Click to view our Accessibility Statement or contact us with accessibility-related questions
Showing 1 of 276 conversations about:
huntro
26
Jun 13, 2018
bookmark_border
psicloneIIRC, Massdrop sponsored the design and development of the Halo switches by Input Club. In exchange, Massdrop got the patent rights, and Input Club got funding and the rights to sell the switches on their keyboards.
Input Club organized a Kickstarter, which Massdrop claimed violated the terms of their agreement, since they were selling the switches outside the realm of their "website store" which they say was the limitation of the agreement. Input Club says they understood it to be a sourcing agreement, which means they could sell the switches as part of their keyboards or as replacement parts. Massdrop said they can't sell the Halo switches any more, they got into a whole lot of legal kerfuffle, I'm not sure how it shook out in the end or if it's still going on, but basically the Halo design was tweaked and IC developed a new box-style switch with Kaihua. Massdrop retained the name of the Halo switches, and I think calling the other ones "Hako" was a bit of an act of defiance from IC.
There's a good article about the drama on toms hardware: https://www.tomshardware.com/news/massdrop-input-club-halo-switches,35468.html
Input Club organized a Kickstarter, which Massdrop claimed violated the terms of their agreement, since they were selling the switches outside the realm of their "website store" which they say was the limitation of the agreement. Input Club says they understood it to be a sourcing agreement, which means they could sell the switches as part of their keyboards or as replacement parts. Massdrop said they can't sell the Halo switches any more, they got into a whole lot of legal kerfuffle, I'm not sure how it shook out in the end or if it's still going on, but basically the Halo design was tweaked and IC developed a new box-style switch with Kaihua. Massdrop retained the name of the Halo switches, and I think calling the other ones "Hako" was a bit of an act of defiance from IC.
There's a good article about the drama on toms hardware: https://www.tomshardware.com/news/massdrop-input-club-halo-switches,35468.html
psiclone
405
Jun 13, 2018
bookmark_border
huntroAh, I remember this now. I bought Hako Trues a while back. They're nice, but I wasn't as impressed with them as I was the Aliaz switches, so I just use those. The downside to the Aliaz is that they're a bit loose on my keyboard (GMMK), whereas pretty much all the other switches I have sit pretty snug.
TTheuns
884
Jun 13, 2018
bookmark_border
huntroI've also always liked that Hako roughly translates to box or boxy from Japanese. Perfect name for a box switch.
HotRoderX
753
Jun 13, 2018
bookmark_border
psicloneto answer your question the big difference is the tactile bump. A lot of people say Hako's are far inferior to Halo's. Personally I like the bump on the halo's I have tried. Hako's the bump is at the very top and not noticeable to barely noticeable by a lot of people.
huntro
26
Jun 13, 2018
bookmark_border
HotRoderXHe makes a good point here - I have Halo Clears on my K-Type and I just built a Whitefox with Hako Clears. The Hakos have a much higher actuation point. This could suite your typing style if you dont like having to press keys very far to actuate them, and I think it makes me type a little faster. Leads to a few more mistakenly pressed keys though since they're a little more sensitive.
Different strokes for different folks - both great switches. @psiclone If you can, I'd recommend trying both to see which you like better.
Different strokes for different folks - both great switches. @psiclone If you can, I'd recommend trying both to see which you like better.
Related Products
Drop Refurbished
Like-new products you can trustDrop Rewards
Get $5 for every 500 points you earn! Learn more
Drop Keyboard Club
Become a member and expand your keycap collectionCollaborate With Us
For Brands & DesignersFollow Drop