Holy Yok Pandas and Company (In-depth Explanation) 2024
The Holy Pandas are some of the most famous and coveted switches in recent years, with a story full of twists and unnecessary drama. These switches were created (or discovered) by Quakezm by combining two different types of switch, a linear (Invyr Panda) and a tactile (Halo True or Clear), which we commonly refer to as ‘ Frankenswitches ‘.
The Invyr switches were originally part of a groupbuy organized on Reddit by user u/zisb (this is similar to a pre-order, except only paid orders are produced with few surpluses), and the idea behind these switches was to make a good linear switch, although the final results left a lot to be desired; Those who got their hands on them complained about how scratchy they felt and generally that the switch didn’t live up to expectations. It is believed that around 10,000 Invyr were produced in that first production round (often referred to as R1, or Round 1).
On the other hand, the Halo switches in their True and Clear versions were developed by Jacob Alexander and they are produced by Kailh (who make various switches for Novelkeys like creams, blueberry, box jade, box royal, nk_sherbet, among others) and sold by Drop . These switches are tactile and have a progressive spring, the idea of which is to require a greater amount of force as the switch is moved until it reaches the bottom, in order to discourage the use of unnecessary pressure and help a better experience of writing.
Quakezm, founder of Top clack (a content site for keyboard enthusiasts like us), had the idea of testing how the stem or actuator of a Halo True (which is the piece that is held on the spring and that we move towards the bottom of the switch to activate it), in the housing (the switch case) of an Invyr panda, but using the spring of the panda.
Why are They so Converted?
The Holy Panda is a very peculiar switch because the Halo switch actuator has a much longer base than normal. When pressing a Halo switch all the way down, we can notice how the stem protrudes a little from the switch housing. In the case of the Invyr, the effect is much more dramatic, not only is it noticeable to the naked eye, but the length of the stem means that the 67gf of the Invyr spring does not feel like such, in fact, the sensation of pressing the Holy Panda requires just a bit more force than pressing a Cherry MX Brown.
The tactile sensation is very noticeable, and the MX Brown seem like a joke in comparison, in addition to the fact that the base of the actuator (stem) colliding with the bottom of the casing produces a very characteristic sound, which many refer to as a snap. ), HPs are not silent switches.
The big difference of the HP with other switches is a mixture of the very clear sensation of the bump or tactile stop, with a ‘medium’ amount of force, which is added to a very characteristic click when it reaches the bottom, while the spring quickly pushes the stem up giving a sense of speed, like a button that asks you to press it many times. Constantly pressing these switches is a bit of an addictive feeling in my opinion.
Drama and more drama
The original Holy Pandas became so popular that these switches (already assembled) fetched close to $6 per switch! Much of this was due to there not being an R2 of the Invyr pandas, and the BSUN company that produced the Invyrs being found to have gotten rid of the original molds.
The panda fever caused various groups to become interested in reproducing the Invyr case, and involved the 1upkeyboards store and later Drop. From these efforts came a first groupbuy of Gsus switches, supposedly Invyr clones, but before that groupbuy ended, Massdrop (now Drop only) presented their own pre-assembled Holy Pandas in the form of another groupbuy. As an added twist we have the story that Drop sent 30 HP switches to Qaukemz for review, who posted a thumbs up, only to later realize that Drop never shipped the new production switches, but 30 original Holy Panda switches, which irritated seriously to the community and I create distrust in the Drop groubuy.
Currently we can find another alternative to the Drop HP, in the Yok Pandas, and although I could not verify the manufacturer of the switches, the Yok Pandas are the most popular clones of the Gsus, and as a result of numerous online debates, there are little to no discrepancy between the feel of the original Holy Pandas and the Holy Yok Pandas, although it is common to find Yok Pandas with red, green, and blue colored housings.
Is there much difference between Holy Pandas (original), Drop HP, and Yok HP? I must admit I’ve been unable to find any strong opinions on this – the first Drop HP groupbuy had issues as the switches came with very inconsistently applied lubricant from the factory, which created a lot of mixed opinions, and apart from the color it didn’t seem There may be little or no difference between the feel of the original yok, drop, and HP. Of course, you can get a higher reputation for finding original HPs.
Review: Halo Clear
The Halo Clear are interesting switches, the transparent housing makes their use in LED keyboards very attractive, and they also offer a great tactile experience. The progressive spring we talked about earlier makes them heavier when bottoming out (pickup is 52gf and bottom out force is 78gf), so if you like to always push your switches, they can be tiring to use. after a while (after using them on a keyboard I noticed this effect). Personally, I didn’t enjoy these switches as much mainly because the bump is more noticeable when the switch returns after being activated.
The release also seems to be the biggest source of their sound, at initial press they are relatively quiet switches, and because they actively ‘push’ you out of pressing them, it’s a bit weird that you hear the bottom out noise, however When releasing them, the force of the spring highlights the touch stop again, causing a quite noticeable sound.
