Gateron Silent Ink Black vs. Durock Silent T1 (Shrimp)
An in-depth look at the Gateron Silent Ink Black and the Durock Silent T1 (Shrimp) switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options to consider are the Gateron Silent Ink Black and the Durock Silent T1 (Shrimp). The Silent Ink Black is a linear switch, designed specifically for those who prioritize a quiet typing experience. With its cushion-like bottom-out feel and minimal audio feedback, this switch is perfect for environments where noise reduction is essential. On the other hand, the Silent T1 (Shrimp) offers both tactility and silence, making it an excellent choice for those who want the best of both worlds. With a medium bump, padded bottom-out feel, and subdued audio feedback, this switch strikes a balance between tactile satisfaction and noise sensitivity. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
60g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
70g
Bottom-out force
67g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 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
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Color coated
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
The Gateron Silent Ink Black and the Durock Silent T1 (Shrimp) differ in their housing materials, which affects the sound profile of these switches. The Silent Ink Black features a proprietary INK blend top housing, which produces a pointed and relatively high-pitched sound. This results in a satisfying thin and clacky sound. On the other hand, the Silent T1 (Shrimp) utilizes a polycarbonate top housing. Polycarbonate is a stiffer plastic, creating a sharper and crisper sound profile. This material is especially useful for RGB lighting due to its translucency. Therefore, while both switches offer a higher-pitched sound, the Silent T1's polycarbonate housing delivers a sharper and more resonant sound compared to the Silent Ink Black.
Moving on to the bottom housings, the Silent Ink Black's proprietary INK blend provides a similar pointed and high-pitched sound profile as its top housing. This consistency in sound creates a cohesive typing experience. On the other hand, the Silent T1 features a nylon bottom housing. Nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile. The nylon bottom housing of the Silent T1 contributes to a rounder and duller sound when typing.
In summary, the housing materials used in the Gateron Silent Ink Black and Durock Silent T1 (Shrimp) play a significant role in the sound profile of these switches. The Silent Ink Black's INK blend top and bottom housings deliver a consistent pointed and high-pitched sound, creating a clacky typing experience. In contrast, the Silent T1's polycarbonate top housing produces a sharper and crisper sound, while the nylon bottom housing elicits a deeper and fuller sound, resulting in a rounder and duller typing experience. While they differ in materials, both switches offer satisfying and unique sound profiles.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch and the Durock Silent T1 (Shrimp) tactile switch, there are some notable similarities and differences. Starting with the actuation force, the Silent Ink Black requires 60 grams of force to trigger a keystroke, while the actuation force for the Silent T1 (Shrimp) is unfortunately unknown. However, based on their designation as a tactile switch, it can be assumed that the Silent T1 (Shrimp) may have a higher actuation force than the Silent Ink Black.
Moving on to the bottom out force, the Silent Ink Black has a bottom out force of 70 grams, indicating a slightly heavier feel when fully pressing down the key. On the other hand, the Silent T1 (Shrimp) has a bottom out force of 67 grams, which is lighter compared to the Silent Ink Black. The difference in bottom out force suggests that the Silent Ink Black may provide a more substantial typing experience, making it suitable for those who prefer a stronger push feel.
Considering the weight aspect, some individuals favor lighter switches as they enable longer typing sessions, making them ideal for work-related tasks or extended gaming sessions. On the contrary, those who desire a more robust and substantial typing experience may opt for switches with heavier forces. In this regard, the Silent Ink Black can be considered heavier due to its higher actuation and bottom out forces compared to the Silent T1 (Shrimp).
While the actuation force for the Silent T1 (Shrimp) is unknown, it is likely to provide a tactile response similar to the Silent Ink Black, but potentially with a lighter overall feel. This makes the Silent T1 (Shrimp) a viable option for those seeking a combination of tactility and a lighter typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on individual preferences, with the Silent Ink Black providing a heavier, more substantial feel and the Silent T1 (Shrimp) potentially offering a lighter and tactile experience.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch and the Durock Silent T1 (Shrimp) tactile switch is the same, with both switches having a travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key equipped with either switch, you will experience the same distance of travel from the top to the bottom. Therefore, whether you choose the Gateron Silent Ink Black or the Durock Silent T1 (Shrimp) switch, you can expect similar results in terms of the travel distance.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Gateron Silent Ink Black has an MSRP of $8.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Silent Ink Black for $8.35.
The Durock Silent T1 (Shrimp) has an MSRP of $7.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Silent T1 (Shrimp) for $5.57.
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, both the Gateron Silent Ink Black switch and the Durock Silent T1 (Shrimp) switch are described as muted. This means that they produce a softer and quieter sound compared to regular or clacky switches, making them ideal for noise-sensitive environments. It's important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used. Therefore, whether you choose the Silent Ink Black or the Silent T1 (Shrimp), you can expect similar results in terms of sound.
When considering the feel of these switches, the Silent Ink Black is described as silky and polished. A silky switch offers an exceptionally smooth typing experience, minimizing resistance when pressing and releasing keys. Additionally, the polished finish of the Silent Ink Black switch further enhances the smoothness of the typing feel, resulting in a sleek and refined experience. On the other hand, the Silent T1 (Shrimp) is described as stepped, accented, and polished. A stepped switch provides a mild tactile feel with some pre-travel and/or post-travel, while the accented aspect refers to a medium level of tactility that is neither overwhelming nor subtle. Like the Silent Ink Black, the Silent T1 (Shrimp) also features a polished finish for reduced friction and smooth key travel. Ultimately, both switches offer different tactile experiences, with the Silent Ink Black providing a silky and polished feel, and the Silent T1 (Shrimp) offering a stepped and accented feel.
In conclusion, both the Gateron Silent Ink Black and the Durock Silent T1 (Shrimp) switches offer their own unique qualities. In terms of sound, they both provide a muted experience, ensuring a quieter typing environment. When it comes to feel, the Silent Ink Black presents a silky and polished typing experience, while the Silent T1 (Shrimp) offers a stepped and accented tactile feel. Both switches have a polished finish, resulting in reduced friction and smooth key travel. Ultimately, the choice between the two will come down to personal preference in terms of the desired level of tactility and typing experience.
Conclusion
In conclusion, if you are looking for a quiet and smooth typing experience, the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch would be an excellent choice for you. With its medium-heavy bottom out force of 70 grams, it offers a cushiony and pillow-like bottom-out feel with minimal audio feedback. The switch produces a muted sound, which is ideal for noise-sensitive environments. Additionally, the switch is described as silky and polished, ensuring an exceptionally smooth and refined typing experience.
On the other hand, if you prefer a tactile and silenced switch, the Durock Silent T1 (Shrimp) would be the perfect option for you. With a slightly lower bottom out force of 67 grams, this switch provides a medium bump and a padded bottom-out feel. It also offers subdued audio feedback, making it suitable for quieter environments. The Silent T1 is described as having a stepped and accented feel, providing a medium amount of tactility without being overwhelming or subtle. Like the Silent Ink Black, the Silent T1 is also polished, resulting in reduced friction and smooth key travel.
Ultimately, the choice between the Gateron Silent Ink Black and the Durock Silent T1 (Shrimp) depends on your preferences for linear or tactile switches. If you prioritize a quiet and smooth typing experience, go for the Silent Ink Black. If you want both tactility and silence, the Silent T1 is the way to go. Both switches offer excellent quality and would be suitable for different typing preferences.
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