Gateron Mountain Top vs. Gateron New North Pole V2
An in-depth look at the Gateron Mountain Top and the Gateron New North Pole V2 switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options to explore are the Gateron Mountain Top and the Gateron New North Pole V2. The Mountain Top switch is ideal for office environments, offering a quiet typing experience with a light actuation. In contrast, the New North Pole V2 switch provides a crisper typing feel without a rubber dampener, while still maintaining a frictionless glide. The Mountain Top switch is described as 'bouncy', 'easy-to-press', and 'subtle', whereas the New North Pole V2 switch is characterized as 'polished', 'creamy', and 'frictionless'. Both switches have their unique advantages, catering to different preferences and needs. 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
40g
Actuation force
50g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
62.5g
Pre-travel
1.40 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
Ink Housing Material
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm double-stage spring
Spring
Gold-plated 15.4mm
Housing materials
The key difference between the Gateron Mountain Top and the Gateron New North Pole V2 lies in their housing materials. The Mountain Top utilizes nylon for both its top and bottom housings, while the New North Pole V2 features polycarbonate for both components. Nylon is known for creating a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer plastic composition, which absorbs more sound. On the other hand, polycarbonate in the New North Pole V2 results in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile, thanks to its stiffer plastic makeup. This contrast in material choice greatly affects the overall typing experience and sound produced by each switch.
Despite their differences, both the Mountain Top and the New North Pole V2 offer unique advantages. The nylon housing of the Mountain Top provides a more muted and rounder sound during typing, whereas the polycarbonate housing of the New North Pole V2 delivers a clearer and more resonant sound output. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate allows for enhanced RGB lighting effects, making the New North Pole V2 a visually appealing option for those looking to customize their keyboard setup. While these differences may cater to varying preferences, both switches are sure to offer a high-quality typing experience.
In terms of functionality, the impact of the housing materials is felt differently depending on whether it is the top or bottom housing of the switch. The bottom housing has a more significant influence on the bottom-out sound and feel when a key is pressed, while the top housing affects the sound when the key is released. This distinction highlights how the choice of housing material can impact not only the sound profile but also the tactile feedback experienced by the user. Whether it's the deeper sound of nylon in the Mountain Top or the crisper sound of polycarbonate in the New North Pole V2, each housing material contributes uniquely to the overall typing experience of these switches.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch and the Gateron New North Pole V2 linear switch, we see that the Mountain Top has a lighter actuation force of 40 grams compared to the New North Pole V2's 50 grams. Similarly, the Mountain Top has a lighter bottom out force of 50 grams in comparison to the New North Pole V2's heavier 62.5 grams. This means that the Mountain Top provides a lighter typing experience overall, making it ideal for those who prefer a softer touch. On the other hand, the New North Pole V2 offers a slightly heavier typing feel, which may be preferred by those who enjoy a more substantial keystroke. Overall, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for actuation and bottom out forces, with the Mountain Top being lighter and the New North Pole V2 being slightly heavier.
Travel distance
The Gateron Mountain Top linear switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm, while the Gateron New North Pole V2 linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm. This means that the New North Pole V2 has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Mountain Top. The 4.0mm travel distance of the New North Pole V2 is more traditional, offering a deeper key press feel, while the 3.4mm travel distance of the Mountain Top provides a quicker and more responsive typing experience. Gamers may prefer the Mountain Top for its shorter travel distance, allowing for faster response times, while those who like a more pronounced key press may opt for the New North Pole V2. Overall, both switches offer different typing experiences based on their travel distances.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Gateron New North Pole V2 has an MSRP of $6.80 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the New North Pole V2 for $5.70.
The Gateron Mountain Top comes in at $6.00 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
In terms of sound, the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch is described as having a neutral sound profile, making it suitable for various environments and skill levels. On the other hand, the sound characteristics of the Gateron New North Pole V2 linear switch are not specified, so it's unclear how it compares in terms of sound. However, it's important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard and keycaps used.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch is known for providing a bouncy and easy-to-press typing experience. These characteristics make typing on the Mountain Top switch feel lively and responsive, with minimal finger fatigue during extended use. In contrast, the Gateron New North Pole V2 linear switch offers a polished, creamy, and frictionless feel. This means that typing on the New North Pole V2 switch will be smooth and refined, with a silky sensation and effortless key travel.
Based on the available information, the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch offers a more bouncy and easy-to-press typing experience with a neutral sound profile, ideal for office environments. On the other hand, the Gateron New North Pole V2 linear switch provides a polished, creamy, and frictionless typing feel, although information on its sound characteristics is not provided. Ultimately, both switches offer distinct qualities that cater to different preferences and typing styles, so choosing between the two would depend on individual preferences for sound and feel.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch and the Gateron New North Pole V2 linear switch, consider your preferences for typing experience. If you value a lighter actuation force and a bouncy, easy-to-press feel with a subtle sound, the Mountain Top may be the better choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium actuation force and a polished, creamy, or frictionless feel with a crisper typing experience, the New North Pole V2 could be the ideal option. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal typing style and environment in which you'll be using the keyboard.
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