The stem or actuator is identical to that of the Halo True, only the color changes to pink and the spring is heavier (the activation is from 54 to 60gf and the force to take them to the bottom is 100gf!). Perhaps the biggest flaw I found in these switches was spring noise (ping), since the switch is not very loud, ping steals the show. In short, I would recommend at least lubricating the spring to avoid that annoying sound. I also think it’s important to note that the housing is very similar to Box Switches, which require a different type of switch opener since the top of the case is held in a different way than most MX switches.
Would you recommend these switches? If you are a fan of tactile ones, I recommend you try them, I don’t think they are better than the Holy Pandas objectively speaking, but they are solid switches at an affordable price, well above the Brown ones.
Yok Purple Panda
The Yok Purple Panda are completely different, the first Yok, clones of the Gsus, are linear switches, these (the Purple ones), however, are tactile and have a 67gf activation spring and 70gf to take them to the Bottom line, as you can see, the spring is not progressive and strangely enough it feels quite light for the supposed 67gf (Cherry MX Brown requires 45gf for example).
The actuator is purple in color and gives a brief but very noticeable tactile sensation on activation, as if the switch had a very defined on/off, that is, the pre- and post-stop moments are light. In addition, the sound of the stem in the housing is very nice, almost like a heavy panda without the click of the bottom out. The switches come pre-lubricated which can be annoying for those who like to lube their switches, and they still feel scratchy, so I’m not sure how likely they would lose that feel if they were lubed properly. Note: Switches with factory lubricant are usually only lightly applied to the sides of the actuator or stem, which is somewhat inefficient.
In general I would recommend them for someone who likes medium or light force touch, and who enjoys pushing the switches all the way down. Perhaps their biggest advantage is that they don’t try to do something too different like the Halos or the Blueberries, but on the other hand, they can be a bit boring. Personally, I preferred them over the Halo Clear.
Unholy Panda
The Unholy Panda are the result of ‘recycling’ the components resulting from using the stem of the Halo and the rest of the Invyr, Gsus, or in this case Yok Purple panda, curiously they are very attractive switches due to the purple stem and the transparent housing. Like the Halo Clear, they would look pretty good on a keyboard with LEDs.
Compared to the Halo Clear the bump is more defined and prolonged, the spring force is still there but as the stem is shorter I intuitively stopped pushing it earlier than the Halo Clear which made me feel like it works better with the progressive look of the spring .
Compared to the Yok Purples, the bumper is less noticeable, but longer, requires a bit more force to activate, and is quieter. In my opinion the purple stem feels better than the Halo stem in this case, but it still feels scratchy. I was surprised that the Unholy Purple Yok Pandas were so decent.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Holy Yok Pandas and Company?
Holy Yok Pandas and Company is a fictional entertainment and media company created by the Holy Yok Group. It serves as a platform for producing and distributing various forms of content, including films, TV shows, games, and merchandise, centered around the adventures of lovable pandas and other endearing characters.
Who are the main characters in the Holy Yok Pandas and Company universe?
The main characters in the Holy Yok Pandas and Company universe are a group of adorable and adventurous pandas. Each panda has its unique personality and talents, making them endearing and relatable to audiences of all ages. Additionally, they are often joined by other charming creatures and friends throughout their captivating journeys.
What types of content are available under Holy Yok Pandas and Company?
Holy Yok Pandas and Company offers a diverse range of content, catering to different interests and age groups. Some of the offerings include animated TV series for kids, interactive games, comic books, novels, and even live-action films suitable for the entire family. The company aims to create heartwarming and engaging stories that inspire, entertain, and leave a positive impact on its audience.
How can I watch or access Holy Yok Pandas and Company content?
Holy Yok Pandas and Company content can be accessed through various platforms, depending on the type of media. Animated TV series may be available on popular streaming services or aired on television channels. Interactive games can be found on gaming platforms and app stores, while comic books and novels can be purchased through bookstores and online retailers. Additionally, the company may have its dedicated website or app for accessing exclusive content and merchandise.
Are there any educational elements incorporated into Holy Yok Pandas and Company content?
Yes, Holy Yok Pandas and Company strives to incorporate educational elements into its content, especially in its children’s series and games. While primarily focused on entertainment, the company believes in promoting valuable lessons, positive values, and learning experiences for its young audience. Themes such as friendship, teamwork, problem-solving, and environmental awareness are often woven into the storylines to provide both fun and educational value for viewers and players.
Final Words
Overall I would rank this mode 1st place Holy Panda, 2nd Yok Purple (mainly because I didn’t really enjoy the spring of the Clears, although it’s very subjective), tied with the Unholy Pandas (housing and stem look great! !), and 3rd Halo Clear (which aren’t bad switches I just enjoyed the others more).
I hope you enjoyed this text and an apology for the length, until next time!
