Huano Acacia vs. Haimu Viola Tricolor
An in-depth look at the Huano Acacia and the Haimu Viola Tricolor switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to selecting the perfect mechanical keyboard switch to enhance your typing experience, the choice often boils down to personal preferences, especially between different switch types. The Huano Acacia, a linear switch, is celebrated for its medium-light weight, generous factory lubrication, and minimal stem wobble, ensuring a smooth and satisfying keystroke right out of the box. This makes it an ideal choice for those who favor a quieter and more fluid typing experience, perfect for long sessions of writing or gaming. In contrast, the Haimu Viola Tricolor, a tactile switch, offers a distinctive thuddy and punchy sound profile that adds character to each keystroke. With its pronounced tactility, the Viola Tricolor provides satisfying feedback without being overly tactile, striking a balance that can invigorate your typing experience. The choice between these two switches ultimately depends on whether you prioritize a silky smooth feel or a tactile sensation during your interactions. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the right switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
N/A
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm single-staged spring
Spring
Dual-staged gold-plated spring
Housing materials
The Huano Acacia and the Haimu Viola Tricolor both feature a polycarbonate top housing, which plays a pivotal role in shaping the acoustics of each switch. Polycarbonate, known for its stiffness, promotes a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This material's inherent translucency also enhances the aesthetic appeal of the switches, making them particularly well-suited for RGB lighting applications. Since both switches use this identical material for their top housing, they are expected to produce similar audio characteristics, making them relatable in terms of sound clarity and aesthetic versatility.
In contrast, the bottom housing of both models diverges in terms of material composition. The Acacia utilizes nylon for its bottom housing, which is commended for being a classic switch housing material. Nylon's softer composition absorbs sound more effectively than harder plastics, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile during typing. This characteristic lends to a more muted and rounded auditory experience, which can be particularly appealing for users looking for a softer bottom-out sound when actuating the keys. The Haimu Viola Tricolor also includes a nylon bottom housing, meaning that both switches will evoke a similarly subdued acoustic response, contributing to an overall consistent auditory experience despite differences in their top housing materials.
Overall, while both the Huano Acacia and Haimu Viola Tricolor share the same polycarbonate material for their top housings, enhancing their sound clarity and visual appeal, they also utilize nylon for their bottom housings, further unifying their acoustic profiles. The combination of the crisper sound from the polycarbonate top and the fuller, warmer sound from the nylon bottom allows for a well-rounded typing experience in both models. By harmonizing these materials, both switches can deliver a satisfying and rich sound experience that balances clarity and warmth, making them appealing options for enthusiasts looking for a unique and pleasurable typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the Huano Acacia linear switch and the Haimu Viola Tricolor tactile switch, there are significant differences in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Acacia features an actuation force of 45 grams, which makes it medium-light, while its bottom out force is 55 grams. In contrast, the Viola Tricolor has an unspecified actuation force but boasts a heavier bottom out force of 63.5 grams, categorizing it as medium-heavy. This means that while the Acacia is easier to press down and requires less force to actuate, the Viola Tricolor demands a stronger push for both actuation and bottoming out. As a result, the Acacia switch would be more suitable for users who prefer a lighter touch for extended typing or gaming sessions, while the Viola Tricolor may appeal to those who enjoy a more substantial feel with a stronger push. Overall, if you're comparing the two, the Acacia is the lighter option, while the Viola Tricolor is the heavier one.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Huano Acacia linear switch and the Haimu Viola Tricolor tactile switch, the Acacia has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Viola Tricolor measures at 3.8 mm. This indicates that the Acacia is the shorter option, making it potentially more appealing for gamers or individuals who prefer faster response times. In contrast, the Viola Tricolor offers a longer travel distance, which might provide a more substantial feel for those who appreciate deeper key presses. Therefore, if you favor a more rapid, responsive experience, the Acacia would be the better choice, whereas the Viola Tricolor would suit those who enjoy a fuller, hearty depth in their keystrokes. The difference in travel distances highlights the trade-offs between speed and tactile satisfaction that come with switch selection.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Haimu Viola Tricolor has an MSRP of $6.60 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Viola Tricolor for $3.09.
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 switch presents a more nuanced profile that remains undisclosed in terms of specific descriptions. However, it is known for its pleasing auditory experience complemented by factory lubrication, which generally minimizes any annoying scratchiness and provides a smooth sound on actuation. In contrast, the Haimu Viola Tricolor stands out with its distinctly thuddy and punchy sound profile. Characterized as both bassy and low-pitched, these switches produce a deeper and richer auditory experience during key presses, adding character to each keystroke while providing a tactile feedback that users find engaging. This pronounced audio signature makes every action feel deliberate and impactful.
In terms of feel, the Acacia switch offers an excellent typing experience right out of the box, characterized by medium-light weight and minimal stem wobble, which contributes to a smooth and stable typing sensation. Although the specific qualities are not mentioned, the overall experience is generally lauded as satisfying. On the other hand, the Viola Tricolor features an invigorating design that provides an accented tactile feedback, offering a pronounced yet gentle response during actuation. This creates a “medium tactile” experience, allowing typists to enjoy better engagement without overwhelming their fingers. The combination of moderate to firm actuation force and snappy responsiveness ensures that each keystroke feels lively and immersive.
In summary, while the sound qualities of the Acacia remain relatively vague, the Viola Tricolor's rich, bass-heavy sound profile definitely stands out. In terms of feel, the Huano Acacia focuses on smoothness and stability, while the Haimu Viola Tricolor emphasizes a more pronounced tactile experience that is both engaging and invigorating. Ultimately, both switches cater to different preferences; those seeking a smooth, straightforward typing experience may lean towards the Acacia, whereas those desiring tactile feedback with engaging sound will likely enjoy the Viola Tricolor. Whether one prefers the subtle characteristics of the Acacia or the pronounced nature of the Viola Tricolor depends largely on personal typing style and sound preferences.
Conclusion
To conclude, the choice between the Huano Acacia linear switch and the Haimu Viola Tricolor tactile switch ultimately comes down to your personal preferences and usage scenarios. If you prefer a lighter touch and a smooth, uninterrupted typing experience, the Acacia is the way to go. Its medium-light weight and generous factory lubrication mean you'll enjoy effortless keystrokes that are perfect for prolonged typing sessions, especially if you prioritize speed and fluidity over tactile feedback. On the other hand, if you lean toward a more engaging and tactile typing experience, the Viola Tricolor is an excellent choice. Its pronounced tactility and deeper, bassy sound profile add character to your keystrokes, making it ideal for users who enjoy a satisfying tactile response without being overwhelmed. This switch can be particularly enjoyable for typing enthusiasts or gamers who appreciate that snappy feedback translating into a more immersive experience. Ultimately, your decision should reflect whether you value smoothness and ease of use or tactile engagement and auditory satisfaction in your mechanical keyboard experience.
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