Gateron Ink Yellow vs. Bsun Olive
An in-depth look at the Gateron Ink Yellow and the Bsun Olive 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 Yellow and the Bsun Olive. The Gateron Ink Yellow is a linear switch known for its shorter travel distance, providing a typing experience that falls between that of a laptop and a standard mechanical keyboard. With a pleasant smoothness and clackiness, this switch is ideal for those seeking a neutral and polished feel. On the other hand, the Bsun Olive switch stands out with its all-POM housings that deliver a deep, resonant sound. These medium-weight tactile switches offer pronounced tactile feedback and a unique design that ensures a sharp bottom-out, resulting in an invigorating and snappy typing experience. While both switches have their own strengths and characteristics to consider, 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
45g
Bottom-out force
67g
Bottom-out force
65g
Pre-travel
1.50 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Top housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Gateron Ink Yellow and Bsun Olive both offer unique housing materials that contribute to the overall sound profile of the switches. The Ink Yellow features a proprietary INK blend top housing that produces a pointed and high-pitched sound, described as clacky. In contrast, the Olive utilizes a POM top housing that creates a deeper and more muted sound. This difference in sound profiles between the two switches can cater to different preferences, with the Ink Yellow offering a sharper sound and the Olive providing a smoother, deeper sound.
Similarly, the bottom housings of the Gateron Ink Yellow and Bsun Olive also play a significant role in shaping the overall typing experience. The Ink Yellow's proprietary INK blend bottom housing aligns with its top housing, producing a similar pointed and high-pitched sound profile. On the other hand, the Olive's POM bottom housing complements its top housing by contributing to a deeper and more muted sound. This highlights how the combination of top and bottom housing materials can impact the overall sound and feel of a switch, catering to different typing preferences.
In summary, the choice between the Gateron Ink Yellow and Bsun Olive ultimately comes down to personal preference in terms of sound profile and typing feel. While the Ink Yellow offers a clacky and high-pitched sound with its proprietary INK blend housing materials, the Bsun Olive provides a deeper and more muted sound through its POM housing. Both switches offer a unique typing experience due to the differences in their housing materials, showcasing how a switch's construction can greatly influence the overall sound and feel during use. Ultimately, whether one prefers a sharper, clacky sound or a deeper, smoother sound will determine which switch is the right fit.
Weight
When comparing the Gateron Ink Yellow linear switch and the Bsun Olive tactile switch, it is clear that the Ink Yellow is heavier in terms of actuation force and bottom out force. The Ink Yellow has an actuation force of 60 grams and a bottom out force of 67 grams, while the Olive has an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 65 grams. This makes the Ink Yellow better suited for those who prefer a more substantial typing experience, as it requires more force to actuate and bottom out. On the other hand, the Olive provides a lighter typing experience, which is ideal for longer typing or gaming sessions where fatigue is a concern. Both switches fall under the medium-heavy category in terms of force, so users can expect similar results in terms of overall feel and feedback. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preference for typing force and tactile feedback.
Travel distance
The Gateron Ink Yellow linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, slightly longer than the Bsun Olive tactile switch which has a travel distance of 3.4 mm. While the Ink Yellow offers a slightly longer distance to travel from top to bottom, the difference of 0.1 mm may not be noticeable to all users. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, making them ideal for those seeking faster response times, such as gamers. Ultimately, whether you choose the Ink Yellow or the Olive switch will depend on your personal preference for travel distance – with the Ink Yellow offering a slightly longer travel distance for those who prefer a bit more depth in their keystrokes.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Gateron Ink Yellow 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 Yellow for $7.35.
The Bsun Olive has an MSRP of $5.80 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Olive for $4.70.
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 of the Gateron Ink Yellow linear switch to the Bsun Olive tactile switch, the Ink Yellow is known for a clacky sound, providing a sharp and percussive sound when pressed. On the other hand, the Olive switch delivers a resonant, deep sound due to its all-POM housings. The differences in sound profile can provide unique auditory experiences for users, with the Ink Yellow offering a neutral and clacky sound, while the Olive switch provides a deeper and more resonant tone.
In terms of feel, the Ink Yellow switch is described as mild and polished, offering a gentle typing experience with smooth key travel. In contrast, the Olive switch is known for providing a more pronounced tactile feedback with an accented, invigorating, sharp, and snappy feel. The tactile sensation on the Olive switch is more prominent and responsive compared to the smoother and milder typing experience of the Ink Yellow switch.
Overall, the Gateron Ink Yellow linear switch and the Bsun Olive tactile switch offer distinct sound and feel characteristics. The Ink Yellow provides a moderate and clacky sound with a mild and polished feel, suitable for those looking for a balance between feedback and smoothness. On the other hand, the Olive switch delivers a deep and resonant sound with a pronounced tactile feedback, creating a more immersive and tactile typing sensation. Depending on personal preferences for sound and feel, both switches can provide a satisfying typing experience for newcomers to the world of mechanical keyboard switches.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Gateron Ink Yellow linear switch and the Bsun Olive tactile switch, consider your preferences for typing experience. If you prefer a smoother and clackier typing experience similar to that on a laptop but with a mechanical keyboard feel, the Ink Yellow would be a great choice. On the other hand, if you enjoy a more pronounced tactile feedback with a deep sound that sets it apart, the Olive switch with its long pole stem design and resonant sound may be more suitable for you. Both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different preferences, so ultimately, the decision comes down to your personal typing preferences and what feels most comfortable for you.
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