you want to spend less per switch.
C3 Tangerine vs Kinetic Labs Salmon, spec by spec
| C3 Tangerine | Kinetic Labs Salmon | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Linear | Linear |
| Compatibility | Standard MX sockets | Standard MX sockets |
| Actuation force | 62g | 63.5g |
| Bottom-out force | 67g | n/a |
| Pre-travel | 2 mm | n/a |
| Total travel | 3.8 mm | 4 mm |
| Stem | POM | POM |
| Top housing | PC | PC |
| Bottom housing | nylon | nylon |
| Spring | 62g or 67g | 63.5g |
| Factory lube | light | light |
| Pins | 5-pin | 5-pin |
| Price / switch | $0.65 | $0.55 (stronger spec) |
| Sound profile | deep thocky linear | smooth salmon linear |
| Released | 2020 | 2021 |
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 Fields marked n/a are unpublished by the maker; we list only verifiable numbers.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; 94% of the 198 switches tracked here actuate lighter than the Kinetic Labs Salmon.
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 Kinetic Labs Salmon.
87% of the 193 switches tracked here cost less per switch than the C3 Tangerine; 70% of the 193 switches tracked here cost less per switch than the Kinetic Labs Salmon.
Where to buy the C3 Tangerine
No verified retailer link right now. Check the maker or your usual switch retailers.
Where to buy the Kinetic Labs Salmon
No verified retailer link right now. Check the maker or your usual switch retailers.
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