Gateron Ink Black V2 vs Gateron North Pole 2
The Gateron Ink Black V2 and the Gateron North Pole 2 are often cross-shopped. The main differences: the Gateron North Pole 2 is lighter to actuate (50g versus 60g); stock they sound different: deep, clacky versus bright, glassy clack; the Gateron North Pole 2 costs less per switch ($0.65 versus $0.75).
- Cheaper per switchGateron North Pole 2$0.65 versus $0.75
Choose the Gateron Ink Black V2 if
- you want a switch popular for enthusiast builds.
- you want a switch popular for premium linears.
- you want a heavier, more deliberate press (60g).
Choose the Gateron North Pole 2 if
- you want a switch popular for clacky builds.
- you want a switch popular for RGB showcases.
- you want a lighter keystroke (50g).
- you want to spend less per switch.
Gateron Ink Black V2 vs Gateron North Pole 2, spec by spec
| Gateron Ink Black V2 | Gateron North Pole 2 | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Linear | Linear |
| Compatibility | Standard MX sockets | Standard MX sockets |
| Actuation force | 60g | 50g |
| Bottom-out force | 70g | 65g |
| Pre-travel | 2 mm | 2 mm |
| Total travel | 4 mm | 4 mm |
| Stem | POM | POM |
| Top housing | smoky INK blend | transparent PC |
| Bottom housing | smoky INK blend | transparent PC |
| Spring | single-stage | single-stage |
| Factory lube | light | light |
| Pins | 5-pin | 5-pin |
| Price / switch | $0.75 | $0.65 (stronger spec) |
| Sound profile | deep, clacky | bright, glassy clack |
| Released | 2019 | 2022 |
Highlighted rows are where the two differ; a check marks the objectively stronger spec (price, battery, modability). Feel and preference rows never get a check. Fields marked n/a are unpublished by the maker; we list only verifiable numbers.
Where they sit among all 227 switches we track
82% of the 198 switches tracked here actuate lighter than the Gateron Ink Black V2; 52% of the 198 switches tracked here actuate lighter than the Gateron North Pole 2.
57% of the 224 switches tracked here have shorter total travel than the Gateron Ink Black V2; 57% of the 224 switches tracked here have shorter total travel than the Gateron North Pole 2.
95% of the 193 switches tracked here cost less per switch than the Gateron Ink Black V2; 87% of the 193 switches tracked here cost less per switch than the Gateron North Pole 2.
Where to buy the Gateron Ink Black V2
Where to buy the Gateron North Pole 2
No verified retailer link right now. Check the maker or your usual switch retailers.
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