Huano Acacia vs. HMX Deep Navy
An in-depth look at the Huano Acacia and the HMX Deep Navy switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing mechanical keyboard switches, the Huano Acacia and the HMX Deep Navy stand out as two compelling linear options, each appealing to different typing preferences and experiences. The Acacia is recognized for its medium-light weight and generous factory lubrication, offering users an exceptional typing experience with minimal stem wobble right out of the box. This switch is ideal for those who prioritize a smooth and consistent feel while typing and gaming. On the other hand, the HMX Deep Navy captivates with its rich, sharp sound profile and full nylon construction, allowing for a distinctive auditory feedback alongside its silky smooth keystrokes facilitated by the Ly stem. While the Acacia caters to those who value a more muted yet refined tactile experience, the Deep Navy entices with its unique auditory character that elevates typographic enjoyment. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide which switch is right for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
40g
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
45g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
Ly
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm single-staged spring
Spring
20mm single-stage spring
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the Huano Acacia and the HMX Deep Navy, the most significant difference lies in their top housings. The Acacia utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, which contributes to a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is largely due to polycarbonate's stiffness, which allows for clearer sound resonance. Additionally, polycarbonate's translucency enhances the aesthetic appeal when RGB lighting is employed, allowing light to diffuse more effectively. In contrast, the Deep Navy sports a nylon top housing, which provides a deeper and fuller sound profile. Unlike polycarbonate, nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs sound, resulting in a rounder and more subdued auditory experience. Thus, while the Acacia emphasizes brightness and clarity, the Deep Navy tends toward a warm, encompassing sound.
Both switch models share a common material for their bottom housings—nylon—which creates a deeper and fuller sound profile as well. In this regard, both switches produce similar sound characteristics when it comes to the bottom-out feel, as nylon's softness leads to sound absorption that creates a duller resonance. As a result, whether using the Acacia or the Deep Navy, the user can expect a consistent auditory experience when pressing down on the keys. This shared element ensures that all switches will have a comparable bottoming-out sound and tactile feedback, regardless of their differing top housing materials.
The separation of sound profiles between the top and bottom housings becomes particularly evident when considering the overall switch performance. The polycarbonate top of the Acacia is designed to yield clearer highs, enhancing the aural experience when a key is released, while the nylon bottom provides a satisfying cushion upon actuation. Conversely, the Deep Navy's nylon top housing delivers a mellower release sound combined with a softer, rounded impact from the nylon bottom. Ultimately, this contrast illustrates the unique character each switch type brings. For users who favor sharper sounds, the Acacia may be preferable, while those seeking a more muted, fuller tone may lean toward the Deep Navy.
Weight
When comparing the Huano Acacia linear switch and the HMX Deep Navy linear switch, notable differences emerge in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Acacia requires a force of 45 grams to actuate and bottoms out at 55 grams, making it a medium-light option ideal for users who prefer a balance between comfort and feedback. In contrast, the Deep Navy has a lighter actuation force of 40 grams and a bottom out force of 45 grams, catering to those who appreciate a softer touch. Consequently, typists or gamers who favor a lighter overall experience may lean towards the Deep Navy for extended use, while those seeking a more substantial feel might opt for the Acacia. Overall, since the actuation and bottom out forces of the Deep Navy are lighter than those of the Acacia, choosing the right switch largely depends on personal preferences for typing and gaming dynamics.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Huano Acacia linear switch and the HMX Deep Navy linear switch, it is noted that the Acacia features a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Deep Navy offers a slightly greater distance of 3.6 mm. This indicates that the Deep Navy switch has a longer travel distance compared to the Acacia. For users who prefer a more responsive typing or gaming experience, the Acacia may be the preferred choice due to its shorter travel distance, which allows for quicker actuation. Conversely, the Deep Navy, with its longer 3.6 mm distance, might appeal to those who enjoy a more substantial feel when pressing the keys. Ultimately, while both switches are relatively similar in their functionality, the Deep Navy provides a slightly deeper actuation experience, whereas the Acacia caters to those seeking faster response times with its shorter throw.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The HMX Deep Navy has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Deep Navy for $2.79.
The Huano Acacia comes in at $3.39 per 10 switches.
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
When it comes to sound, the Huano Acacia is characterized by a moderately muted acoustic profile, providing a subtle and pleasant typing experience that fits well in quieter environments. On the other hand, the HMX Deep Navy offers a much more pronounced and sharp sound, thanks to its full nylon construction. This switch delivers a richer auditory experience, which can be particularly appealing for users who enjoy the audible feedback of their keystrokes. However, it's important to recognize that the overall sound profile can be influenced by factors like the chosen keyboard case and keycap materials.
In terms of feel, the Acacia linear switch excels with its medium-light actuation force, which, combined with generous factory lubrication, results in a smooth and satisfying typing experience with minimal stem wobble. This makes it an excellent choice for prolonged typing sessions. Contrastingly, the Deep Navy switch is also designed for smoothness, featuring a Ly stem that enhances the silky feel of each keystroke. Users can expect a consistent and fluid response from both switches, though the Deep Navy may provide a slightly different tactile feedback due to its construction.
In conclusion, both the Huano Acacia and HMX Deep Navy linear switches provide distinct yet enjoyable experiences. The Acacia offers a quieter sound profile and is known for its smooth feel and stability, while the Deep Navy stands out with its sharper acoustics and silky keystrokes. Although they have different sound and feel characteristics, both switches deliver satisfying performance, making them excellent choices for newcomers looking to explore linear switches. Your personal preferences, particularly in terms of sound environment and tactile feedback, will ultimately determine which switch is the best fit for you.
Conclusion
To conclude, choosing between the Huano Acacia linear switch and the HMX Deep Navy linear switch largely depends on your personal preferences and typing style. If you prefer a balance of weight and comfort, the Acacia's medium-light actuation at 55 grams combined with its generous factory lubrication creates a pleasant typing experience that's ideal for extensive typing sessions, making it a solid choice for productivity-focused users or those who enjoy a slightly more pronounced tactile feedback without any noise. On the other hand, if you're looking for a lighter touch, perhaps for gaming or rapid typing, the Deep Navy's 45-gram bottom out force offers a quick and responsive feel, allowing for fast keystrokes with minimal effort. Additionally, if you appreciate a unique sound profile, the Deep Navy's full nylon construction produces a rich, sharp auditory quality that can enhance your overall experience, while the Acacia leans towards a more subdued sound. Ultimately, consider your typing habits and the environment you'll be using your keyboard in; if you value a more refined typing experience with smoothness and excellent acoustics, the Acacia may be your best bet, whereas if you seek a nimble, satisfying keystroke with character in sound, the Deep Navy will likely serve you well.
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