HMX Blue Topaz vs. Gateron Mountain Top
An in-depth look at the HMX Blue Topaz and the Gateron Mountain Top switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the HMX Blue Topaz and Gateron Mountain Top both offer unique features catering to different preferences. The Blue Topaz provides a smooth actuation and lightweight feel, coupled with a distinctive glittery housing that delivers a visually and audibly pleasing typing experience. On the other hand, the Gateron Mountain Top switch is designed for office environments, offering a quiet yet satisfying typing experience suitable for professional settings. While the Blue Topaz is categorized as 'Easy-to-press' and 'Clacky', the Mountain Top switch is described as 'Bouncy', 'Easy-to-press', 'Mild', 'Neutral', 'Snappy', and 'Subtle'. 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
40g
Actuation force
40g
Bottom-out force
48g
Bottom-out force
50g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.40 mm
Total travel
3.90 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
Ly
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm single-stage spring
Spring
22mm double-stage spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the HMX Blue Topaz and the Gateron Mountain Top switches offer different sonic characteristics due to their composition. The Blue Topaz utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, which produces a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. The stiffness of polycarbonate plastic enhances the clarity and resonance of the sound, making it ideal for switches with RGB lighting. In contrast, the Mountain Top features a nylon top housing that generates a deeper and fuller sound profile. The softness of nylon absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound compared to polycarbonate.
When it comes to the bottom housing, both the Blue Topaz and the Gateron Mountain Top switches employ nylon as their material of choice. This shared feature means that typing on these switches will elicit a uniform deep and full sound profile. The softness of nylon in the bottom housing allows for sound absorption, creating a more muted and rounded typing experience overall. Despite the different top housing materials, the use of nylon in the bottom housing ensures a consistent sound and feel across both switches.
Overall, the housing materials of the HMX Blue Topaz and the Gateron Mountain Top switches play a significant role in shaping their sound profiles. While the Blue Topaz's polycarbonate top housing offers a sharp and clear sound, the Mountain Top's nylon top housing provides a deeper and fuller sound experience. However, both switches share a nylon bottom housing, resulting in a similar typing experience in terms of sound and feel. Whether you prefer a crisper sound profile with the Blue Topaz or a more rounded sound with the Mountain Top, the housing materials of these switches contribute to their distinct sonic characteristics.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the HMX Blue Topaz linear switch and the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch, both switches have an actuation force of 40 grams, providing a consistent typing experience in terms of initial keypress. However, the Blue Topaz has a lighter bottom out force of 48 grams compared to the Mountain Top's 50 grams, making it slightly easier on the fingers when pressing all the way down. Those who prefer a lighter typing experience may find the Blue Topaz more suitable for longer typing sessions or gaming sessions. On the other hand, the Mountain Top offers a slightly heavier bottom out force for those who enjoy a more substantial and tactile typing feel. In either case, both switches provide a balanced combination of actuation and bottom out forces, catering to individuals with different preferences in typing experiences.
Travel distance
The HMX Blue Topaz linear switch has a travel distance of 3.9 mm, while the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm. The Blue Topaz switch has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Mountain Top switch. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, with the Blue Topaz being slightly longer. Gamers may prefer the Blue Topaz for its slightly longer travel distance, as it can provide a more substantial feel when pressing down on the keys. On the other hand, those who prefer a faster response time may opt for the Gateron Mountain Top switch with its slightly shorter travel distance. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for travel distance and key press feel.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The HMX Blue Topaz has an MSRP of $4.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Blue Topaz for $3.49.
The Gateron Mountain Top comes in at $6.00 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 HMX Blue Topaz linear switch offers a clacky sound that is sharp and snappy, providing a crisp and bright auditory experience with each key press. In contrast, the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch has a more neutral sound profile, with a moderate level of sound that is suitable for both beginners and advanced users in various settings. The choice of keyboard, keycaps, and environment will also play a role in the overall sound produced by each switch.
In terms of feel, the Blue Topaz linear switch is known for its easy-to-press nature, requiring minimal force to activate with a gentle resistance that reduces finger fatigue during extended typing sessions. On the other hand, the Gateron Mountain Top switch offers a bouncy and spring-like feel, providing a lively sensation with a rebound effect when pressed. Additionally, the Mountain Top switch is described as easy-to-press, mild, snappy, and subtle, offering a gentle typing experience suitable for a wide range of users and environments.
Overall, the HMX Blue Topaz linear switch excels in providing a clacky sound signature and an easy-to-press feel, making it ideal for users who prefer a lightweight and smooth typing experience with an added visual flair. In comparison, the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch offers a more neutral sound profile and a bouncy feel, catering to those who require a quiet yet tactile typing experience in professional settings. Depending on individual preferences and requirements, both switches can provide a satisfying typing experience, although users can expect different nuances in sound and feel when choosing between the Blue Topaz and Mountain Top switches.
Conclusion
To wrap up, when you're deciding between the HMX Blue Topaz linear switch and the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch, consider your needs and preferences. If you prioritize a smooth actuation and light feel with a clacky sound signature, the Blue Topaz might be the right choice for you, especially if you enjoy a keyboard that stands out visually. On the other hand, if you value a quiet yet satisfying typing experience designed for office use, the Gateron Mountain Top switch offers a balance of subtlety and comfort. Ultimately, your decision should be based on whether you prefer the easy-to-press and distinctive qualities of the Blue Topaz or the bouncy and subtle characteristics of the Mountain Top.
Mentioned in this article
