Everglide Bamboo Green vs. HMX Twilight
An in-depth look at the Everglide Bamboo Green and the HMX Twilight switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, the Everglide Bamboo Green and the HMX Twilight offer distinct experiences for typists and gamers alike. The Bamboo Green, known for its tactile feedback, boasts a clacky sound signature coupled with crisp, sparkling tactility, making it ideal for those who enjoy a pronounced response from their keystrokes. Categorized with descriptors such as "stepped," "high-pitched," and "resonant," it appeals to users who appreciate a more vocal typing experience. On the other hand, the HMX Twilight, a linear switch, features an extended 3.85mm travel distance that results in a softer, quieter sound, while still retaining the signature clacky characteristics typical of HMX products. This makes the Twilight a great option for those who prefer smooth and uninterrupted key presses without tactile bumps getting in the way. Both switches cater to different preferences and priorities in a typing or gaming experience; 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
43g
Actuation force
42g
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
50g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.85 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
Ly
Top housing material
PBT
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
PBT
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
20mm single-stage spring
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the Everglide Bamboo Green and the HMX Twilight, it becomes evident that they utilize different materials, each contributing distinct auditory and tactile characteristics to the typing experience. The Bamboo Green's top housing is made of PBT (polybutylene terephthalate), a material known for its neutrality in sound production. This means that the Bamboo Green delivers a sound profile that is balanced—not overly crisp nor dull, which can be appealing to users who enjoy a more understated typing experience. In contrast, the HMX Twilight opts for a nylon top housing, recognized for its ability to create a deeper and fuller sound profile due to the material's softer composition. This can result in a typing experience that is rounder and more muted, making the acoustic feedback distinctly different from that of the Bamboo Green.
The differences continue with the bottom housings of each switch. Both the Bamboo Green and the HMX Twilight employ PBT and nylon, respectively, for their bottom housings as well. The Bamboo Green’s bottom housing, like its top counterpart, maintains the neutral sound profile associated with PBT, meaning it contributes to a consistent feel and sound when bottoming out. Conversely, the nylon bottom housing of the Twilight brings a deeper sound character to the table, leveraging the material’s sound-absorbing qualities to enhance the overall tactile feedback during use. This disparity indicates that switching between the two can lead to varied auditory experiences, which may appeal to different preferences in the mechanical keyboard community.
Ultimately, while both switches feature different materials, the impact of these materials is felt distinctly in terms of sound and feel throughout keypresses. The Bamboo Green’s PBT top and bottom housings deliver a cohesive neutral experience, while the HMX Twilight’s nylon components split the character between a rounder top sound and deeper bottom feel. When choosing between the two, users can expect the Bamboo Green to offer balanced feedback ideal for subtlety, while the HMX Twilight presents a more pronounced auditory signature. Despite the differences, each switch has its unique charm, ensuring that typists can find their preferred sound and tactile responses according to their individual tastes.
Weight
When comparing the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch and the HMX Twilight linear switch, there are notable differences in both actuation force and bottom out force. 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 HMX Twilight features a lighter actuation force of 42 grams and a bottom out force of only 50 grams, making it a preferable choice for those seeking a lighter typing experience. This difference in weight suggests that the Bamboo Green may provide a more substantial typing feel favored by some users, while the Twilight switch allows for easier, less strenuous keystrokes, which is ideal for extended typing sessions or gaming marathons. Overall, users seeking a heavier force might lean toward the Bamboo Green for its more robust feedback, while those who prefer lighter switches may find the HMX Twilight to be more comfortable for prolonged use.
Travel distance
The Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch features a travel distance of 4 mm, while the HMX Twilight linear switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.85 mm. This means that the Bamboo Green switch provides a more pronounced depth when pressing down compared to the Twilight switch, which may feel a bit more abrupt due to its shorter travel. For gamers seeking faster response times, the Twilight's 3.85 mm distance could be advantageous, allowing for quicker key actuations. Conversely, users who prefer a more traditional and hearty feel in their typing experience might opt for the Bamboo Green, given its longer travel distance. Ultimately, your choice will depend on whether you value a more responsive feel or a deeper, more tactile experience when using these switches.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Everglide Bamboo Green has an MSRP of $9.67 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Bamboo Green for $7.19.
The HMX Twilight has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Twilight for $3.29.
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 discussing the sound profiles of the Everglide Bamboo Green and the HMX Twilight switches, a noticeable distinction arises. The Bamboo Green switches are celebrated for their high-pitched resonance, producing a sharp and crisp auditory experience that is often described as clacky. This quality can create an engaging atmosphere, especially for those who appreciate elevated and vibrant sound signatures. On the other hand, the HMX Twilight linear switches tend to be slightly quieter, thanks to their extended 3.85mm travel distance while still maintaining some clacky characteristics inherent to HMX switches. However, the specific sound profile of the Twilight is somewhat undefined without additional descriptors, leaving its auditory appeal less explicit but still potentially enjoyable in quieter settings.
Turning to the feel of these two switches, the Bamboo Green excels with a well-defined tactile quality. These switches feature a stepped tactile design that offers a clear and prominent bump during keypresses, creating an engaging typing experience that balances feedback and smoothness. Descriptors such as "acceded," "sharp," and "polished" highlight the distinct tactile engagement, ensuring each keystroke feels refined and satisfying. Conversely, the HMX Twilight's feel remains somewhat ambiguous due to a lack of detailed descriptors that define it. Typically, linear switches provide a smoother and uninterrupted key travel, but without explicit characteristics outlined for the Twilight, it’s difficult to ascertain its tactile nature comparably to the pronounced feedback of the Bamboo Green.
In conclusion, if you're looking for a sound experience, the Bamboo Green offers a lively, high-pitched auditory engagement, while the HMX Twilight provides a more subdued option with possibly similar clacky undertones but less specificity. Feel-wise, the Bamboo Green delivers a rich and tactile typing experience characterized by distinct feedback and smoothness, whereas the HMX Twilight remains undefined in this regard. Ultimately, opting for one over the other will hinge on whether you prioritize clear tactile feedback and sound impact or a quieter and possibly smoother typing experience.
Conclusion
To conclude, choosing between the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch and the HMX Twilight linear switch depends largely on your personal preferences and intended use. If you enjoy a tactile experience with a satisfying bump and a high-pitched, resonant sound, the Bamboo Green would be your go-to. Its medium actuation force of 62 grams ensures a deliberate typing feel ideal for both casual typing and gaming, particularly if you appreciate a slightly clacky sound that adds an enjoyable auditory layer to your keystrokes. On the other hand, if you prefer a smoother, quieter experience with a lighter touch, the Twilight may be more suitable for you. With its 50-gram bottom-out force and extended travel distance, it allows for rapid key presses without the audible feedback of a tactile switch, making it ideal for quick typists and gamers who prefer a linear feel. Ultimately, your choice should reflect the type of feedback and sound you find most satisfying, whether it’s the sharp, crisp tactility of the Bamboo Green or the smooth, understated nature of the Twilight.
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