Gateron Luciola vs. Gateron Oil King (V2)
An in-depth look at the Gateron Luciola and the Gateron Oil King (V2) switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Gateron Luciola and Gateron Oil King are two mechanical keyboard switches that offer unique features and characteristics. The Luciola switches are particularly notable for their eye-catching glow in the dark design. These switches provide a medium heft and deliver a smooth and bouncy typing feel. Additionally, they produce a distinct sound profile that can be likened to the shaking of a can of spray paint. On the other hand, the Oil King switches are highly regarded for their buttery smoothness and a satisfying sound profile reminiscent of snapping a dark chocolate bar. They offer a creamy and silky typing experience and emit a low-pitched bassy sound. While the Luciola switches stand out for their visually appealing glow, the Oil Kings excel in their smoothness and rich sound. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for your specific preferences.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
55g
Actuation force
55g
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
65g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Bottom housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm double-staged long spring; black-plated
Spring
Color coated
Housing materials
The Gateron Luciola and the Gateron Oil King differ in their housing materials. The Luciola features a proprietary INK blend top housing, which is known for its pointed and high-pitched sound profile. This creates a satisfying and clacky typing experience. On the other hand, the Oil King utilizes a nylon top housing. Nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile. This creates a duller and rounder sound when typing. Overall, the Luciola's top housing provides a thin and clacky sound, while the Oil King's nylon top housing offers a deeper and fuller sound experience.
When it comes to the bottom housing, both the Luciola and the Oil King utilize Gateron's proprietary INK blend. This means that they share similar characteristics in terms of sound profile. Both bottom housings contribute to a pointed and high-pitched sound without being overly sharp. Therefore, users can expect a similar satisfying and clacky sound when bottoming out the keys on either the Luciola or the Oil King. The bottom housing of both switches plays a significant role in the bottom-out sound and feel, providing a consistent experience between the two models.
While the top and bottom housings differ between the Gateron Luciola and the Gateron Oil King, they both contribute to the overall sound profile of the keyboard. The top housing has a greater impact on the sound when releasing a key, while the bottom housing affects the sound and feel when pressing down on a key. The Luciola's INK blend top housing with its pointed and high-pitched sound creates a distinct clackiness when typing. On the other hand, the Oil King's nylon top housing absorbs more sound, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile. Regardless of the specific material used, both switches provide a satisfying typing experience with their unique sound profiles.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron Luciola linear switch and the Gateron Oil King linear switch, there are some similarities and differences to note. Both switches have an actuation force of 55 grams, meaning that the force required to trigger a keystroke is the same for both switches. This similarity ensures that users can expect similar responsiveness and ease of typing when using either switch. However, when it comes to bottom out force, there is a distinction between the two. The Luciola has a bottom out force of 60 grams, while the Oil King has a bottom out force of 65 grams. This means that the Oil King requires slightly more force to fully press the keys down compared to the Luciola.
Considering weight is an important factor to consider when choosing a switch, as it can greatly impact the typing experience. Some individuals may prefer lighter switches, like the Luciola, as it allows for longer periods of comfortable typing, making it suitable for work or extended gaming sessions. On the other hand, those who prefer a more substantial typing experience with a stronger push feel may opt for switches with heavier forces, such as the Oil King. The 5 gram difference in bottom out force between the two switches means that the Oil King will offer a slightly more robust and tactile typing experience compared to the Luciola. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on personal preference and the desired typing experience one seeks.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Gateron Luciola linear switch and the Gateron Oil King linear switch, it is evident that the Luciola has a shorter travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Oil King has a longer travel distance of 4 mm. Generally, a travel distance of 4.0 mm is considered the most traditional, while 3.0 mm is the most shallow. However, with the increasing demand for faster response times, shorter travel distances have become more prevalent, especially among gamers. If you prioritize a more responsive feel, the Luciola with its shorter travel distance would be a suitable choice. On the other hand, individuals who prefer a deeper key press may find the longer travel distance of the Oil King more satisfying. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on individual preferences and desired typing or gaming experience, with the understanding that the Luciola offers a shorter travel distance for quicker response times, while the Oil King provides a longer travel distance for a more substantial and deliberate feel.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Gateron Luciola has an MSRP of $7.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Luciola for $6.50.
