Gateron CAP Anniversary vs. Gateron Glory Red
An in-depth look at the Gateron CAP Anniversary and the Gateron Glory Red switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to selecting the perfect mechanical keyboard switch, both the Gateron CAP Anniversary and the Gateron Glory Red offer distinct qualities designed to enhance your typing experience, despite both being linear switches. The CAP Anniversary switches are celebrated for their innovative CAP structure, which features an aerodynamic stem design with tiny holes to dissipate air, resulting in exceptionally smooth keystrokes and enhanced stability. Their 'snappy', 'creamy', and 'polished' characteristics make them an appealing choice for typists seeking a refined tactile sensation. On the other hand, the Gateron Glory Red switches shine for their lightweight design, providing a smooth keystroke and an enjoyable travel distance, catering to users who prefer a more effortless typing experience. Both switches deliver pleasurable performances, yet they cater to slightly different preferences in terms of feedback and feel. 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
50g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
65g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 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
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated 20mm spring
Spring
20mm single-stage spring
Housing materials
The Gateron CAP Anniversary and Gateron Glory Red switches showcase notable differences in their top housing materials, which significantly influences their sound profiles. The CAP Anniversary utilizes polycarbonate for its top housing, a material known for its stiffness and translucency. This choice results in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound, particularly beneficial when using RGB lighting, as the clear nature of polycarbonate allows the illumination to shine through effectively. In contrast, the Glory Red features a nylon top housing, a softer plastic that absorbs sound rather than amplifying it. This results in a deeper, fuller, and less resonant sound profile. Thus, users can anticipate distinct auditory experiences from the two switches, with the CAP Anniversary providing a brighter sound and the Glory Red offering a warmer tone.
Though the top housings are fundamentally different, both switches share the same nylon material for their bottom housings, which brings a unifying aspect to their overall sound profiles. Nylon is recognized for its ability to create a duller and rounder sound due to its softer composition; it effectively absorbs more sound and contributes to a more muted typing experience. Thus, while the CAP Anniversary’s top housing enhances the clarity and brightness of each key press, the consistent use of nylon in both bottom housings means that the bottom-out sound and tactile feel will be quite similar across both switches. This commonality may lead to certain overlapping characteristics in the overall sound profile, giving both models a degree of warmth and depth during usage, despite their individual top housing differences.
Ultimately, the interaction of the different housing materials in these switches demonstrates how each can be tailored to specific user preferences. The contrasting properties of polycarbonate and nylon in the top housings of the CAP Anniversary and Glory Red create unique auditory experiences, while their shared nylon bottom housing helps to ground their typist feel. If you are seeking a clear and resonant sound, the CAP Anniversary would be the optimal choice; however, for a muted and more subdued tactile feedback, the Glory Red stands out. Users will find that regardless of their preference, both switches provide an enjoyable typing experience, enhanced by the complementary nature of their shared bottom housing material.
Weight
The Gateron CAP Anniversary linear switch and the Gateron Glory Red linear switch present a notable contrast in their actuation forces. The CAP Anniversary requires an actuation force of 50 grams, while the Glory Red is lighter at 45 grams. This makes the Glory Red a preferable option for those who favor a lighter switch for extended typing or gaming sessions, as it requires less force to actuate. However, the CAP Anniversary has a bottom out force of 65 grams, indicating a firmer feel when fully pressed down, which might appeal to users who appreciate a more substantial typing experience. The bottom out force for the Glory Red is currently unknown, preventing a direct comparison. Overall, those seeking a lighter switch may gravitate towards the Glory Red, while those preferring more resistance and a heavier feel might find the CAP Anniversary more fitting.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Gateron CAP Anniversary linear switch and the Gateron Glory Red linear switch, a clear distinction emerges. The CAP Anniversary features a travel distance of 4 mm, which is aligned with the most traditional travel distance that many typists and gamers may prefer for its hearty depth. In contrast, the Glory Red switch offers a shorter travel distance of 3.6 mm, catering to users who favor quicker response times often desired in gaming setups. This difference suggests that while the CAP Anniversary provides a more pronounced feel with its longer travel, the Glory Red allows for a snappier, more responsive action, making it ideal for those who like swift keystrokes. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches may depend on personal preference for depth versus speed, with the CAP Anniversary being the longer option and the Glory Red being the shorter one.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Gateron CAP Anniversary has an MSRP of $4.90 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the CAP Anniversary for $4.10.
The Gateron Glory Red has an MSRP of $4.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Glory Red for $4.19.
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, the Gateron CAP Anniversary switch lacks specific details, making it difficult to compare directly with the Gateron Glory Red switch, which’s sound characteristics are also not explicitly described. However, it's important to note that the sound produced by a switch can be significantly influenced by factors such as the keyboard's construction and the keycaps used. Therefore, while both switches may generate different auditory experiences, the specific sound profile remains somewhat elusive for each, requiring personal experimentation to fully understand their acoustic uniqueness.
In terms of feel, the CAP Anniversary switch is praised for its snappy, creamy, and polished characteristics. These descriptors suggest that the switch is incredibly responsive with minimal resistance, providing a smooth, buttery typing sensation that feels refined and satisfying under the fingers. In contrast, the information on the feel of the Gateron Glory Red switch is not available, which leaves a gap in the comparison. However, if the performance is aligned with the overall quality expected from linear switches, users can anticipate a satisfying tactile experience—though it may not reach the nuanced descriptions provided for the CAP Anniversary.
In conclusion, while the Gateron CAP Anniversary switch offers a unique blend of sound and feel through its innovative design and construction, the Gateron Glory Red switch remains an intriguing choice, albeit with less available information. Users looking for an exceptionally smooth and responsive typing experience may find the CAP Anniversary more appealing based on its documented qualities. However, without concrete sound and feel characteristics for the Glory Red, it's challenging to discern where its experience will lead. Ultimately, personal preference and hands-on experience will be crucial in determining which switch suits an individual's typing style best.
Conclusion
To conclude, choosing between the Gateron CAP Anniversary linear switch and the Gateron Glory Red linear switch ultimately comes down to your specific preferences for typing feel and feedback. If you appreciate a medium-heavy feel with a bottom-out force of 65 grams and value an exceptionally smooth experience, the CAP Anniversary is likely the better choice for you. Its unique design not only reduces resistance but also enhances stability, making it ideal for those who favor a snappy and polished typing experience. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter touch and enjoy a more responsive keystroke, then the Glory Red should be your go-to. While specific details about its sound and feel may be limited, it's known for providing a smooth keystroke and a satisfying travel distance, suitable for those who want a more casual typing experience. Ultimately, your choice will depend on what you prioritize in your mechanical keyboard — be it the tactile sensation and smoothness of the CAP Anniversary or the light, enjoyable travel of the Glory Red.
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