Deep Dive into Gateron Smoothie Silver and Sea Salt Varieties
Gateron Smoothie Switch Series: A Comprehensive Overview
The Gateron Smoothie Switch series has made a significant mark in the world of mechanical keyboards. These switches are known for their smooth operation and unique characteristics, which appeal to a wide range of keyboard enthusiasts.
Gateron Smoothie Silver
The Gateron Smoothie Silver switch is a notable member of the Smoothie family. One of its key features is its full POM housing material. POM (Polyoxymethylene) is a high - quality plastic known for its self - lubricating properties, which contributes to the smooth feel of the switch. In terms of performance, the Smoothie Silver has an operating force of 48 ± 10gf. This force requirement affects the typing experience, as it determines how much pressure is needed to actuate the switch. A relatively higher operating force like this can provide a more tactile and responsive feel for those who prefer a firmer keypress.
The pre - travel of the Gateron Smoothie Silver is 2 ± 0.6mm, and the total travel is 3.7mm±0.2mm. These measurements are crucial in defining the key travel distance. The pre - travel is the distance the key travels before it is registered as being pressed, and the total travel is the entire distance the key moves from its resting position to its fully depressed state. The 22mm one - stage spring also plays an important role in the switch's feel. It provides a consistent force throughout the key press, which is a desirable characteristic for a linear switch.
Another advantage of the Gateron Smoothie Silver is that it comes pre - lubed. This pre - lubrication reduces friction within the switch, further enhancing its smoothness. This is especially beneficial as it can reduce any scratchy or inconsistent feel during typing, resulting in a more fluid and seamless typing experience.
Gateron Smoothie Silver vs Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie vs Gateron Smoothie
When comparing the Gateron Smoothie Silver with the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie and the Gateron Smoothie, several differences become apparent. All three switches are linear in their typing style, which means they provide a smooth, uninterrupted keypress without any tactile bump. However, their operating forces vary. The Gateron Smoothie has an operating force of 40±10gf, the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie has 45±15gf, and as mentioned earlier, the Gateron Smoothie Silver has 48±10gf. This shows a progression in the required actuation force, which can influence the typing feel and the user's preference depending on how much force they like to exert while typing.
In terms of pre - travel, the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie stands out with a pre - travel of 1.2±0.3mm, which is shorter compared to the Gateron Smoothie Silver's 2 ± 0.6mm and the Gateron Smoothie's 2.0±0.6mm. A shorter pre - travel can result in a more immediate response when the key is pressed, which some users may prefer for faster typing or gaming applications. On the other hand, the total travel also varies among the switches. The Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie has a total travel of 3.4mm±0.4mm, while the Gateron Smoothie has 3.6mm±0.2mm, and the Gateron Smoothie Silver has 3.7mm±0.2mm. These differences in total travel can also impact the overall typing feel, with shorter total travel potentially feeling more compact and longer total travel providing a more traditional key press feel.
The spring design also differs among the switches. The Gateron Smoothie Silver has a 22mm one - stage spring, while the Gateron Smoothie and Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie both have 22mm double - stage springs. The double - stage spring can offer a different force curve during the key press, which may result in a more nuanced typing experience compared to the single - stage spring in the Gateron Smoothie Silver.
Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie
The Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie has its own set of unique characteristics. Its relatively lower operating force compared to the Gateron Smoothie Silver, along with its shorter pre - travel, makes it an interesting option for users who prefer a lighter touch and a more immediate key response. The full POM housing, like the other switches in the series, provides a smooth and durable casing for the internal components. The 22mm double - stage spring in the Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie can offer a distinct typing feel, with a different force distribution during the key press compared to the single - stage spring in the Gateron Smoothie Silver. This can potentially provide a more complex and engaging typing experience for some users.
Gateron Smoothie Linear Switches in General
Overall, the Gateron Smoothie linear switches offer a great option for those who value a smooth typing experience. The use of POM housing across the series is a significant factor in their smooth operation. The pre - lubed nature of these switches also ensures that they perform well right out of the box. Linear switches are popular for their simplicity and lack of a tactile bump, which makes them suitable for both typing and gaming. They provide a consistent keypress feel, which is important for tasks that require repetitive key presses such as typing long documents or playing fast - paced games.
Construction and Typing Experience
The construction of the Gateron Smoothie switches plays a crucial role in the typing experience. The full POM housing not only provides a smooth surface but also helps in reducing the overall weight of the switch. This can be beneficial for keyboards where weight is a consideration, such as portable or minimalist keyboards. The spring design, whether it is a single - stage or double - stage spring, affects the force required to actuate the switch and the feel during the key press. A well - designed spring can provide a consistent and comfortable typing experience, with the right amount of resistance and rebound.
The pre - travel and total travel distances are also important aspects of the switch's construction. These distances determine how quickly a key press is registered and how far the key travels, respectively. For example, a shorter pre - travel can make the keys feel more responsive, while a longer total travel can give a more substantial keypress feel. The combination of these factors in the Gateron Smoothie switches results in a typing experience that is both smooth and customizable depending on the user's preferences.
Gateron Smoothie Reviews
User reviews of the Gateron Smoothie switches are quite diverse. Some users praise the smoothness of the switches, especially those who have switched from switches with more tactile feedback. They appreciate the consistent keypress and the lack of any jarring bumps during typing. The pre - lubed feature is also highly regarded, as it saves users the trouble of having to lubricate the switches themselves and provides an immediate smooth typing experience.
However, some users have different opinions. For example, some who are used to switches with a higher operating force may find the Gateron Smoothie switches to be too light, especially the ones with a lower operating force like the Gateron Smoothie. On the other hand, some users may not be a fan of the linear typing style, preferring switches with a tactile bump for more feedback during typing. Additionally, while the pre - lubed switches are generally smooth, some users may still experience a slight variation in smoothness among different switches, which could be due to manufacturing tolerances.
Summary
In conclusion, the Gateron Smoothie Switch series offers a range of options for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts. The Gateron Smoothie Silver, Gateron Sea Salt Smoothie, and Gateron Smoothie each have their own unique features in terms of operating force, pre - travel, total travel, and spring design. These differences contribute to a variety of typing experiences that can suit different user preferences. The overall construction of the switches, with their full POM housing and pre - lubed design, is a major selling point, providing a smooth and consistent typing experience. While user reviews are mixed, the series has clearly made an impact in the mechanical keyboard world, offering an alternative to other popular switch types. Whether for typing or gaming, the Gateron Smoothie Switch series is a worthy consideration for those looking to customize their keyboard experience.
