HMX Gravel vs. Gateron New North Pole V2

Overview

When choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, the HMX Gravel and Gateron New North Pole V2 represent two excellent options, each with unique characteristics that cater to different user preferences. The HMX Gravel is celebrated for its exceptional smoothness and refined typing feel, offering a medium-light actuation force that allows for a responsive and effortless typing experience. This makes it an ideal choice for those who favor a lighter touch and a satisfying glide as they type. On the other hand, the Gateron New North Pole V2 elevates the linear switch experience by eliminating the rubber dampener found in its predecessor, resulting in a crisper and more pronounced typing feel. Despite this change, the New North Pole V2 maintains the hallmark features of its lineup, delivering a polished, creamy, and frictionless glide that many users adore. Ultimately, while both switches provide smooth operation and an enjoyable typing experience, they cater to slightly different tastes – one favoring lightness and ease, while the other prioritizes crisp feedback and a frictionless feel. However, let’s dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.

By the numbers

HMX Gravel Linear

Gateron New North Pole V2 Linear

$3.50

$2.99 per 10

$6.80

$5.70 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

The housing materials of the HMX Gravel and the Gateron New North Pole V2 switches exhibit some notable similarities and differences that influence their performance and aesthetic appeal. Both switches feature polycarbonate in their top housings, which is known for creating a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This shared material characteristic confirms that both switches will likely deliver a similar auditory experience when typing or gaming. Translucency is another advantage of using polycarbonate in the top housing, allowing for vibrant RGB lighting effects to shine through. Therefore, users seeking an appealing sound alongside a visually striking setup will find both switches suitable for their preferences.

However, a key distinction lies in the bottom housing materials of the two switches. The HMX Gravel utilizes nylon for its bottom housing, a classic material recognized for its sound-absorbing properties. This nylon composition results in a deeper, fuller sound profile, dampening the overall auditory output and creating a rounder typing experience. In contrast, the Gateron New North Pole V2 opts for polycarbonate in its bottom housing as well, mirroring the characteristics of its top housing. This results in a sound profile that remains sharper and crisper throughout the key stroke, aligning with the attributes associated with polycarbonate. The difference in bottom housing material contributes significantly to the overall feedback of each switch, affecting how a user perceives the sound and feel when bottoming out or releasing a key.

The impact of these material choices is most apparent when considering the combined effects during use. The Gravel's nylon bottom housing tends to soften the bottom-out sound and feel, aligning with users who prefer a more muted auditory experience. Meanwhile, the New North Pole V2's use of polycarbonate in both top and bottom housings results in a more consistent sound throughout the key press, delivering a sharper auditory experience. Because of these differences, while the top housings create a similar sound expectation, the bottom housings effectively split the auditory characteristics and impacts felt during typing, resulting in distinct experiences depending on the switch chosen. Ultimately, both switches offer unique benefits for enthusiasts, making the choice largely reliant on personal preference in sound and feel.

Weight

The HMX Gravel linear switch and the Gateron New North Pole V2 linear switch differ notably in both actuation force and bottom out force. The Gravel features a lighter actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams, making it ideal for users who prefer a softer touch for extended typing or gaming sessions. In contrast, the New North Pole V2 has a slightly heavier actuation force of 50 grams and a bottom out force of 62.5 grams, appealing to those who enjoy a more substantial and tactile typing experience. This means that while the Gravel is more suitable for prolonged use due to its lighter forces, the New North Pole V2 provides a firmer response, which some users may find more satisfying. Therefore, if you gravitate towards a lighter switch for comfort, the Gravel would be the better option, whereas the New North Pole V2 is suited for those who favor a heavier feel.

Travel distance

The HMX Gravel linear switch features a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Gateron New North Pole V2 linear switch has a slightly longer travel distance of 4 mm. This makes the Gravel the shorter of the two switches by 0.5 mm, which might appeal to gamers or users looking for quicker actuation and a more responsive feel. In contrast, the New North Pole V2, with its longer travel distance, may provide a more traditional typing experience that some users prefer for its depth and tactile feedback. Those who enjoy a balanced and hearty key press may find the longer travel distance of the New North Pole V2 to be more satisfying, while those favoring responsiveness might lean towards the Gravel. Ultimately, the differences in travel distance contribute to distinct user experiences, catering to varying preferences in keyboard feel and performance.

Price comparison

Typing experience

In terms of sound, the HMX Gravel linear switch doesn’t have a specific sound profile mentioned, which makes it difficult to provide a concrete comparison. However, the Gateron New North Pole V2 also lacks a detailed sound description. It’s important to note that sound can be highly influenced by the mechanical keyboard’s overall construction, including the choice of board and keycaps, so there may be variations in how both switches perform acoustically in different setups.

When it comes to feel, the HMX Gravel switch is particularly well-known for its exceptional smoothness and refined typing experience, emphasizing a medium-light actuation force that leans on the lighter side for an effortless typing experience. In contrast, the New North Pole V2 promises a polished, creamy, and frictionless typing feel. The removal of the rubber dampener enhances its crispness while retaining the seamless glide that users appreciate from the North Pole lineup. Both switches showcase smoothness, but the New North Pole V2 appears to have an edge in terms of a more nuanced range of tactile sensations due to the specific descriptors associated with its feel.

In conclusion, both the HMX Gravel and Gateron New North Pole V2 linear switches appeal to enthusiasts seeking a smooth typing experience. While the Gravel is characterized by its refined feel and lighter actuation force, the New North Pole V2 stands out with its polished, creamy, and frictionless properties, providing a slightly different tactile enjoyment. If you prioritize smoothness and responsiveness, either switch could be an exceptional choice, but the nuances in their feel could influence your preference depending on your typing style and desired experience.

Conclusion

To conclude, your choice between the HMX Gravel linear switch and the Gateron New North Pole V2 linear switch largely depends on your personal preferences and typing needs. If you value a light actuation force and prioritize an exceptionally smooth, refined typing feel, then the Gravel is likely the better option for you. Its 50-gram bottom-out force makes it perfect for extended typing sessions where reduced fatigue is essential, and its buttery smoothness offers a delightful tactile experience. On the other hand, if you prefer a slightly more substantial feel with a crisper response, the New North Pole V2, with its 62.5-gram bottom-out force, may be your ideal choice. This switch caters well to those who enjoy a polished and frictionless typing experience without the added dampening, allowing for a more distinct keystroke feedback. Ultimately, both switches offer unique benefits; your decision should be guided by your typing style and how each switch's characteristics align with your preferences for comfort and responsiveness.

Mentioned in this article

HMX Gravel Linear

$3.50

$2.99 per 10

Learn more

Gateron New North Pole V2 Linear

$6.80

$5.70 per 10

Learn more