Everglide Bamboo Green vs. Bsun Tomcat (Heavy)

Overview

When it comes to choosing the ideal mechanical keyboard switch, enthusiasts often find themselves debating between the tactile Everglide Bamboo Green and the linear Bsun Tomcat (Heavy). The Bamboo Green switches are renowned for their clacky sound signature and a sharp, crisp tactility that provides satisfying feedback with each keystroke—traits that many typists appreciate for a more engaging and responsive feel while typing. In contrast, the Tomcat (Heavy) switches emphasize a smooth and seamless experience, thanks to their Ly stems that minimize resistance, making them particularly appealing for gamers or those who prefer an uninterrupted flow in their typing. While the Bamboo Green's acoustic and tactile elements can enhance the joy of typing for some, the Tomcat's quiet elegance and fluidity offer a different but equally compelling experience. However, let’s dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the ideal switch for your needs.

By the numbers

Everglide Bamboo Green Tactile

Bsun Tomcat (Heavy) Linear

$9.67

$7.19 per 10

$2.99 per 10

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Housing materials

When comparing the Everglide Bamboo Green and the Bsun Tomcat (Heavy), the distinction in their top housing materials significantly impacts the sound and feel of the switches. The Bamboo Green utilizes PBT (polybutylene terephthalate) for its top housing, which offers a neutral sound profile that strikes a balance between clarity and dullness. This material is less common in top housings, typically reserved for switch housings, and its neutrality contributes to a more muted auditory experience. In contrast, the Tomcat (Heavy) features a polycarbonate top housing, known for producing a sharper, higher-pitched sound. The rigidity of polycarbonate enhances the resonance and brightness, creating a crisper auditory experience, particularly attractive for those using RGB lighting due to its translucent property that allows light to shine through effectively.

The bottom housing materials further differentiate the two switches, as the Bamboo Green employs a PBT bottom housing, mirroring the neutrality of its top housing. This combination results in a cohesive, balanced sound output that is not overly sharp or dull. Conversely, the Tomcat (Heavy) utilizes a nylon bottom housing, recognized for its ability to absorb sound, thus producing a deeper and fuller sound profile. This characteristic of nylon creates a softer auditory experience, contrasting with the sharper tones from the polycarbonate top. The result is a distinctive layering of sound where the bottom housing's material influence can soften the overall experience, making it feel rounder compared to the Bamboo Green's consistency.

In performance, while the two switches utilize different materials, their combination of top and bottom housing qualities creates unique sound profiles that cater to varied preferences. The Bamboo Green balances neutrality across both housing components, leading to a consistent and cohesive typing experience. On the other hand, the Tomcat (Heavy) provides a more complex sound layering where the crispness of the polycarbonate top complements the rounded tones of the nylon bottom. Ultimately, those seeking clarity might prefer the Tomcat, while those looking for a smoother, more neutral typing experience may find the Bamboo Green more appealing. Each switch, through its respective material choices, yields results that resonate well with different user preferences in the keyboard community.

Weight

When comparing the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch and the Bsun Tomcat (Heavy) linear switch, notable differences emerge in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Bamboo Green has an actuation force of 43 grams and a bottom out force of 62 grams, categorizing it as a medium-weight switch. In contrast, the Tomcat (Heavy) requires a higher actuation force of 55 grams and a slightly greater bottom out force of 64 grams, placing it in the medium-heavy range. This makes the Bamboo Green the lighter option, appealing to those who prefer a less strenuous typing experience, ideal for extended periods at work or during long gaming sessions. Conversely, the Tomcat (Heavy), with its higher forces, offers a more substantial typing feel, catering to users who enjoy a firmer push. While both switches provide distinct tactile feedback, their differing weights will largely influence personal preference based on typing style and comfort.

Travel distance

The Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch features a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Bsun Tomcat (Heavy) linear switch has a shorter travel distance of 3.6 mm. This difference highlights the Bamboo Green’s more traditional and pronounced feel, making it ideal for those who enjoy a deeper, more substantial keypress. On the other hand, the Tomcat (Heavy), with its shorter travel distance, caters to users who prefer faster response times, which can be especially appealing for gaming. While both switches serve different preferences—depth vs. speed—the Bamboo Green clearly offers a more pronounced travel distance, making it the longer option compared to the Bsun Tomcat (Heavy). If you're seeking a switch that emphasizes punchiness, leaning towards the 4 mm travel of the Bamboo Green would be advisable, while those wanting quicker actuation may gravitate towards the Tomcat’s 3.6 mm.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When it comes to sound, the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch offers a distinctively clacky and high-pitched auditory experience, combining a sharp and crisp sound signature with a resonant quality. This makes it particularly appealing for those who appreciate an engaging and lively sound profile while typing. The clean, immersive auditory experience contributes to a more satisfying feel when typing. In contrast, the Bsun Tomcat (Heavy) linear switch is known for its resonant sound profile, although specific details about its sound characteristics aren't available. However, like the Bamboo Green, the Tomcat switches are expected to provide clear and pronounced auditory feedback that complements the typing experience, albeit potentially with less of the clack associated with tactile switches.

In terms of feel, the Bamboo Green switch is characterized by its medium tactile feedback, described as accented and sharp. This means it provides a prominent tactile bump that delivers strong feedback with each keystroke, making it easy to sense when a key has been actuated without being overly aggressive or distracting. On the other hand, the Bsun Tomcat (Heavy) linear switch is noted for its super smooth typing experience but lacks further details regarding its tactile feedback or keystroke resistance. This absence of tactile feedback may result in a more uniform and fluid typing experience compared to the distinctive tactile cues of the Bamboo Green.

In summary, the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch is well-suited for those who enjoy a lively sound profile and a pronounced tactile sensation, making it ideal for typists who appreciate clear auditory and physical feedback. The Bsun Tomcat (Heavy) switch, while also likely to provide a resonant sound experience, emphasizes smoothness and lacks the tactile distinctions of the Bamboo Green. Consequently, if you prioritize a smooth but potentially less engaging experience, the Tomcat could be suitable, but if you desire vivid tactile feedback and sound, the Bamboo Green is the preferable choice.

Conclusion

To conclude, the choice between the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch and the Bsun Tomcat (Heavy) linear switch largely depends on your personal preferences and typing style. If you enjoy a tactile feedback with a pronounced, sharp bump that provides a clear response with every keystroke, along with a high-pitched, resonant sound, the Bamboo Green is an excellent option. Its medium bottom-out force of 62 grams makes it comfortable for prolonged typing sessions without causing excessive fatigue. On the other hand, if you prefer a smoother, more linear experience that minimizes noise, the Tomcat (Heavy) is ideal. With its heavier bottom-out force of 64 grams, it offers a slightly more substantial feel, perfect for those who favor a silent yet precise keystroke. Ultimately, if sound and tactile feedback are important to your typing experience, opt for the Bamboo Green, but if you lean towards smoothness and less auditory distraction, the Tomcat (Heavy) would be your best bet.

Mentioned in this article

Everglide Bamboo Green Tactile

$9.67

$7.19 per 10

Learn more

Bsun Tomcat (Heavy) Linear

$2.99 per 10

Learn more