Gateron Mars vs. Everglide Tourmaline Blue

Overview

When choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, enthusiasts often find themselves weighing the merits of different options to enhance their typing experience. The Gateron Mars switch stands out with its innovative design, featuring a unique POK stem and a composite housing made from Nylon and POM, delivering a smooth linear typing feel. This switch caters to users who prioritize a consistent keypress without tactile feedback, making it ideal for gaming and fast-paced typing scenarios. On the other hand, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switch offers a distinct advantage with its deep, thocky sound profile, paired with a lengthened single-stage spring that yields a bouncy and satisfying keystroke. Categorized as buttery, easy-to-press, and mild, these switches provide an enjoyable typing experience that remains highly accessible. Both switches cater to different preferences, with the Mars excelling in performance and speed while the Tourmaline Blue enriches the auditory experience. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities, so you can best decide on the switch that fits your needs.

By the numbers

Gateron Mars Linear

Everglide Tourmaline Blue Linear

$6.10

$5.50 per 10

$6.86

$3.89 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

When comparing the housing materials of the Gateron Mars and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue, notable differences emerge that influence the overall sound and feel of each switch. The Mars employs a nylon top housing, a material renowned for creating a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer nature. This quality allows nylon to absorb vibrations more effectively, yielding a sound that is rounded and muted. In contrast, the Tourmaline Blue utilizes a polycarbonate top housing that is characteristically stiffer. This rigidity results in a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile that is clearer and more resonant. Therefore, while the Mars provides a softer auditory experience, the Everglide switch articulates a more pronounced and crisp sound, showcasing the significant impact that different materials can have on switch performance.

The bottom housing materials of the two switches further enhance their contrasting acoustic profiles. The Gateron Mars features a POM bottom housing, which is known for producing a unique sound that leans towards a muted, deeper characteristic, complementing the nylon top's subdued profile. On the other hand, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue employs a polycarbonate bottom housing that mirrors the rigidity of its top, thereby contributing to a bright and vibrant sound. This combination of polycarbonate in both top and bottom helps ensure a consistent sound experience that is distinctly crisper. While both housings serve to enhance the clarity of sound, the differences in material properties lead to opposing auditory sensations—muted in the Mars and crisp in the Tourmaline Blue.

When considering the interplay between the top and bottom housings of each switch, it's important to recognize how the distinct materials influence the overall typing experience. The Mars, with its soft nylon top and muted POM bottom, will provide a rounded sound during key releases while delivering a deep thock upon bottoming out. Conversely, the Tourmaline Blue's combination of polycarbonate at both ends will yield a sharp tactile feedback coupled with high-pitched auditory responses. This dynamic interaction means that users will experience the unique qualities of each material distinctly: the soft, muted properties of the Mars will result in a comforting and thick feel, while the crisper and clearer tonal qualities of the Tourmaline Blue offer a more precise and lively typing experience. Ultimately, whether one prefers the rounded warmth of the Mars or the vibrant sharpness of the Tourmaline Blue will depend on personal preference and desired auditory feedback while typing.

Weight

When comparing the Gateron Mars linear switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch, notable differences can be seen in their actuation forces, which influence their overall typing experience. The Mars switch has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams, while the Tourmaline Blue requires a significantly heavier 59 grams to actuate. This means that typists who prefer a lighter feel for extended typing sessions might favor the Mars switch, whereas those who enjoy a heftier keystroke may gravitate towards the Tourmaline Blue. While the bottom out force for the Mars switch is unavailable, the Tourmaline Blue's bottom out force is measured at 67 grams, further reinforcing its medium-heavy feel. Overall, the Gateron Mars is clearly the lighter option, making it suitable for users who prioritize comfort over longer periods, while the Everglide Tourmaline Blue caters to those who appreciate a robust and substantial typing experience.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distances of the Gateron Mars linear switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch, a clear distinction emerges. The Gateron Mars features a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Everglide Tourmaline Blue measures at 4 mm. This makes the Mars switch the shorter option, appealing to those who appreciate a more responsive keypress often favored by gamers. In contrast, the Tourmaline Blue, with its longer 4 mm travel distance, might provide a more pronounced tactile feel, which can be preferred by users who enjoy greater depth in their keystrokes. Therefore, if you seek a quicker response time, the Mars switch would be the better choice, while the Tourmaline Blue would suit those who appreciate a richer typing experience.

Price comparison

Typing experience

In terms of sound, the Gateron Mars switch lacks a defined sound profile. Its auditory qualities largely depend on the keyboard it is paired with and the choice of keycaps, leaving room for personalization and variation. In contrast, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue is known for its deep and thocky sound profile, which creates a richer acoustic environment during use. This thocky sound can enhance the typing experience, delivering a satisfying auditory feedback that many users find enjoyable. Overall, the Mars might provide a more neutral auditory experience, while the Tourmaline Blue adds an element of depth and character to each keystroke.

When considering the feel of the switches, the Gateron Mars does not have specific descriptors available, leaving its tactile experience largely undefined. On the other hand, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue is characterized by a buttery feel, providing a smooth and fluid keystroke experience. With a lengthened single-stage spring, these switches deliver a bouncy sensation that contributes to a pleasurable typing experience. The Tourmaline Blue switches are easy to press, requiring minimal force for activation, which reduces finger fatigue and enhances comfort during long typing sessions. Additionally, their mild characteristics make them accessible to both beginners and advanced users, ensuring a comfortable typing experience for a wide range of preferences.

In conclusion, while the Gateron Mars switch offers a more neutral auditory and tactile experience, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue excels in terms of sound and feel, delivering a thocky sound and a buttery, easy-to-press action. If you prefer a customizable experience that allows for personal expression, the Mars might be a suitable option, while the Tourmaline Blue appeals to those who favor a rich acoustic and responsive typing experience. Each switch provides distinct qualities that can cater to various user preferences, making either choice satisfactory depending on what you're looking for in a mechanical keyboard switch.

Conclusion

To conclude, the choice between Gateron Mars linear switches and Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switches ultimately depends on your preferences and typing habits. If you lean towards a lighter, more effortless key press and enjoy a relatively neutral sound profile, the Mars switches might be the right fit for you, especially if you're keen on a seamless typing experience that allows for extended sessions without strain. However, if you prefer a medium-heavy actuation force paired with a deep and thocky sound, the Tourmaline Blue switches could cater to your desires, delivering a satisfying auditory feedback alongside a bouncy feel that enhances your typing rhythm. The buttery and mild characteristics of the Tourmaline Blue switches provide a comfortable balance suitable for both beginners and seasoned users, making them ideal for versatile use at home or work. Ultimately, assess your typing style, the environment in which you’ll be using your keyboard, and what sensory experience you find most fulfilling to make the best choice for your needs.

Mentioned in this article

Gateron Mars Linear

$6.10

$5.50 per 10

Learn more

Everglide Tourmaline Blue Linear

$6.86

$3.89 per 10

Learn more