HC Studio Crabapple vs. Invyr Holy Panda
An in-depth look at the HC Studio Crabapple and the Invyr Holy Panda switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, the HC Studio Crabapple and the Invyr Holy Panda stand out as top contenders in their respective categories. The Crabapple, a linear switch crafted entirely from POM, offers an effortlessly frictionless typing experience with a distinct dry smoothness and subtle texture felt with each keystroke. On the other hand, the Holy Panda, a tactile switch known for its sharp tactility, provides a satisfyingly bright clack and a blend of pronounced feedback and acoustic resonance. While the Crabapple is categorized as frictionless, mild, subdued, and textured, the Holy Panda is characterized as accented, invigorating, sharp, and snappy. Ultimately, when deciding between these two switches, it's important to delve deeper beyond just the generalities to determine which switch best suits your preferences and typing style.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
37g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
45g
Bottom-out force
67g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Lengthened single-staged spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the HC Studio Crabapple and the Invyr Holy Panda, we see a stark contrast between the POM and polycarbonate used in their top housings. The POM top housing of the Crabapple creates a deeper and more muted sound profile, while the polycarbonate top housing of the Holy Panda produces a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. The use of polycarbonate in the Holy Panda allows for a clearer and more resonant sound profile, especially when paired with RGB lighting due to its translucency. In contrast, the POM top housing of the Crabapple provides a more unique and pleasing sound experience with a deeper tone.
Moving on to the bottom housings of these two switches, we find another point of divergence in material choice. The POM bottom housing of the Crabapple mirrors the qualities of its top housing, creating a similarly pleasing and unique sound profile on the deeper side. On the other hand, the nylon bottom housing of the Holy Panda contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile, thanks to its softer plastic that absorbs more sound and creates a duller and rounder sound. This difference in bottom housing material further adds to the overall sound experience and feel of typing on these switches.
When considering the overall impact of the top and bottom housing materials on the sound and feel of these switches, it becomes clear that each material brings its own unique qualities to the typing experience. The bottom housing material has a more significant impact on the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing material influences the sound when releasing a key. Despite these differences, both the Crabapple and the Holy Panda offer a unique typing experience that enthusiasts will appreciate, albeit with distinct sound profiles and characteristics due to their housing materials.
Weight
The HC Studio Crabapple linear switch and the Invyr Holy Panda tactile switch have differing actuation and bottom out forces. The Crabapple has a lighter actuation force of 37 grams and a bottom out force of 45 grams, while the Holy Panda has a heavier bottom out force of 67 grams. When comparing the two, the Crabapple is lighter in both actuation and bottom out forces compared to the Holy Panda. Those who prefer a lighter typing experience may lean towards the Crabapple, while those who enjoy a more substantial push feel may opt for the Holy Panda. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will come down to personal preference in terms of typing experience and force requirements.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the HC Studio Crabapple linear switch is 3.6 mm, while the Invyr Holy Panda tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm. In this case, the Holy Panda has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Crabapple. The difference of 0.4 mm may not seem like much, but it can have an impact on the typing experience. The Crabapple with its shorter travel distance may appeal more to those looking for a faster response time, such as gamers. On the other hand, the Holy Panda with its longer travel distance may offer a more satisfying typing experience for those who prefer a deeper key press. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference and typing style.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The HC Studio Crabapple has an MSRP of $5.90 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Crabapple for $4.70.
The Invyr Holy Panda has an MSRP of $12.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Holy Panda for $7.17.
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 HC Studio Crabapple switch provides a subdued and mild sound that is dampened and subtle, suitable for those who prefer a quieter typing experience. On the other hand, the Invyr Holy Panda switch delivers a bright and pronounced "clack" with each keystroke, offering a satisfyingly sharp tactility that resonates with tactile switch enthusiasts. Both switches offer distinct sound profiles that cater to different preferences, with the Crabapple leaning towards a more understated noise level and the Holy Panda embracing a more attention-grabbing auditory experience.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the HC Studio Crabapple switch is described as offering a frictionless and textured typing experience, ensuring a smooth and effortless journey with a subtle texture felt upon each keypress. In comparison, the Invyr Holy Panda switch provides an invigorating and sharp tactile feedback that is accentuated by its prominent bump and snappy response, creating an immersive and lively typing sensation. While the Crabapple focuses on minimizing resistance and providing a gentle typing experience, the Holy Panda excels in delivering a heightened tactile experience that is both engaging and responsive.
In conclusion, the HC Studio Crabapple switch and the Invyr Holy Panda switch offer distinct subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. Those opting for the Crabapple can expect a subdued sound profile and a frictionless, mild typing experience with a subtle texture, while users interested in the Holy Panda will enjoy a bright "clack" sound and a sharp, invigorating tactile feedback that provides a pronounced and immersive typing sensation. Ultimately, choosing between these switches will come down to personal preference, with both options guaranteeing a unique and enjoyable typing experience tailored to different preferences within the mechanical keyboard community.
Conclusion
To wrap up, when considering the HC Studio Crabapple linear switch and the Invyr Holy Panda tactile switch, your choice should ultimately come down to your preferences in typing experience. If you value a light and smooth typing journey with a mild sound and a frictionless feel, the Crabapple switch may be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you seek a switch with sharp tactility, pronounced feedback, and a satisfying "clack" sound with each keystroke, the Holy Panda switch would be more suited to your preferences. Both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different typing styles, so it's important to consider what you value most in a switch before making your decision. Ultimately, the choice between the Crabapple and Holy Panda switch will depend on your personal typing preferences and which characteristics appeal to you the most.
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