Bsun Avocado vs. Haimu Viola Tricolor
An in-depth look at the Bsun Avocado and the Haimu Viola Tricolor switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The BSUN Avocado and Haimu Viola Tricolor are both tactile switches that offer unique typing experiences. The Avocado is characterized by its refreshing tactile feedback, featuring a snappy and buttery downstroke that provides a satisfying sensation without being overwhelming. On the other hand, the Viola Tricolor offers a thuddy and punchy sound profile, adding a touch of character to your typing sessions with pronounced tactility but maintaining a balance to avoid being overly tactile. While both switches are accentuated and invigorating, the Avocado leans towards sharpness and snappiness while the Viola Tricolor offers a bassier and low-pitched experience. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
65g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Pre-travel
2.20 mm
Pre-travel
N/A
Total travel
3.40 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
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Dual-staged gold-plated spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Bsun Avocado and the Haimu Viola Tricolor share similarities as both switches use polycarbonate for the top housing. Polycarbonate is known for creating a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to its relatively stiff nature. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches that utilize RGB lighting. This material brings a clear and resonant sound profile to both switches, enhancing the overall typing experience.
However, when it comes to the bottom housing material, the Avocado utilizes nylon while the Viola Tricolor also opts for nylon. Nylon is considered a classic switch housing material that offers a deeper and fuller sound profile. Its softer nature absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. This difference in bottom housing material may slightly affect the typing experience between the two switches, with the Avocado potentially providing a slightly softer typing feel compared to the Viola Tricolor.
Overall, the housing materials of the Bsun Avocado and the Haimu Viola Tricolor play a significant role in shaping the sound profile and feel of the switches. Both switches benefit from the use of polycarbonate in the top housing, creating a clear and resonant sound. While the differences in bottom housing material may lead to slight variations in typing experience, both switches offer a high-quality build and performance. Whether you prefer a sharper sound profile from the Avocado's nylon bottom housing or a fuller sound from the Viola Tricolor's nylon bottom housing, both switches are sure to provide a satisfying typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Bsun Avocado tactile switch and the Haimu Viola Tricolor tactile switch, it is clear that the Avocado is lighter in terms of actuation force with 45 grams compared to the Viola Tricolor's unknown actuation force. However, the Avocado has a heavier bottom out force of 65 grams compared to the Viola Tricolor's 63.5 grams. Both switches fall into the medium-heavy category in terms of force required. Some users may appreciate the lighter actuation force of the Avocado for extended typing or gaming sessions, while others may prefer the heavier bottom out force of the Viola Tricolor for a more substantial typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The Bsun Avocado tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.4mm, while the Haimu Viola Tricolor tactile switch has a slightly longer travel distance of 3.8mm. The Avocado switch falls on the shorter end of the spectrum compared to the Viola Tricolor switch. Gamers looking for a faster response time might lean towards the Avocado switch with its shorter travel distance. On the other hand, those who prefer a more substantial keypress may find the Viola Tricolor switch more to their liking due to its longer travel distance. Both switches offer a unique typing experience, but the choice between the two ultimately comes down to personal preference for travel distance.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Bsun Avocado has an MSRP of $5.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Avocado for $4.00.
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.
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 Bsun Avocado tactile switch is known for its mild and neutral sound profile, providing a subtle backdrop to the typing experience. On the other hand, the Haimu Viola Tricolor tactile switch offers a bassy and low-pitched sound profile, adding a touch of character to each key press. Both switches offer a unique auditory experience, with the Avocado focusing on a quieter and more understated sound, while the Viola Tricolor delivers a deeper and more resonant tone.
When it comes to feel, both the Avocado and Viola Tricolor switches are described as accented and invigorating, offering pronounced feedback and a moderate to firm actuation force. The Avocado switch is further characterized by its sharp and snappy feel, providing a distinct tactile bump with each key press. Similarly, the Viola Tricolor offers a balanced tactile sensation, striking a perfect middle ground between being overly tactile and too subtle. Both switches provide a satisfying and immersive typing experience, allowing users to feel fully engaged with each keystroke.
Overall, while the Bsun Avocado and Haimu Viola Tricolor tactile switches offer slightly different sound profiles, their tactile feel is quite similar, with both switches providing an invigorating and pronounced tactile feedback. Whether you prefer a quieter and more neutral sound like the Avocado or a punchier and bassy sound like the Viola Tricolor, both switches excel in delivering a satisfying typing experience with their unique tactile characteristics. Ultimately, choosing between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for sound and feel during typing sessions.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the BSUN Avocado tactile switch and the Haimu Viola Tricolor tactile switch, consider your preference for bottom out force and sound profile. If you prefer a slightly higher bottom out force, the Avocado with 65 grams might be more suitable for you. Additionally, if you enjoy a mild and neutral sound signature, the Avocado could be the better choice. On the other hand, if you prefer a slightly lower bottom out force at 63.5 grams and enjoy a thuddy and punchy sound profile, the Viola Tricolor could be the switch for you. Ultimately, both switches offer a balanced tactile experience with satisfying feedback, so your decision may come down to personal sound and feel preferences.
Mentioned in this article
