Bsun Cliff vs. HMX Vintage Citrus
An in-depth look at the Bsun Cliff and the HMX Vintage Citrus switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing the right mechanical keyboard switch, the decision often comes down to personal preference, especially between tactile and linear switches. The Bsun Cliff embodies the tactile category with its medium tactility and crisp sound signature, delivering a satisfying feedback that many typists and gamers appreciate for precise keystrokes. On the other hand, the HMX Vintage Citrus, a linear switch, is designed with gamers in mind, featuring an exceptionally low actuation force of just 1mm, which allows for rapid-fire inputs. This switch is celebrated for its smooth push feel and bright, clacky sound profile, ideal for those who prioritize speed and fluidity in their gameplay. While the Cliff may appeal to those who enjoy tactile feedback and auditory engagement, the Vintage Citrus stands out for users looking for swift, uninterrupted action. 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
37g
Actuation force
48g
Bottom-out force
45g
Bottom-out force
53g
Pre-travel
2.30 mm
Pre-travel
1.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
Ly
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
22mm single-staged spring
Housing materials
The Bsun Cliff and the HMX Vintage Citrus exhibit distinct differences in their top housing materials, which significantly affect their sound profiles during use. The Cliff utilizes polycarbonate for its top housing, a stiffer plastic that contributes to a sharper and crisper sound. This material's rigidity allows for better sound projection, making it particularly advantageous for users who appreciate a brighter auditory experience. In contrast, the Vintage Citrus employs nylon for its top housing, known for its ability to absorb sound, resulting in a deeper and fuller overall sound profile. While the Cliff is likely to offer users a more vibrant sound, the Vintage Citrus provides a warmer, rounder auditory experience—showcasing how even the top housing material can cater to different user preferences in keyboard acoustics.
Interestingly, both the Cliff and Vintage Citrus share nylon as their bottom housing material. This similarity ensures that when users press down on either switch, they will experience a deeper, fuller sound due to nylon's inherent properties. As a softer plastic, nylon reduces sound reflection and creates a more muted sound profile. Despite their differences in top housing materials, both switches will offer consistent bottom-out feedback, as the bottom housing plays a significant role in how the switch feels and sounds at the end of a keystroke. Thus, even in heterogeneous top and bottom materials, the commonality in the bottom housing provides a familiarity in acoustic quality during typing.
Overall, the combination of materials used in the Bsun Cliff and HMX Vintage Citrus creates a diverse range of auditory experiences for users. While the polycarbonate top of the Cliff lends itself to a more radiant sound, its nylon bottom harmonizes the overall acoustic signature. Conversely, the Vintage Citrus combines the mellower characteristics of nylon in both top and bottom housings, resulting in a consistently softer sound profile. Users can choose between a sharper sound with the Cliff and a more subdued auditory experience with the Vintage Citrus, highlighting how material selection impacts not only the sound but the overall typing experience in mechanical keyboards.
Weight
The Bsun Cliff tactile switch and the HMX Vintage Citrus linear switch present notable differences in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Cliff features a light actuation force of 37 grams and a bottom out force of 45 grams, making it suitable for users who prefer a lighter touch for longer typing sessions or extended gaming. In contrast, the Vintage Citrus has a heavier actuation force of 48 grams and a bottom out force of 53 grams, offering a medium-light feel that provides a more substantial typing experience preferred by some users. This means that while both switches serve their purposes, the Cliff is the lighter option overall, appealing to those seeking ease of use. By selecting a switch based on these force specifications, users can achieve either a more effortless keystroke or a firmer and more satisfying press, depending on their individual preferences.
Travel distance
The Bsun Cliff tactile switch features a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the HMX Vintage Citrus linear switch has a shorter travel distance of 3 mm. This means that the Cliff switch has a more substantial feel with a greater depth, making it more suitable for users who appreciate a hearty response when pressing down on a key. In contrast, the Vintage Citrus switch offers a shallower travel distance, providing a quicker response time that may appeal to gamers and those who prefer a more abrupt actuation. Therefore, if you value speed and responsiveness, the Vintage Citrus would be the better choice, as it is the shorter switch. On the other hand, for a more tactile experience, the Bsun Cliff would be preferable due to its longer travel distance.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Bsun Cliff has an MSRP of $2.75 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Cliff for $2.19.
The HMX Vintage Citrus has an MSRP of $3.49 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Vintage Citrus for $2.79.
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 Bsun Cliff tactile switch is characterized by its crisp sound signature, which adds a satisfying auditory feedback to each keystroke. This sound quality, coupled with its medium tactility, provides a balanced auditory experience that can be both engaging and immersive, particularly for typists who appreciate a bit of a click without overwhelming noise. In contrast, the HMX Vintage Citrus linear switch is known for its bright, clacky sound profile, enhancing the gaming experience with a lively tone that complements rapid-fire inputs. While both switches produce distinct sound characteristics, the Cliff leans towards a clearer and crisper tone, while the Vintage Citrus offers a more dynamic and vibrant clack. However, it's important to remember that the final sound will depend heavily on factors such as the keyboard's build and the keycap material.
In terms of feel, the Cliff tactile switch offers a medium level of tactility, which provides a noticeable bump that makes it easier for typists to discern key presses without requiring excessive force. This tactile feedback enhances the typing experience, giving a sense of authoritativeness to each keystroke. On the other hand, the Vintage Citrus is designed with a remarkably smooth push feel, complemented by an incredibly low actuation force of just 1mm, making it ideal for gamers in need of rapid, responsive actions. While the Cliff provides a structured tactile sensation, the Vintage Citrus excels in a more fluid experience, allowing for quicker transitions between keystrokes without any tactile interruptions.
Overall, the Bsun Cliff and HMX Vintage Citrus switches cater to distinct preferences within the mechanical keyboard community. The Cliff strike a compromise between tactile feedback and sound clarity, making it suitable for both typists and casual gamers who enjoy a defined typing experience. Meanwhile, the Vintage Citrus prioritizes speed and smoothness, appealing to competitive gamers who demand swift keystrokes combined with an energetic sound profile. While they may serve different purposes, both switches can deliver satisfying results depending on your specific typing or gaming style, allowing users to choose based on their personal preferences for sound and feel.
Conclusion
To conclude, choosing between the Bsun Cliff tactile switch and the HMX Vintage Citrus linear switch largely depends on your typing preferences and intended use cases. If you prioritize a light actuation force and enjoy a tactile feedback with a crisp sound signature, the Cliff is a great fit. It's particularly well suited for typing tasks where precision and feedback are key, making it an excellent choice if you do a lot of writing or programming. On the other hand, if you’re a gamer looking for rapid response times and a smooth feel, the Vintage Citrus switch, with its low actuation force and quick activation, is tailored for speedy inputs that can enhance your gaming experience. The bright, clacky sound profile adds to the enjoyment of gaming sessions, providing auditory feedback that can keep you immersed in your gameplay. Ultimately, your choice should reflect whether you value tactile feedback and sound over speed and smoothness, guiding you toward the switch that best complements your keyboard experience.
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