Everglide Lightning Silver V3 vs. HMX Sunset Gleam
An in-depth look at the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 and the HMX Sunset Gleam switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 and the HMX Sunset Gleam each offer distinct experiences that suit different user preferences. The Lightning Silver V3 stands out with its clacky and high-pitched sound signature, delivering not only a lively auditory experience but also a silky, seamless typing feel, making it an excellent choice for those who enjoy a vibrant, expressive keyboard setup. Its unique light diffuser enhances RGB illumination, adding a pop of color to any arrangement. In contrast, the HMX Sunset Gleam, also known as the Duck Duck switch, appeals to users who prefer a more subtle yet satisfying typing experience, featuring a perfect blend of materials that results in a gentle top-out and a pleasing clack, complemented by HMX's renowned factory lube for an optimized feel. Ultimately, both switches cater to distinct preferences—whether you’re drawn to the enchanting sounds and visuals of the Lightning Silver V3 or the smooth, understated feel of the Sunset Gleam. 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
42g
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
48g
Pre-travel
1.50 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
Ly
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
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 single-stage spring
Housing materials
The Everglide Lightning Silver V3 and the HMX Sunset Gleam both feature polycarbonate as their top housing material, which contributes to a sound profile characterized by clarity and resonance. The use of polycarbonate—a relatively stiff plastic—allows for a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper auditory experience. This transparency not only highlights the switch's internal LEDs for RGB lighting but also enhances sound projection when typing. Due to these qualities, users of both switches can enjoy similarly vibrant sound profiles from the top housing, enabling a consistent auditory feedback in both products.
However, the contrast between the two switches becomes evident with their bottom housing materials. The Lightning Silver V3 also incorporates polycarbonate for its bottom housing, maintaining that clear sound signature through its construction. This choice results in a cohesive auditory experience, where both the top and bottom contribute to the crisper sound profile. In comparison, the HMX Sunset Gleam uses nylon for its bottom housing, a material known for its ability to absorb sound and produce a deeper, fuller sound signature. This difference will lead to variations in typing feel and sound, as the softness of nylon can create a more muted and rounded auditory experience in contrast to the sharper notes produced by polycarbonate.
When both switch types are utilized, the distinct contributions from the top and bottom housings result in a unique sound experience. For the Lightning Silver V3, the uniformity of polycarbonate means that users will enjoy a consistent listening experience throughout their typing action. Meanwhile, the Sunset Gleam, with its combination of polycarbonate and nylon, will present a richer mix of auditory sensations, as the softer bottom housing absorbs sound and creates a dichotomy in the typing acoustics. Thus, while both switches can shine with similar brilliance through their top housing, the nuance and complexity of sound differ based on the bottom housing materials employed.
Weight
When comparing the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 linear switch and the HMX Sunset Gleam linear switch, significant differences in actuation and bottom out forces emerge. The Lightning Silver V3 requires an actuation force of 48 grams and has a bottom out force of 60 grams, categorizing it as a medium force switch. In contrast, the Sunset Gleam is notably lighter, with an actuation force of only 42 grams and a bottom out force of 48 grams. This makes the Sunset Gleam more suitable for users who prefer a lighter touch, ideal for extended typing sessions or long gaming marathons. Overall, the Lightning Silver V3 offers a heftier feel, appealing to those who enjoy a more substantial typing experience, while the Sunset Gleam's lighter force makes it a more accommodating option for those prioritizing ease of use. Thus, the Lightning Silver V3 is the heavier switch, while the Sunset Gleam is the lighter one.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 linear switch and the HMX Sunset Gleam linear switch, a distinction can be made between the two. The Lightning Silver V3 has a travel distance of 3.4 mm, while the Sunset Gleam measures at 3.5 mm. This makes the Lightning Silver V3 the shorter option, offering a more responsive feel that many gamers may appreciate for its quicker actuation. On the other hand, the HMX Sunset Gleam, with its slightly longer travel distance, provides a more substantial key press that some users might prefer for a deeper typing experience. Overall, while both switches fall within a range suitable for modern preferences, the choice between them will ultimately depend on whether one favors speed and responsiveness or depth and feedback in their keystrokes.
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 HMX Sunset Gleam has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Sunset Gleam for $2.99.
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 it comes to sound, the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 stands out with a distinctly clacky and high-pitched acoustic profile. This sharp, crisp sound provides a percussive typing experience that appeals to those who enjoy a lively auditory feedback when typing. The high-pitched nature of these switches ensures they deliver a bright, attention-grabbing sound, perfect for users who prefer a more energetic auditory environment. In contrast, there's no specific sound characterization mentioned for the HMX Sunset Gleam, so it's undefined. However, it’s essential to note that the overall sound quality of any switch can also be influenced by the type of keyboard they’re mounted on and the material of the keycaps used, potentially creating variations that could make the Sunset Gleam either complement or diverge from the Lightning Silver’s pronounced acoustics.
In terms of tactile feel, the Lightning Silver V3 is celebrated for its silky smoothness, which offers an exceptionally seamless typing experience. This smooth action can enhance the overall interaction with the switch, making each keystroke feel effortless and satisfying. As for the Sunset Gleam, there is no description provided regarding its tactile characteristics. Therefore, one might deduce that if the Sunset Gleam can deliver a similarly smooth experience, it could provide a universally pleasing feel during use, though the specificities remain unknown.
Consolidating all the available information, the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 is undoubtedly a switch tailored for those who appreciate a lively audio experience paired with a silky, smooth typing feel. While the HMX Sunset Gleam promises its own unique qualities as a new linear switch, the absence of detailed attributes leaves room for exploration. Depending on personal preferences for sound and feel, users might gravitate towards the Lightning Silver for its distinctive clacky sound and luxurious touch, or remain curious about what the Sunset Gleam has to offer once its qualities are fully elucidated. Ultimately, whichever switch one chooses, it's clear that both hold promise within the mechanical keyboard community.
Conclusion
To conclude, the choice between the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 and the HMX Sunset Gleam linear switches ultimately depends on your personal preferences and usage scenarios. If you enjoy a medium bottom-out force of 60 grams and a typing experience that is both silky smooth and accompanied by a delightful clacky, high-pitched sound, the Lightning Silver V3 may be the ideal choice for you. This switch excels in vibrant RGB setups thanks to its light diffuser, making it perfect for those who want their keyboard to be as visually appealing as it is functional. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter touch with a bottom-out force of just 48 grams, the Sunset Gleam might suit you better. Its subtle top-out and satisfying clack, combined with the superior factory lube, create a pleasant and responsive typing experience without the additional auditory prominence of the Lightning Silver V3. In summary, choose the Lightning Silver V3 for a more pronounced sound and smooth feedback, while the Sunset Gleam is ideal for a lighter, more understated feel and a satisfying typing sound.
Mentioned in this article
