The revival of a long-lost legend

CHERRY MX ORANGE

The CHERRY MX ORANGE is another edition to CHERRY’s line-up of community switches. The original switch had been manufactured by CHERRY’s Japanese partner Hirose, became a rare collector’s item today and has been in demand by the enthusiast community for a long time. This reissue of an old classic holds all the improvements of the MX2A generation to revive this legendary key switch in a modern approach.

Highlights

  • Linear and balanced switching characteristics
  • 55 cN actuation force
  • 25 cN reset force
  • 2.0 mm pre travel
  • 4.0 mm actuator travel
  • > 100 mil. keystrokes
  • Lubricated
  • No click
MX ORANGE
The Original

Inside CHERRY MX ORANGE

1 UPPER HOUSING

The Upper Housing is a CAD high precision component made of plastic polymer. With a tolerance of less than 0.01 mm, the component guides the switching slide precisely, forming the CHERRY MX keyswitch’s switching mechanism housing. The housing features the updates of the MX2A switch family with improved sliding rails geometry.

2 SWITCHING SLIDE / STEM

A CAD high-precision component made of plastic polymer specifically for the CHERRY MX creates the pre travel and the keystroke feel between the upper housing and coil spring. The key cap is attached on the upper part of the stem.

This orange switching slide is responsible for the linear switch characteristics of the CHERRY MX ORANGE. Due to the straight TLS surface, the switch triggers directly.

3 GOLD CROSSPOINT CONTACT

Gold-based, the crosspoint contact is the heart of every CHERRY MX keyswitch and the basis of its incredible reliability and durability. With absolute precision, these triangular cross-contacts meet each other at precise right angles. This unique CHERRY innovation and ornate gold-plating make the electrical contact enclosure self-cleaning and gives the keyswitch permanent protection against corrosion, guaranteeing the keyswitch for more than 100 million operations.

4 PRECISION COIL SPRING

The MX2A generation barrel spring recreates the original spring force of the legacy MX ORANGE while ensuring a smooth while accentuated key press.

5 HOUSING BASE

Dual-functional, the housing base component is made of plastic polymer and glass fibre. The inner part forms the mounting for the CHERRY MX keyswitch’s switching mechanism. The outer part is both the base and mounting surface for CHERRY’s mechanical keyboards.
More about the original

CHERRY MX ORANGE

The CHERRY MX ORANGE is another edition to CHERRY’s line-up of community switches. The original switch had been manufactured by CHERRY’s Japanese partner Hirose, became a rare collector’s item today and has been in demand by the enthusiast community for a long time. This reissue of an old classic holds all the improvements of the MX2A generation to revive this legendary key switch in a modern approach.

CHERRY MX ORANGE

Key benefits

  • Engineered and Made in Germany
  • CHERRY MX ORANGE: Linear travel with a balanced spring force
  • Features all the improvements of the MX2A
  • High-precision mechanical key switch based on the MX standard
  • Industry-leading CHERRY Gold Crosspoint technology
  • Factory-applied, premium-grade lubricant
  • Noise-reducing barrel spring design
  • Glide-optimized housing and stem geometry
  • Short bounce time for high switching frequency (such as for fast typing)
  • Self-cleaning contacts, switch resistant to dust and dirt
  • Over 100 million keystrokes with no loss of quality guaranteed
MX Experience Box
10 CHERRY MX SWITCHES IN ONE BOX

CHERRY MX Experience Box

CHERRY MX Switch How does it type? Switch characteristics Keystrokes
MX BLACK powerful and direct linear (no click) > 100 mil.
MX BLACK CLEAR TOP powerful, direct and retro linear (no click) > 50 mil.
MX BLUE powerful and noticeable tactile and acoustic (with click) > 50 mil.
MX BROWN targeted and noticeable tactile (no click) > 100 mil.
MX CLEAR focused, powerful and noticeable tactile (no click) > 50 mil.
MX ERGO CLEAR targeted, smooth and noticeable tactile (no click) > 50 mil.
MX GREEN loud, robust and noticeable tactile and acoustic (with click) > 50 mil.
MX GREY purposeful, robust and noticeable tactile (no click) > 50 mil.
MX PURPLE reactive and tactile tactile (no click) > 50 mil.
MX RED smooth-running and directly linear (no click) > 100 mil.
MX SILENT BLACK powerful and quiet linear (no click + quiet) > 50 mil.
MX SILENT RED smooth-running and quiet linear (no click + quiet) > 50 mil.
MX SPEED SILVER fast and direct linear (no click) > 100 mil.
MX LOW PROFILE RED quick-witted, smooth and direct linear (no click) > 100 mil.
MX LOW PROFILE SPEED quick-witted, fast and direct linear (no click) > 100 mil.
MX ULP CLICK ultra-low profile, clicky and noticeable tactile and acoustic (with click) > 50 mil.
MX ULP TACTILE ultra-low profile, focused and noticeable tactile (no click) > 50 mil.
CHERRY MX are the best switches on the market

Properties

Properties of the installed mechanics

Plunger color red
Actuation characteristic linear
Actuation force 45 cN
Initial force 30 cN
Final force 100 cN
Pre-Travel 2 mm
Total key travel 4 mm
Contact system MX Gold Crosspoint

Scope of delivery

Article number Mounting pins RGB
MX2A-LC3B
EAN: 4025112117398
with pin - PCB mount (5 Pins) yes
MX2A-LC3W
EAN: 4025112111112
with pin - PCB mount (5 Pins) no