Gateron Box Ink V2 | Linear Switch Review

Overview

The Gateron Box Ink V2 utilizes the same material for its stem and housing as the Gateron Ink V2, but with an improved design and typing experience. The most obvious design change is, what Gateron calls, the " Wall" stem, which helps the Gateron Box Ink V2 have less stem wobble and therefore more stability when typing. The Gateron Box Ink V2 has a shorter travel distance than the Gateron Ink V2 and the Gateron Box Ink V2 now has a longer black plated spring with a faster rebound. 

Gateron Box Ink V2 Linear Switch

• Switch Type: Linear
• Stem Material: POM
• Housing Material: Proprietary Ink Material Housing
• Operation Force: 60g (Black) or 50g (Pink)
• Mount: 5 pin
• Spring: 20mm (Black) or 15.4mm (Pink)
• Pre Travel: 1.2mm
• Total Travel: 3.4mm
• Factory Lube: Slight Factory Lube

The Gateron Box Ink V2 come in two variants, Gateron Box Ink V2 Black and Gateron Box Ink V2 Pink. The Gateron Box Ink V2 Black has a heavier and longer spring at 60g and 20mm respectively, while the Gateron Box Ink V2 Pink has a lighter and shorter spring at 50g and 15.4mm respectively.  

Switch Sound

Similar to the Gateron Ink V2, the Gateron Box Ink V2 has a deep and muted sound when bottoming out as a result of the ink housing material. The Gateron Box Ink V2 can be slightly louder than the Gateron Ink V2 because of its longer stem and shorter travel. The Gateron Box Ink V2 has a relatively "poppy" upstroke due to the longer spring. 

Between the Gateron Box Ink V2 Black and the Gateron Box Ink V2 Pink, they sound very similar however the Gateron Box Ink V2 Black sounds relatively more muted and deeper while the Gateron Box Ink V2 Pink sounds relatively cleaner and higher pitched, possibly due to the differences in their spring weight and length.

Here are some sound tests of the Gateron Box Ink V2:

Switch Feel

The Gateron Box Ink V2 feels smooth and clean. In comparison to the Gateron Ink V2, the Gateron Box Ink V2 feels more stable and less wobbly. However, when they are both lubed and filmed, they feel relatively similar. 

Comparisons to Other Switches

Gateron Box Ink V2 vs Gateron KS-3 Milky Yellow

• The Gateron Box Ink V2 housing is made of Gateron's proprietary ink material, while the Gateron KS-3 Milky Yellow housing is made of a milky nylon PA66.
• Gateron Box Ink V2 and Gateron KS-3 Milky Yellow both use POM stems. 
• Gateron Box Ink V2 has a shorter travel distance of 3.4mm while the Gateron KS-3 Milky Yellow has a travel distance of 4.0mm.
• The Gateron Box Ink V2 Black has a heavier spring of 60g than the Gateron KS-3 Milky Yellow with a spring weight of 50g. But the Gateron Box Ink V2 Pink has the same spring weight as the Gateron KS-3 Milky Yellow at 50g.
• Feel wise, the Gateron Box Ink V2 is much smoother with less stem wobble than the Gateron KS-3 Milky Yellow, and the Gateron Box Ink V2 has significantly less scratch than the Gateron KS-3 Milky Yellow.
• Sound wise, the Gateron Box Ink V2 sound slightly more muted on the bottom out due to the ink housing and slightly more poppy on the top out due to the longer spring in comparison to the Gateron KS-3 Milky Yellow. 
• Price wise, the Gateron Box Ink V2 is $0.85 per switch, while the Gateron KS-3 Milky Yellow is $0.23 per switch.

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