Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown vs. Everglide Tourmaline Blue
An in-depth look at the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboards, choosing the right switch is crucial to ensure the best typing experience. Two popular options are the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue. The G Pro 3.0 Brown is known for its exceptional quality at an affordable price. With a subtle tactile sensation and a medium-high pitch, these switches provide a gentle bump and a satisfying auditory feedback. The added frosted light diffuser enhances the RGB lighting, creating an immersive visual experience. On the other hand, the Tourmaline Blue switches offer a deep and thocky sound profile, immersing you in a satisfying typing experience. With their lengthened single-stage spring and standard spring weight, they provide a bouncy, enjoyable feel with each keystroke. Both switches have their unique strengths and qualities, 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
59g
Bottom-out force
63g
Bottom-out force
67g
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
Both the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches feature polycarbonate top housings, which contributes to a similar sound profile. Polycarbonate is known to create a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound, thanks to its stiff nature. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches that utilize RGB lighting. Therefore, the sound and visual experience of typing on both switches are likely to be comparable.
However, the difference lies in the bottom housings. The G Pro 3.0 Brown utilizes a nylon bottom housing, while the Tourmaline Blue combines a polycarbonate top housing with a polycarbonate bottom housing. Nylon, being a softer plastic, absorbs more sound compared to harder plastics like polycarbonate. As a result, the G Pro 3.0 Brown with its nylon bottom housing creates a deeper and fuller sound profile, producing a duller and rounder sound when typing.
When it comes to the overall typing experience, the bottom housing plays a more significant role in the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing affects the sound when releasing a key. Therefore, users of the G Pro 3.0 Brown will notice a deeper and softer sound when pressing down on the keys, while the Tourmaline Blue, with its polycarbonate bottom housing, will maintain a crisper and more resonant sound throughout the typing process.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown tactile switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch, there are some notable similarities and differences. In terms of weight, the G Pro 3.0 Brown is lighter than the Tourmaline Blue. The G Pro 3.0 Brown has an actuation force of 55 grams and a bottom out force of 63 grams, while the Tourmaline Blue has an actuation force of 59 grams and a bottom out force of 67 grams. Both switches fall within the medium range, providing a good balance between a light typing experience and a more substantial push feel.
For those who prefer a lighter switch, the G Pro 3.0 Brown would be a suitable choice as its actuation and bottom out forces are slightly lower than those of the Tourmaline Blue. This lighter weight allows for longer typing sessions, making it ideal for work or extended gaming sessions. On the other hand, if someone prefers a stronger push feel and a more substantial typing experience, the Tourmaline Blue with its slightly heavier actuation and bottom out forces would provide that satisfying tactile feedback.
In summary, while the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches have similar weight ranges, the Tourmaline Blue is slightly heavier in terms of both actuation force and bottom out force. Choosing between the two would depend on individual preferences, with the G Pro 3.0 Brown offering a lighter experience and the Tourmaline Blue providing a heavier and more substantial typing feel.
Travel distance
The travel distance of a switch is an important factor to consider when comparing and contrasting switches. In the case of the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown tactile switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch, both switches have a travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key equipped with either of these switches, you will experience the same distance travelled, resulting in similar tactile feedback. It is noteworthy that both switches have identical travel distances, ensuring consistency in user experience for individuals accustomed to either switch. Overall, the G Pro 3.0 Brown tactile switch and the Tourmaline Blue linear switch can be considered equal in terms of travel distance, providing users with comparable performance.
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 Everglide Tourmaline Blue has an MSRP of $6.86 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Tourmaline Blue for $3.89.
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 delivers a medium-high pitch that provides a satisfying auditory feedback, adding an extra layer of joy to typing sessions. While the sound profile of the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switch is described as neutral, which means it has a moderate sound profile, making it suitable for most intents and purposes. It is important to note that the sound of a switch is also influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
In terms of feel, the G Pro 3.0 Brown offers an easy-to-press experience with gentle resistance during key presses. It requires minimal force to activate, making typing effortless and comfortable. The tactile bump is described as mild, providing a gentle typing experience that most users will find approachable. Additionally, G Pro 3.0 Brown is classified as a stepped switch, meaning it has two stages of feel, offering some pre-travel and/or post-travel sensation.
On the other hand, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switch is described as having a buttery feel, indicating a smooth and fluid keystroke experience. It provides a seamless and effortless typing sensation. Similar to the G Pro 3.0 Brown, the Tourmaline Blue switch is also classified as easy-to-press, offering gentle resistance and requiring minimal force for activation. Additionally, it falls into the mild category, providing a gentle typing experience that is approachable to most users.
In conclusion, both the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown tactile switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch offer pleasant and enjoyable typing experiences. The G Pro 3.0 Brown provides a delightful and subtle tactile sensation with a medium-high pitch sound profile. The Tourmaline Blue switch offers a deep and thocky sound profile with a buttery feel. Both switches are easy-to-press and fall into the mild category, making them approachable and comfortable for most users. While they have their distinct qualities, they offer similar results in terms of overall satisfaction during typing sessions.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a budget-friendly option without compromising on quality, the Gateron G Pro 3.0 Brown tactile switch is an excellent choice. These switches offer a subtle tactile sensation, providing a gentle bump that won't overpower your typing flow. With a frosted light diffuser, the G Pro Brown ensures your RGB lighting shines brighter, creating an immersive visual experience. Additionally, they deliver a satisfying auditory feedback with a medium-high pitch, adding an extra layer of joy to your typing sessions. On the other hand, if you prefer a deep and thocky sound profile, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch is the way to go. These switches offer a bouncy feel with each keystroke, thanks to their lengthened single-stage spring. They strike a balance with their standard spring weight, making them enjoyable and accessible to a wide range of users. Overall, both switches provide an easy-to-press and low-impact typing feel, reducing finger fatigue during extended typing sessions. Ultimately, the choice between the G Pro 3.0 Brown and the Tourmaline Blue will depend on your specific preferences for sound and feel.
Mentioned in this article
