CHERRY MX Falcon vs Purple Dawn: 택타일일까, 리니어일까?
By UniKeys | Custom Mechanical Keyboards, Keycaps & Switches | Published: 2026-11-02
Category: 비교
택타일 스위치 CHERRY MX Falcon과 리니어 스위치 HMX Purple Dawn을 실용적으로 비교하며, 타건감, 공장 윤활, 각 스위치에 어울리는 빌드를 다룹니다.
Quick answer
Choose the CHERRY MX Falcon tactile switch if you want a clear bump and a shorter 3.5 mm total travel for typing with feedback. Choose the HMX Purple Dawn linear switch if you prefer a smooth, uninterrupted press with no tactile event, especially for fast or repetitive keying.
The real difference is the bump, not the lube
Both switches come factory lubed, so the deciding factor is the switching characteristic. The Falcon is tactile: it has a 50 cN operating force, 1.7 mm pre-travel, and a 3.5 mm total travel, with a noticeable bump during the press. The Purple Dawn is linear, meaning the key travels smoothly from top to bottom without a tactile event.
That bump changes how you type. A tactile switch gives your fingers a confirmation point before bottom-out, which some typists find reduces heavy bottoming-out. A linear switch removes that confirmation, which can feel faster and more even for rapid repeated presses.
Travel and force numbers that affect daily use
The Falcon's 3.5 mm total travel is shorter than a conventional 4 mm switch, so it bottoms out slightly sooner. Combined with the 50 cN operating force and 1.7 mm pre-travel, it produces a relatively quick, feedback-rich press.
The supplied catalog does not list operating force or travel figures for the Purple Dawn. That absence is a real limitation: you cannot compare it to the Falcon on paper for force or travel. What the catalog does confirm is its linear switching characteristic and its factory-lubed edition, so the choice there rests on feel preference rather than published numbers.
Factory lube and materials: what each catalog actually says
The Purple Dawn is described as one of the earliest HMX switches to use a UPE stem and the first HMX switch to pair that UPE stem with a P4 bottom housing. The catalog also notes that PA12 top housings are smooth and pleasant, but it does not state the Purple Dawn's top housing material, so do not assume it is PA12.
The Falcon's catalog entry confirms factory lubrication and a tactile, non-clicky action, plus a rated lifespan of more than 50 million keystrokes. It does not list housing or stem materials. Treat material claims for either switch as unverified unless the product page states them.
Trade-offs to weigh before buying
- Feedback vs smoothness: The Falcon's tactile bump confirms each press but adds a slight resistance point. The Purple Dawn's linear travel is uninterrupted but gives no tactile cue. If you type by feel and like knowing when the switch actuates, the Falcon is the safer pick.
- Published specs vs feel-only choice: The Falcon has listed force and travel numbers you can compare against other switches. The Purple Dawn's catalog entry does not list force or travel, so you are choosing it on linear feel and materials alone. Buy the Purple Dawn only if you are comfortable choosing a linear switch without paper specs.
- Typing vs rapid repeated presses: The Falcon's 3.5 mm total travel and 1.7 mm pre-travel make for a quick, feedback-rich press that suits sustained typing. The Purple Dawn's linear action removes the bump that can slow rapid repeated presses. For gaming or fast repeated keys, favor the linear Purple Dawn; for feedback-led typing, favor the Falcon.
Product facts
- UNIKEYS X HMX Purple Dawn Linear Switch Factory Lubed Edition (10PCS): Linear switch with a UPE stem and P4 bottom housing, factory-lubed edition. The smooth, bump-free press suits fast or repeated keying where tactile feedback is not wanted.
UNIKEYS X HMX Purple Dawn Linear Switch Factory Lubed Edition (10PCS) - CHERRY MX Falcon Tactile Switch Factory Lubed (10PCS）: Tactile switch with 50 cN operating force, 1.7 mm pre-travel, 3.5 mm total travel, factory lubed, rated over 50 million keystrokes. The shorter travel and defined bump give typing a quicker, more confirmed feel than a linear switch.
CHERRY MX Falcon Tactile Switch Factory Lubed (10PCS）
Which switch fits your build
Best for
- Typists who want a tactile bump and a shorter 3.5 mm total travel
- Buyers who prefer published force and travel figures before choosing
- Users who want a non-clicky tactile switch with factory lube
Not for
- Gamers or fast typists who prefer a smooth, bump-free linear press
- Buyers who want a linear switch with fully published force and travel specs
- Anyone who dislikes tactile feedback during key travel
