Gateron Mars vs. Gateron Melodic
An in-depth look at the Gateron Mars and the Gateron Melodic switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Gateron Mars and Gateron Melodic exemplify two distinct approaches that cater to different user preferences. The Gateron Mars, a linear switch, is celebrated for its innovative design featuring a POK stem and a housing crafted from a blend of Nylon and POM, which provides a smooth and consistent keystroke without any tactile bump or clicking sound. Ideal for gamers and typists who favor swift, uninterrupted key presses, the Mars delivers a streamlined experience that enhances speed and efficiency. On the other hand, the Gateron Melodic reinvigorates the clicky switch category with its smooth factory lubing and dual-railed stems, ensuring that users can enjoy an invigorating, crunchy click sound combined with satisfying tactile feedback. This switch appeals to those who thrive on auditory and tactile sensations, making it an excellent choice for typists who relish the classic clicky experience. 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
N/A
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
60g
Pre-travel
1.20 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
POK
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm double-staged spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Gateron Mars and Gateron Melodic switches feature distinct materials for their top housings, leading to contrasting acoustic profiles. The Mars employs a nylon top housing, which is known for its softer characteristics that contribute to a deeper, fuller sound. Nylon's inherent qualities allow it to absorb sound effectively, resulting in a typing experience that is duller and rounder. Conversely, the Melodic switch utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, which is stiffer and produces a higher-pitched, crisper sound profile. The translucency of polycarbonate also enhances its compatibility with RGB lighting, creating a visually appealing aesthetic along with its sonic attributes. As such, the choice of top housing material significantly shapes the auditory experience of each switch.
When examining the bottom housing materials, the two switches show a similarity in their sound profiles. The Mars is constructed with a POM bottom housing that produces a unique, deeper, and more muted sound. In contrast, the Melodic features a nylon bottom housing, known for its ability to elicit a similarly deep and fuller sound profile. Here, the shared use of nylon in the bottom housing of the Melodic switch helps to heighten the overall uniformity in deeper sound characteristics between the two switches. While users may notice differences in tonal qualities due to the various top housing materials, the bottom housing does play a critical role—especially concerning bottom-out sounds—maintaining a degree of sonic consistency through the use of nylon in one of the switches.
Overall, the combination of different materials for top and bottom housings in the Gateron switches results in a juxtaposition of sound profiles, while allowing for a unique interplay between the two components. Users can expect a richer and rounder auditory experience from the Mars due to the nylon top housing, whereas the Melodic offers a sharper sound via its polycarbonate top. Ultimately, those who appreciate deeper sound signatures would find the nylon bottom housing of the Melodic reinforces that experience, while the POM bottom housing of the Mars ensures a similarly rich listening environment. The diversity in top housing materials enriches the overall sound profile, while the bottom housing materials contribute to a solid foundation, enabling users to achieve a well-rounded typing experience regardless of their choice between the two switches.
Weight
The Gateron Mars linear switch features an actuation force of 45 grams, offering a relatively light feel for users who favor extended typing sessions or gaming marathons without fatigue. However, the bottom out force for the Mars is unavailable, making it difficult to compare that aspect with the Gateron Melodic clicky switch. On the other hand, the Melodic has an unknown actuation force but a bottom out force of 60 grams, classified as medium.
This indicates that while the Melodic may require more force to bottom out, its actuation sensation is not quantifiable in this context. Therefore, you might expect a heavier tactile experience with the Melodic due to its higher bottom out force compared to the Mars. Overall, the Mars is likely the lighter option in terms of the actuation force, making it more suitable for those preferring a gentler touch, whereas the Melodic could cater to those who desire a more pronounced resistance and a stronger feel, even though its actuation force remains unspecified.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Gateron Mars linear switch and the Gateron Melodic clicky switch, the Mars offers a shorter travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Melodic features a longer travel distance of 4 mm. This difference indicates that the Melodic switch provides a more traditional and deeper feel, which some users may prefer for its tactile feedback and reassurance when pressing a key. On the other hand, the Mars switch's shorter travel distance can lead to faster actuation, making it a suitable choice for gamers seeking quick response times. Thus, if you favor a more responsive keypress, the Gateron Mars would be advantageous, but if you appreciate a fuller keystroke experience, the Gateron Melodic is the better option.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
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.
The Gateron Melodic has an MSRP of $6.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Melodic for $6.00.
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
The sound profile of the Gateron Mars linear switch remains unspecified, leaving space for personal interpretation. In contrast, the Gateron Melodic clicky switch showcases a more defined acoustic character. Described as resonant, it produces a higher-pitched, clean, and sharp sound that immerses the user in an enjoyable auditory experience. Additionally, the Melodic's crunchy quality adds a delightful texture to the auditory feedback, reminiscent of walking on crisp autumn leaves. This well-rounded sound makes the Melodic particularly engaging for users who appreciate the auditory aspect of typing.
When it comes to feel, the Mars switch lacks specific descriptors, which might lead to a less defined tactile experience for users. However, the Gateron Melodic switch offers a range of sensations described as buttery and invigorating. The buttery feel ensures a smooth and fluid keystroke experience, allowing for seamless typing without disruption. Meanwhile, its invigorating characteristics provide pronounced feedback and a snappy actuation, making each keystroke feel responsive and engaging. This combination creates an immersive and satisfying typing sensation, catering effectively to users who enjoy both comfort and responsiveness.
In considering both switches, the Gateron Mars may lack defined auditory and tactile characteristics, while the Gateron Melodic excels in both sound and feel through its resonant and crunchy auditory profiles, combined with a buttery and invigorating tactile experience. Users looking for a classic clicky experience with smoothness and dimension will appreciate the strengths of the Melodic. However, without detailed information on the sound and feel of the Mars switch, it remains an option for those who might prefer a linear switch with an undetermined quality—potentially achieving similar results to a level of user preference not fully explored in this context.
Conclusion
In summary, when choosing between the Gateron Mars linear switch and the Gateron Melodic clicky switch, your personal preferences and typing habits should guide your decision. If you prioritize a smooth and quiet typing experience—perhaps for long hours of work or gaming without distraction—the Mars switch is tailored for you. Its innovative design offers a seamless keystroke that many users find appealing, especially in settings where noise could be a concern. On the other hand, if you appreciate auditory feedback and the tactile sensation that comes with a clicky switch, the Melodic is likely to resonate more with you. This switch's resonant, crunchy sound and invigorating feel provide an exciting typing experience, making it perfect for users who enjoy the classic clicky sound and feedback while they type. Ultimately, your choice will depend on whether you lean towards a more muted, fluid experience with the Mars or an engaging, pronounced interaction with the Melodic.
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