Bsun Jade Rosales vs. Gateron Silent Ink Black
An in-depth look at the Bsun Jade Rosales and the Gateron Silent Ink Black switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, enthusiasts often find themselves dissecting the unique characteristics of each option, and the Bsun Jade Rosales and Gateron Silent Ink Black are no exceptions. The Jade Rosales, crafted by XY Studio, is renowned for its meticulous design, featuring custom housings and stems that have undergone extensive refinement over the course of a year. This switch offers an exceptionally smooth typing experience, making it perfect for users who prioritize tactile fluidity and responsiveness. In contrast, the Gateron Silent Ink Black switch is designed for those who work in quieter environments. This switch provides a silenced typing experience, featuring a plush, pillow-like bottom-out feeling that minimises auditory feedback—ideal for individuals who need to type quietly without disturbing others. Each switch caters to different preferences; the Jade Rosales is tailored for smooth, effortless keystrokes, while the Silent Ink Black excels in sound dampening. 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
60g
Bottom-out force
53g
Bottom-out force
70g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
Y3X
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Bottom housing material
Custom Milky Material
Bottom housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
20.5mm single-stage nickel-plated spring
Spring
Color coated
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the Bsun Jade Rosales and the Gateron Silent Ink Black, one notable similarity is the use of proprietary blends for both switches' top and bottom housings. The Jade Rosales features a polycarbonate top housing, known for delivering a crisp and resonant sound profile attributed to its stiffness and translucency, which enhances RGB lighting effects. This contrasts with the Silent Ink Black, which boasts a proprietary INK blend top housing that also promises a higher-pitched sound profile, though it avoids becoming overly sharp. While both switches aim for a bright auditory feedback, the Jade Rosales's polycarbonate may produce a sound that is sharper and more pronounced due to its material properties.
Delving into the bottom housing, the Jade Rosales utilizes a custom milky material described as a proprietary BSUN blend, while the Silent Ink Black incorporates the same Gateron proprietary INK blend for both top and bottom housings. Although the Jade Rosales’s bottom housing is distinctly different, the consistent high-pitched and pointed sound profile across both switches suggests that the two may offer similar acoustic results. The milky material of the Jade Rosales could provide a different tactile feel, which might combine with its top housing to produce a unique auditory experience, yet the Silent Ink Black’s uniform material across both housings creates a cohesive sound signature.
Ultimately, when the switches are engaged, the individual contributions of each housing material will result in distinct sensations and sound profiles. The bottom housing predominantly influences the bottom-out sound and feel, meaning the Jade Rosales’s milky blend will have its own unique qualities to consider. Meanwhile, the Silent Ink Black, leveraging its proprietary INK blend for both components, ensures a consistent auditory character throughout its operation. This distinguishing feature may affect user preference based on the tactile and acoustic feedback, highlighting how even disparate materials can yield comparable results in a well-designed switch.
Weight
When comparing the actuation and bottom out forces of the Bsun Jade Rosales linear switch and the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch, notable differences emerge. The Jade Rosales requires an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 53 grams, categorizing it as medium-light. In contrast, the Silent Ink Black demands a heavier actuation force of 60 grams and a bottom out force of 70 grams, placing it in the medium-heavy category. Consequently, the Jade Rosales switch is lighter, which may appeal to users looking for a softer touch that allows for extended typing sessions or prolonged gaming without fatigue. On the other hand, the heavier Silent Ink Black offers a more substantial feel, suitable for those who prefer a firmer response when typing. Therefore, the differences in force characteristics cater to varied preferences—lighter action for comfort versus heavier resistance for a more tactile experience.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Bsun Jade Rosales linear switch and the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch, the differences are clear. The Jade Rosales features a travel distance of 3.5 mm, making it a shorter option that caters to users who prefer quicker response times, particularly suited for gaming. In contrast, the Silent Ink Black has a longer travel distance of 4 mm, which may appeal to those who appreciate a more pronounced feel with each keystroke. Given these measurements, the Jade Rosales provides a more responsive experience, while the Silent Ink Black offers a deeper engagement with the keypress for users who prefer a more fulfilling typing experience. Thus, the Jade Rosales is the shorter switch, while the Silent Ink Black takes the title for the longer travel distance.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Bsun Jade Rosales has an MSRP of $5.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Jade Rosales for $5.39.
The Gateron Silent Ink Black has an MSRP of $8.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Silent Ink Black for $8.35.
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
In terms of sound, the BSUN Jade Rosales switches produce a pleasant acoustic profile that is often characterized as refined and subdued, making them suitable for various typing environments. This smooth sound contributes to an immersive typing experience, but the specifics of its sound signature may vary based on the build of your keyboard and the keycaps you choose. On the other hand, the Gateron Silent Ink Black is designed with sound dampening in mind, resulting in a muted auditory feedback that effectively minimizes the typical mechanical keyboard noises. This makes the Silent Ink Black ideal for settings where quiet operation is preferred, and it provides a softer, less intrusive sound when typing.
When it comes to feel, the BSUN Jade Rosales switches stand out with their exceptionally smooth typing experience. They have been meticulously refined, offering a seamless keypress from top to bottom, which greatly enhances comfort during prolonged typing sessions. This smoothness translates to minimal resistance, allowing for effortless key activation. In contrast, the Gateron Silent Ink Black also boasts a silky feel but combines it with a cushy, pillow-like bottom-out sensation. The polished nature of the switch ensures reduced friction and a refined finish, contributing to an overall smooth typing experience that is tactile yet soft, making it pleasurable to type on.
In conclusion, both the BSUN Jade Rosales and Gateron Silent Ink Black switches offer unique advantages, with the former focusing on a refined and smooth auditory and tactile experience, while the latter prioritizes quiet operation with a cushy feel. Users who opt for either switch can expect a high level of smoothness in their typing experience, but their sound profiles will differ, catering to different preferences and environments. Whether you prioritize an immersive sound or silent functionality, both switches are designed to deliver satisfying results tailored to different typing needs.
Conclusion
To conclude, when deciding between the Bsun Jade Rosales linear switch and the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch, consider your personal preferences and typing environment. If you prioritize a lighter actuation force with a refined and exceptionally smooth typing experience, the Jade Rosales is the ideal choice. It's perfect for those who enjoy a more responsive feel and can appreciate the nuanced sound profile that doesn't detract from their typing rhythm. On the other hand, if you find yourself in a setting where quiet operation is essential, or you prefer a sturdier key feel with a heavier actuation force, the Silent Ink Black is likely the better option. Its muted sound and cushy bottom-out experience make it a fantastic pick for office environments or shared spaces where you want to minimize disruption. Ultimately, your choice will come down to whether you value smooth responsiveness and lighter feedback, like the Jade Rosales offers, or if you need the whisper-quiet operation and a more solid feel that the Silent Ink Black provides.
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