Everglide Bamboo Green vs. HMX Deep Navy

Overview

When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the choice between tactile and linear switches can significantly influence your typing experience. The Everglide Bamboo Green switches are celebrated for their unique clacky sound signature and crisp, sparkling tactility, making them an excellent option for those who relish the feedback of each keystroke. Their ‘stepped’ design and resonant characteristics invite users to engage more actively with their typing, which can enhance both productivity and enjoyment. In contrast, the HMX Deep Navy linear switches provide an entirely different experience, emphasizing silky smoothness with each press. Crafted from full nylon, these switches deliver a rich, sharp sound profile that may appeal to gamers and typists who prefer smooth, uninterrupted keystrokes without tactile bumps. While the Bamboo Green switches cater to those who savor tactile feedback and sound, the Deep Navy switches excel in providing a seamless, quiet typing 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

Everglide Bamboo Green Tactile

HMX Deep Navy Linear

$9.67

$7.19 per 10

$3.50

$2.79 per 10

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Housing materials

The Everglide Bamboo Green and the HMX Deep Navy switches showcase distinct differences in their housing materials that significantly affect their acoustic profiles. The Bamboo Green switch utilizes PBT (polybutylene terephthalate) for both its top and bottom housings. PBT is noted for providing a neutral sound profile; it doesn't lean toward being overly crisp or dull, essentially offering a balanced auditory experience for the typist. This neutrality manifests in a typing experience that is consistent and reliable, making it a favorable choice for users who prefer a sound profile that is not too aggressive or pronounced.

In contrast, the HMX Deep Navy switch employs nylon for both its top and bottom housings. Nylon, being a softer material, absorbs sound more effectively than PBT, leading to a sound profile that is deeper and fuller. The result is a typing experience that is characterized by a more rounded and subdued auditory feedback. Users who prioritize a richer sound might find the nylon housing more appealing, as it caters to a different tactile and aural preference than the PBT used in the Bamboo Green. Thus, while both switches aim to enhance the user's typing experience, they distinctly appeal to different auditory tastes through their choice of materials.

Despite their differences, if one were to evaluate switches that combine the materials, as previously mentioned, each housing contributes uniquely to the typing experience. For instance, if the Bamboo Green's PBT and the Deep Navy's nylon were combined into a switch, the interaction of the two materials would yield a unique compromise in sound and feel. The top housing's characteristics—whether neutral in the case of PBT or fuller in the case of nylon—become particularly important at the point of release when the key is lifted. Meanwhile, the bottom housing materials will influence the bottom-out sound and feel of the switch. Therefore, even though the Bamboo Green and HMX Deep Navy exhibit contrasting material characteristics, they each offer distinct approaches to key feel and sound, contributing to a spectrum of typing experiences in the mechanical keyboard community.

Weight

When comparing the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch and the HMX Deep Navy linear switch, notable differences can be observed in both actuation force and bottom out force. The Bamboo Green requires an actuation force of 43 grams and a bottom out force of 62 grams, while the Deep Navy offers a lighter actuation force of 40 grams and a much softer bottom out force of 45 grams. As a result, the Deep Navy is the lighter option, making it suitable for users who prefer a less strenuous typing experience, ideal for long hours of work or gaming. In contrast, the Bamboo Green, with its heavier forces, provides a more substantial feel, appealing to those who enjoy a stronger push during typing. Consequently, typists seeking a medium resistance with pronounced feedback might favor the Bamboo Green, whereas those leaning toward a lighter switch experience would likely opt for the Deep Navy.

Travel distance

The Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch and the HMX Deep Navy linear switch differ in their travel distances, with the Bamboo Green measuring 4 mm and the Deep Navy measuring 3.6 mm. This means that the Bamboo Green offers a more traditional and deeper key press, which can provide a more satisfying tactile feedback for users who enjoy a hearty depth in their typing experience. On the other hand, the Deep Navy's shorter travel distance of 3.6 mm caters to those who prefer quicker key responses, making it potentially advantageous for fast-paced gaming scenarios where rapid action is crucial. Ultimately, if you're looking for more responsiveness, the Deep Navy is the shorter option; however, if you value a more substantial feel as you type, the Bamboo Green is the better choice with its longer travel distance.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When it comes to sound, the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch produces a distinctive clacky sound profile characterized by high-pitched and resonant qualities. This sharp and clean auditory feedback can make each keystroke feel lively and engaging, appealing to those who prefer a more pronounced acoustic response. On the other hand, the HMX Deep Navy linear switch offers a rich and sharp sound profile thanks to its full nylon construction. While the Bamboo Green leans towards a high-pitched clack, the Deep Navy is designed for a smoother auditory experience, allowing for a contrast in sound that can cater to different preferences. The ultimate sound experience may vary based on the keyboard's build and keycap materials, but both switches will deliver a distinct auditory signature that reflects their respective designs.

In terms of feel, the Bamboo Green switches are noted for their stepped, accented, sharp, and polished characteristics. This combination means that they provide a well-defined tactile bump that feels substantial without being overly aggressive. The multi-stage feedback allows for a nuanced typing experience, where users can sense both pre-travel and post-travel, making each keystroke feel satisfying and controlled. In contrast, the feel of the Deep Navy switches remains unspecified in the provided information. However, since they are linear switches, one can anticipate a smoother actuation without the tactile bump that characterizes the Bamboo Green. As such, these two switches will appeal to different tactile preferences, with the Bamboo Greens offering more feedback and the Deep Navy providing a seamless keypress experience.

To sum up, the Everglide Bamboo Green and HMX Deep Navy switches offer different auditory and tactile experiences that can cater to diverse typing preferences. The Bamboo Green excels in delivering a crisp and resonant sound along with a pronounced tactile bump, making it ideal for those who enjoy feedback during typing. In contrast, the Deep Navy stands out with its smooth performance and rich sound, though its specific tactile qualities remain undetermined. Ultimately, both switches promise a unique typing experience, allowing users to choose between an engaging tactile journey with the Bamboo Green or a silky-smooth glide with the Deep Navy.

Conclusion

To conclude, choosing between the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch and the HMX Deep Navy linear switch largely depends on your personal preferences and intended use. If you enjoy a more tactile and auditory typing experience, the Bamboo Green is an excellent choice. With its medium bottom-out force of 62 grams, you’ll benefit from a distinctive clacky sound and a well-defined tactile bump that adds a satisfying feedback during your keystrokes. This makes it ideal for typists who appreciate a sharp, resonant sound and a more pronounced tactile sensation, especially when typing longer texts or engaging in programming where feedback is crucial. On the other hand, if you prefer a smoother, quieter experience with less resistance, the Deep Navy is worth considering. Its lighter bottom-out force of only 45 grams coupled with the silky smoothness of the Ly stem will appeal to gamers and those who frequently perform rapid key presses, as it allows for quick, effortless typing without the added sound of clackiness. The choice between these two switches is ultimately based on whether you prioritize tactile feedback and sound versus smoothness and ease of use; weigh your typing habits and preferences accordingly to find the switch that best complements your style.

Mentioned in this article

Everglide Bamboo Green Tactile

$9.67

$7.19 per 10

Learn more

HMX Deep Navy Linear

$3.50

$2.79 per 10

Learn more