Bsun Akashi vs. Gateron New North Pole V2
An in-depth look at the Bsun Akashi and the Gateron New North Pole V2 switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the BSUN Akashi and the Gateron New North Pole V2 linear switches both offer unique features and qualities to enhance your typing experience. The BSUN Akashi stands out with its UPE stem for smoothness and a hybrid housing combo of POM top and nylon bottom, creating a distinct sound profile that combines brightness and richness with each keystroke. On the other hand, the Gateron New North Pole V2 does away with a rubber dampener for a crisper feel while maintaining the frictionless typing experience that the North Pole lineup is known for. Both switches provide a polished and creamy typing experience, but the Akashi offers a clacky and snappy feel compared to the New North Pole V2's smooth and frictionless touch. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
37g
Actuation force
50g
Bottom-out force
43g
Bottom-out force
62.5g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
UPE
Stem material
Ink Housing Material
Top housing material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm single-stage extended spring
Spring
Gold-plated 15.4mm
Housing materials
Comparing the housing materials of the Bsun Akashi and the Gateron New North Pole V2, it is evident that the Akashi utilizes POM for the top housing, while the New North Pole V2 opts for polycarbonate. The POM top housing of the Akashi offers a deeper and relatively more muted sound profile, providing a unique and pleasing typing experience. In contrast, the polycarbonate top housing of the New North Pole V2 creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile, attributed to its stiffer nature. While both materials offer distinct acoustical properties, the choice between a more mellow sound with POM or a crisper sound with polycarbonate will largely depend on individual preferences.
Looking at the bottom housing materials, the Akashi features a nylon bottom housing, known for its ability to produce a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer nature. On the other hand, the polycarbonate bottom housing of the New North Pole V2 contributes to a sharper and more resonant sound profile, emphasizing clarity and precision in typing. The contrasting qualities of the nylon and polycarbonate bottom housings highlight the impact that the choice of material can have on the overall sound and feel of a switch, offering users a variety of options based on their sound preferences.
In terms of overall typing experience, the housing materials of the Bsun Akashi and the Gateron New North Pole V2 play a crucial role in shaping the sound and feel of the switches. Whether it be the deeper and fuller sound profile of the Akashi with its POM top and nylon bottom housing, or the sharper and crisper sound profile of the New North Pole V2 with its polycarbonate top and bottom housing, the choice between these materials can significantly impact the typing experience. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will come down to personal preference in sound, with the Akashi offering a more muted and soothing typing experience, while the New North Pole V2 provides a sharper and more resonant sound for a different typing feel.
Weight
When comparing the Bsun Akashi linear switch to the Gateron New North Pole V2 linear switch in terms of actuation force and bottom out force, it is evident that the Akashi is lighter while the New North Pole V2 is heavier. The Akashi has a lighter actuation force of 37 grams and a bottom out force of 43 grams, making it suitable for those who prefer a lighter touch for longer typing or gaming sessions. On the other hand, the New North Pole V2 has a heavier actuation force of 50 grams and a bottom out force of 62.5 grams, providing a more substantial typing experience for those who prefer a stronger push feel. Both switches offer different typing experiences based on their force specifications, allowing users to choose based on their preference for lighter or heavier switches. Despite the differences in force, both switches provide reliable and responsive keystrokes, ensuring a satisfying typing experience for users.
Travel distance
The Bsun Akashi linear switch has a travel distance of 3.7 mm, while the Gateron New North Pole V2 linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm. In this case, the New North Pole V2 has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Akashi. The difference may not be significant, but it could be a factor to consider depending on personal preferences. Generally, a shorter travel distance is preferred by gamers for faster response times, while a longer travel distance may provide a more substantial and satisfying key press feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for travel distance and typing experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Bsun Akashi has an MSRP of $4.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Akashi for $3.70.
The Gateron New North Pole V2 has an MSRP of $6.80 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the New North Pole V2 for $5.70.
Here at Milktooth, we offer the best prices on switches (on average, 27% lower the competition). In addition, we offer free shipping on orders over $49.00. We also offer free returns and exchanges, so you can shop with guaranteed satisfaction.
That said, while price is an important piece of the puzzle, our opinion is that you should ultimately pick the option that most suits your unique preferences since you’ll be using these switches for years to come. In other words, finding something perfect for you is, in our view, the most important criteria.
Typing experience
In terms of sound, the Bsun Akashi linear switch offers a clacky experience with a sharp and snappy sound, creating a crisp and bright bottom-out noise with a touch of percussion. On the other hand, the Gateron New North Pole V2 linear switch's sound qualities are unknown, so it's difficult to directly compare the two in this aspect. Nevertheless, the sound produced by a switch can be further influenced by external factors such as the keyboard's construction and keycaps used.
When it comes to feel, the Bsun Akashi linear switch is described as creamy, providing a smooth and buttery typing sensation due to the materials used and possibly factory lubrication. This results in a silky experience where your fingers effortlessly glide across the keys with minimal resistance. Additionally, the switch is also mentioned to be frictionless and polished, further enhancing the overall typing feel. Conversely, the Gateron New North Pole V2 linear switch shares some similarities in terms of offering a polished and creamy typing experience, alongside being frictionless. Users can expect a smooth and refined typing feel with reduced friction and effortless key travel.
Considering all the available information, both the Bsun Akashi and the Gateron New North Pole V2 linear switches offer a premium typing experience with their unique characteristics. While the Akashi is favored for its clacky sound and creamy feel, the Gateron New North Pole V2 excels in providing a polished, frictionless typing experience. Ultimately, choosing between the two switches would depend on personal preference for sound, feel, and other factors such as keyboard setup. However, both switches are likely to result in a satisfying typing experience for newcomers seeking quality linear switches.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the BSUN Akashi linear switch and the Gateron New North Pole V2 linear switch, consider your preference for bottom out force and typing experience. If you prefer a lighter switch with a unique tactile feedback and resonant sound, the Akashi may be the better choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium bottom out force with a crisp typing experience and smooth key travel, the New North Pole V2 could be more suitable. Ultimately, both switches offer different characteristics that cater to different preferences, so it's essential to prioritize what attributes are most important to you in a mechanical keyboard switch.
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