Bsun Chiikawa - 28g vs. Gateron Mars
An in-depth look at the Bsun Chiikawa - 28g and the Gateron Mars switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing mechanical keyboard switches, the Bsun Chiikawa - 28g and the Gateron Mars stand out as intriguing choices for enthusiasts seeking linear switches. The Chiikawa - 28g is celebrated for its remarkably light actuation force and bright sound profile, providing a highly responsive typing experience enriched by a crisp, high-pitched sound that can enhance the joy of each keystroke. On the other hand, the Gateron Mars offers a distinctive innovation with its unique POK stem and a housing crafted from a blend of Nylon and POM, which not only contributes to durability but may also impart a smoother, more controlled feel during typing. Both switches cater to different preferences: the Chiikawa is perfect for those who prioritize a tactile auditory feedback with minimal effort, while the Mars could appeal to users looking for a refined and long-lasting switch. However, let’s dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the ideal switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
28g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
34g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Pre-travel
1.20 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
Y3X
Stem material
POK
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm single-stage spring
Spring
22mm double-staged spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Bsun Chiikawa - 28g and the Gateron Mars switches exhibit distinct qualities that contribute to their overall sound profiles. The Chiikawa - 28g features a polycarbonate top housing, known for its stiffness and translucency, resulting in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound when typing. This material's clarity makes it particularly suitable for RGB lighting applications, enhancing the aesthetic appeal through its light transmission. In contrast, the Gateron Mars uses a nylon top housing, a classic choice in switch design that lends to a deeper, fuller sound profile. The softness of nylon allows for sound absorption, producing a more muted and rounded auditory experience. While both switches aim to provide satisfying acoustic feedback, the characteristics of polycarbonate and nylon lead to fundamentally different experiences in sound quality and typing feedback.
When examining the bottom housing materials, both switches shift in their acoustic and tactile performance. The Chiikawa - 28g sports a nylon bottom housing, which mirrors the characteristics of its top material in terms of sound profile. This consistency allows for a cohesive typing experience, as the soft nylon effectively contributes to the overall duller and rounder sound. Meanwhile, the Gateron Mars features a POM bottom housing, known for producing a muted but unique sound profile. POM’s properties can create a distinct acoustic experience compared to nylon, leading to a typing feel that is somewhat different, even if it may also elicit a deeper sound. This variation between the two bottom housings signifies that the switches will perform differently overall, despite sharing similar sound-dampening qualities.
In conclusion, while the Bsun Chiikawa - 28g and Gateron Mars switches utilize different materials for their top and bottom housings, the differences play a crucial role in how each switch performs. The Chiikawa’s combination of polycarbonate and nylon offers a refined and cohesive sound experience through the types of resonances each material contributes. Conversely, the Mars presents a more complex blend of nylon and POM, leading to a unique acoustic profile. Thus, even when materials differ in housing construction, the result can still be satisfying typing experiences; users may find enjoyable qualities in either switch based on their preference for sound clarity or depth.
Weight
When comparing the Bsun Chiikawa - 28g linear switch to the Gateron Mars linear switch, there are notable differences in their actuation forces. The Chiikawa has a relatively light actuation force of 28 grams and a bottom out force of 34 grams, making it ideal for users who prefer a lighter touch, which can facilitate longer typing sessions or extended gaming without fatigue. In contrast, the Gateron Mars switch features a significantly heavier actuation force of 45 grams, suggesting a more substantial push feel that caters to those who enjoy a stronger typing experience. However, the bottom out force for the Mars switch is unknown, so we cannot directly compare this aspect with the Chiikawa's 34 grams. Overall, the Chiikawa switch is the lighter option, while the Mars provides a heftier feel, appealing to different user preferences.
Travel distance
Both the Bsun Chiikawa - 28g linear switch and the Gateron Mars linear switch feature an identical travel distance of 3.6 mm. This similarity means that users will experience the same key press depth when using either switch, resulting in comparable tactile feedback and actuation. As a result, both switches can provide similar performance for typing and gaming, appealing to those who prioritize consistent key travel in their mechanical keyboards.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Bsun Chiikawa - 28g has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Chiikawa - 28g for $3.29.
The Gateron Mars has an MSRP of $6.10 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Mars for $5.50.
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 Chiikawa - 28g linear switch is known for its bright sound profile, offering a crisp and high-pitched sound that is particularly pleasing to the ears. This trait enhances the auditory experience while typing and can provide a delightful feedback that many users appreciate. On the other hand, the sound characteristics of the Gateron Mars switch are not specifically detailed, but the unique design, which includes a POK stem and a blend of Nylon and POM housing, may contribute to a sound profile that is distinct yet potentially less sharp than the Chiikawa. Overall, both switches may produce varying sounds influenced by the keyboard's construction and the type of keycaps used, leading to potentially differing auditory experiences.
In terms of feel, the Chiikawa - 28g switch is recognized for its very light actuation force, making it highly responsive and easy to press. This lightness can lend itself well to rapid typing and gaming, allowing for a fast and nimble feel under the fingers. However, the feel of the Gateron Mars switch is not provided in the information available. Depending on its design and the materials used, it may offer a different tactile sensation, though without specific descriptions, it’s challenging to compare directly.
In conclusion, while the Bsun Chiikawa - 28g switch stands out for its bright auditory profile and exceptionally light actuation force, the Gateron Mars switch's unique design introduces an element of mystery regarding its sound and feel. Users seeking a sharp and responsive feel will likely find the Chiikawa appealing, while those intrigued by innovative designs may want to explore the characteristics of the Mars further. Ultimately, both switches could provide enjoyable typing experiences, though they cater to different preferences and potentially varying sound and tactile qualities.
Conclusion
To conclude, when choosing between the Bsun Chiikawa - 28g linear switch and the Gateron Mars linear switch, your preferences and typing style will play a critical role in your decision. If you favor a lighter actuation force and enjoy a responsive, crisp typing experience, the Chiikawa - 28g is certainly the way to go. Its bright sound profile, along with the 34g bottom-out force, provides an engaging tactile feedback that many users find delightful, particularly for fast-paced typing or gaming. On the other hand, if you are looking for a unique design and potentially a more robust feel, the Gateron Mars could be the better choice. Although its bottom-out force is unspecified, Gateron switches are known for their balanced performance, and the combination of POK stem with a Nylon and POM housing might deliver a smoother typing experience. Ultimately, consider what aspects of a switch—such as sound, feel, and actuation force—are most important to you in order to make the right choice for your mechanical keyboard setup.
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