Gateron Ink Red vs. Durock Silent T1 (Shrimp)
An in-depth look at the Gateron Ink Red and the Durock Silent T1 (Shrimp) switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing the perfect mechanical keyboard switch, two popular options to consider are the Gateron Ink Red and the Durock Silent T1 (Shrimp). The Gateron Ink Red is a linear switch, designed for those with a lighter typing style. It stands out for its lower actuation force, making typing effortless and smooth. Not only does it provide a satisfyingly crisp and clacky sound profile, but its overall feel is incredibly polished. On the other hand, the Durock Silent T1 (Shrimp) offers a tactile experience combined with a silenced switch, making it perfect for noise-sensitive environments. This switch provides a medium bump and a padded bottom-out feel, ensuring a comfortable typing experience. While its audio feedback is more subdued, it still offers a polished sensation. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
60g
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
Gold-plated
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Gateron Ink Red and the Durock Silent T1 (Shrimp) differ in terms of their sound profile and characteristics. The Ink Red utilizes a proprietary INK blend for both its top and bottom housing, resulting in a pointed and relatively high-pitched sound profile that is described as being clacky. In contrast, the Silent T1 (Shrimp) features a polycarbonate top housing which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. This is due to the stiffer nature of polycarbonate, which leads to a more clear and resonant sound profile. The use of a clear polycarbonate housing also makes it suitable for RGB lighting.
Moving on to the bottom housing, the Ink Red still maintains its proprietary INK blend, resulting in a pointed and relatively high-pitched sound profile. The Silent T1 (Shrimp), however, employs a nylon bottom housing. Typing on switches with a nylon bottom housing elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile. This is because nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound, ultimately creating a duller and rounder sound.
While the housing materials of the Gateron Ink Red and the Durock Silent T1 (Shrimp) differ, it is worth noting that similar sound profiles can be achieved depending on the combination of top and bottom housings. When it comes to the impact on the bottom-out sound and feel, the bottom housing plays a more significant role. However, the sound when letting go of a key is influenced more by the top housing. Therefore, by selecting the appropriate combination of top and bottom housings, similar results can be obtained in terms of sound profiles and characteristics.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron Ink Red linear switch and the Durock Silent T1 (Shrimp) tactile switch, there are notable differences. The Ink Red has an actuation force of 45 grams, while the actuation force of the Silent T1 is unavailable, making it difficult to directly compare. However, both switches fall within the medium range for actuation force. Moving on to the bottom out force, the Ink Red requires 60 grams of force, whereas the Silent T1 requires 67 grams, placing it in the medium-heavy category.
Considering the weight aspect, the Ink Red switch is lighter in both actuation and bottom out force compared to the Silent T1. This lighter weight can be advantageous for individuals who prefer a more agile typing experience or engage in extended typing sessions, such as during work or gaming. With a lighter actuation force, the Ink Red allows for quicker keystrokes, potentially enhancing typing speed and reducing finger fatigue. The lower bottom out force also contributes to a softer landing when pressing the keys fully.
In contrast, the heavier actuation and bottom out force of the Silent T1 may appeal to those seeking a more robust and substantial typing experience. The increased force required to trigger a keystroke can provide a satisfying tactile feedback, giving users a stronger push feel. This added resistance can be preferred by individuals who appreciate a more deliberate keystroke, potentially enhancing accuracy and precision.
In summary, while the Ink Red linear switch has a lighter actuation and bottom out force, providing a smoother and faster typing experience, the Silent T1 tactile switch offers a heavier and more substantial push feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two would depend on individual preferences and the desired typing experience - whether one prefers a lighter touch or a more substantial keystroke.
Travel distance
The Gateron Ink Red linear switch and the Durock Silent T1 (Shrimp) tactile switch have the same 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, providing a consistent typing experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Gateron Ink Red has an MSRP of $7.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Ink Red for $7.35.
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
In terms of sound, the Gateron Ink Red linear switch is known for its crispy and clacky sound profile, making each keystroke satisfyingly audible. It falls into the category of a neutral switch, which means it has a moderate actuation force requirement and a moderate sound profile suitable for various typing styles and environments. Additionally, the Ink Red switch can have a unique acoustic signature that adds a little squeak, setting it apart from other switches.
On the other hand, the Durock Silent T1 (Shrimp) tactile switch is described as muted, producing a softer and quieter sound compared to regular or clacky switches. This makes it ideal for noise-sensitive environments where silence is valued. However, the specific sound characteristics of the Silent T1 switch are not mentioned, so it is difficult to make a direct comparison to the Ink Red switch in terms of sound.
Moving to the feel, the Gateron Ink Red linear switch offers an exceptionally smooth typing experience, earning the descriptor of "silky." These switches minimize resistance when pressing and releasing keys, enhancing the overall smoothness of the typing feel. The Ink Red switch also falls into the category of a mild switch, providing a more gentle typing experience that is approachable to most users. Additionally, the switch is described as polished, indicating a smooth and refined finish that results in sleek key travel and reduced friction.
On the other hand, the Durock Silent T1 (Shrimp) tactile switch is described as stepped and accented. The stepped characteristic implies that these tactile switches offer a two-stage feel, with some pre-travel and/or post-travel sensations. This can provide a more mild tactile experience compared to switches with a single large bump throughout the keystroke. The accented nature of the Silent T1 switch refers to a medium level of tactility that is neither overwhelming nor subtle, providing a prominent amount of tactile feedback.
In conclusion, the Gateron Ink Red linear switch and the Durock Silent T1 (Shrimp) tactile switch offer distinct subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Ink Red switch has a crispy and clacky sound with a unique acoustic signature, while the Silent T1 switch offers a muted sound to minimize noise. In terms of feel, the Ink Red switch provides a silky and polished typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel. On the other hand, the Silent T1 switch offers a stepped and accented tactile sensation that is more mild and prominent. While the Ink Red switch is linear and the Silent T1 switch is tactile, both switches offer their own advantages and can provide satisfying results depending on the user's preferences.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you prefer a linear switch with a lighter actuation force, the Gateron Ink Red is an excellent choice. It provides a smooth and effortless typing experience, making it suitable for those with a lighter typing style. The Ink Reds also have a satisfyingly smooth feel and produce a crisp and clacky sound. On the other hand, if you are looking for a tactile and silenced switch, the Durock Silent T1 (Shrimp) is the way to go. This switch offers a medium bump, padded bottom-out feel, and subdued audio feedback. It is perfect for noise-sensitive environments where you want both tactility and reduced noise. In terms of sound, the Ink Red provides a neutral or chirpy sound profile, while the Silent T1 (Shrimp) produces a muted sound. When it comes to feel, the Ink Red offers a silky, mild, and polished typing experience, while the Silent T1 (Shrimp) provides a stepped, accented, and polished feel. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your typing style, preferred sound profile, and desired level of tactile feedback.
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