Gateron New North Pole V2 vs. Outemu Silent Grey
An in-depth look at the Gateron New North Pole V2 and the Outemu Silent Grey switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Gateron New North Pole V2, a linear switch, to the Outemu Silent Grey, a tactile switch, we see two distinct keyboard switches with their own unique features and qualities. The New North Pole V2 is renowned for its frictionless typing feel, thanks to the removal of the rubber dampener, resulting in a crisper typing experience. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Grey offers a quiet and highly tactile typing experience, with a pronounced bump and smooth keystroke. While the New North Pole V2 is best known for its polished, creamy, and frictionless feel, the Silent Grey is perfect for those seeking something satisfying and silent. Both switches have their own advantages, but ultimately, the choice between them depends on personal preference and typing 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
50g
Actuation force
50g
Bottom-out force
62.5g
Bottom-out force
65g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.60 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
Ink Housing Material
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated 15.4mm
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Gateron New North Pole V2 and the Outemu Silent Grey both feature polycarbonate top housings, providing a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to polycarbonate's stiffness, resulting in a clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches that incorporate RGB lighting. However, when it comes to the bottom housing, the New North Pole V2 utilizes polycarbonate, while the Silent Grey features a nylon bottom housing. The nylon bottom housing of the Silent Grey produces a deeper and fuller sound profile compared to the stiffer polycarbonate bottom housing of the New North Pole V2.
In terms of sound and feel, the choice of housing material plays a significant role in determining the overall typing experience. The polycarbonate top housing of both switches impacts the sound when a key is released, while the nylon bottom housing of the Silent Grey influences the bottom-out sound and feel when a key is pressed. The stiffness of polycarbonate in the New North Pole V2 contributes to a sharper sound profile upon release, while the softer nylon material in the Silent Grey absorbs more sound, resulting in a rounder and duller sound upon bottoming out. These differences in housing materials highlight how the construction of switches can affect the overall typing experience.
Overall, the Gateron New North Pole V2 and the Outemu Silent Grey demonstrate how the choice of housing materials can influence the sound and feel of mechanical switches. While both switches utilize polycarbonate for the top housing, the Silent Grey distinguishes itself with a nylon bottom housing, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile. Whether you prefer a sharper, crisper sound profile with polycarbonate or a deeper, fuller sound profile with nylon, both switches offer unique typing experiences based on their housing materials. Ultimately, the selection of housing materials allows for customization and personalization in mechanical keyboard setups.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron New North Pole V2 linear switch and the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch, it is evident that both switches have a similar actuation force of 50 grams. However, the bottom out force of the New North Pole V2 is 62.5 grams, making it lighter compared to the Silent Grey which has a bottom out force of 65 grams, making it slightly heavier. The New North Pole V2 provides a medium resistance level, while the Silent Grey offers a medium-heavy resistance level. This means that the New North Pole V2 may be preferred by those who prefer a lighter typing experience for extended periods of time, while the Silent Grey may be more suitable for individuals who prefer a stronger push feel for a more substantial typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on the individual's preference for actuation and bottom out force levels.
Travel distance
Both the Gateron New North Pole V2 linear switch and the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch have a travel distance of 4 mm, meaning that in terms of keypress feel, users can expect similar results from both switches. Despite having the same travel distance, the switches differ in their keypress experience due to their respective linear and tactile characteristics. The New North Pole V2 provides a smooth and consistent linear keypress without any tactile feedback, making it ideal for fast-paced and precise typing or gaming. In contrast, the Silent Grey switch offers a tactile bump during the keypress, providing a more pronounced tactile response that can enhance typing accuracy and feedback. Ultimately, while both switches share the same travel distance, their differing characteristics cater to different preferences and typing styles.
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 Outemu Silent Grey comes in at $3.10 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 New North Pole V2 linear switch is known for its relatively quiet operation and lack of audible feedback upon actuation. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch offers a quieter typing experience compared to traditional tactile switches, thanks to its dampened design and smooth keystrokes. Both switches excel in providing a quiet typing environment, making them suitable for office settings or shared spaces, where noise levels must be kept to a minimum.
Moving on to feel, the Gateron New North Pole V2 linear switch is praised for its polished and frictionless typing experience, providing users with a smooth and refined keystroke. This results in a sleek and effortless typing feel, enhancing the overall typing experience. Conversely, the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch offers a highly tactile typing experience with a pronounced bump and smooth keystrokes. This tactile feedback is satisfying for users who prefer a more pronounced actuation point while typing.
Considering all the available information, both the Gateron New North Pole V2 linear switch and the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences. While the New North Pole V2 excels in providing a polished and frictionless typing experience with a quiet operation, the Outemu Silent Grey stands out for its tactile feedback and silent operation. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will depend on the user's preference for linear or tactile switches, as well as their preference for sound and feel. Regardless of the choice, users can expect a high-quality typing experience with either of these switches.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Gateron New North Pole V2 linear switch and the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch, consider your preferences for typing experience. If you prioritize a smooth and frictionless typing feel with a medium bottom out force, the New North Pole V2 may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a highly tactile and quiet typing experience with a medium-heavy bottom out force, the Silent Grey switch is worth considering. Ultimately, choosing between these switches comes down to your personal preference for typing feel and sound.
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