TTC Bluish White vs. Gateron Mountain Top
An in-depth look at the TTC Bluish White and the Gateron Mountain Top switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the TTC Bluish White and Gateron Mountain Top offer unique advantages based on their design and functionality. The Bluish White is a tactile switch that provides a satisfyingly poppy typing experience with a snappy sound profile. It is characterized by its 'buttery', 'mild', 'stepped', 'subtle', 'polished', and 'low-pitched' attributes, making it ideal for those who enjoy a tactile feedback while typing. On the other hand, the Gateron Mountain Top is a linear switch designed for office environments, offering a quiet yet not entirely silent typing experience. It features a 'bouncy', 'easy-to-press', 'mild', 'neutral', 'snappy', and 'subtle' profile, emphasizing discretion and comfort for professional settings. Each switch serves a specific purpose and caters to different preferences and needs. 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
42g
Actuation force
40g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
50g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.40 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
22mm double-stage spring
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the TTC Bluish White and the Gateron Mountain Top, it is evident that they both utilize different materials for their top housing. The Bluish White's polycarbonate top housing offers a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to its stiffness, while the Mountain Top's nylon top housing creates a deeper and fuller sound profile thanks to its softness. This contrast in materials results in a distinct typing experience for users of each switch, with the polycarbonate housing providing a more resonant sound and the nylon housing offering a more absorbent and rounded sound.
On the other hand, both the Bluish White and the Gateron Mountain Top use nylon for their bottom housing, emphasizing a deeper and fuller sound profile while absorbing more sound compared to harder plastics. This similarity in bottom housing material may lead to comparable typing experiences for users of both switches, as the nylon material in the bottom housing plays a significant role in the bottom-out sound and feel of the switches. Despite the differences in their top housing materials, the shared use of nylon for the bottom housing may result in similar typing experiences in terms of sound and tactile feedback.
Overall, the choice of housing materials in the TTC Bluish White and the Gateron Mountain Top contributes significantly to the overall typing experience for users. While the Bluish White's polycarbonate top housing offers a more clear and resonant sound profile, the Mountain Top's nylon top housing provides a deeper and fuller sound. Additionally, the shared use of nylon for the bottom housing in both switches leads to a consistent emphasis on a deeper and fuller sound profile, showcasing the importance of housing materials in determining the sound and feel of mechanical switches.
Weight
In comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the TTC Bluish White tactile switch and the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch, both switches have a similar bottom out force of 50 grams. However, the Bluish White has a slightly lighter actuation force of 42 grams compared to the Mountain Top's 40 grams. This means that the Mountain Top may provide a slightly more responsive typing experience with a lighter initial push required to trigger a keystroke. In terms of weight preference, those who prefer a lighter touch may lean towards the Bluish White for longer typing or gaming sessions, while those who prefer a bit more resistance may find the Mountain Top to be the better option for a more substantial typing feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will come down to personal preference for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The TTC Bluish White tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm. In this case, the Bluish White has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Mountain Top. Both switches offer relatively shorter travel distances, making them suitable choices for those looking for a quicker response time, such as gamers. However, the slight difference in travel distance may impact the feel of the switch when pressed. The Bluish White may provide a slightly deeper press compared to the Mountain Top. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for travel distance and sensitivity.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The TTC Bluish White has an MSRP of $6.60 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Bluish White for $4.63.
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
In terms of sound, the TTC Bluish White tactile switch offers a low-pitched, bass-heavy and mellow tone, providing a satisfyingly poppy typing experience. On the other hand, the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch gives a neutral sound profile with a moderate actuation force requirement, catering specifically to office environments where discretion is key. The choice between the two switches will depend on whether you prefer a more pronounced sound like the Bluish White or a more subdued sound like the Mountain Top.
When it comes to feel, the Bluish White switch is described as buttery, mild, stepped, subtle, and polished, offering a smooth, gentle, and polished typing experience. On the other hand, the Gateron Mountain Top switch is characterized as bouncy, easy-to-press, mild, snappy, and subtle, providing a spring-like, low-impact typing feel that is great for reducing finger fatigue during long typing sessions. Whether you prefer a more seamless and uniform typing sensation like the Bluish White or a more responsive and lively typing experience like the Mountain Top will determine your preference.
Overall, the TTC Bluish White tactile switch and the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch offer distinct sound profiles and typing feels to cater to different preferences. If you enjoy a low-pitched and buttery typing experience, the Bluish White switch is the way to go. On the other hand, if you prefer a neutral and easy-to-press typing feel with a quiet sound profile, the Mountain Top switch is more suitable. Both switches provide unique qualities that can enhance your typing experience, so choosing between them ultimately depends on your personal preferences for sound and feel.
Conclusion
In closing, when choosing between the TTC Bluish White tactile switch and the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch, consider your typing preferences and environment. If you enjoy a satisfyingly poppy and snappy typing experience with a low-pitched sound profile, the Bluish White may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you require a quiet yet bouncy and easy-to-press typing feel for professional settings, the Gateron Mountain Top switch may be more suitable. Ultimately, both switches offer unique characteristics to enhance your typing experience, so choose based on what aligns best with your personal preferences and needs.
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