Gateron G Pro 3.0 Black vs. Dareu Violet Gold Pro
An in-depth look at the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Black and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options to consider are the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Black and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro. The G Pro 3.0 Black stands out as a linear switch, known for its heavy actuation and bottom-out force, appealing to users looking for a more substantial typing experience. On the other hand, the Violet Gold Pro is a tactile switch, offering a medium tactility with a light touch and a neutral sound signature, making it a versatile choice for a balanced typing feel. While the G Pro 3.0 Black prioritizes a premium feel with its weighty touch and auditory experience, the Violet Gold Pro excels in providing a comfortable medium tactility. 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
45g
Bottom-out force
70g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
N/A
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.80 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
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm gold-plated spring
Spring
Gold-plated spring
Housing materials
The Gateron G Pro 3.0 Black and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro both offer unique housing materials that contribute to their sound profiles. The G Pro 3.0 Black utilizes a proprietary INK blend for its top housing, which results in a thin and higher-pitched sound that is often described as clacky. In contrast, the Violet Gold Pro features a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. Additionally, the G Pro 3.0 Black's POM bottom housing produces a deeper and more muted sound, while the Violet Gold Pro's nylon bottom housing elicits a fuller and rounder sound.
The choice of housing materials in these switches not only affects their sound profiles but also their overall aesthetics. The G Pro 3.0 Black's clear polycarbonate top housing allows for RGB lighting to shine through, adding a visually appealing element to the switch. On the other hand, the Dareu Violet Gold Pro's use of nylon for the bottom housing provides a classic look and feel. Despite these differences, both switches offer a satisfying typing experience with their unique sound qualities.
In summary, while the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Black and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro have different housing materials, they each offer distinct sound profiles that cater to different preferences. Whether you prefer the clacky and high-pitched sound of the G Pro 3.0 Black or the sharper and crisper sound of the Violet Gold Pro, both switches provide a quality typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will come down to personal preference in terms of sound, feel, and aesthetics.
Weight
In comparing the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Black linear switch and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro tactile switch, it is evident that the actuation and bottom out forces play a significant role in determining the typing experience. The G Pro 3.0 Black has a higher actuation force of 60 grams compared to the 45 grams required by the Violet Gold Pro. Additionally, the G Pro 3.0 Black has a bottom out force of 70 grams, while the force for the Violet Gold Pro is unknown. This makes the G Pro 3.0 Black a heavier switch in terms of force required for both actuation and bottoming out. The choice between the two switches ultimately comes down to personal preference, with some users preferring a lighter touch for extended typing sessions, while others may enjoy the feeling of a more substantial push for a tactile typing experience.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Black linear switch and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro tactile switch, it is clear that the G Pro 3.0 Black has a slightly longer travel distance of 4 mm compared to the Violet Gold Pro's 3.8 mm. The G Pro 3.0 Black falls into the more traditional range of travel distances, offering a bit more depth when pressing down on the keys. On the other hand, the Violet Gold Pro is slightly shallower, which may appeal to those looking for a faster response time. Both switches provide a different typing experience, with the G Pro 3.0 Black offering a bit more depth and the Violet Gold Pro providing a quicker, more responsive feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on personal preference for travel distance and typing feel.
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 Dareu Violet Gold Pro has an MSRP of $7.73 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Violet Gold Pro for $4.76.
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 known for its clacky and medium-high pitch sound, providing a sharp and snappy auditory experience that can be described as crisp and bright. On the other hand, the Dareu Violet Gold Pro tactile switch offers a neutral sound signature, making it suitable for various typing environments. The sound of both switches will vary depending on the keyboard setup, such as the case material and keycaps used.
Moving on to the feel, the G Pro 3.0 Black switch is characterized as creamy and silky, offering a smooth and buttery typing experience due to lubrication within the switch. This results in a silky sensation and effortless keystrokes. In contrast, the Dareu Violet Gold Pro switch is described as stepped, providing a tactile feedback with two stages of sensation. While the G Pro 3.0 Black switch focuses on a smooth and subtle typing feel, the Violet Gold Pro switch offers a more noticeable tactile bump during keystrokes.
In conclusion, the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Black linear switch excels in providing a substantial typing experience with a heavier actuation force and clacky sound profile, along with a creamy and silky feel. On the other hand, the Dareu Violet Gold Pro tactile switch offers a balanced tactile feedback with a light touch and a neutral sound signature, enhancing the overall typing satisfaction. Depending on individual preferences for sound and feel, both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different typing styles. Ultimately, choosing between the two switches would depend on personal preferences for sound, feel, and typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Black linear switch and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro tactile switch, consider your preference for typing experience. If you enjoy a medium-heavy typing feel with a balanced actuation force and bottom-out force, along with a more clacky and pronounced sound profile, then the G Pro 3.0 Black may be the better choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter and more neutral tactile experience with a smooth typing feel and a stepped tactile response, then the Violet Gold Pro could be the switch that suits your needs. Ultimately, both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different preferences, so it's important to prioritize what aspects of typing experience are most important to you when making your decision.
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