Gateron G Pro 3.0 Black vs. Outemu Tom
An in-depth look at the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Black and the Outemu Tom switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Gateron G Pro 3.0 Black stands out as a powerful linear switch, offering an ideal option for those seeking a robust typing experience with its 60g actuation and 70g bottom-out force. The switch's medium-high pitch auditory feedback, combined with a frosted light diffuser enhancing RGB lighting effects, creates a captivating typing ambiance. On the other hand, the Outemu Tom represents a tactile switch that provides a different typing feel compared to the linear G Pro 3.0 Black. While not much information is available on the Tom, tactile switches generally offer a more pronounced tactile bump when typing, giving users a tactile feedback sensation. If you prefer a smoother and quieter typing experience, the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Black may be your choice, whereas if you enjoy a more tactile feedback when typing, the Outemu Tom could be the right pick. 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
60g
Actuation force
55g
Bottom-out force
70g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.20 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.30 mm
Factory lubed
No
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
22mm gold-plated spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Gateron G Pro 3.0 Black and the Outemu Tom switches both have unique housing materials that contribute to their distinct sound profiles. The G Pro 3.0 Black features a proprietary INK blend top housing that produces a pointed and relatively high-pitched sound, described as clacky. In contrast, the Tom uses a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper and crisper sound profile due to its stiffer nature. While both materials result in distinct sound profiles, the G Pro 3.0 Black's INK blend offers a slightly less sharp sound compared to the Tom's polycarbonate.
Moving on to the bottom housing materials, the G Pro 3.0 Black utilizes a POM bottom housing that produces a deeper and more muted sound profile. On the other hand, the Tom switches feature a nylon bottom housing, known for producing a fuller and rounder sound. The softer nature of nylon absorbs more sound, leading to a duller overall sound compared to the POM bottom housing of the G Pro 3.0 Black. Despite these differences, both housing materials contribute to the switches' overall sound characteristics, providing users with a variety of tactile experiences.
Overall, the housing materials of the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Black and the Outemu Tom switches play a crucial role in determining their sound profiles and tactile feedback. While the G Pro 3.0 Black offers a slightly softer and less sharp sound with its INK blend top and POM bottom housing, the Tom switch produces a clearer and crisper sound with its polycarbonate top and nylon bottom housing. This demonstrates how the choice of housing material can significantly impact the overall typing experience, providing users with options that cater to their personal preferences in sound and feel.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Black linear switch and the Outemu Tom tactile switch, it is evident that the G Pro 3.0 Black is slightly heavier in terms of actuation force at 60 grams compared to the Tom's 55 grams. However, the bottom out force of the G Pro 3.0 Black at 70 grams is heavier than the Tom's unavailable force. This means that the G Pro 3.0 Black offers a more substantial typing experience with a stronger push feel, while the Tom provides a lighter touch for longer typing sessions. Overall, both switches cater to different preferences in terms of actuation and bottom out force, allowing users to choose based on their desired typing experience.
Travel distance
The Gateron G Pro 3.0 Black linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Outemu Tom tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.3 mm. In this case, the Outemu Tom has a shorter travel distance compared to the Gateron G Pro. The difference may not seem significant, but it can impact the typing experience. The G Pro 3.0 Black with its longer travel distance can provide a more satisfying typing feel for those who prefer a bit more depth in their keystrokes. On the other hand, the Outemu Tom's shorter travel distance may appeal to gamers seeking faster response times. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches comes down to personal preference in terms of typing feel and speed.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Gateron G Pro 3.0 Black has an MSRP of $2.80 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the G Pro 3.0 Black for $2.77.
The Outemu Tom comes in at $3.10 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
In terms of sound, the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Black linear switch is often described as clacky, producing a sharp and snappy sound when pressed. This creates a crisp, bright, and percussive auditory experience, which can be enhanced by factors such as the keyboard's construction and keycaps used. On the other hand, information regarding the Outemu Tom tactile switch's sound quality is unknown, so it is difficult to make a direct comparison in this aspect.
Moving on to feel, the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Black linear switch offers a creamy and silky typing experience, thanks to its smooth and buttery operation. The application of lubricant in the switch enhances the overall typing feel, allowing fingers to glide effortlessly across the keys with minimal resistance. In contrast, details regarding the feel of the Outemu Tom tactile switch are not provided, making it challenging to draw a direct comparison in this regard.
Considering all available information, the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Black linear switch excels in providing a medium-heavy keypress feel with a clacky sound profile, ideal for those seeking a more substantial typing experience. Additionally, its compatibility with RGB lighting adds a visually vibrant element to its performance. While details about the Outemu Tom tactile switch's sound and feel remain unknown, based on the characteristics of the G Pro 3.0 Black, it can be inferred that users may expect a similar level of premium quality and performance from the Outemu Tom switch, albeit with potential differences in specific sound and feel attributes.
Conclusion
To sum up, when choosing between the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Black linear switch and the Outemu Tom tactile switch, your decision should be based on your preference for typing experience. If you prefer a medium-heavy typing feel with a balanced actuation and bottom-out force, as well as a more substantial auditory experience with a medium-high pitch sound, then the G Pro 3.0 Black would be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you are looking for a switch with an unknown bottom out force and no specific characteristics described for sound and feel, you may want to explore other options or consider personal testing before making a decision. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will come down to your individual typing preferences and priorities in terms of sound and feel.
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