Gateron North Pole V2 vs. Dareu Snow

Overview

When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Gateron North Pole V2 and Dareu Snow both offer unique features that cater to different preferences. The North Pole V2 is praised for its gummy linear switch design, providing a delightful typing experience with a deep and muted sound profile and satisfying chewy feel. On the other hand, the Dareu Snow stands out for its innovative use of POK material in the top housing and stem, resulting in a smooth linear switch with a deeper sound signature. While the North Pole V2 offers a gummy and creamy typing experience, the Snow switch provides a thocky and low-pitched feel. Choosing between these switches ultimately depends on personal preference and typing style; however, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.

By the numbers

Gateron North Pole V2 Linear

Dareu Snow Linear

$6.80

$5.70 per 10

$7.78

$5.76 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

In comparing the housing materials of the Gateron North Pole V2 and the Dareu Snow, we see that both switches utilize high-quality materials for their top housing. The North Pole V2 features a polycarbonate top housing, known for creating a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile. On the other hand, the Snow's POK top housing is praised for its smoothness and durability, making it a top choice for switch manufacturing. While the North Pole V2's polycarbonate top housing focuses on sound clarity and resonance, the Snow's POK material emphasizes smoothness and clackiness. Despite these differences, both materials offer their own unique benefits to the overall performance of the switch.

Moving on to the bottom housing, we see a divergence in materials between the North Pole V2 and the Dareu Snow. The North Pole V2 continues to use polycarbonate for its bottom housing, maintaining a consistent sound profile with its top housing. This choice ensures a cohesive sound experience throughout the switch. In contrast, the Snow opts for a nylon bottom housing, which is known for producing a deeper and fuller sound profile. The difference in materials between the two switches' bottom housing results in variations in sound and feel when typing, with the nylon bottom housing of the Snow contributing to a rounder and duller sound compared to the crisper sound of the polycarbonate bottom housing of the North Pole V2.

Ultimately, the choice of housing materials in a switch plays a significant role in determining its overall sound profile and feel. While the North Pole V2 and the Dareu Snow differ in their housing materials, each material brings its own unique qualities to the switch. The polycarbonate top housing of the North Pole V2 contributes to a clearer and crisper sound, while the POK top housing of the Snow offers smoothness and durability. Similarly, the polycarbonate bottom housing of the North Pole V2 maintains sound consistency throughout the switch, while the nylon bottom housing of the Snow provides a deeper and fuller sound profile. Overall, the housing materials of a switch are essential considerations for enthusiasts looking to tailor their typing experience to their preferences.

Weight

The actuation force of both the Gateron North Pole V2 linear switch and the Dareu Snow linear switch is 50 grams, making them equally light in terms of force required to trigger a keystroke. However, the bottom out force of the North Pole V2 is 65 grams, on the heavier side, while the Snow has a bottom out force of 60 grams, which is slightly lighter. This makes the North Pole V2 better suited for those who prefer a more substantial typing experience with a stronger push feel, while the Snow is more suitable for individuals looking for a lighter typing experience to prevent fatigue during long typing or gaming sessions. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for typing feel and force required.

Travel distance

The Gateron North Pole V2 linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, which is considered a more traditional distance. On the other hand, the Dareu Snow linear switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.3 mm. Gamers who prioritize faster response times might prefer the Snow switch with its shorter travel distance. However, those who enjoy a more substantial keypress depth may lean towards the North Pole V2 switch with its longer travel distance. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference and the specific typing or gaming needs of the user.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When it comes to sound, the Gateron North Pole V2 linear switch offers a subdued and dampened sound profile, creating a quiet typing experience that is not completely silent but still more subtle compared to other switches. On the other hand, the Dareu Snow linear switch provides a thocky and low-pitched sound signature, giving a deep and rich tone while typing. Both switches offer unique sound qualities, with the North Pole V2 being quieter and more subdued, while the Snow switch delivers a deeper and more satisfying thocky sound.

In terms of feel, the Gateron North Pole V2 switch is best known for its gummy and creamy typing experience, where bottoming out feels like landing on a trampoline or a gummy bear, ensuring a smooth and buttery sensation with each keystroke. In contrast, the Dareu Snow switch offers a bouncy and lively feedback sensation, providing a spring-like rebound when pressed. Both switches offer distinct typing experiences, with the North Pole V2 focusing on a gummy and creamy feel, while the Snow switch emphasizes a bouncy and elastic feedback during typing.

In conclusion, the Gateron North Pole V2 linear switch and the Dareu Snow linear switch offer different subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the North Pole V2 provides a subdued and gummy typing experience with a quiet sound profile, the Snow switch offers a thocky and low-pitched sound along with a bouncy and elastic feel while typing. Depending on personal preference for sound and feel, both switches present unique qualities that can cater to a variety of typing preferences. Ultimately, choosing between the two switches will depend on whether you prefer a quieter and gummy typing experience with the North Pole V2 or a deeper and more lively typing sensation with the Dareu Snow switch.

Conclusion

In summary, when deciding between the Gateron North Pole V2 linear switch and the Dareu Snow linear switch, consider your preference for bottom out force and sound profile. If you prefer a slightly heavier bottom out force of 65 grams and enjoy a gummy typing feel with a subdued sound, then the North Pole V2 may be the better choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter bottom out force of 60 grams and appreciate the innovative use of POK material for a deeper sound signature with a thocky, neutral, and low-pitched sound profile, then the Dareu Snow switch might be more suitable for your typing experience. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preferences for feel and sound when typing on a mechanical keyboard.

Mentioned in this article

Gateron North Pole V2 Linear

$6.80

$5.70 per 10

Learn more

Dareu Snow Linear

$7.78

$5.76 per 10

Learn more