Gateron Silent Ink Black vs. Dareu Sky V3
An in-depth look at the Gateron Silent Ink Black and the Dareu Sky V3 switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering between the Gateron Silent Ink Black and the Dareu Sky V3 mechanical keyboard switches, one must weigh the differences in their characteristics. The Silent Ink Black is praised for its quiet typing experience, featuring a smooth and soft bottom-out feel with minimal sound feedback. On the other hand, the Sky V3 stands out for its neutral sound signature and medium-light weight, providing a balanced typing experience suitable for various preferences. While the Silent Ink Black offers a more subdued and polished typing experience, the Sky V3 excels in delivering a mild and comfortable typing feel. 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
60g
Actuation force
40g
Bottom-out force
70g
Bottom-out force
N/A
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
Partial box
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 spring
Housing materials
The Gateron Silent Ink Black and the Dareu Sky V3 have different housing materials that significantly impact the sound and feel of the switches. The Silent Ink Black utilizes a proprietary INK blend for both the top and bottom housings, which produces a pointed and relatively high-pitched sound profile described as clacky. In contrast, the Sky V3 features a polycarbonate top housing that creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to its stiffness. This results in a more clear and resonant sound compared to the Silent Ink Black.
In terms of the bottom housing material, the Silent Ink Black's proprietary INK blend maintains the same high-pitched sound profile as the top housing. On the other hand, the Dareu Sky V3 utilizes a nylon bottom housing, which elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile due to the softer nature of nylon. The nylon material absorbs more sound than harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound that is distinct from the Silent Ink Black's sound profile.
Overall, the choice of housing material between the Gateron Silent Ink Black and the Dareu Sky V3 plays a crucial role in the sound and feel of the switches. While both switches offer unique sound profiles, the Silent Ink Black's INK blend produces a clacky sound with a relatively high pitch, whereas the Sky V3's polycarbonate and nylon housings create a sharper and deeper sound, respectively. Whether you prefer a clearer and resonant sound or a fuller and deeper sound, the housing materials of these switches offer distinct auditory experiences.
Weight
The Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch has a slightly heavier actuation force of 60 grams compared to the Dareu Sky V3 linear switch with 40 grams. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Silent Ink Black requires 70 grams, while the Sky V3's bottom out force is unknown. The Silent Ink Black provides a medium-heavy typing experience, ideal for those who prefer a more substantial feel while typing. On the other hand, the Sky V3 offers a lighter actuation force, which may be more suitable for extended typing sessions or gaming. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on whether a lighter or heavier typing experience is preferred by the user.
Travel distance
Both the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch and the Dareu Sky V3 linear switch have the same travel distance of 4mm. This means that when pressing down on a key equipped with either of these switches, you will experience a consistent travel distance that is neither shorter nor longer than the other. The uniformity in travel distance between these two switches ensures that typing on either keyboard will result in similar tactile feedback and typing experience. Overall, whether you choose the Silent Ink Black or the Sky V3, you can expect to have consistent and comfortable key presses due to their identical travel distances.
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 Dareu Sky V3 has an MSRP of $7.78 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Sky V3 for $4.76.
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 Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch offers a muted typing experience, perfect for those looking for a quieter option. On the other hand, the Dareu Sky V3 linear switch provides a neutral and subdued sound profile, catering to those who prefer a moderate sound level without being completely silent. Both switches offer a more subtle sound compared to louder switches, providing a more pleasant typing experience overall.
In terms of feel, the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch provides a silky and polished typing experience, offering an exceptionally smooth feel with minimal resistance when pressing the keys. The Dareu Sky V3 linear switch, on the other hand, offers a mild typing experience that is gentle and approachable to most users. Both switches provide a comfortable typing experience, with the Silent Ink Black offering an extra level of smoothness and polish.
Considering all the available information, both the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch and the Dareu Sky V3 linear switch offer great options for those looking for a linear switch with a quieter sound profile. The Silent Ink Black excels in providing a silky and polished feel, while the Sky V3 offers a more mild and approachable typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on personal preference for sound and feel, but both switches are sure to provide a satisfying typing experience for enthusiasts and professionals alike.
Conclusion
In closing, when choosing between the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch and the Dareu Sky V3 linear switch, consider the environment in which you'll be using the keyboard. If you require a quieter typing experience with a medium-heavy bottom out force, the Silent Ink Black may be the better choice for you. On the other hand, if you value a neutral sound profile, medium-light weight, and a switch that caters to a variety of typing preferences, the Dareu Sky V3 could be more suited to your needs. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preferences for sound and feel, as both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different typing styles and environments.
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