Everglide Lightning Silver V3 vs. Gateron Mars
An in-depth look at the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 and the Gateron Mars switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing the right mechanical keyboard switch, the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 and Gateron Mars are two intriguing linear options that cater to different preferences and styles. The Lightning Silver V3 stands out with its clacky and high-pitched sound signature, providing a distinctive auditory feedback that can make typing feel more lively and engaging. Additionally, its silky touch and light diffuser enhance not only the tactile experience but also the RGB illumination of your setup, making it ideal for gamers and enthusiasts who appreciate aesthetics alongside performance. On the other hand, the Gateron Mars switches bring innovation to the table with a unique design that marries the POK stem with a durable housing made from a blend of Nylon and POM. This combination promises longevity and reliability, appealing to users who seek consistent performance in their typing experience without any extra auditory embellishments. Ultimately, both switches offer compelling features catering to different tastes; however, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
48g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
1.50 mm
Pre-travel
1.20 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POK
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Lengthened gold-plated spring
Spring
22mm double-staged spring
Housing materials
The Everglide Lightning Silver V3 and Gateron Mars switches utilize different materials for their housing, which significantly influences their sound profiles and typing experiences. The Lightning Silver V3 features a polycarbonate top housing, known for promoting a sharper, higher-pitched sound. This material’s stiffness enhances resonance, resulting in a clearer output, particularly beneficial for users who appreciate an articulate auditory feedback during typing. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it an excellent choice for RGB lighting setups, allowing for a vibrant display that complements the aesthetics of modern keyboards.
Conversely, the Gateron Mars employs a nylon top housing that offers a starkly different auditory experience. Nylon is recognized for its softer composition, which tends to absorb sound more effectively than the harder polycarbonate. This results in a deeper and more muted sound profile, creating a rounder auditory output that some users may find more pleasing for casual typing. In essence, the Mars emphasizes a fuller sound characteristic, appealing to those who favor a more subdued acoustic experience, particularly in quieter environments.
Examining the bottom housings reveals further distinctions between the two switches. The Lightning Silver V3 utilizes polycarbonate for its bottom housing, maintaining the sharply resonant sound profile prevalent throughout its construction. In contrast, the Gateron Mars incorporates POM for its bottom housing, known for delivering a unique and deeper muted sound. This combination of materials in both switches means that the overall sound experience will be influenced by the interaction of the top and bottom housings. While the Lightning Silver V3 will provide clarity in its sound upon key release due to its polycarbonate components, the Mars will offer a more muted, rounded sound experience overall. Thus, although both switches serve distinct auditory preferences, they each hold the potential to yield satisfying results depending on individual tastes.
Weight
When comparing the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 linear switch and the Gateron Mars linear switch, we find notable differences in their actuation forces. The Lightning Silver V3 requires an actuation force of 48 grams, which falls into the medium range, providing a balanced typing experience ideal for longer usage periods. In contrast, the Gateron Mars switch has a slightly lighter actuation force of 45 grams, making it a better choice for those who prefer less resistance during typing or gaming sessions. However, the bottom out force of the Mars switch is unknown, leaving a gap in our comparison. The Lightning Silver V3’s bottom out force is specified as 60 grams, indicating that it provides a more substantial feel when fully pressed down, which some typists might appreciate. In summary, if you’re looking for a switch that offers a lighter overall feel, the Gateron Mars is the way to go, while the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 caters to those who enjoy a bit more weight and feedback from their switches.
Travel distance
The Everglide Lightning Silver V3 linear switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm, while the Gateron Mars linear switch features a travel distance of 3.6 mm. This makes the Lightning Silver V3 the shorter option, offering a slightly more responsive feel, which can be advantageous for gamers seeking quicker actuation times. In contrast, the Gateron Mars, with its longer 3.6 mm travel distance, may provide a more satisfying tactile experience for users who prefer a greater depth when pressing keys. Ultimately, choosing between these two switches will depend on personal preference: those favoring rapid response times might opt for the Lightning Silver V3, whereas those who appreciate a deeper keystroke might lean towards the Gateron Mars.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Everglide Lightning Silver V3 has an MSRP of $5.55 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Lightning Silver V3 for $4.10.
The Gateron Mars has an MSRP of $6.10 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Mars for $5.50.
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 Everglide Lightning Silver V3 and the Gateron Mars linear switch, the Lightning Silver V3 stands out with its distinct clacky and high-pitched sound characteristics. Users will experience a sharp, crisp auditory response that is both bright and percussive, making it ideal for those who appreciate a more pronounced auditory feedback from their keystrokes. In contrast, the sound profile of the Gateron Mars switches remains unspecified; thus, it’s challenging to draw direct comparisons. However, it is essential to note that the sound produced by any switch can be influenced by the keyboard build and keycap material, meaning the final auditory experience could vary significantly based on personal setup choices.
In terms of feel, the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 offers a silky typing experience characterized by exceptional smoothness and minimal resistance during keypresses. This seamless interaction allows for fluid typing, which many users find desirable for both gaming and typing. On the other hand, there is no information available regarding the tactile feedback or overall feel of the Gateron Mars switches. As such, a direct comparison regarding the sensation of use cannot be made, leaving an unknown gap in understanding how the Mars switches might perform in this respect.
In conclusion, the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 linear switch is notable for its clacky and high-pitched sound, along with a silky smooth feel, delivering an enjoyable typing experience for those who prefer a heightened auditory and tactile response. The specific qualities of the Gateron Mars switches remain unknown, particularly regarding sound and feel, making it difficult to compare them directly to the Lightning Silver V3. For newcomers exploring mechanical keyboard switches, it is essential to consider these attributes, as they significantly impact personal preference and overall usage satisfaction.
Conclusion
To conclude, when deciding between the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 and the Gateron Mars linear switches, it ultimately depends on your personal preferences and typing style. If you enjoy a dynamic and auditory feedback while typing, the Lightning Silver V3 is the way to go. Its clacky and high-pitched sound signature adds an engaging element to your keystrokes, while the silky feel ensures a smooth experience. This switch is particularly well-suited for those who appreciate RGB setups, as its light diffuser enhances illumination beautifully. Conversely, if you prefer a more understated and unique approach with innovative materials, the Gateron Mars may appeal to you. Its blend of Nylon and POM in the housing suggests a different feel and durability that could cater to long typing sessions without the need for the sharp auditory feedback of the Lightning Silver V3. Ultimately, if sound and the sensory typing experience are your priorities, the Lightning Silver V3 would be your best bet. On the other hand, if you seek a switch that emphasizes a different tactile experience with novel materials, consider the Gateron Mars. Your choice should reflect the type of feedback and feel that enhances your keyboard experience.
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