Zuoce Lavender vs. Gateron New North Pole V2
An in-depth look at the Zuoce Lavender and the Gateron New North Pole V2 switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, the Zuoce Lavender and the Gateron New North Pole V2 both offer unique features that cater to different preferences. The Lavender switch stands out for its exceptional smoothness right out of the box, thanks to its proprietary Ly blend, providing a satisfying typing experience with a crisp and clacky sound signature. On the other hand, the New North Pole V2 from Gateron offers a crisper typing experience without a rubber dampener, while still maintaining a frictionless typing feel that fans of the North Pole lineup have come to love. The Lavender switch is best suited for those who prefer easy-to-press switches with a clacky sound, while the New North Pole V2 appeals to users looking for a polished, creamy, and frictionless typing experience. 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
48g
Actuation force
50g
Bottom-out force
53g
Bottom-out force
62.5g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
Z1 (Ly blend)
Stem material
Ink Housing Material
Top housing material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
21mm double-staged spring
Spring
Gold-plated 15.4mm
Housing materials
The Zuoce Lavender and Gateron New North Pole V2 switches both feature unique housing materials that contribute to their sound profiles. The Lavender uses POM for both its top and bottom housing, resulting in a deeper and more muted sound. On the other hand, the New North Pole V2 utilizes polycarbonate for both its top and bottom housing, creating a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. While POM is known for its pleasing sound, polycarbonate offers a clear and resonant sound that is especially enhanced when using RGB lighting.
In terms of aesthetics, the difference in housing materials between the Lavender and the New North Pole V2 is notable. The Lavender's POM housing provides a solid and opaque appearance, while the New North Pole V2's polycarbonate housing offers a transparent and translucent look, ideal for showcasing RGB lighting effects. The use of polycarbonate in both the top and bottom housing of the New North Pole V2 switch enhances its visual appeal and allows for a more vibrant lighting experience compared to the Lavender's POM housing.
When comparing the impact of the top and bottom housing materials on the overall sound and feel of the switches, it is evident that each material brings its own qualities. The bottom housing material has a more significant influence on the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down on the switch, while the top housing material affects the sound when releasing a key. This division of qualities between the top and bottom housing materials highlights the importance of choosing the right housing material to achieve the desired sound profile and tactile experience in a mechanical keyboard switch.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Zuoce Lavender linear switch and the Gateron New North Pole V2 linear switch, we can see some differences. The Lavender has a lighter actuation force of 48 grams compared to the New North Pole V2's 50 grams, making it slightly easier to trigger a keystroke. However, when it comes to bottoming out, the Lavender requires 53 grams of force while the New North Pole V2 needs 62.5 grams, making the New North Pole V2 heavier in this aspect. Both switches fall in the medium-light to medium category, offering a balance between typing comfort and responsiveness. Depending on individual preferences, some may prefer the lighter actuation force of the Lavender for longer typing sessions, while others may opt for the heavier bottom out force of the New North Pole V2 for a more substantial typing feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on whether one values a lighter or heavier feel when typing.
Travel distance
The Zuoce Lavender linear switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm, making it a shorter travel distance compared to the Gateron New North Pole V2 linear switch which has a travel distance of 4 mm. The Lavender switch would provide a slightly faster response time due to its shorter travel distance, making it ideal for gamers or those who prefer a more responsive feel. On the other hand, the New North Pole V2 switch offers a bit more depth with its longer travel distance, which some users may prefer for a more tactile typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches would depend on personal preference for travel distance and key feel.
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 New North Pole V2 has an MSRP of $6.80 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the New North Pole V2 for $5.70.
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
In terms of sound, the Zuoce Lavender switch is best known for its crisp and clacky sound signature, providing a sharp and snappy sound when pressed. On the other hand, the sound profile of the Gateron New North Pole V2 linear switch is not specifically mentioned, so it may not have the same distinctive clacky sound as the Lavender. However, the overall sound of a switch can also be influenced by the keyboard and keycaps used, so individual results may vary.
Moving on to the feel, the Zuoce Lavender switch is praised for its easy-to-press nature, offering gentle resistance and minimal force required for activation. This results in a typing experience that is effortless, comfortable, and reduces finger fatigue during long typing sessions. In contrast, the Gateron New North Pole V2 switch is described as polished, creamy, and frictionless, providing a smooth and refined typing experience with reduced friction and effortless key travel. While both switches aim to offer a smooth typing experience, the New North Pole V2 may have a slightly different feel compared to the easy-to-press nature of the Lavender.
In conclusion, the Zuoce Lavender linear switch is best known for its exceptional smoothness, clacky sound signature, and easy-to-press feel, making each keystroke satisfying and effortless. On the other hand, the Gateron New North Pole V2 linear switch offers a smooth and polished typing experience with a focus on reduced friction and creamy key travel. Both switches have their unique qualities and can provide a satisfying typing experience, but users may prefer one over the other based on their sound and feel preferences. Ultimately, trying out both switches in person on a keyboard setup can help determine which one suits your typing style the best.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you seek a smooth and satisfying typing experience right out of the box with a medium-light bottom out force, the Zuoce Lavender linear switch would be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a crisper typing feel with a slightly heavier bottom out force, the Gateron New North Pole V2 linear switch would be more suited to your preferences. Ultimately, your decision should be based on whether you prioritize smoothness and clacky sound (Lavender) or a polished, creamy, and frictionless typing feel (New North Pole V2). Consider your typing needs and preferences carefully before making your selection.
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