Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown vs. Jerrzi Salt Ice
An in-depth look at the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown and the Jerrzi Salt Ice switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown and the Jerrzi Salt Ice offer unique features catered to different preferences. The G Pro 3.0 Brown is a tactile switch, known for its gentle bump and medium-high pitch that adds a satisfying auditory feedback to your typing experience. It is an excellent choice for those who prefer a subtle tactile sensation without compromising on quality or budget. On the other hand, the Jerrzi Salt Ice is a linear switch with exceptionally bright and clacky characteristics, providing a vibrant feedback and effortless actuation. This switch is ideal for users seeking a more energetic and responsive typing experience. 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
55g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
63g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
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
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown and the Jerrzi Salt Ice both feature polycarbonate top housings, providing a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This material choice is ideal for switches intended to be used with RGB lighting due to its translucency. However, the G Pro 3.0 Brown also incorporates a nylon bottom housing, offering a deeper and fuller sound profile compared to the Salt Ice's polycarbonate bottom housing. This difference in bottom housing material may result in a slightly different typing experience between the two switches.
While the top housings of the G Pro 3.0 Brown and the Jerrzi Salt Ice are both made of polycarbonate, their bottom housings differ in material. The G Pro 3.0 Brown's nylon bottom housing absorbs more sound, creating a duller and rounder sound profile, in contrast to the Salt Ice's crisper and higher-pitched sound profile from its polycarbonate bottom housing. This distinction in bottom housing material highlights how the choice of material can impact the overall sound and feel of a switch. Despite sharing similar top housings, these switches offer unique typing experiences due to their differing bottom housing materials.
Overall, the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown and the Jerrzi Salt Ice showcase the importance of housing materials in creating distinct typing experiences. While both switches utilize polycarbonate for their top housings, the G Pro 3.0 Brown stands out with its nylon bottom housing, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile. On the other hand, the Salt Ice's polycarbonate bottom housing contributes to a sharper and higher-pitched sound profile. Understanding how different housing materials impact sound and feel is crucial for enthusiasts looking to customize their keyboard typing experience. Regardless of the differences in housing materials, users can expect quality and performance from both the G Pro 3.0 Brown and the Jerrzi Salt Ice.
Weight
The actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown tactile switch and the Jerrzi Salt Ice linear switch differ in their weight. The G Pro 3.0 Brown has a medium actuation force of 55 grams and a bottom out force of 63 grams, providing a balanced typing experience. In comparison, the Salt Ice is lighter with an actuation force of 45 grams, but its bottom out force is unknown. Those who prefer a lighter touch may lean towards the Salt Ice, as it requires less force to trigger a keystroke. However, individuals seeking a more substantial typing experience may find the G Pro 3.0 Brown more suitable due to its heavier bottom out force. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will depend on personal preference for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Jerrzi Salt Ice linear switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm. This means that the G Pro 3.0 Brown has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Salt Ice. The longer travel distance of the G Pro 3.0 Brown may provide a more substantial feel when typing, whereas the shorter travel distance of the Salt Ice may result in quicker response times, making it preferred by gamers. Both switches offer different experiences in terms of key travel, with the G Pro 3.0 Brown leaning towards a deeper press and the Salt Ice leaning towards a quicker, shallower press. Ultimately, the choice between the two will come down to personal preference and whether you prefer a longer or shorter travel distance for your typing or gaming needs.
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 Jerrzi Salt Ice has an MSRP of $2.79 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Salt Ice for $2.30.
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 Brown tactile switch is known for producing a medium-high pitch that offers a satisfying auditory feedback, enhancing the overall typing experience. On the other hand, the Jerrzi Salt Ice linear switch is recognized for its exceptionally bright and clacky characteristics, creating a vibrant feedback that adds to the energetic and responsive typing feel. The individual sound profiles of these switches will also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
When it comes to feel, the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown tactile switch is praised for being easy-to-press and offering a mild typing experience with a stepped feel. These qualities contribute to a low-impact typing feel that is comfortable and minimizes finger fatigue during extended typing sessions. In contrast, the specific feel of the Jerrzi Salt Ice linear switch is not provided in the information given. However, from the general characteristics of linear switches, we can expect a smooth and consistent actuation without a tactile bump, providing a different typing experience compared to the G Pro 3.0 Brown.
In conclusion, the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown tactile switch and the Jerrzi Salt Ice linear switch offer distinct subjective qualities that cater to different preferences in the mechanical keyboard community. While the G Pro Brown provides a subtle tactile sensation and medium-high pitch sound, ideal for those seeking a gentle bump during typing, the Salt Ice switch stands out for its bright and clacky feedback, appealing to users looking for an energetic and responsive typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on individual preferences for sound, feel, and overall typing experience.
Conclusion
To wrap up, when deciding between the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown tactile switch and the Jerrzi Salt Ice linear switch, you should consider your preference for typing experience. If you are looking for a budget-friendly option that provides a subtle tactile feedback with medium bottom out force, then the G Pro 3.0 Brown is the way to go. On the other hand, if you prefer a more energetic and responsive typing experience with a light touch and vibrant feedback, the Salt Ice may be the better choice for you. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal typing style and preferences to enhance your overall typing satisfaction.
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