Gazzew Bobagum vs. TTC Gold Red
An in-depth look at the Gazzew Bobagum and the TTC Gold Red switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, two popular options to consider are the Gazzew Bobagum and the TTC Gold Red. The Bobagum switch stands out for its unique smoothness, offering a tactile sensation unlike any other. With a matte feel that falls between the glide of ice-skating and the texture of unlubed switches, typing on the Bobagum switches is a truly unparalleled experience. Additionally, these bubblegum-colored switches provide a nearly silent sound profile, making them ideal for those who prefer a quieter typing experience. On the other hand, the Gold Red linear switches offer a buttery smooth typing experience with a light-medium level of resistance. These switches have a snappy sound profile, adding a touch of personality to your keyboard without being too ostentatious. Categorized as 'Thocky', 'Low-pitched', 'Neutral', 'Mild', 'Silky', 'Subtle', and 'Polished', the Gold Red switches strike a balance between elegance and functionality. However, let's delve deeper beyond these generalities to help you make the best choice for your specific needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
N/A
Actuation force
43g
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
50g
Pre-travel
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Proprietary Gazzew blend
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Proprietary Gazzew blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel 14.5mm Korean spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Gazzew Bobagum and the TTC Gold Red switches have distinct characteristics that contribute to their unique sound profiles. The Bobagum utilizes a proprietary Gazzew blend top and bottom housing, commonly known as "boba plastic," resulting in a rich and deep sound. This soft plastic creates a smooth and gentle bottom-out sound, providing a satisfying typing experience. In contrast, the Gold Red switch features a polycarbonate top housing, which produces a sharper and crisper sound. This stiffer plastic leads to a more clear and resonant sound profile, creating a distinct auditory feedback.
While the materials used in the top housing of both switches differ, they still yield similar results in terms of sound profile. The Bobagum's Gazzew blend top housing delivers a rich and deep sound, while the Gold Red's polycarbonate top housing creates a sharper and higher-pitched sound. Both contribute to an enjoyable typing experience, with the choice depending on personal preferences. Additionally, if one plans to use RGB lighting, the translucent properties of the polycarbonate top housing in the Gold Red switch can enhance the visual aesthetics.
In terms of the bottom housing materials, the Bobagum utilizes its proprietary Gazzew blend, while the Gold Red incorporates nylon. The Gazzew blend bottom housing of the Bobagum contributes to the switch's rich and deep sound profile, thanks to the softness of the plastic. On the other hand, the nylon bottom housing in the Gold Red switch elicits a deeper and fuller sound, as it absorbs more sound due to its softer nature. These differences in bottom housing materials create varying sound profiles, allowing users to choose the switch that best suits their sound preferences.
When pressing down on either switch, the bottom housing's qualities have a significant impact on the bottom-out sound and feel. The choice between the Bobagum's Gazzew blend bottom housing and the Gold Red's nylon bottom housing will determine the overall feel of the switch when typing. Conversely, the top housing's material will influence the sound when releasing a key, contributing to the overall auditory experience. Ultimately, the choice between the Gazzew Bobagum and the TTC Gold Red housing materials depends on an individual's preference for sound and tactile feedback while typing.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gazzew Bobagum linear switch and the TTC Gold Red linear switch, there are notable differences between the two. The Bobagum has a slightly higher actuation force of 46 grams compared to the Gold Red's 43 grams, both of which are considered medium-light. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Bobagum requires a heavier 62 grams of force compared to the Gold Red's lighter 50 grams.
For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Gold Red would be a suitable choice. With its lower actuation and bottom out forces, it provides a smoother and more effortless keystroke, allowing for longer typing sessions without fatigue. On the other hand, the Bobagum offers a slightly heavier typing experience. This increased actuation and bottom out force provides a more substantial push feel, making it ideal for users who enjoy a bit more resistance and tactile feedback during typing.
Considering weight as a factor, those who prefer a lighter switch might find the Gold Red more comfortable for prolonged use, such as in a work setting or during extensive gaming sessions. However, for users who appreciate a stronger and more pronounced key feel, the Bobagum would be a better choice.
In conclusion, while both switches fall under the linear category, the Bobagum offers a slightly heavier typing experience with its higher actuation and bottom out forces, while the Gold Red provides a lighter and smoother keystroke. The choice between the two ultimately depends on individual preference and the desired typing feel for the specific application.
