Gateron Ink Black V2 vs. Outemu Silent Grey
An in-depth look at the Gateron Ink Black V2 and the Outemu Silent Grey switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options to consider are the Gateron Ink Black V2, a linear switch, and the Outemu Silent Grey, a tactile switch. The Ink Black V2 is praised for its smooth downstroke and rich clack, making it a favorite among the community. It is categorized as low-pitched, bassy, chirpy, mild, and polished. On the other hand, the Silent Grey is known for offering a quiet and highly tactile typing experience, with a pronounced bump and smooth keystroke. While the Ink Black V2 is ideal for those who prefer a linear switch with a satisfying clack, the Silent Grey is perfect for those seeking a tactile switch that is both quiet and enjoyable to type on. 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
60g
Actuation force
50g
Bottom-out force
70g
Bottom-out force
65g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.60 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
Proprietary INK blend
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Color coated
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Gateron Ink Black V2 and the Outemu Silent Grey both play a significant role in determining the sound profile of the switches. The Ink Black V2 features a proprietary INK blend top housing, which gives it a thin and higher-pitched sound often described as clacky. On the other hand, the Silent Grey has a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. While both materials contribute to a distinct sound, the polycarbonate housing of the Silent Grey is known for its clarity and resonance, especially when paired with RGB lighting.
When it comes to the bottom housing, the differences between the Ink Black V2 and the Silent Grey become more apparent. The Ink Black V2 uses the same proprietary INK blend for the bottom housing as it does for the top, resulting in a consistent pointed and relatively high-pitched sound profile. In contrast, the Silent Grey features a nylon bottom housing, which leads to a deeper and fuller sound profile due to the softer nature of nylon. This difference in material impacts the overall typing experience, as the bottom-out sound and feel of the switch are influenced by the bottom housing material.
Even though the housing materials of the Gateron Ink Black V2 and the Outemu Silent Grey are different, they each offer unique qualities that contribute to the overall sound profile of the switches. While the Ink Black V2's INK blend top and bottom housing provide a consistent and clacky sound, the Silent Grey's polycarbonate and nylon housing combination offers a sharper and fuller sound experience. Understanding the impact of housing materials on the typing feel and sound output can help enthusiasts make informed decisions when choosing between these two switches or exploring other options in the mechanical keyboard market.
Weight
The Gateron Ink Black V2 linear switch has a slightly heavier actuation force and bottom out force compared to the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch. The Ink Black V2 requires 60 grams to actuate and 70 grams to bottom out, making it a medium-heavy switch. In contrast, the Silent Grey needs 50 grams to actuate and 65 grams to bottom out, also falling into the medium-heavy category. This means that while both switches offer a similar typing experience due to their comparable weights, the Ink Black V2 provides a slightly firmer push feel than the Silent Grey. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will come down to personal preference for typing or gaming habits, as lighter switches may be more suitable for longer typing sessions, while heavier switches offer a more substantial typing experience.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Gateron Ink Black V2 linear switch to the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch, it is evident that both switches have the same travel distance of 4 mm. This means that users can expect a consistent keypress feel in terms of distance traveled when using either switch. The similarity in travel distance between the two switches indicates that whether you opt for the Ink Black V2 or the Silent Grey, you can expect to experience a similar keypress sensation in terms of distance traveled. This makes them both ideal options for users looking for a precise and consistent typing experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Gateron Ink Black V2 has an MSRP of $7.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Ink Black V2 for $7.24.
The Outemu Silent Grey comes in at $3.10 per 10 switches.
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 it comes to sound, the Gateron Ink Black V2 linear switch is known for its low-pitched and bassy tones, providing a deeper and richer sound profile during key presses. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch is designed to offer a quiet typing experience with no specific sound descriptors provided. Both switches can offer a satisfying typing experience, with the Ink Black V2 providing a unique chirpy sound for those seeking a distinct acoustic signature and the Silent Grey ensuring a silent operation for a more discreet typing session. Ultimately, the sound experience will vary depending on other factors such as the keyboard and keycaps used.
Moving on to feel, the Gateron Ink Black V2 switch is described as offering a mild and polished typing experience, characterized by a gentle typing feel and a smooth key travel. This switch stands in a safe middle-ground zone, making it approachable to most users. Conversely, there are no specific feel descriptors provided for the Outemu Silent Grey switch. Both switches aim to offer a tactile typing experience, with the Ink Black V2 being known for its smooth downstroke and the Silent Grey featuring a pronounced bump and smooth keystroke for a satisfying tactile feedback.
In conclusion, the Gateron Ink Black V2 linear switch and the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch both offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences. While the Ink Black V2 excels in providing a low-pitched, bassy sound profile and a mild, polished typing feel, the Silent Grey focuses on delivering a quiet and highly tactile typing experience. Depending on the individual's preference for sound, feel, and overall typing experience, either switch can be a suitable choice for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts. Ultimately, it is important to consider personal preferences, typing style, and the overall setup of the keyboard when selecting the most suitable switch for your needs.
Conclusion
To sum up, when choosing between the Gateron Ink Black V2 and the Outemu Silent Grey switches, consider the following guidelines. If you prefer a classic linear switch with a smooth downstroke and rich clack sound, opt for the Ink Black V2. On the other hand, if you seek a tactile typing experience with a pronounced bump and smooth keystroke, the Silent Grey switch would be a better choice. Keep in mind that the Ink Black V2 has a slightly heavier bottom out force of 70 grams compared to the Silent Grey's 65 grams. Additionally, the Ink Black V2 has a low-pitched and bassy sound profile, while the Silent Grey offers a quiet typing experience. Ultimately, select the switch that best aligns with your typing preferences and ensures a satisfying and enjoyable typing experience.
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