Everglide Lightning Silver V3 vs. Gateron Mountain Top
An in-depth look at the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 and the Gateron Mountain Top switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 and the Gateron Mountain Top mechanical keyboard switches, it becomes apparent that both offer unique features suitable for different preferences and settings. The Lightning Silver V3 stands out for its clacky and high-pitched sound signature, providing a distinct typing experience that is silky and seamless. On the other hand, the Mountain Top switches from Gateron are designed for office environments, offering a quiet yet not entirely silent typing experience that is bouncy, easy-to-press, and subtle. While the Lightning Silver V3 adds a vibrant touch with its light diffuser and RGB illumination, the Mountain Top switches prioritize discretion and professionalism. 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
40g
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
50g
Pre-travel
1.50 mm
Pre-travel
1.40 mm
Total travel
3.40 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
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Lengthened gold-plated spring
Spring
22mm double-stage spring
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 and the Gateron Mountain Top, we see that both switches use different materials for their top and bottom housings. The Lightning Silver V3 features a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper and crisper sound profile due to its stiff nature, ideal for RGB lighting effects. On the other hand, the Mountain Top uses a nylon top housing that produces a deeper and fuller sound profile with its softer plastic composition. This contrast in materials leads to a different typing experience for users of each switch, with the Lightning Silver V3 offering a more resonant sound while the Gateron Mountain Top provides a rounder and duller sound.
While the top housings of both switches offer distinct sound profiles, the difference in their bottom housings also plays a significant role in the typing experience. The polycarbonate bottom housing of the Lightning Silver V3 reinforces its sharper and crisper sound profile, contributing to a clear and resonant typing feel. Conversely, the nylon bottom housing of the Gateron Mountain Top absorbs more sound, resulting in a deeper and fuller typing experience. This split in housing materials between the top and bottom of each switch allows users to feel the impact of each housing material when pressing down and releasing a key.
Overall, the choice of housing materials in switches such as the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 and the Gateron Mountain Top greatly influences the typing experience for users. The contrasting properties of polycarbonate and nylon create distinct sound profiles, with the former offering a sharper sound and the latter providing a fuller sound. Whether you prefer a crisper or deeper typing experience, understanding the impact of housing materials on switch performance can help you choose the right switch for your needs.
Weight
The Everglide Lightning Silver V3 and the Gateron Mountain Top linear switches differ in terms of actuation force and bottom out force. The Lightning Silver V3 has a higher actuation force of 48 grams and a bottom out force of 60 grams, while the Mountain Top has a lighter actuation force of 40 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams. The Lightning Silver V3 offers a more medium resistance, whereas the Mountain Top provides a lighter touch. Those who prefer a lighter touch may opt for the Mountain Top switch, which allows for longer typing periods and smoother gaming sessions. On the other hand, users seeking a more substantial typing experience may lean towards the Lightning Silver V3 with its heavier actuation and bottom out force. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences and the desired typing experience.
Travel distance
Both the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 linear switch and the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch have the same travel distance of 3.4 mm. This means that when pressing down on a key with either switch, you will experience the same amount of travel before reaching the bottom. This similarity ensures that users will get consistent results in both switches in terms of the distance traveled when typing. Thus, in terms of travel distance, both switches provide an equal typing experience.
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 Mountain Top comes in at $6.00 per 10 switches.
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 Everglide Lightning Silver V3 switch offers a clacky and high-pitched sound profile, producing sharp and crisp sounds when pressed. This type of sound is bright, percussive, and may not be suitable for environments where noise levels need to be kept low. On the other hand, the Gateron Mountain Top switch provides a more neutral sound, with a moderate sound profile that caters to a quiet yet not entirely silent typing experience. This makes it a better option for professional settings where discretion is key.
When it comes to feel, the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 switch offers a silky and smooth typing experience, minimizing resistance when pressing and releasing keys. This enhances the overall typing feel and provides a seamless typing experience. In contrast, the Gateron Mountain Top switch offers a bouncy and easy-to-press feel, with gentle resistance during key presses that require minimal force to activate. This type of switch provides a responsive and low-impact typing experience that can reduce finger fatigue during long typing sessions.
Overall, the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 switch is best suited for those who prefer a clacky and high-pitched sound profile combined with a silky smooth typing experience. On the other hand, the Gateron Mountain Top switch is ideal for those who require a more neutral sound profile and a bouncy, easy-to-press typing feel. Depending on your preferences and typing environment, you can achieve different results in terms of sound and feel with these two switches.
Conclusion
To sum up, when choosing between the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 linear switch and the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch, consider your typing environment and preferences. If you prioritize a clacky and high-pitched sound with a silky typing experience, then the Lightning Silver V3 may be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you require a more neutral and bouncy switch with easy-to-press keys that offer a quiet typing experience, the Gateron Mountain Top switch would be more suitable. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your sound preference, typing feel, and the setting in which you will be using the keyboard.
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