Bsun Chiikawa - 45g vs. Bsun Jade Rosales
An in-depth look at the Bsun Chiikawa - 45g and the Bsun Jade Rosales switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing the perfect mechanical keyboard switch, the Bsun Chiikawa - 45g and the Bsun Jade Rosales stand out as unique options, both categorized as linear switches but offering distinct characteristics for users. The Chiikawa - 45g is celebrated for its light actuation force and bright sound profile, delivering a crisp, high-pitched auditory feedback that can invigorate the typing experience. This switch is ideal for those who prioritize responsiveness and enjoy a more energetic sound while typing. On the other hand, the Bsun Jade Rosales has undergone meticulous refinement, featuring custom housings, stems, and lubrication techniques that create an exceptionally smooth typing experience. This makes it a perfect choice for users seeking a more velvety touch with every keystroke, prioritizing a quieter and more satisfying sound profile. While both switches cater to different preferences, understanding their nuances is crucial in helping you select the best switch for your typing style. 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
45g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
51g
Bottom-out force
53g
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
Y3X
Stem material
Y3X
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Custom Milky Material
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm single-stage spring
Spring
20.5mm single-stage nickel-plated spring
Housing materials
The top housing of both the Bsun Chiikawa - 45g and the Bsun Jade Rosales is made from polycarbonate, which ensures that both switches provide a similar auditory experience. Polycarbonate’s stiffer plastic composition allows for a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile, resulting in clearly defined audio feedback. Additionally, both switches benefit from the translucency of polycarbonate, making them particularly advantageous for setups that incorporate RGB lighting. The reflectiveness of polycarbonate catches and amplifies the LED light, creating an enhanced visual experience that is consistent across both models. Therefore, while the feel and sound characteristics may vary slightly due to the bottom housing, the brightness and sharpness associated with the top part remains a commonality.
However, the bottom housing reveals a distinct contrast between the two models. The Bsun Chiikawa - 45g is crafted from traditional nylon, known for its ability to absorb sound more effectively due to its relative softness. This results in a deeper and fuller sound profile when typing, giving a rounder auditory feedback that appeals to users who enjoy a more subdued keystroke sound. In contrast, the Bsun Jade Rosales features a proprietary Custom Milky Material for its bottom housing. While the specific characteristics of this material remain somewhat opaque, the difference from nylon suggests that it might deliver a different auditory experience, potentially leaning towards a blend of stability and acoustic properties that could either soften or enhance the switch's overall feel.
In conclusion, while both switches share an identical polycarbonate top housing that contributes to a bright and responsive sound profile, their bottom housings introduce different auditory nuances. The nylon in the Chiikawa - 45g promotes a notably softer and deeper sound experience, while the unique properties of the Jade Rosales’s Custom Milky Material could present users with an entirely distinct feel and response. Nevertheless, regardless of their differences, both switches will likely retain similar overall performance, thanks to the shared qualities of their top housing, promising clarity and visual aesthetics across the board. This makes either option appealing depending on the user’s sound preference, allowing for a tailored keystroke experience that suits varied typing styles and preferences.
Weight
When comparing the Bsun Chiikawa - 45g linear switch and the Bsun Jade Rosales linear switch, both feature the same actuation force of 45 grams, allowing for a light typing experience that benefits users who type for extended periods or engage in long gaming sessions. However, the bottom out force distinguishes the two, with the Chiikawa at 51 grams and the Jade Rosales at 53 grams, making the latter feel slightly heavier when fully pressed down. Therefore, the Chiikawa - 45g is the lighter option, while the Jade Rosales offers a marginally heavier feel, ideal for those who prefer a more substantial typing experience. Overall, users looking for a cohesive typing experience with consistent actuation force will find both switches similar in that regard, but the Jade Rosales may provide a touch more resistance upon bottoming out.
Travel distance
The Bsun Chiikawa - 45g linear switch and the Bsun Jade Rosales linear switch exhibit slight differences in their travel distances, with the Chiikawa measuring 3.6 mm and the Jade Rosales at 3.5 mm. This means that the Chiikawa has a longer travel distance, providing a more pronounced depth during use, which some users may find preferable for a more tactile experience. In contrast, the Jade Rosales offers a shorter travel distance, catering to those who appreciate quicker response times and a more immediate feel when pressing keys, making it potentially better suited for gaming. If you're aiming for a more responsive switch, the Jade Rosales would be the go-to option, while the Chiikawa may satisfy those who enjoy a deeper key press.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Bsun Chiikawa - 45g 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 - 45g for $3.29.
The Bsun Jade Rosales has an MSRP of $5.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Jade Rosales for $5.39.
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 - 45g linear switch stands out with its bright, high-pitched profile that delivers a crisp auditory feedback with each keystroke. This makes for an engaging typing experience, as the sound can feel lively and responsive, contributing to the overall enjoyment of typing. On the other hand, the Bsun Jade Rosales has been engineered with meticulous attention to custom housings and lubrication techniques, resulting in a sound profile that is likely smooth and refined, though the exact tonality is not specified. It's important to note that both switches’ audible qualities can vary significantly based on the keyboard they are used with as well as the keycap material chosen.
In terms of feel, the Chiikawa - 45g is known for its very light actuation force, which means that it requires minimal effort to register a keystroke. This can contribute to a faster typing experience, particularly for those who prefer a more effortless approach. The Jade Rosales, in contrast, prides itself on delivering an exceptionally smooth typing experience, indicating a well-engineered switch that minimizes friction and provides a luxurious sensation when pressing down on the keys. While the exact actuation force of the Jade Rosales is not detailed, the overall smoothness suggests a premium feel that could appeal to enthusiasts seeking tactile satisfaction.
In conclusion, both the Bsun Chiikawa - 45g and the Bsun Jade Rosales linear switches offer distinct advantages that cater to different preferences. The Chiikawa's bright sound and light feel make it a great choice for those who appreciate a lively typing experience, while the Jade Rosales is designed for users who prioritize smoothness and a refined feel. Depending on your individual typing style and sound preferences, either switch could deliver a satisfying performance, but if key auditory feedback and light actuation are paramount, the Chiikawa might have the edge, whereas the Jade Rosales excels in the smoothness department.
Conclusion
To conclude, the choice between the Bsun Chiikawa - 45g and the Bsun Jade Rosales linear switches ultimately comes down to your specific preferences in typing feel and sound profile. If you appreciate a light actuation force coupled with a bright, crisp sound, the Chiikawa - 45g may be the better fit for you. Its responsiveness and medium-light bottom-out force of 51 grams make it an excellent option for fast typists or those who enjoy a more lively auditory feedback when they type. On the other hand, if you prioritize a smoother operation and refined typing experience, the Jade Rosales would be your go-to. With its slightly heavier bottom-out force of 53 grams and meticulous craftsmanship, this switch offers a more consistent feel and a quieter sound, making it ideal for longer typing sessions or for use in quieter environments. Ultimately, your choice will depend on whether you value an engaging, bright sound and tactile feedback or a silky smooth typing experience.
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