Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown vs. Aflion Shadow (Ink) Double Spring
An in-depth look at the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown and the Aflion Shadow (Ink) Double Spring 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 Aflion Shadow (Ink) Double Spring. The G Pro 3.0 Brown, part of Gateron's budget-friendly G Pro series, offers a delightful tactile sensation with a gentle bump that seamlessly integrates into your typing flow. Its frosted light diffuser ensures vibrant RGB lighting, immersing you in a visually captivating experience. Additionally, the medium-high pitch provides satisfying auditory feedback, enhancing your typing sessions. On the other hand, the Shadow (Ink) Double Spring switch variant boasts a medium-high level of tactility, thanks to its long, two-staged spring. Typing on these switches produces deep, resonating thocks that add an extra layer of satisfaction. While the G Pro 3.0 Brown is characterized as easy-to-press, mild, and stepped, the Shadow (Ink) Double Spring switch falls under the clacky, high-pitched, sharp, accented, snappy, bouncy, and stepped categories. However, let's delve deeper beyond these generalities to help you make an informed decision on the best switch for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
55g
Actuation force
55g
Bottom-out force
63g
Bottom-out force
63g
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
No
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
20.5mm lengthened stainless steel spring
Spring
20mm dual-stage spring
Housing materials
The Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown and the Aflion Shadow (Ink) Double Spring switches both feature a polycarbonate top housing. Polycarbonate is known for creating a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. It is especially useful for switches that will be used with RGB lighting due to its translucency. Both switches will provide similar sound profiles and visual aesthetics due to their shared use of polycarbonate in the top housing.
However, the difference lies in their bottom housing materials. The G Pro 3.0 Brown utilizes a nylon bottom housing, known for producing a deeper and fuller sound profile. This is because nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. On the other hand, the Shadow (Ink) Double Spring switch uses a polycarbonate bottom housing. Polycarbonate is stiffer compared to nylon, leading to a more clear and resonant sound. While both switches provide distinct bottom-out sound and feel, the G Pro 3.0 Brown's nylon bottom housing will offer a deeper and fuller sound compared to the Shadow (Ink) Double Spring's polycarbonate bottom housing.
When it comes to typing on both switches, the top and bottom housing materials play a significant role in the sound experience. While pressing down on a key, the qualities of the bottom housing will be more noticeable, affecting the bottom-out sound and feel. The G Pro 3.0 Brown's nylon bottom housing will provide a softer and more dampened typing experience, while the Shadow (Ink) Double Spring's polycarbonate bottom housing will give a crisper and more resonant feel. On the other hand, the top housing material will influence the sound produced when releasing a key. As both switches feature a polycarbonate top housing, they will deliver a similar crisp and clear sound when keys are released.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown tactile switch and the Aflion Shadow (Ink) Double Spring tactile switch, it is evident that both switches have identical actuation forces and bottom out forces. Both switches require a medium force of 55 grams to trigger a keystroke and have a bottom out force of 63 grams. This means that users can expect a similar typing experience in terms of the required force for both switches. Whether one prefers a lighter or heavier switch, the G Pro 3.0 Brown and Shadow (Ink) Double Spring provide a balanced and consistent feel. This makes them suitable for individuals who prioritize longer typing sessions or those who seek a more substantial typing experience. Overall, these switches offer similar results in terms of actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown and the Aflion Shadow (Ink) Double Spring tactile switches have the same travel distance of 4 mm. When pressing down on either switch, you will feel a consistent 4 mm of travel distance from the top to the bottom. Therefore, both switches provide a similar tactile experience in terms of travel distance.
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 Aflion Shadow (Ink) Double Spring has an MSRP of $4.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Shadow (Ink) Double Spring for $3.57.
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 G Pro 3.0 Brown switch offers a medium-high pitch that provides a satisfying auditory feedback. It delivers a delightful and subtle tactile sensation without overpowering your typing flow. On the other hand, the Aflion Shadow (Ink) Double Spring switch is described as clacky and high-pitched. It produces a sharp and snappy sound when pressed, which can be described as crisp, bright, and percussive. It is important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
In terms of feel, the G Pro 3.0 Brown switch is easy-to-press and offers gentle resistance during key presses. It requires minimal force to activate and enhances the typing experience by providing a responsive and low-impact feel. It is also described as mild, offering a gentle typing experience that falls within a safe middle-ground zone. Additionally, the G Pro 3.0 Brown switch has a stepped feel, meaning it provides a mild tactile sensation with some pre-travel and/or post-travel.
On the other hand, the Aflion Shadow (Ink) Double Spring switch is described as sharp, accented, snappy, bouncy, and also stepped. It has a stronger and crisper tactile bump, providing a high feedback intensity that can be felt distinctly with each keypress. Additionally, the longer or dual-staged springs in this switch give it a more responsive and alive feel. Similar to the G Pro 3.0 Brown, it also has a stepped feel, offering a mild tactile sensation with some pre-travel and/or post-travel.
In conclusion, the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown switch and the Aflion Shadow (Ink) Double Spring switch have different subjective qualities. The G Pro 3.0 Brown switch provides a delightful and subtle tactile sensation with a medium-high pitch sound. It has an easy-to-press and mild feel, offering a low-impact and responsive typing experience. On the other hand, the Shadow (Ink) Double Spring switch has a stronger tactile bump and is described as clacky and high-pitched in sound. It has a sharp, accented, snappy, and bouncy feel, providing a more intense typing experience. While they have their distinct qualities, both switches offer satisfaction in their respective ways, so choosing between them depends on personal preference and typing style.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a budget-friendly switch without compromising on quality, the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown would be a great choice. These switches offer a delightful and subtle tactile sensation, providing a gentle bump that won't interrupt your typing flow. The frosted light diffuser ensures that your RGB lighting shines brighter, creating an immersive visual experience. Additionally, the G Pro Brown delivers a satisfying auditory feedback with its medium-high pitch, adding an extra layer of joy to your typing sessions.
On the other hand, if you prefer a switch with a medium-high level of tactility and enjoy the deep, resonating thocks while typing, the Aflion Shadow (Ink) Double Spring switch is the perfect option for you. These switches feature a long, two-staged spring that enhances the tactile feedback and provides a sharp and crisp bump with each keypress.
In terms of sound, the G Pro 3.0 Brown is described as... (description missing).
In terms of feel, the G Pro 3.0 Brown offers an easy-to-press typing experience with minimal force required to activate the keys. This low-impact feel reduces finger fatigue during extended typing sessions and enhances the overall typing experience. The switch can be described as mild, providing a gentle typing experience that suits most users. It also features a stepped feel, allowing you to feel some pre-travel and/or post-travel during keystrokes.
On the other hand, the Aflion Shadow (Ink) Double Spring switch is known for its sharp and crisp tactile bump, providing a high-feedback intensity. It offers an accented tactile feel, which means it provides a prominent amount of tactility without being overwhelming or too subtle. These switches are also snappy and bouncy, giving you a responsive and lively typing experience. Similar to the G Pro 3.0 Brown, they also have a stepped feel, allowing you to feel some pre-travel and/or post-travel.
Ultimately, the choice between the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown and the Aflion Shadow (Ink) Double Spring switch depends on your preferences. If you prioritize a budget-friendly option with a subtle tactile sensation and satisfying auditory feedback, go for the G Pro Brown. However, if you prefer a switch with a medium-high level of tactility, deep resonating thocks, sharp and crisp bumps, and a snappy and bouncy feel, the Shadow (Ink) Double Spring switch would be an excellent choice. Consider your desired typing experience and choose the switch that aligns with your preferences.
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