The Gateron Oil King (V2) comes in at $6.50 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
When it comes to sound, the Gateron Luciola linear switch is known for its distinctive "hollow can of spray paint being shaken" sound profile. This sound is crisp, bright, and percussive, giving it a clacky and chirpy quality. On the other hand, the Gateron Oil King linear switch offers a sound profile reminiscent of a dark chocolate bar snapping. It has a low-pitched and bassy tone, providing a deeper and richer sound experience during key presses. Both switches offer unique sound characteristics, but they cater to different preferences. If you enjoy a sharper, more resonant sound, the Luciola would be a great choice. If you prefer a deeper, bass-heavy sound, the Oil King would be more suitable. However, it's important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps chosen.
In terms of feel, the Gateron Luciola linear switch offers a medium heft, providing a smooth and bouncy typing experience. The switch is described as snappy, implying a super responsive feel that makes the typing experience feel more alive. It also has a buttery and polished finish, resulting in reduced friction and smooth key travel. On the other hand, the Gateron Oil King linear switch is known for its creamy and silky typing experience. It offers a seamless and effortless keystroke sensation, as if gliding your fingers across the keys with ease. Similar to the Luciola, the Oil King also has a buttery and polished feel, ensuring smoothness and refined typing experience. Both switches prioritize smoothness and effortless keystrokes, but the Luciola leans towards a bouncier and snappier feel, while the Oil King focuses on a creamy and silky sensation.
In conclusion, the Gateron Luciola linear switch provides a distinctive sound profile with its clacky and chirpy nature, offering a sharp and resonant typing experience. It has a medium heft, promoting a smooth and bouncy feel that is enhanced by its polished and snappy qualities. On the other hand, the Gateron Oil King linear switch offers a low-pitched and bassy sound profile, providing a deeper and richer typing experience. It offers a creamy and silky feel, ensuring a smooth and effortless keystroke sensation, complemented by its buttery and polished characteristics. Depending on your sound and feel preferences, both switches offer unique qualities that can enhance your typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, when considering the choice between the Gateron Luciola linear switch and the Gateron Oil King linear switch, there are a few key factors to consider. The Luciola switch has a medium bottom out force of 60 grams, while the Oil King switch has a slightly heavier medium-heavy bottom out force of 65 grams.
The Luciola switch is best known for its eye-catching glow in the dark feature, medium heft, smooth and bouncy typing feel, and a hollow "can of spray paint being shaken" sound profile. On the other hand, the Oil King switch is favored for its buttery smoothness and sound profile reminiscent of a dark chocolate bar snapping. The Oil King switch has a lower-pitched sound that offers a bass-heavy and mellow tone, while the Luciola switch has various sound profiles including clacky, chirpy, marbly, and high-pitched.
In terms of feel, the Luciola switch provides a snappy, buttery, and polished typing experience. It is super responsive, smooth, and refined, resulting in reduced friction and smooth key travel. The Oil King switch also offers a creamy, silky, buttery, and polished typing experience with enhanced smoothness and minimized resistance when pressing and releasing keys.
Ultimately, the choice between the Gateron Luciola linear switch and the Gateron Oil King linear switch depends on personal preferences. If you are attracted to a switch with a unique glow in the dark feature and a medium bottom out force, the Luciola switch may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a slightly heavier bottom out force and a silky smooth typing experience with a lower-pitched sound profile, the Oil King switch may be more suitable. Consider your preferences for typing feel, sound profile, and bottom out force to make the best decision for your mechanical keyboard setup. In the end, both switches offer distinct features and advantages that can enhance your typing experience.
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