Gateron Glory Red vs. Gateron Lunar Probe

Overview

When choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, enthusiasts often find themselves weighing their options based on tactile feedback and typing experience. The Gateron Glory Red switches stand out as a lighter option in the Glory lineup, featuring a smooth keystroke and an enjoyable travel distance that caters to those who prefer a responsive and effortless typing feel. On the other hand, the Gateron Lunar Probe switches take innovation up a notch with their dual rail mechanism, ensuring stable and consistent keypresses while incorporating a pre-lubed linear sensation that enhances smoothness and reduces friction, all accompanied by a subtle sound profile. While the Glory Red is ideal for typists who appreciate a lightweight click, the Lunar Probe leans towards users who desire a premium typing experience with advanced engineering. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for you.

By the numbers

Gateron Glory Red Linear

Gateron Lunar Probe Linear

$4.50

$4.19 per 10

$6.50

$4.19 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

The housing materials of the Gateron Glory Red and the Gateron Lunar Probe offer a fascinating comparison in terms of both sound characteristics and tactile experience. The Glory Red features a nylon top housing, a classic choice in switch construction, which contributes to a deeper and warmer sound profile. This is largely due to nylon's relatively softer nature, which allows the material to absorb sound, resulting in a duller and rounder auditory experience. In contrast, the Lunar Probe employs a polycarbonate top housing that produces a sharper and crisper sound profile. The stiffer nature of polycarbonate creates a more resonant and clear auditory response, which is particularly beneficial for those who seek a more pronounced sound during typing. Furthermore, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it an ideal choice for RGB setups, allowing the lighting to shine through more effectively.

When it comes to the bottom housing, both switches have a nylon construction, which unifies their sound profiles in this aspect. Since nylon is a softer material, it contributes to a fuller and deeper sound, ensuring that both switches maintain a similar auditory quality at the bottom-out point. Consequently, whether a user is typing on the Glory Red or the Lunar Probe, the experience when pressing the keys down feels consistent, producing a rounder sound due to the nylon base. This highlights the importance of the bottom housing in affecting the tactile feedback and acoustic responses when keys are fully depressed.

Ultimately, the combination of different top housing materials—nylon for the Glory Red and polycarbonate for the Lunar Probe—creates distinct auditory experiences while typing. While the nylon bottom housing ensures a commonality in sound depth, the contrasting top housings lead to variance in sound clarity and sharpness based on the materials used. This difference becomes apparent when assessing the sound profile upon releasing a key, where the polycarbonate's crisper output shines through in the Lunar Probe, and the duller, rounder sound emanates from the Glory Red. Thus, the combination of materials in each switch not only affects overall sound characteristics but also contributes to the distinct auditory experiences that typists can expect.

Weight

When comparing the Gateron Glory Red and Gateron Lunar Probe linear switches, both switches have the same actuation force of 45 grams, meaning users will experience a similar feel when pressing the keys to trigger a keystroke. However, the bottom out force differs significantly between the two: the Glory Red's bottom out force is unavailable, while the Lunar Probe has a bottom out force of 50 grams. This difference indicates that the Lunar Probe requires a stronger push to bottom out, contributing to a more substantial typing experience for those who prefer a heavier feel. Given this data, the Glory Red can be considered the lighter option due to its unmatched bottom out force, making it potentially more comfortable for extended use, while the Lunar Probe caters to those who favor a heavier touch. Ultimately, users in search of a lighter switch experience will find the Glory Red more suitable, while those who appreciate a firmer feel may gravitate toward the Lunar Probe.

Travel distance

Both the Gateron Glory Red linear switch and the Gateron Lunar Probe linear switch feature the same travel distance of 3.6 mm, meaning that when you press down on either key, you will experience an identical distance from the top to the bottom. This similarity leads to comparable tactile feedback and actuation feel between the two switches, making them equally suitable for users who prefer a consistent keypress experience. Since both switches have an equal travel distance, their performance in terms of travel length will be the same, providing users with a uniform experience regardless of which switch they choose.

Price comparison

Typing experience

In terms of sound, the Gateron Glory Red linear switch offers a pleasant auditory experience characterized by a soft and subtle sound profile. This makes it suitable for both casual typing and gaming, maintaining a level of discretion while still being satisfying to the user. On the other hand, the Lunar Probe switch features Gateron’s innovative dual rail mechanism, which enhances the stability and consistency of each keystroke. Although specific sound characteristics aren’t detailed, it's noted that these switches maintain a subtle sound signature, implying that they are equally quiet and unobtrusive, potentially keeping noise to a minimum and integrating well with various keyboard setups without distinct clatter.

When it comes to feel, the Glory Red switches are known for their smooth keystroke and a satisfying travel distance that contributes to an enjoyable typing experience. They are designed to provide a lightweight sensation that many users find comfortable, especially for extended typing sessions. Conversely, the Lunar Probe switch stands out with its pre-lubed linear sensation, which promises an exceptionally smooth action. This, combined with the dual rail mechanism, likely results in a very refined and stable feel across key presses. While both switches cater to the desire for a seamless and enjoyable typing experience, the Lunar Probe may offer an added layer of smoothness thanks to its lubrication.

Overall, both the Gateron Glory Red and the Gateron Lunar Probe linear switches provide distinct yet appealing features that cater to different preferences. Users looking for a lightweight and enjoyable typing experience will find the smoothness of both switches advantageous. The Glory Red is an excellent choice for those who appreciate a pleasant acoustic experience, while the Lunar Probe caters to those seeking enhanced stability and a refined touch. Ultimately, both switches can deliver a satisfying typing experience, but the choice between the two may come down to personal preferences in tactile feedback and acoustic behavior.

Conclusion

To conclude, the choice between Gateron Glory Red and Gateron Lunar Probe switches ultimately boils down to your personal preferences and intended use. If you prioritize a feather-light feel and smooth keystrokes for fast-paced gaming or an enjoyable typing experience without much resistance, the Gateron Glory Red switches are an excellent choice. Their lightweight action complements high-speed input, reducing finger fatigue during prolonged sessions. On the other hand, if you seek a bit more structure and stability in your keypresses, especially for tasks that require precision like programming or extensive writing, the Gateron Lunar Probe switches may serve you better. Their dual rail mechanism and pre-lubed structure ensure consistent feedback and smooth travel, providing a delightful tactile experience while maintaining a subtle sound signature. In summary, consider the Glory Red for speed and ease, while opting for the Lunar Probe for stability and comfort in your typing rhythm.

Mentioned in this article

Gateron Glory Red Linear

$4.50

$4.19 per 10

Learn more

Gateron Lunar Probe Linear

$6.50

$4.19 per 10

Learn more