Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown vs. Gateron New North Pole V2
An in-depth look at the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown and the Gateron New North Pole V2 switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
Introducing two exceptional mechanical keyboard switches, the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown and the Gateron New North Pole V2. Both switches offer unique features and qualities that cater to different typing preferences. The G Pro 3.0 Brown, a tactile switch, presents a delightful and subtle tactile sensation, allowing for a gentle bump that enhances your typing flow without overpowering it. With its frosted light diffuser, this switch ensures your RGB lighting shines brighter, creating a visually immersive experience. Additionally, it offers a medium-high pitch that provides satisfying auditory feedback. On the other hand, the New North Pole V2, a linear switch, offers a crisper typing experience without the rubber dampener found in its predecessor. However, it retains the hallmark feature of the North Pole lineup, providing a frictionless typing feel that users have come to love. Whether you prefer an easy-to-press, mild, and stepped switch like the G Pro 3.0 Brown or a polished, creamy, and frictionless switch like the New North Pole V2, both options have their own merits. Nevertheless, let's delve deeper beyond these generalities to help you make the best decision for your specific needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
55g
Actuation force
50g
Bottom-out force
63g
Bottom-out force
62.5g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
Ink Housing Material
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
20.5mm lengthened stainless steel spring
Spring
Gold-plated 15.4mm
Housing materials
The Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown and the Gateron New North Pole V2 both feature polycarbonate top housings, which create a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to the relatively stiff nature of polycarbonate, which enhances clarity and resonance. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate is beneficial for those who plan to use RGB lighting, as it allows for a visually appealing illumination effect. Thus, both switches offer similar sound and lighting qualities in their top housings.
However, when it comes to the bottom housings, the G Pro 3.0 Brown utilizes nylon while the New North Pole V2 employs polycarbonate. Nylon has long been a favored material for switch housings, as it produces a deeper and fuller sound profile. This is attributed to nylon's softer composition, which absorbs more sound and creates a duller, rounder sound. In contrast, the stiffer nature of polycarbonate in the New North Pole V2's bottom housing contributes to a clearer and more resonant sound profile. Hence, the bottom housings of these switches offer contrasting sound characteristics.
When pressing down on either switch, the qualities of the respective bottom housing material will be felt. The bottom housing has a more significant impact on the bottom-out sound and feel, influencing the tactile feedback experienced while typing. Conversely, the top housing material affects the sound when releasing a key, influencing the overall sound profile during typing sessions. Therefore, while the top housings of both switches share similarities, the differences in their bottom housings result in contrasting tactile experiences and sound profiles.
Weight
When comparing the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown tactile switch and the Gateron New North Pole V2 linear switch, there are some similarities and differences in terms of their actuation force and bottom out force. The G Pro 3.0 Brown has a slightly higher actuation force of 55 grams compared to the New North Pole V2's 50 grams. This means that the G Pro 3.0 Brown requires a slightly heavier push to trigger a keystroke. However, both switches have similar bottom out forces, with the G Pro 3.0 Brown at 63 grams and the New North Pole V2 at 62.5 grams. Both switches fall into the medium range for bottom out force.
Considering weight, some users may prefer a lighter switch like the New North Pole V2 with its lower actuation force, as it allows for longer typing sessions without strain. This makes it suitable for work environments or extended gaming sessions. On the other hand, those who prefer a more substantial typing experience may opt for the G Pro 3.0 Brown with its slightly heavier actuation force. This gives a stronger push feel, which some individuals prefer. Ultimately, while the actuation forces differ slightly, both switches offer a medium level of bottom out force, providing a similar typing experience in terms of pressure experienced when pressing all the way down on the keys.
Travel distance
The Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown tactile switch and the Gateron New North Pole V2 linear switch have the same travel distance of 4mm. This means that when you press down on a key with either of these switches, you will feel the key travel a distance of 4mm from the top to the bottom. Therefore, both switches will provide similar results in terms of the distance you feel when using them.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown 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 Brown for $2.77.
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 G Pro 3.0 Brown is known for its medium-high pitch that delivers a satisfying auditory feedback. While the specific characteristics of the sound are not provided, it can be expected to provide a pleasing and immersive acoustic experience, especially when combined with RGB lighting. On the other hand, the sound of the New North Pole V2 switches is not mentioned, so we do not have specific information about their sound profile. However, it is important to note that the sound of a switch is also influenced by factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used, so individual results may vary.
When it comes to feel, the G Pro 3.0 Brown switches offer an easy-to-press experience with gentle resistance during key presses. This means that minimal force is required to activate the switches, resulting in effortless and comfortable typing. The overall feel of these switches is described as mild, offering a safe middle-ground experience that is approachable to most users. Additionally, the G Pro 3.0 Brown switches are considered stepped switches, which means they have a mild tactile sensation with some pre-travel and/or post-travel.
On the other hand, the New North Pole V2 switches are described as polished, creamy, and frictionless. A polished switch indicates a smooth and refined finish, resulting in a sleek typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel. Creamy switches offer a smooth and buttery typing experience, and this could be due to factory lubrication or specific materials used. The term "frictionless" suggests an extremely smooth and effortless typing experience without any sense of resistance or friction.
In conclusion, the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown switches offer a delightful and subtle tactile sensation, with a medium-high pitch sound and an easy-to-press and mild feel. While the specific sound characteristics are not provided for the G Pro 3.0 Brown, it can be expected to provide a satisfying auditory feedback when combined with RGB lighting. The Gateron New North Pole V2 switches, on the other hand, offer a polished, creamy, and frictionless typing experience, but specific information about their sound and other feel characteristics is not provided. However, based on the available information, both switches are designed to provide a high-quality typing experience, and by choosing the appropriate board and keycaps, users can achieve similar results in terms of sound and feel.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a budget-friendly mechanical keyboard switch without compromising on quality, the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown is an excellent choice. These switches provide a delightful and subtle tactile sensation, adding a gentle bump to your typing flow. With a frosted light diffuser, the G Pro Brown ensures that your RGB lighting shines brighter, creating an immersive visual experience. The medium-high pitch of these switches also delivers a satisfying auditory feedback, enhancing your typing sessions. On the other hand, if you prefer a crisper typing experience without a rubber dampener, the Gateron New North Pole V2 would be more suitable. These switches retain the hallmark feature of the North Pole lineup with a frictionless typing feel. Additionally, they offer a polished, creamy, or frictionless typing experience, depending on your preference. Overall, both switches have medium bottom out forces, making them suitable for those who prefer a medium actuation force. It ultimately comes down to personal preference in terms of sound and feel.
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