Gateron Silent Ink Black vs. Dareu Violet Gold Pro
An in-depth look at the Gateron Silent Ink Black and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the Gateron Silent Ink Black and Dareu Violet Gold Pro stand out as popular options to choose from. The Silent Ink Black is a linear switch, known for its silenced typing experience and cushioned bottom-out feel, making it perfect for quiet environments. On the other hand, the Violet Gold Pro is a tactile switch, offering a medium tactility with a light touch and a neutral sound signature, providing a balanced typing experience for users. While the Silent Ink Black excels in providing a quiet typing experience, the Violet Gold Pro offers a satisfying tactile feedback. 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
45g
Bottom-out force
70g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
N/A
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.80 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
In comparing the housing materials of the Gateron Silent Ink Black and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro, it is clear that they differ significantly. The Silent Ink Black features a proprietary INK blend top housing, which offers a pointed and relatively high-pitched sound profile, resulting in a satisfyingly clacky sound when typing. On the other hand, the Violet Gold Pro utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, known for creating a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. The use of polycarbonate in the Violet Gold Pro provides a more clear and resonant sound, particularly beneficial for enhancing RGB lighting effects due to its translucency.
Moving on to the bottom housing materials, the Silent Ink Black continues its use of the proprietary INK blend, offering a similar high-pitched and clacky sound profile as found in the top housing. In contrast, the Dareu Violet Gold Pro incorporates a nylon bottom housing, which elicits a deeper and fuller sound when typing. The softer nature of nylon absorbs more sound than harder plastics, resulting in a rounder and duller sound profile, enhancing the overall typing experience for users.
When considering the overall impact of the housing materials on the switch, it is important to note that the top and bottom housings play distinct roles in shaping the sound and feel of the switch. While the bottom housing influences the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down on the switch, the top housing has a more significant impact on the sound when releasing a key. Despite their differences, both the Gateron Silent Ink Black and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro offer unique sound profiles and typing experiences based on their respective housing materials.
Weight
In comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro tactile switch, it is evident that the Silent Ink Black requires a heavier touch. The Silent Ink Black has an actuation force of 60 grams and a bottom out force of 70 grams, providing a medium-heavy typing experience. In contrast, the Violet Gold Pro has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams, but the bottom out force is unknown. For those who prefer a lighter typing feel, the Violet Gold Pro may be the preferable choice, allowing for longer typing sessions with less strain. On the other hand, the Silent Ink Black offers a more substantial typing experience with its heavier actuation and bottom out forces. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will depend on personal preference for typing feel and the desired level of force required for a satisfying typing experience.
Travel distance
The Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Dareu Violet Gold Pro tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.8 mm. This means that the Silent Ink Black has a slightly longer travel distance than the Violet Gold Pro. In terms of key feel, the Silent Ink Black may provide a slightly more substantial press compared to the Violet Gold Pro. However, both switches fall within the range of traditional travel distances and should provide a comfortable typing experience for most users. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches may come down to personal preference and whether you prefer a slightly longer or slightly shorter 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 Dareu Violet Gold Pro has an MSRP of $7.73 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Violet Gold Pro 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
The Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch is well-loved for its muted sound profile, making it an excellent choice for those who prefer a quieter typing experience. On the other hand, the Dareu Violet Gold Pro tactile switch offers a neutral sound signature, appealing to users looking for a balanced and versatile tactile option. When it comes to feel, the Silent Ink Black provides a silky and polished typing experience, emphasizing smoothness and reduced resistance, while the Violet Gold Pro offers a stepped tactile feedback, providing a gentler bump during typing. Overall, both switches cater to different preferences - the Silent Ink Black for those who prioritize a quiet and cushioned typing feel, and the Violet Gold Pro for users seeking a tactile switch with a light touch and balanced feedback. Depending on individual preferences, users can expect a satisfying typing experience with either switch, ensuring that they will achieve similar results in terms of quality and performance.
Conclusion
In conclusion, if you are looking for a quieter typing experience in environments where noise is a concern, you may want to consider the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch. The cushioned bottom-out feel and minimal audio feedback make it a great choice for those who prioritize a muted typing experience. On the other hand, if you prefer a tactile switch with a light touch and a balanced typing experience, the Dareu Violet Gold Pro tactile switch may be more suitable for you. With its medium tactility and neutral sound signature, it offers a versatile option for both beginners and advanced users. Ultimately, your choice between these two switches will depend on your personal preference for sound, feel, and typing experience.
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