Gazzew Bobagum vs. Gateron Mars
An in-depth look at the Gazzew Bobagum and the Gateron Mars switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When choosing mechanical keyboard switches, the Gazzew Bobagum and the Gateron Mars both stand out as linear options, each bringing unique characteristics to the typing experience. The Bobagum switches are celebrated for their exceptional smoothness, offering a distinct ‘matte’ feel that strikes a balance between a polished glide and a raw texture, along with a nearly silent sound profile that makes them ideal for quiet environments. In contrast, the Gateron Mars switches feature a groundbreaking design that incorporates a POK stem with a housing made from a blend of Nylon and POM, ensuring durability and consistency in performance. While the Bobagum caters to users seeking a muted and subtle typing experience, the Mars aims to provide innovative engineering for those who value both tactile feedback and longevity. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the right switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
N/A
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
N/A
Pre-travel
1.20 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POK
Top housing material
Proprietary Gazzew blend
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Proprietary Gazzew blend
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel 14.5mm Korean spring
Spring
22mm double-staged spring
Housing materials
The Gazzew Bobagum and Gateron Mars switches showcase distinct housing materials that significantly influence their acoustic profiles. The Bobagum features a proprietary plastic blend known as "boba plastic" for both its top and bottom housings, which contributes to a rich and deep sound profile thanks to its softness. This unique blend allows the switch to generate a pleasant feedback upon key presses, providing an immersive typing experience. In contrast, the Gateron Mars utilizes nylon for its top housing and POM (Polyoxymethylene) for its bottom housing, each offering unique properties that result in a deeper, fuller sound profile. The nylon top housing absorbs sound effectively, creating a duller and rounder auditory experience, while the POM bottom housing further enhances the muting of sound, contributing to an overall pleasing auditory feedback.
While both switches aim for a deep sound profile, the differences in their housing materials introduce variance in the nuances of sound experienced during typing. The Bobagum is uniform in its composition with the same boba plastic for both housings, which means that the acoustic qualities are more integrated and consistent across the entire switch. Conversely, the Mars's combination of nylon and POM means that each housing contributes separately to the overall sound and feel; the nylon's cushioning effect can be felt during the release, while the POM's muting properties impact the bottom-out sound. This separation can result in a more complex auditory experience for the Mars switch compared to the cohesiveness of the Bobagum.
In terms of performance, both switches offer a rich typist experience but approach sound delivery differently. The Gazzew Bobagum, with its uniform material, ensures that the entire switch resonates similarly throughout key movement, delivering a seamless auditory profile. On the other hand, the Gateron Mars employs a dual-material strategy, combining the characteristics of nylon and POM to achieve a layered auditory response where each aspect of the sound can be distinctly felt as a typist presses and releases the keys. If typists are looking for specific qualities in sound that diverge between the two, they would appreciate the Bobagum's consistent approach while the Mars would appeal to those who enjoy the complex interplay of different materials affecting sound and feel.
Weight
When comparing the Gazzew Bobagum linear switch to the Gateron Mars linear switch, we find notable differences in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Bobagum switch has a known bottom out force of 55 grams, categorizing it as medium-light, while its actuation force remains unspecified. In contrast, the Gateron Mars features an actuation force of 45 grams, indicating a lighter feel for keystrokes, but the bottom out force remains unknown. This means that while the Mars switch offers a lighter actuation, the overall typing experience could vary since the bottom out force is not provided. If both switches shared actuation forces, users could expect similar typing dynamics. However, since the actuation force of the Bobagum is unknown, it is difficult to predict how it might compare directly with the lighter feel of the Mars. Overall, the Bobagum is likely the heavier option due to its known bottom out force, while the Mars offers a lighter pressing experience ideal for extended typing or gaming sessions.
Travel distance
The Gazzew Bobagum linear switch and the Gateron Mars linear switch both have an identical travel distance of 3.6 mm. This means that when pressing down on either switch, users will feel the same distance from the top to the bottom, resulting in a similar typing experience. Since both switches share this feature, any tactile feedback and bottoming-out sensation will be consistent, making them equally responsive in that regard.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Gateron Mars has an MSRP of $6.10 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Mars for $5.50.
The Gazzew Bobagum comes in at $6.50 per 10 switches.
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
When it comes to sound characteristics, the Gazzew Bobagum linear switch is distinctly muted, producing a softer and quieter noise profile compared to more traditional or clacky switches. This makes it an excellent choice for those who value discretion, such as in shared or office environments. In contrast, the Gateron Mars linear switch lacks specific sound descriptions, leaving the auditory experience somewhat unknown. However, since sound is heavily influenced by factors such as the keyboard used and the keycaps fitted, both switches could potentially achieve comparable levels of quietness depending on how they are integrated into a setup.
Focusing on the tactile sensation provided by these switches, the Bobagum switch is renowned for its subtle feel, characterized by gentle resistance that gives a light typing experience. This essentially means it offers a pleasurable texture that avoids both being too harsh and overly soft, accommodating a wide range of typing styles. On the other hand, the Gateron Mars switch currently does not have detailed descriptions regarding its tactile feel, which leaves this aspect uncertain. Without this specific information, it's challenging to draw direct comparisons in terms of tactile feedback, yet the overall experience may vary based on individual preferences and typing habits.
In summary, the Gazzew Bobagum linear switch stands out for its muted sound profile and subtle feel, making it an ideal candidate for users seeking a quiet and smooth typing experience. The Gateron Mars switch, while offering intriguing design advantages through its unique POK stem and housing material, lacks detailed descriptions regarding sound and tactile feedback. Consequently, while both switches have their unique attributes, the Bobagum provides a well-defined experience that is easy to assess, whereas the Mars will require further exploration for those looking to understand its qualities.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Gazzew Bobagum and Gateron Mars linear switches, consider your typing preferences and the environments in which you’ll be using your keyboard. If you prioritize a smooth, muted experience that minimizes auditory distractions, the Bobagum is an excellent choice. Its medium-light bottom-out force and ‘matte’ feel create a unique tactile experience that’s especially well-suited for office settings or shared environments where noise is a concern. The Bobagum's subtle resistance allows you to type comfortably without feeling fatigued, making it ideal for long typing sessions. On the other hand, if you're intrigued by the innovative design and are looking for a switch with a bit more character, although the specific bottom-out force of the Mars is unknown, its POK stem and specialized housing materials promise a distinct typing experience. The Mars could be better suited for those who value innovation or perhaps enjoy experimenting with new switch technologies. Ultimately, your choice should reflect your personal typing style, noise sensitivity, and the overall feel you're seeking in your keyboard experience.
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