Bsun Chiikawa - 45g vs. Haimu Viola Tricolor
An in-depth look at the Bsun Chiikawa - 45g and the Haimu Viola Tricolor switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When exploring the world of mechanical keyboard switches, enthusiasts often find themselves choosing between different types based on their personal typing preferences and styles. The Bsun Chiikawa - 45g switch is a standout linear option that emphasizes a light actuation force and delivers a bright, high-pitched sound profile, making it particularly appealing for those who prioritize speed and responsiveness in their typing experience. On the other hand, the Haimu Viola Tricolor offers a tactile experience characterized by its thuddy and punchy sound, providing satisfying feedback with pronounced tactility, without being overwhelming. This makes the Viola Tricolor an excellent choice for users who enjoy a more textured typing sensation and a richer auditory experience. While both switches present unique advantages—speed and acoustics for the Chiikawa and tactile feedback and character for the Viola—let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the ideal switch for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
51g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Pre-travel
N/A
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
Y3X
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm single-stage spring
Spring
Dual-staged gold-plated spring
Housing materials
The Bsun Chiikawa - 45g and the Haimu Viola Tricolor both feature polycarbonate top housings, which significantly influence their acoustic characteristics. As stated, polycarbonate is a stiffer plastic that results in a sharper and crisper sound profile. This material's notable translucency allows for enhanced aesthetics, particularly when RGB lighting is utilized, creating visually striking effects. Both switches utilize this material to achieve similar acoustic clarity, which ensures that when pressed, they resonate in a high-pitched and clear manner. This shared property indicates that users can expect a consistent audio performance from both models, particularly in applications that prioritize sound clarity.
In contrast to their similar top housings, the bottom housing materials distinguish the Chiikawa - 45g and the Viola Tricolor. Both switches employ nylon for the bottom housing; however, the impact of this choice is profound. Nylon's softer properties enable it to absorb sound more effectively than firmer plastics, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile that is inherently more muted. This characteristic enriches the typing experience, ensuring that users will feel the softer, rounder tones during key presses. Since both switches utilize nylon for their bases, they are expected to deliver a similar tactile sensation and audio depth, despite differences that may arise from other switch components.
When considering the overall sound profile and performance of these two switches, the combination of materials used contributes to their unique traits. The polycarbonate tops amplify the high-frequencies, while the nylon bottoms moderate the sound to create a balanced auditory experience. For users looking for both clarity and depth, the Chiikawa - 45g and Haimu Viola Tricolor offer a harmonious blend of properties that can satisfy varying preferences. Ultimately, the materials' complementary effects yield similar auditory outcomes, ensuring that both switches deliver a compelling performance while catering to different acoustic tastes.
Weight
When comparing the Bsun Chiikawa - 45g linear switch and the Haimu Viola Tricolor tactile switch, there is a distinct difference in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Chiikawa features a relatively light actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 51 grams, making it a suitable option for those who prefer a gentler touch for long typing sessions or gaming. In contrast, the Viola Tricolor lacks a specified actuation force but has a bottom out force of 63.5 grams, indicating a medium-heavy feel. This heavier bottom out force suggests a more substantial typing experience that might appeal to users who enjoy a firmer push. Therefore, the Chiikawa is the lighter option overall, which can lead to less finger fatigue during extended use, while the Viola Tricolor is on the heavier side, providing a more tactile feedback suitable for those who prefer stronger resistance in their switches.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Bsun Chiikawa - 45g linear switch and the Haimu Viola Tricolor tactile switch, we find that they differ slightly, with the Chiikawa measuring 3.6 mm and the Viola Tricolor at 3.8 mm. This makes the Chiikawa switch the shorter option, offering a more responsive feel that many gamers might appreciate. In contrast, the Viola Tricolor provides a longer travel distance, which may appeal to users who prefer a more substantial keystroke experience. While both switches can deliver satisfying feedback during use, those opting for the shorter Chiikawa will benefit from quicker actuation times, whereas the Viola Tricolor's longer distance might feel more comfortable for users who favor a deeper keystroke.
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 Haimu Viola Tricolor has an MSRP of $6.60 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Viola Tricolor for $3.09.
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
The sound profile of the Chiikawa - 45g linear switch is characterized by its bright and crisp high-pitched tone, making it particularly resonant and lively during typing. This quality contributes to a lighter and more responsive feel, making every keystroke feel effortless and engaging. In contrast, the Haimu Viola Tricolor tactile switch delivers a distinctly thuddy and punchy sound, allowing for a deeper auditory experience with lower frequency tones. This bassier sound imparts a satisfying richness that contrasts with the more ringing quality of the Chiikawa switch, providing solid auditory feedback that complements its tactile feedback.
In terms of feel, the Chiikawa - 45g offers an exceptionally light and smooth typing experience, which supports fast typing without any substantial resistance. This linear switch lacks tactile bumps, appealing to those who prefer a seamless glide, enhancing speed and fluidity. On the other hand, the Viola Tricolor's feel is defined by its medium tactile response and invigorating actuation force. It strikes a balance between providing noticeable feedback with an accented feel and a snappy reaction to keystrokes, which offers a more engaging typing experience for those who enjoy a pronounced tactile sensation that is neither overpowering nor too subtle.
In conclusion, the Chiikawa - 45g linear switch is suited for users who prefer a light, bright, and responsive typing experience that emphasizes speed and fluidity, while the Haimu Viola Tricolor tactile switch shines with its rich, thuddy sound and invigorating tactile feedback that makes each keystroke feel more pronounced and satisfying. Both switches cater to different preferences in typing style, whether you seek the swift and airy qualities of a linear switch or the engaging tactile richness of a tactile switch. Your choice will ultimately shape your overall typing experience, allowing you to either enjoy the ease of fluid typing or the character-filled feedback of a tactile interaction.
Conclusion
To conclude, your choice between the Bsun Chiikawa - 45g linear switch and the Haimu Viola Tricolor tactile switch ultimately hinges on your personal typing preferences and the environment in which you plan to use them. If you enjoy a light, responsive key feel coupled with a bright, crisp acoustic profile, the Chiikawa - 45g is likely your best bet. Its medium-light actuation force of 45g makes it ideal for fast-paced typing or gaming situations where speed and fluidity are paramount. In contrast, if you appreciate a more pronounced tactile response and a sound profile that is rich and deep, the Viola Tricolor is the way to go. With a heavier bottom out force and satisfying thuddy feedback, it provides a more immersive typing experience that many find comforting, especially for extended typing sessions or when crafting longer texts. Ultimately, your choice should reflect what feels best under your fingers and aligns with your typing style, whether you prefer breezy, effortless keystrokes or a more solid, tactile encounter that engages your senses.
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