Travel distance
The Gazzew Bobagum linear switch and the TTC Gold Red linear switch have a noticeable difference in their travel distances. The Bobagum has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, which is shorter compared to the Gold Red's travel distance of 4 mm. The Bobagum's 3.6 mm travel distance falls on the shorter end of the spectrum, making it a popular choice among gamers who prioritize faster response times. On the other hand, the Gold Red's slightly longer travel distance of 4 mm offers a deeper depth that some individuals may prefer for a more substantial key press experience. While the Bobagum offers a shorter travel distance for greater responsiveness, the Gold Red provides a longer distance for those who desire a more profound feel when pressing down on a key. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on personal preference and the specific needs of the user.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The TTC Gold Red has an MSRP of $5.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Gold Red for $3.28.
The Gazzew Bobagum comes in at $6.50 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 comparing the sound of the Gazzew Bobagum linear switch and the TTC Gold Red linear switch, there are noticeable differences. The Bobagum switches are best known for their nearly silent sound profile. They produce a muted sound, which means they have a softer and quieter sound compared to regular switches. This makes them ideal for environments where noise reduction is important, such as shared spaces. On the other hand, the Gold Red switches offer a snappy sound profile that adds a modest touch of personality to your keyboard. The sound produced is described as thocky, meaning it is deep, rich, and satisfying when pressed. Additionally, the Gold Red switches have a low-pitched sound, which gives them a more bass-heavy and mellow tone compared to higher-pitched switches. Overall, the Bobagum switches provide a nearly silent experience, while the Gold Red switches offer a more pronounced and satisfying sound.
In terms of feel, both the Bobagum and the Gold Red switches share some similarities. The Bobagum switches redefine smoothness with their unique 'matte' feel. While they are not as polished as ice-skating, they offer an unparalleled tactility that sets them apart. They provide a subtle typing experience with gentle resistance, allowing for a light and smooth typing feel. The sound signature of the Bobagum switches is also not resonant, making them suitable for shared spaces. On the other hand, the Gold Red switches offer a mild typing experience that is approachable and suitable for most users. They have a gentle typing feel and offer an exceptionally smooth typing experience due to their silky characteristics. The Gold Red switches have a subtle resistance and a polished finish, resulting in reduced friction and smooth key travel. Thus, both switches provide a smooth and refined typing experience, but the Bobagum switches have a unique tactility while the Gold Red switches have a silky smoothness.
Based on the available information, the Gazzew Bobagum linear switch and the TTC Gold Red linear switch have distinct subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Bobagum switches are best known for their muted sound profile and unparalleled tactility, offering a nearly silent and 'matte' typing experience. On the other hand, the Gold Red switches have a snappy and thocky sound profile, adding a touch of personality to your keyboard, with a silky smooth typing experience and a polished finish. Both switches provide a smooth and refined typing experience, with the Bobagum switches offering a unique tactility and the Gold Red switches providing a more approachable and mild feel. It is important to note that the sound and feel of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the choice of keyboard board and keycaps.
Conclusion
In summary, if you're looking for a switch that offers unparalleled tactility and a nearly silent sound profile, the Gazzew Bobagum linear switch would be the ideal choice for you. These switches redefine smoothness and have a unique 'matte' feel, providing a typing experience that is smooth and satisfying. With a medium bottom out force of 62 grams, the Bobagum switch offers a moderate level of resistance that would suit most typists.
On the other hand, if you prefer a buttery smooth typing experience with a lighter level of resistance, the TTC Gold Red linear switch would be a great option. These switches have a bottom out force of 50 grams, making them lighter compared to the Bobagum switch. The Gold Red switches offer a snappy sound profile without being too ostentatious, adding a modest touch of personality to your keyboard.
When it comes to sound, the Bobagum switch produces a muted sound, minimizing the noise typically associated with mechanical keyboards. On the other hand, the Gold Red switch is described as thocky, with a deep and satisfying sound when pressed. It has a more bass-heavy and mellow tone compared to higher-pitched switches. Additionally, the Gold Red switch is considered neutral, which means it has a moderate actuation force requirement and a moderate sound profile, suitable for most intents and purposes.
In terms of feel, the Bobagum switch is described as subtle, offering a gentle resistance and a light typing feel. The sound signature is also not resonant, making it suitable for shared spaces. The Gold Red switch, on the other hand, is described as mild and silky, providing a more gentle typing experience with an exceptionally smooth feel. It falls in a safe middle-ground zone with its qualities, appealing to most typists.
Ultimately, the choice between the Gazzew Bobagum linear switch and the TTC Gold Red linear switch depends on your preferences for tactility, sound, and feel. Consider whether you prioritize unparalleled smoothness and a nearly silent sound profile with medium resistance, or a buttery smooth typing experience with a lighter level of resistance and a snappy sound. Take into account the descriptors and descriptions provided for each switch to make an informed decision that suits your typing style and preferences.
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