Zuoce Lavender vs. Gateron Lunar Probe
An in-depth look at the Zuoce Lavender and the Gateron Lunar Probe switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Zuoce Lavender and the Gateron Lunar Probe mechanical keyboard switches, you will find two impressive options with their own unique features. The Zuoce Lavender switch stands out for its exceptional smoothness and satisfying clacky sound signature, making it a popular choice among users who prefer a smooth and tactile typing experience. On the other hand, the Gateron Lunar Probe switch offers a stable and consistent keypress experience with its dual rail mechanism, providing an incredibly smooth and pre-lubed linear sensation. While the Lavender switch is known for being easy to press and clacky, the Lunar Probe switch is categorized as linear. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the right switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
48g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
53g
Bottom-out force
50g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
Z1 (Ly blend)
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
21mm double-staged spring
Spring
Double-staged spring
Housing materials
The Zuoce Lavender and Gateron Lunar Probe both offer unique housing materials that significantly impact the sound profile of the switches. The Lavender features a POM top housing, which creates a deeper and more muted sound compared to the Lunar Probe's polycarbonate top housing, which produces a sharper and crisper sound. This contrast in sound profiles can greatly influence the overall typing experience for users, with the POM providing a more soothing sound and the polycarbonate offering a more defined and clear sound. Additionally, the translucency of the polycarbonate allows for RGB lighting to shine through, adding a visually appealing element to the Lunar Probe switches.
While the top housing materials of the Zuoce Lavender and Gateron Lunar Probe offer distinct sound profiles, their bottom housing materials also play a significant role in the typing experience. The Lavender's POM bottom housing creates a deeper and muted sound, while the Lunar Probe's nylon bottom housing produces a fuller and rounder sound. The softer nature of nylon absorbs more sound compared to the harder POM, resulting in a duller sound profile. This difference in bottom housing materials adds another layer of diversity to the overall sound experience of each switch, catering to different preferences among users.
Overall, the combination of housing materials used in the Zuoce Lavender and Gateron Lunar Probe switches offers a versatile range of sound profiles for keyboard enthusiasts. While the Lavender leans towards a more soothing and deeper sound with its POM housing, the Lunar Probe provides a sharper and clearer sound with its polycarbonate housing. Additionally, the difference in bottom housing materials between the two switches further enhances the diversity in sound profiles, giving users the opportunity to experience a range of typing experiences based on their preferences. Despite these distinct differences, both switches offer quality housing materials that contribute to the overall performance of the switch.
Weight
The Zuoce Lavender linear switch has a slightly heavier actuation force of 48 grams compared to the Gateron Lunar Probe linear switch which has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams. Both switches have a similar bottom out force, with the Lavender requiring 53 grams and the Lunar Probe needing 50 grams. The Lavender switch falls into the medium-light category in terms of weight, providing a balance between typing comfort and tactile feedback. On the other hand, the Lunar Probe switch is considered light, making it more suitable for those who prefer a lighter touch and faster typing speed. Overall, the actuation and bottom out forces of these two switches cater to different preferences, with the Lavender offering a slightly heavier typing experience while the Lunar Probe provides a lighter feel for smoother keystrokes.
Travel distance
The Zuoce Lavender linear switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm, while the Gateron Lunar Probe linear switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances compared to the traditional 4.0 mm distance. Gamers may prefer the Lavender switch for its slightly shorter travel distance of 3.4 mm, as it can provide faster response times. On the other hand, those who prefer a more substantial key press may opt for the Lunar Probe switch with its slightly longer travel distance of 3.6 mm. Overall, both switches offer a compact and efficient travel distance for different preferences, with the Lavender being slightly shorter and the Lunar Probe being slightly longer.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Zuoce Lavender has an MSRP of $2.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Lavender for $1.99.
The Gateron Lunar Probe has an MSRP of $6.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Lunar Probe for $4.19.
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 Zuoce Lavender switch offers a clacky sound signature, providing a sharp and snappy sound when pressed, resulting in a satisfyingly crisp and percussive keystroke experience. On the other hand, while the sound description of the Gateron Lunar Probe switch is unknown, it is highlighted for its incredibly smooth and pre-lubed linear sensation, paired with a subtle sound signature. When it comes to feel, the Lavender switch is known for being easy-to-press, offering gentle resistance during key presses and requiring minimal force to activate, making typing effortless and comfortable while reducing finger fatigue. As for the Lunar Probe switch, the feel is unspecified, but it boasts stable and consistent keypresses due to Gateron's dual rail mechanism. Overall, both switches excel in providing a smooth typing experience, with the Lavender focusing on a clacky sound and easy-to-press feel, while the Lunar Probe emphasizes stability and consistency in keypresses. Depending on personal preference, both switches can deliver a satisfying typing experience, catering to different preferences in sound and feel.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Zuoce Lavender linear switch and the Gateron Lunar Probe linear switch, consider the characteristics of each switch carefully. If you prioritize smoothness and a crisp, clacky sound signature, the Lavender switch with its medium-light bottom out force of 53 grams may be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you value stability and consistency in keypresses, along with a light bottom out force of 50 grams, the Lunar Probe switch with its pre-lubed linear sensation and dual rail mechanism might be more suited to your preferences. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal typing style and what features matter most to you in a keyboard switch.
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