KTT Darling vs. HMX Deep Navy
An in-depth look at the KTT Darling and the HMX Deep Navy switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, the KTT Darling and HMX Deep Navy present two intriguing options for enthusiasts seeking a linear experience. The KTT Darling is celebrated for its chewy and substantial typing sensation, offering a pronounced bounciness that lends a springy responsiveness to each keystroke. This switch not only delivers an engaging tactile experience but also produces a resonant, high-pitched sound that enhances the auditory feedback while typing. In contrast, the HMX Deep Navy, with its full nylon construction, promises a silky smoothness on every press, emphasizing a cleaner and quieter performance that appeals to users who prefer a less intrusive sound. Both switches cater to different preferences: the Darling for those who enjoy a vibrant and expressive typing experience, and the Deep Navy for those seeking a more subdued and refined feel. 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
45g
Actuation force
40g
Bottom-out force
53g
Bottom-out force
45g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
Ly
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
20mm single-stage spring
Housing materials
The KTT Darling and the HMX Deep Navy switches showcase a distinct contrast in their top housing materials, which significantly affects the tonal quality of the switches. The Darling features a polycarbonate top housing, known for its stiffness and translucency. This stiffness contributes to a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile, making it particularly suitable for applications involving RGB lighting. The clear nature of polycarbonate amplifies the brightness of the light, enhancing the overall aesthetic appeal of the switches. In comparison, the Deep Navy adopts a nylon top housing that produces a deeper, fuller sound due to nylon's softer material properties. This inherent softness allows the nylon to absorb more sound, creating a more muted acoustic experience that contrasts sharply with the sharper profile of the polycarbonate used in the Darling.
When examining the bottom housing of both switches, we find that they share a common material—nylon—which is recognized for its ability to create a robust and deeper sound profile. Both the KTT Darling and the HMX Deep Navy utilize nylon in their bottom housings, meaning that the acoustics produced when bottoming out will be notably similar. The softer nature of nylon allows for a duller, rounder sound, emphasizing a smooth and satisfying key press experience across both switches. Since this factor predominantly influences the sound and feel during the actuation of the switch and not the release, we can expect that both models will deliver a comparable tactile response in this aspect.
Ultimately, the combination of housing materials in the KTT Darling and HMX Deep Navy switches presents a unique blend of features. The contrasting personalities of polycarbonate and nylon in the top housing of each switch lead to diverse sound profiles, while their matching nylon bottom housings ensure a consistent depth and fullness in the acoustic experience. Therefore, although both switches may display distinct sonic characteristics influenced by their top housings, the resulting typing experience remains anchored in the shared properties of their nylon bottom housing. This interplay enables users to enjoy a range of auditory and tactile experiences when choosing between the two switches, influenced largely by the material differences at the top of each housing.
Weight
When comparing the KTT Darling linear switch and the HMX Deep Navy linear switch, there are notable differences in both actuation force and bottom out force. The Darling requires a slightly higher actuation force of 45 grams compared to the Deep Navy's lighter 40 grams. This distinction means that the Darling may feel more substantial for those who prefer a stronger keypress, making it a better option for users who enjoy a firmer typing experience. In terms of bottom out forces, the Darling again leads with 53 grams, while the Deep Navy bottoms out at a lighter 45 grams. Ultimately, the KTT Darling is the heavier switch overall, while the HMX Deep Navy offers a lighter touch, which can be beneficial for extended typing sessions or gaming. If both were to have the same actuation and bottom out forces, users would expect similar tactile feedback and typing experience, but that is not the case here, as the Darling inherently provides a more resilient feel due to its increased resistance.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the KTT Darling linear switch and the HMX Deep Navy linear switch, the Darling has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Deep Navy measures slightly longer at 3.6 mm. This makes the KTT Darling the shorter of the two options, catering to those who favor a more responsive feel often preferred by gamers. In contrast, the HMX Deep Navy, with its longer travel distance, may appeal to users who appreciate a more substantial and hearty depth when pressing down on keys. Both switches, while close in distance, reflect different user preferences: the Darling for quicker response times and the Deep Navy for a more traditional tactile experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The KTT Darling has an MSRP of $4.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Darling for $3.90.
The HMX Deep Navy has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Deep Navy 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
When comparing the sound profile of the KTT Darling and HMX Deep Navy linear switches, the Darling stands out with its clacky and resonant characteristics, delivering a high-pitched, crisp sound that resonates upon bottoming out. This sharp and bright acoustics provide an engaging auditory experience that can enhance your typing or gaming sessions. In contrast, while the Deep Navy switches are not explicitly described in terms of sound, their full nylon construction suggests they might produce a different auditory quality, potentially leaning towards a more subdued or smooth sound. However, exact details on their acoustic performance remain unknown, making it challenging to draw a direct comparison.
In terms of feel, the KTT Darling is known for its chewy and substantial typing sensation, which many users find satisfying due to the experience of sinking into the keys. Additionally, the pronounced bounciness of the Darling adds a spring-like responsiveness to each keystroke, providing a lively and enjoyable typing experience. On the other hand, there are no specific descriptions available for the feel of the HMX Deep Navy switches, so the tactile qualities and overall typing experience remain uncertain. Thus, while the Darling offers a distinct sensory pleasure, the feel of the Deep Navy varies from unknown to untested.
In conclusion, the KTT Darling linear switch provides a well-defined sound and feel, characterized by a pronounced high-pitched resonance and a lively, bouncy typing experience. The Deep Navy's sound profile is not fully detailed, leaving it open to interpretation, and there is no available information regarding its tactile feedback characteristics. If you're seeking an engaging auditory and tactile experience, the Darling stands out as a solid choice, while the Deep Navy may offer an alternative yet unclear experience.
Conclusion
To conclude, when deciding between the KTT Darling and the HMX Deep Navy linear switches, it’s essential to consider both your typing preferences and the overall feedback you seek. If you enjoy a more substantial, chewy typing experience with a delightful bounce and a clacky, high-pitched auditory feedback, the KTT Darling is the ideal choice for you. Its medium-light bottom out force of 53 grams provides a nice balance of resistance and ease, making it suitable for both typing and gaming alike. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter touch and a smoother, silkier feel when typing, the HMX Deep Navy, with its light bottom out force of 45 grams, might be more up your alley. These switches deliver a rich sound profile that can upgrade your auditory experience while maintaining that smooth linear feel throughout your keystrokes. Ultimately, the decision hinges on whether you lean towards the bouncy and engaging qualities of the Darling or the sleek and smooth nature of the Deep Navy, making either switch an excellent choice tailored to your personal typing style.
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