Gateron Glory Red vs. Gateron New North Pole V2
An in-depth look at the Gateron Glory Red and the Gateron New North Pole V2 switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Gateron Glory Red and the Gateron New North Pole V2 stand out as compelling options for users seeking a linear typing experience. The Glory Red switch, renowned for its lighter feel, offers a smooth keystroke and an enjoyable travel distance, making it an excellent choice for those who prioritize comfort during extended typing sessions. Conversely, the New North Pole V2 delivers a crisper typing sensation thanks to the absence of a rubber dampener—an upgrade over its predecessor. Despite this change, it still maintains the hallmark smoothness and frictionless glide that fans of the North Pole lineup cherish. While the Glory Red is perfect for users looking for a soft touch and pleasant feedback, the New North Pole V2 caters to those who prefer a firmer response without sacrificing smoothness. 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
45g
Actuation force
50g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
62.5g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POK
Stem material
Ink Housing Material
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
20mm single-stage spring
Spring
Gold-plated 15.4mm
Housing materials
The Gateron Glory Red and Gateron New North Pole V2 switches feature distinct housing materials that significantly influence their acoustic properties. The Glory Red is constructed with a nylon top housing, known for its softer nature, which absorbs sound and produces a deeper, fuller sound profile. This characteristic allows for a more muted acoustic experience, making it suitable for users who prefer a less sharp sound. In contrast, the New North Pole V2 utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, which is stiffer and lends itself to a sharper, crisper sound profile. This material enhances the clarity and resonance of the switch's sound, particularly appealing to those who enjoy a more pronounced auditory feedback. Thus, while both switches provide satisfying tactile experiences, their choice of housing materials creates notably different auditory environments.
On the bottom end, both switches continue to exhibit their distinctive qualities through their respective housing materials. The Glory Red's nylon bottom housing contributes further to its overall deep sound, mirroring the attributes found in its top housing. This consistent application of nylon results in a cohesive auditory experience that emphasizes roundness and fullness across the switch’s operation. Conversely, the New North Pole V2, with its polycarbonate bottom housing, aligns with its top housing's characteristics, enhancing the sharpness and clarity of the sound produced. This dual use of polycarbonate ensures that users will enjoy a consistently crisp auditory experience whether pressing down or bottoming out.
While both the Gateron Glory Red and New North Pole V2 switches exhibit different auditory profiles due to their varying housing materials, they each offer unique benefits. For users who appreciate a deeper sound, the Glory Red’s complete nylon construction harmonizes well, providing a uniform experience with pronounced lower frequencies. Meanwhile, the New North Pole V2 caters to those who prefer higher-pitched and crisp sounds, amplified by its polycarbonate design. The interplay of the top and bottom housing materials in both switches illustrates how distinct sound profiles can emerge from the same underlying mechanism of a mechanical switch, ultimately providing choices for varied user preferences and enhancing the overall typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the Gateron Glory Red linear switch and the Gateron New North Pole V2 linear switch, there's a notable difference in actuation forces. The Glory Red features a lighter actuation force of 45 grams, making it more suitable for those who prefer ease of typing over extended periods, whether at work or during long gaming sessions. In contrast, the New North Pole V2 requires a heavier actuation force of 50 grams, appealing to users who enjoy a more substantial push feel while typing. While the bottom out force for the Glory Red is unknown, the New North Pole V2 has a defined bottom out force of 62.5 grams, indicating that it offers a firmer feedback when fully pressed. This contrast highlights the Glory Red as the lighter option, while the New North Pole V2 stands out as the heavier switch, catering to varying preferences in typing experience and tactile feedback.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Gateron Glory Red linear switch and the Gateron New North Pole V2 linear switch, the Glory Red stands out with a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the New North Pole V2 has a slightly longer travel distance of 4 mm. This gives the Glory Red a shorter travel distance, which may appeal to gamers seeking quicker response times and a more rapid actuation. In contrast, the New North Pole V2 offers a more traditional 4 mm depth, providing a more pronounced keypress feel that some users may prefer for its hearty depth and tactile feedback. Ultimately, your choice between the two switches will depend on whether you favor speed and responsiveness or a more substantial typing experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Gateron Glory Red has an MSRP of $4.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Glory Red for $4.19.
The Gateron New North Pole V2 has an MSRP of $6.80 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the New North Pole V2 for $5.70.
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 comparing the sound profile of the Gateron Glory Red linear switch and the Gateron New North Pole V2 linear switch, it’s worth noting that the specific details for the Glory Red are not provided. However, the New North Pole V2 features a sound signature that is generally crisper, attributable to the removal of the rubber dampener found in its predecessor. This likely results in a distinct auditory feedback that complements the switch’s performance. The actual sound of each switch can vary depending on the keyboard build and keycap materials, but the New North Pole V2 arguably leans towards a more pronounced sound due to its design.
In terms of feel, the Glory Red is renowned for offering a smooth keystroke with a satisfying travel distance. Meanwhile, the New North Pole V2 excels with its polished, creamy, and frictionless characteristics, providing a typing experience that glides effortlessly under your fingers. Users can expect reduced friction and an almost buoyant sensation with the New North Pole V2 as it promises a seamless and refined touch. Both switches deliver smoothness, but the New North Pole V2 takes it a step further with its enhanced performance traits, ensuring a luxurious typing experience.
In conclusion, both the Gateron Glory Red and the Gateron New North Pole V2 linear switches cater to those who appreciate a smooth and enjoyable typing experience. While the sound profile may vary, particularly with the New North Pole V2 being noted for its crispness, both switches promise an enjoyable feel overall. The Glory Red focuses on a pleasing travel distance, while the New North Pole V2 emphasizes a polished and frictionless sensation. This makes both switches appealing; ultimately, personal preference and typing style will guide newcomers toward one over the other, ensuring satisfaction regardless of the choice.
Conclusion
To conclude, when choosing between the Gateron Glory Red linear switch and the Gateron New North Pole V2 linear switch, your decision largely hinges on your personal preferences for typing feel and actuation force. If you favor a light keystroke and enjoy a smooth travel experience, the Glory Red switches are designed to offer an enjoyable, effortless typing sensation that is perfect for both casual typing and gaming. They can help in reducing finger fatigue due to their lighter actuation, making them a solid choice for long typing sessions. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium actuation force with a crisper and more polished experience, the New North Pole V2 switches may be the better option for you. They eliminate the rubber dampener found in previous models, which results in a more frictionless and smooth keystroke, ideal for precision tasks and fast typing. This switch can cater well to typists who appreciate a refined feel and want to maintain a balance between smoothness and tactile feedback. In essence, consider the type of experience you want: for an ultra-light and effortless touch, opt for the Glory Red; for a polished and frictionless typing experience with a bit more resistance, go with the New North Pole V2.
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