Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown vs. SP-Star Duck
An in-depth look at the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown and the SP-Star Duck switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
Presenting two exceptional mechanical keyboard switches, the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown and the SP-Star Duck. The G Pro 3.0 Brown, part of Gateron's budget-friendly G Pro series, offers an economical solution without compromising on quality. With a delightful and subtle tactile sensation, these switches provide a gentle bump that won't overpower your typing flow. Additionally, its frosted light diffuser ensures your RGB lighting shines brighter, creating an immersive visual experience. The Duck switches, on the other hand, provide a more subtle tactile typing experience with a clean and crispy sound profile. If you're looking for a switch that is easy to press with a medium-high pitch, the G Pro 3.0 Brown is a great choice. However, if you prefer a neutral, mild, and buttery switch with a polished feel, the Duck switches might be the better option for you. Let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can make the best decision for your typing needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
55g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
63g
Bottom-out force
58g
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
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
Gold plated
Housing materials
Comparing the housing materials of the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown and the SP-Star Duck, both switches feature a polycarbonate top housing. This material choice creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile for both switches. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches that plan to utilize RGB lighting. Therefore, in terms of sound profile and aesthetic compatibility with RGB lighting, both the G Pro 3.0 Brown and the SP-Star Duck offer similar results with their polycarbonate top housings.
However, when it comes to the bottom housing material, the G Pro 3.0 Brown utilizes a nylon housing, while the Duck employs a polycarbonate bottom housing. Nylon, being a softer plastic, produces a deeper and fuller sound profile. This results in a typing experience that elicits a duller and rounder sound. On the other hand, the use of polycarbonate in the Duck's bottom housing ensures a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. The stiffer nature of polycarbonate contributes to a more clear and resonant sound. Therefore, the choice between the G Pro 3.0 Brown and the SP-Star Duck's bottom housing materials will result in distinct sound characteristics during typing.
Considering the impact of the housing materials, the G Pro 3.0 Brown's nylon bottom housing influences the bottom-out sound and feel of the switch. Pressing down on this switch will provide a typing experience with deeper and fuller sound characteristics, attributed to the softer nature of nylon. Conversely, when releasing a key, the impact will be more pronounced by the polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper and crisper sound profile. Similarly, the SP-Star Duck's polycarbonate bottom housing contributes to the overall sound profile, emphasizing a clear and resonant characteristic on the bottom-out. Meanwhile, the polycarbonate top housing in the Duck will also have a prominent effect on the sound when releasing a key. Therefore, whether using the G Pro 3.0 Brown or the SP-Star Duck, the qualities of the top and bottom housing materials will be distributed to different aspects of the typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown tactile switch and the SP-Star Duck tactile switch, there are both similarities and differences. In terms of actuation force, the G Pro 3.0 Brown requires 55 grams of force to trigger a keystroke, whereas the force required for the Duck switch is unknown. However, both switches have a medium actuation force. Moving on to the bottom out force, the G Pro 3.0 Brown requires a higher force of 63 grams to fully press down, while the Duck switch requires a slightly lighter force of 58 grams. Therefore, the G Pro 3.0 Brown can be considered heavier in terms of bottom out force compared to the Duck switch. It is important to note that these differences in force can have implications for the typing experience. Some individuals may prefer a lighter actuation force for extended typing sessions, while others may enjoy the more substantial feel provided by a heavier bottom out force. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on personal preferences and the desired typing experience.
Travel distance
The travel distance of a switch is an important factor to consider when choosing a keyboard. In the case of the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown tactile switch and the SP-Star Duck tactile switch, both switches have the same travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key using either of these switches, you will experience a consistent 4 mm travel distance. Therefore, in terms of travel distance, you can expect similar results from both the G Pro 3.0 Brown and the Duck switches.
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 SP-Star Duck has an MSRP of $5.80 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Duck for $5.40.
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 switch offers a medium-high pitch that delivers a satisfying auditory feedback, adding an extra layer of joy to typing sessions. On the other hand, the SP-Star Duck switch is described as having a clean and crispy sound profile, which implies a neutral sound with a moderate actuation force requirement. It's important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used. Overall, both switches seem to provide a pleasant typing experience, with the G Pro 3.0 Brown offering a slightly higher pitch sound and the Duck switch having a neutral sound.
In terms of feel, the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown switch is described as easy-to-press, offering gentle resistance during key presses. This results in typing that is effortless and comfortable, reducing finger fatigue during extended typing sessions. Additionally, the G Pro 3.0 Brown switch is described as having a mild feel, meaning it provides a more gentle typing experience compared to switches with more pronounced characteristics. It is also considered a stepped switch, which means it has two stages of tactility, with some pre-travel and/or post-travel. On the other hand, the SP-Star Duck switch is also described as mild, offering a gentle tactile typing experience. It is also described as having a buttery feel, implying a smooth and fluid keystroke experience. Additionally, the Duck switch is described as polished, indicating a smooth and refined finish that results in a sleek typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel. Both switches provide a comfortable and approachable typing feel, with the G Pro 3.0 Brown being easy to press and having a stepped tactile experience, while the Duck switch offers a buttery and polished feel.
Considering the available information, the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown switch and SP-Star Duck switch have their own unique qualities. The G Pro 3.0 Brown switch offers a delightful and subtle tactile sensation with a medium-high pitch sound, creating an immersive visual and auditory experience. It is easy-to-press, providing a gentle resistance and reducing finger fatigue during extended typing sessions. On the other hand, the Duck switch offers a more subtle tactile typing experience with a clean and crispy sound profile. It has a mild and buttery feel, providing a smooth and effortless keystroke experience. Overall, both switches offer a pleasant typing experience, although the G Pro 3.0 Brown switch may be slightly more responsive and have a slightly higher pitch sound compared to the Duck switch. However, the specific preferences of the user, as well as the choice of keyboard board and keycaps, will ultimately determine the final typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you're looking for a budget-friendly option without compromising on quality, the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown tactile switch is a great choice. It offers a delightful and subtle tactile sensation, with a gentle bump that won't interrupt your typing flow. The frosted light diffuser allows for brighter RGB lighting, providing an immersive visual experience. The medium-high pitch adds an extra layer of joy to your typing sessions. On the other hand, if you prefer a more subtle tactile typing experience, the SP-Star Duck tactile switch is perfect. It offers a gentle tactility and a clean and crispy sound profile. Additionally, it provides a smooth and polished typing experience, with reduced friction and effortless key travel. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches comes down to personal preference and the specific typing experience you're looking for.
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