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I guess I'm not as bummed as I could be as I'd probably prefer 65g tactile Zealios over the offered 67g switches (I find stock MX Clears just a bit too heavy and springy, and prefer 45g Topre switches over 55g, for example).
So I'm going with Gateron Browns. Yes Browns, which I eschewed for a good while as being too light, but which I've recently gained a new appreciation for. I really like them a lot, now.
I was going with straight Vanilla layout but am now intrigued by True Fox, and am going to give that a try.
EDIT: did some more reading on the issue. From what i read, apparently only the older batch does this and not the newer batches...
But if Gateron Browns are, indeed, lighter than the MX Browns, I'm guessing the Gaterons may be somewhat like Greetechs in that regard.
I have a DAS 4C keyboard with Greetech Browns. They are lighter and smoother than MX Browns. Those are the browns I cut my teeth on, and then later got some boards with MX Browns.
I thought the feel of the Greetechs were too light for a good while, but now I've adjusted to them and my fingers can fly on them. After upgrading to BPT keycaps, they feel really great, now.
I think I like the stronger bump on the Cherry MX Browns more than the Greetechs, however. They have just a bit more of a tactile bump, which is really nice (this is MX vs Greetech, mind you. Not vs Gateron).
So I'm taking a flyer on the Gateron Browns, myself. I've heard great things about the feel of Gateron switches, so thought I'd give them a try. But now that you've mentioned it, I'm doing a little more research into MX vs Gateron browns to see if I want to change my mind.
I did find this review, FWIW, where he describes his impressions of Gateron Browns:
https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicalKeyboards/comments/36swpa/review_gateron_clear_and_brown/
In his estimation, it seems the actuation point of the Gateron is higher, the tactile bump is softer and not as distinct, but they are smoother than MX Browns.
And oddly, here you'll find a review that says that Gateron Browns are just slightly more tactile than Cherry MX Browns. I actually found a couple of independent instances where someone mentioned this. So maybe the extra smoothness of the Gaterons are leading to the impression of a more distinct tactile bump?
https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=72064.0
In any case, I think the higher actuation point of the Gaterons are pushing me towards them, as I like to use the thin, red, WASD O rings under my keys, and the higher actuation point of the Gaterons will be better in that regard.
I found it a little strange that these switches have been out for the better part of the year yet it's really hard to find substantial reviews for them. Perhaps they're just not that popular of a switch and more people tend to favor a heavier switch like the mx clears and it's variants. Personally, I really like the mx browns but find them just a tad too light.
Anyways, I've decided to give the gaterons a try, seeing how I already have a board with mx browns and they're cheaper. However, as some commenters pointed out above, in https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicalKeyboards/comments/3wktzd/1000_extra_units_added_to_whitefox_on_massdrop_to/ zeal mentioned that he has made the 65g purple zealios available to MD to include in the drop but it's up to them whether or not it's added as an option. If it is added, I'll probably spring for those instead.
This drop is insane! Aside from the various headphone collaborations that have been such a success here, I've never seen such rabid interest in a drop, let alone a keyboard drop.
BTW, I pulled out my DAS 4C with Greetech browns just to remind myself how those feel. They are lighter and smoother than the Cherry MX Browns. I know they are probably different than Gaterons, but they almost seem to fit the description of how folks are describing the Gaterons. I think I actually prefer the feel of the MX Browns better than the Greetechs. Cherry MX seem to have more of a tactile feel. Despite the smoothness of the Greetechs, I think I like the springier, more tactile feel of the MX.
Of course, this is all academic. I'm talking about Greetechs and not the relevant Gaterons. But it's making me rethink my choice. I think I may just go for the Cherry MX Browns as they're a known quantity and I know I like them.
Of course, if those Zealios 65g come my way, then it's settled.
I definitely agree, this drop has been pretty crazy. I wonder if the initial 500 units advertised was an intentional marketing ploy to somehow help generate this level of interest. Then again, matt3o designing this board alone may just as likely have had that effect. Who knows ;p.
Oh boy, after reading your response, you have me doubting my choices yet again, haha. Should I stay with the familiarity of the mx browns or shall I take a chance on the gaterons? I suppose I'll stay with the latter this time around. My rational is that, 1. yolo. 2. I already have mx browns but have not tried any of the brown variants. 3. They're cheap. So if I don't like them, I'll feel less guilty about swapping in the 65g zealios later on (these I really want to try). Unless, of course, MD includes them as an option from the start, in which case, zealios it is!