Bsun Pine vs. TTC Honey
An in-depth look at the Bsun Pine and the TTC Honey switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, the BSUN Pine and TTC Honey each offer unique qualities to consider. The BSUN Pine switches stand out for their sharp tactile bump and quick bottom-out, providing users with direct and no-nonsense tactility. On the other hand, the TTC Honey switches offer a smooth and creamy typing experience, along with a deep and pleasant sound profile. While the Pine switch is categorized as accented, invigorating, sharp, snappy, the Honey switch falls into categories such as subdued, creamy, frictionless, buttery, subtle, polished. It ultimately comes down to personal preference and usage, but these general points can help guide your decision-making process. 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
45g
Actuation force
42g
Bottom-out force
65g
Bottom-out force
50g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
25.5 mm lengthened spring
Housing materials
The Bsun Pine and TTC Honey both utilize polycarbonate for their top housing, providing a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile. This material's stiffness contributes to a clear and resonant sound, making it ideal for switches intended for RGB lighting. On the other hand, the Pine features a nylon bottom housing, which creates a deeper and fuller sound when typing. The softer nature of nylon absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound compared to the Honey's polycarbonate bottom housing.
While both switches share a polycarbonate top housing, their differences lie in the choice of material for the bottom housing. The Pine's nylon bottom housing offers a unique typing experience with deeper and fuller sound profiles, contrasting with the sharper and crisper sound produced by the Honey's polycarbonate bottom housing. These differences in material contribute to varying tactile and auditory feedback when pressing down on the switches, highlighting the importance of both top and bottom housing materials in creating the overall typing experience.
In summary, the Bsun Pine and TTC Honey showcase the impact of housing materials on sound profiles and typing feel in mechanical switches. While they both feature polycarbonate for the top housing, the choice of nylon for the Pine's bottom housing results in a deeper and fuller sound compared to the crisper sound produced by the Honey's polycarbonate bottom housing. Ultimately, the combination of materials in each switch provides unique tactile and auditory feedback, emphasizing the importance of considering both top and bottom housing materials in switch design.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Bsun Pine tactile switch and the TTC Honey linear switch, it is evident that the Pine requires a slightly higher force for actuation and bottoming out compared to the Honey. The Pine has an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 65 grams, making it medium-heavy, while the Honey has an actuation force of 42 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams, which is considered light. This means that the Pine will provide a more substantial typing experience with a stronger push feel, which some users may prefer for a more tactile response. On the other hand, the Honey switch offers a lighter touch, which could be more comfortable for longer typing sessions or gaming. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for typing feel and force required for key activation.
Travel distance
The Bsun Pine tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm, while the TTC Honey linear switch has a travel distance of 3.8 mm. In this case, the Pine has a slightly shorter travel distance compared to the Honey. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, making them suitable for users who prefer faster response times. Gamers, in particular, may appreciate the shorter travel distance of the Pine for quick key presses. However, those who prefer a more substantial key press may opt for the slightly longer travel distance of the Honey. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for key feel and responsiveness.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Bsun Pine has an MSRP of $4.70 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Pine for $3.70.
The TTC Honey has an MSRP of $9.99 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Honey for $6.78.
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 BSUN Pine switch is known for its distinct and sharp sound profile due to the long pole stem and quick bottom-out. On the other hand, the TTC Honey switch offers a more subdued sound, providing a dampened and subtle typing experience. Both switches offer unique sound profiles that can be further influenced by factors such as keycaps and keyboard construction.
In terms of feel, the BSUN Pine switch offers an invigorating and sharp tactile experience with a pronounced feedback and snappy feel. It falls under the category of an accented switch, providing a medium level of tactility without being overwhelming. On the other hand, the TTC Honey switch provides a creamy and buttery typing sensation, with a frictionless and polished finish for a smooth key travel. Both switches offer distinct tactile experiences, catering to different preferences for tactility and typing feel.
In conclusion, the BSUN Pine tactile switch and the TTC Honey linear switch offer contrasting qualities in both sound and feel. While the Pine switch provides a sharp and invigorating tactile experience with a distinct sound profile, the Honey switch offers a smooth and creamy typing sensation with a subdued sound. Choosing between these switches ultimately comes down to personal preference in terms of typist experience, whether one prefers a sharp and direct tactility or a smooth and buttery keypress. Ultimately, both switches provide unique typing experiences that can enhance the overall keyboarding experience for different users.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you're looking for a mechanical keyboard switch that offers a distinct and sharp tactile bump with a medium-heavy bottom out force, the BSUN Pine switch would be a great choice for you. The Pine switch provides an invigorating and snappy typing experience with pronounced feedback, making it ideal for those who prefer a more direct and tactile feel. On the other hand, if you prefer a smoother and lighter typing experience with a lower bottom out force, the TTC Honey linear switch would be more suitable for you. The Honey switch offers a creamy and frictionless feel, creating a pleasant and fluid typing sensation. Ultimately, your choice between the Pine and Honey switches will depend on your personal preferences for tactile feedback and typing experience.
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