INK-V2-SILENT-RED
ActiveGateron INK V2 Silent Red 60g
Gateron INK V2 Silent Red — premium dampened linear.
Common Applications
Silent version of the premium INK V2. Smoky housing + dampeners for the quietest premium typing experience. For high-end office builds and streaming setups.
Research Notes
1. Overview
The Gateron Silent Ink Red V2 is the silent version of Gateron's premium Ink linear — combining the Ink line's smooth feel and distinctive smoky/translucent housing with built-in dampeners for near-silent operation. It's a linear switch (red stem), ~60 gf, with 2 mm actuation and a slightly shortened ~3.8 mm total travel (the silencing pads reduce travel), rated ~80 million actuations, MX keycap compatible. The V2 revision upgraded the contact leaves to prevent stem fallout. Gateron's Silent Ink is widely rated one of the best premium silent linears.
2. User Sentiment
Highly regarded as a top-tier silent linear — the Ink housing's smoothness and deep sound signature with genuinely quiet operation, ideal for offices/streaming where a premium feel and silence are both wanted. Praised for smoothness out of the box. Trade-offs: premium pricing, the slightly muted/cushioned bottom-out inherent to silent switches, and force figures vary by listing (the Silent Ink linears run on the heavier side, ~55–63 gf).
3. Real-World Applications
Premium quiet mechanical keyboards — offices, streaming, shared spaces — where a smooth, deep-sounding silent linear is desired, in standard MX hot-swap or soldered builds.
4. Technical Specifications
- Type: Linear, silent (dampened), MX-style; premium Ink (smoky housing)
- Actuation force: ~60 gf (Silent Ink linears run heavier; confirm the listing)
- Travel: 2 mm actuation, ~3.8 mm total (shortened by silencing pads)
- Life: ~80 million actuations
- Housing/stem: smoky/translucent Ink housing, red stem
- V2: upgraded contact leaves (anti-fallout)
- Mount: MX-compatible (hot-swap friendly)
5. Ordering & Compatibility
Sold in switch sets by Gateron and keyboard specialists. Fits standard MX hot-swap or solder PCBs and MX keycaps. Part of the Silent Ink premium line (Silent Ink Black is the best-known; Red/others available). Compare with non-silent Ink V2 (Red/Black) and Gateron Oil King/CJ for feel/sound.
6. Known Issues
No major reliability issues (V2 fixed stem fallout). Practical notes: premium priced, silent switches feel slightly cushioned at bottom-out (expected), and travel is a touch shorter (~3.8 mm). It's an MX contact linear (not magnetic/Hall-effect). Confirm the exact force from the listing.
2 sources
- Gateron Silent Ink switch (premium silent linear) — keychron.com
- Gateron Silent Ink Red — premium silent linear, smoky housing — switchmodders.com
Specifications
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Actuation Force
The force needed to press the button. Lower = more sensitive. Sanwa ~65g (light), Seimitsu ~85g (medium), Happ ~130g (heavy).
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~55-63g (Silent Ink linears run heavier; confirm listing)
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Color
Button/actuator color. Green = start/go, Red = stop/emergency, Yellow = caution, Blue = reset (per IEC 60204-1).
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Red stem, smoky housing
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Keycap compat
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MX-compatible
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Mechanical Life
How many press cycles before mechanical failure. Higher is better — 10M cycles at 100 presses/day = 274 years.
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80,000,000 cycles
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Switch type
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Silent linear (premium Ink line, smoky housing, dampened)
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Travel Distance
How far the button moves when pressed. Shorter = faster response. Sanwa 0.85mm is extremely short for competitive gaming.
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2mm actuation, 3.8mm total
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V2 note
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V2 upgraded contact leaves (anti-fallout)
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Installation Quick Reference
Panel cutout: 22mm. Insert from the front of the panel, secure with mounting nut from behind (tighten to 2-3 Nm).
Contact block: Snap or screw the contact block onto the rear of the button body. Ensure the contact block orientation matches the wiring diagram — NO terminals are usually marked.
Wiring: Use 0.5-2.5mm² stranded wire with ferrules. Tighten screw terminals to 0.8 Nm. Test the button function before energizing the circuit.
Dimensions
Troubleshooting
Button doesn't respond when pressed
Check the contact block first — it's the most common failure point. Test continuity across the NO or NC terminals with a multimeter. If no click is felt, the return spring in the head may be broken.
Works intermittently
Contact block contacts are pitted or burned. Replace the contact block — don't try to file the contacts. Check if the rated cycle count has been exceeded.
Button feels mushy or doesn't click
The spring return mechanism in the button head is worn. Replace the head. The contact block can usually be reused if it tests OK.
Where to Buy
Price range
$12.23 — $38.15
across 2 distributors
Quick Specs
- Actuation Force
- ~55-63g (Silent Ink linears run heavier; confirm listing)
- Color
- Red stem, smoky housing
- Keycap compat
- MX-compatible
- Mechanical Life
- 80,000,000 cycles
- Switch type
- Silent linear (premium Ink line, smoky housing, dampened)
What People Are Saying
“Silent version of the premium INK V2. Smoky housing + dampeners for the quietest premium typing experience. For high-end office builds and streaming setups.”
