Gateron Lunar Probe vs. Everglide Sakura Pink
An in-depth look at the Gateron Lunar Probe and the Everglide Sakura Pink switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, the Gateron Lunar Probe and Everglide Sakura Pink switches offer distinct features to enhance your typing experience. The Lunar Probe is known for its stability and consistency, thanks to Gateron's dual rail mechanism, providing a smooth and pre-lubed linear feel with a subtle sound signature. On the other hand, the Sakura Pink switches are praised for their feather-light 35g actuation force, ideal for delicate typists seeking a smooth and effortless typing experience with a playful poppy sound. The Lunar Probe offers a reliable and consistent typing experience, while the Sakura Pink provides a light and smooth feel with an added touch of fun. 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
45g
Actuation force
35g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
45g
Pre-travel
1.80 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
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Double-staged spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Gateron Lunar Probe and the Everglide Sakura Pink share similar qualities in their polycarbonate top housing. Both switches utilize polycarbonate for their top housing, creating a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This material is known for its stiffness, which contributes to a clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches with RGB lighting, enhancing the overall aesthetic appeal. Despite these similarities, the Sakura Pink also features a polycarbonate bottom housing, while the Lunar Probe utilizes a nylon bottom housing. The nylon bottom housing of the Lunar Probe provides a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer nature, absorbing more sound and creating a duller and rounder sound.
In terms of sound and feel, the choice of housing material in a switch plays a significant role in the overall typing experience. The Gateron Lunar Probe's nylon bottom housing offers a unique typing feel with a deeper sound profile, giving it a distinct tactile feedback. In contrast, the Everglide Sakura Pink's polycarbonate bottom housing contributes to a sharper, crisper sound, providing a different tactile sensation for the user. While the top housing impacts the sound when a key is released, the bottom housing influences the sound during key presses, making each switch unique in its typing experience.
Overall, the choice between the Gateron Lunar Probe and the Everglide Sakura Pink ultimately comes down to personal preference in terms of sound and feel. Both switches offer distinct qualities based on their housing materials, with the Lunar Probe showcasing a combination of nylon and polycarbonate for a deep and resonant sound, while the Sakura Pink relies on polycarbonate for a sharper and crisper sound profile. Whether you prefer a softer, fuller sound or a sharper, higher-pitched sound, both switches provide a unique typing experience that caters to different preferences.
Weight
In comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron Lunar Probe linear switch and the Everglide Sakura Pink linear switch, it can be seen that the Sakura Pink is lighter in both aspects. The Lunar Probe has an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams, while the Sakura Pink has an actuation force of 35 grams and a bottom out force of 45 grams. Both switches are relatively light, making them suitable for extended typing or gaming sessions. The lighter actuation force of the Sakura Pink may appeal to those looking for a smoother typing experience, while the slightly heavier Lunar Probe could provide a more substantial feeling when typing. Ultimately, the choice between the two would depend on personal preference for typing force and feedback.
Travel distance
The Gateron Lunar Probe linear switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Everglide Sakura Pink linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm. In this case, the Sakura Pink has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Lunar Probe. The Lunar Probe's 3.6 mm travel distance falls within the range of shorter travel distances that are becoming popular, especially among gamers looking for quicker response times. On the other hand, the Sakura Pink's 4 mm travel distance offers a slightly deeper press, which some users may prefer for a more substantial key feel. Both switches provide different options for users based on their preference for travel distance, offering varied typing experiences.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Gateron Lunar Probe has an MSRP of $6.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Lunar Probe for $4.19.
The Everglide Sakura Pink has an MSRP of $6.86 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Sakura Pink for $3.89.
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 Gateron Lunar Probe switch offers a subtle and muted sound, providing a quieter typing experience. On the other hand, the Everglide Sakura Pink switch produces a delightfully poppy sound, adding a playful touch to your typing sessions. While the Lunar Probe switch offers a more understated sound profile, the Sakura Pink switch brings a bit more personality to the auditory experience.
When it comes to feel, the Gateron Lunar Probe switch offers a smooth and stable keypress, thanks to its dual rail mechanism. The pre-lubed linear sensation of these switches provides a consistent typing experience. Conversely, the Everglide Sakura Pink switch is described as buttery, creamy, and easy-to-press, offering a frictionless and effortless typing experience. The light actuation force of the Sakura Pink switch makes it perfect for delicate typists looking for a smooth and seamless typing sensation.
Overall, both the Gateron Lunar Probe and Everglide Sakura Pink switches offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences. While the Lunar Probe switch provides stability and consistency with a subtle sound, the Sakura Pink switch delivers a smooth and playful typing experience with a poppy sound. Depending on whether you prioritize a quieter typing experience or a more vibrant sound profile, you can choose between these two switches to enhance your mechanical keyboard setup. Ultimately, both switches offer a satisfying typing experience, ensuring that you'll get similar results in terms of quality and performance.
Conclusion
To sum up, when choosing between the Gateron Lunar Probe linear switch and the Everglide Sakura Pink linear switch, consider the bottom out force of each switch. If you prefer a slightly heavier keypress with a bottom out force of 50 grams, opt for the Lunar Probe switch. It offers stable and consistent keypresses with a smoother linear sensation and a subtle sound signature. However, if you prefer an even lighter touch with a bottom out force of 45 grams, the Sakura Pink switch is the way to go. It provides a feather-light typing experience perfect for delicate typists, with a smooth and effortless feel and a playful poppy sound. Ultimately, your choice will depend on whether you prefer a slightly heavier or lighter keypress experience, so consider your typing preferences and choose accordingly.
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