Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) vs. Gateron Weightlessness
An in-depth look at the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) and the Gateron Weightlessness switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) and the Gateron Weightlessness both offer unique tactile experiences that cater to different typing preferences. The Moyu Black stands out with its pronounced tactile bump, delivering a sharp and resonant feedback that results in a snappy, punchy sound during typing. Its premium PBT housing enhances the overall feel, providing a medium-heavy actuation and a distinctive bottom-out sensation. On the other hand, the Gateron Weightlessness presents a more subtle to moderate tactile feel, making it suitable for users who prefer a softer typing experience while still enjoying a tactile response. The balanced sound profile of the Weightlessness complements its tactile characteristics, offering a less intrusive auditory experience. Ultimately, your choice may depend on whether you seek an impactful and pronounced feel, or a smoother, quieter touch. 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
50g
Actuation force
50g
Bottom-out force
67g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
PBT
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
PBT
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
22mm double-staged spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) and the Gateron Weightlessness switches present a study in contrasts that significantly influences the switches' overall sound profile and typing experience. The Moyu Black features PBT for both its top and bottom housings, which is relatively rare in switch design. PBT's neutral sound profile strikes a balance, producing neither a crisp nor a dull sound. In contrast, the Gateron Weightlessness incorporates nylon for both top and bottom housings. This classic material is known for its softer quality, which contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile by absorbing more sound than harder plastics, thereby resulting in a rounder auditory experience.
The differences in the housing materials dictate how each switch performs when typing. The Moyu Black (Dark Jade) employs a consistent sound profile due to its use of PBT, allowing for a uniform experience whether the keys are depressed or released. The relatively neutral properties of PBT mean that regardless of how you engage with the key, the sound remains consistent, with no significant peaks or dips. On the other hand, the Gateron Weightlessness, with its nylon housing, offers a nuanced sound landscape. Because nylon is softer, it alters the typing experience by providing more depth and resonance in the key sound, particularly noticeable upon key release when the top housing's material contributes more to the sound emitted.
Despite these differences, both switch types can yield a satisfying typing experience, albeit through different acoustic profiles. If one were to use the Moyu Black and the Weightlessness switches interchangeably in a keyboard, the result would be a blend of sound characteristics—where the Moyu Black maintains that even, neutral tone while the Weightlessness introduces a deeper, more immersive sound. Ultimately, both switches serve unique preferences: the PBT-housed Moyu Black offers a balanced approach, while the nylon-cased Gateron Weightlessness caters to those seeking a richer auditory and tactile interaction.
Weight
The Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) tactile switch and the Gateron Weightlessness tactile switch share the same actuation force of 50 grams, providing a consistent keystroke experience for users who favor a lighter touch. This allows for extended typing sessions with minimal fatigue, making these switches suitable for both office work and lengthy gaming stints. However, the Moyu Black also has a bottom out force of 67 grams, indicating that it requires more pressure to press the key all the way down, contributing to a sturdier feel for those who prefer a heavier typing experience. In contrast, the bottom out force for the Gateron Weightlessness remains unknown, which leaves its feel upon bottoming out open to interpretation. Therefore, while both switches share the same actuation force, the Moyu Black offers a more defined differentiation in terms of bottoming out force, making it the heavier option in overall typing experience.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) tactile switch and the Gateron Weightlessness tactile switch, there's a clear distinction. The Moyu Black features a travel distance of 4 mm, which falls within the traditional range and offers a more pronounced, hearty depth. In contrast, the Gateron Weightlessness has a shorter travel distance of 3.4 mm, appealing to those who favor faster response times—common among gamers—resulting in a snappier feel when pressing the keys. For users who enjoy a more responsive typing experience, the Gateron Weightlessness would be the better choice, while the Moyu Black, with its longer travel, may be preferred by those who appreciate a more substantial actuation. Thus, the Moyu Black offers the longer travel distance at 4 mm, while the Gateron Weightlessness is the shorter option at 3.4 mm.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) has an MSRP of $12.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Moyu Black (Dark Jade) for $7.59.
The Gateron Weightlessness has an MSRP of $6.10 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Weightlessness for $5.50.
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 Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) switches produce a satisfying and resonant auditory profile. Their sharp, punchy sounds during keypresses deliver a clean and crisp sonic experience that many find gratifying. This resonant quality enhances the overall typing experience, contributing to a feeling of immersion while typing. In contrast, the Gateron Weightlessness switches do not have specific sound descriptors provided, making it difficult to compare their auditory characteristics directly. However, they do offer a balanced sound profile, which suggests they might be quieter and less pronounced than the Moyu Blacks, potentially appealing to users who prefer a more subdued typing experience.
In terms of feel, the Moyu Black (Dark Jade) switches stand out with their notably sharp tactile feedback. With a strong downstroke bump and an even more prominent upstroke bump, these switches provide a hypertactile sensation that delivers high feedback intensity with every keypress. Their accented tactile quality allows for a pronounced and distinct experience, making typing both engaging and responsive. In contrast, the Gateron Weightlessness switches offer a more subtle to moderate tactile feel, lacking the pronounced sharpness of the Moyu Blacks. This means that while the Moyu Blacks deliver a more impactful and snappy feel, the Weightlessness switches cater to those who prefer a gentler touch without compromising the essence of tactile feedback.
Ultimately, the Moyu Black (Dark Jade) switches are designed for those seeking a vibrant and impactful typing experience, featuring sharp sounds and pronounced tactile feedback. Their unique construction using PBT materials also contributes to a premium feel. Meanwhile, the Gateron Weightlessness switches offer a more balanced experience, with potentially quieter sounds and moderate tactility for users who favor a more understated approach. Both switches will deliver unique typing experiences that cater to different preferences, ensuring that every user can find a suitable option based on their desired sound and feel.
Conclusion
To conclude, your choice between the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) and the Gateron Weightlessness tactile switches will greatly depend on your personal preferences in terms of typing feel, sound, and overall experience. If you enjoy a more pronounced tactile feedback that is both sharp and impactful, the Moyu Black is an excellent option. Its unique design, with a strong downstroke and even more distinct upstroke bump, creates a punchy and satisfying typing experience that’s hard to overlook. This switch is particularly suited for users who appreciate a heavier bottom-out force and a resonant sound profile, making it ideal for those who prioritize precision and tactile sensation in their keyboard interactions. On the other hand, if you prefer a subtler tactile experience that offers a balanced sound with moderate feedback, the Gateron Weightlessness may be the better choice for you. These switches provide a more understated yet satisfying typing experience, suitable for prolonged typing sessions where fatigue could be a concern. Therefore, your ultimate decision should reflect your typing style and whether you seek a sharp, aggressive tactile response with the Moyu Blacks or a more mellow, balanced feel with the Weightlessness switches.
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