HMX Deep Navy vs. Huano Grape Orange

Overview

When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, gamers and typists often seek the perfect blend of feel and sound to enhance their experience. The HMX Deep Navy switch stands out with its rich, sharp sound profile and silky smooth keystrokes, thanks to its full nylon construction and Ly stem design, making it an excellent choice for those who appreciate auditory feedback and responsive touch. On the other hand, the Huano Grape Orange switch offers a remarkably light typing experience with an ultra-low actuation force of just 40g, making it particularly appealing for long typing sessions where comfort is paramount. Both switches have their unique merits: the Deep Navy delivers a satisfying acoustic experience while the Grape Orange prioritizes effortless, fatigue-free typing. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.

By the numbers

HMX Deep Navy Linear

Huano Grape Orange Linear

$3.50

$2.79 per 10

$3.00

$2.79 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

The HMX Deep Navy and Huano Grape Orange switches utilize different materials for their top housings, which significantly affects their overall acoustic profiles. The Deep Navy features a nylon top housing, renowned for its ability to produce a deeper, fuller sound. This is primarily due to nylon's softer plastic properties, which absorb sound waves more effectively than harder materials. In contrast, the Grape Orange incorporates a polycarbonate top housing that creates a sharper and crisper sound profile. Polycarbonate is stiffer than nylon, resulting in a more resonant acoustic response, making it particularly appealing for users who enjoy brighter sound characteristics. Therefore, the choice of housing material has a direct influence on the auditory experience offered by each switch.

On the other hand, both the Deep Navy and Grape Orange utilize nylon for their bottom housings. This shared material results in a deeper and fuller sound profile, consistent across both switches due to nylon's inherent ability to absorb sound. When typing on either switch, users will notice that the bottom housing's characteristics dominate the bottom-out sound and feel. Since both switches employ nylon for this part of their design, their performance in this aspect will be quite similar, ensuring that users receive a consistent tactile experience when pressing the keys down.

The overall performance of the two switches will be a blend of their individual housing materials. While the nylon bottom housing contributes to a pronounced depth in sound for both the Deep Navy and Grape Orange, their distinct top housings will provide contrasting auditory experiences. The Deep Navy's nylon top will mellow out the sound, creating a more subdued acoustic profile, while the Grape Orange's polycarbonate top will yield a crisper and more vibrant output. This interplay between the softer nylon and the harder polycarbonate creates a complex auditory experience where each switch reflects its unique material characteristics, highlighting the importance of material choice in shaping the user's typing experience.

Weight

When comparing the HMX Deep Navy linear switch and the Huano Grape Orange linear switch, both exhibit an actuation force of 40 grams, meaning they require the same amount of force to register a keystroke. However, their bottom out forces differ, with the Deep Navy reaching a bottom out force of 45 grams, while the Grape Orange requires a slightly heavier force of 50 grams. This makes the Grape Orange switch the heavier option overall. The similarities in their actuation forces indicate that users can expect a comparable light feel in initiating keystrokes with both switches, which is advantageous for those who type for extended periods or engage in long gaming sessions. Yet, for users who prefer a more substantial typing feel when bottoming out, the Grape Orange provides a stronger resistance as it reaches 50 grams, offering a different tactile experience from the Deep Navy's lighter bottom out force.

Travel distance

Both the HMX Deep Navy linear switch and the Huano Grape Orange linear switch feature identical travel distances of 3.6 mm. This similarity means that users can expect a comparable tactile experience when pressing down on either switch, allowing for consistency in key feel and responsiveness across both options. Since the travel distances are the same, they will provide similar results in terms of key actuation and overall performance, making it a matter of preference when choosing between the two.

Price comparison

Typing experience

The HMX Deep Navy linear switch produces a rich and sharp sound profile, enhanced by its full nylon construction. This design contributes to a more pronounced acoustical character, which can be satisfying for users who appreciate a distinct auditory feedback with each keystroke. In contrast, the Huano Grape Orange switch focuses on a lighter sound profile, making it less intrusive and more subdued compared to the Deep Navy. However, just as with the Deep Navy, the sound experience of the Grape Orange can be significantly influenced by the keyboard build and the keycaps used.

When it comes to feel, the Deep Navy switch is known for its silky smoothness, providing a consistently fluid typing experience that many enthusiasts favor. This smooth action reduces any potential typing fatigue, allowing for a more enjoyable and effortless interaction with the keyboard. The Grape Orange, on the other hand, stands out with its exceptionally light 40g actuation force, which promotes an effortless typing sensation ideal for prolonged use. While both switches provide a satisfying feel, the Grape Orange's lighter actuation may cater better to those who prioritize ease of use over resistance or feedback.

In conclusion, both the HMX Deep Navy and Huano Grape Orange linear switches offer unique characteristics that appeal to different preferences among mechanical keyboard enthusiasts. The Deep Navy's rich sound and silky smoothness provide a premium experience, while the Grape Orange's light actuation force ensures comfort during long typing sessions. Therefore, depending on what aspects of sound and feel you value most, either switch can contribute to fulfilling and enjoyable typing experiences, particularly when tailored with the right keyboard and keycap combination.

Conclusion

To conclude, your choice between the HMX Deep Navy linear switch and the Huano Grape Orange linear switch should consider both your typing preferences and the nature of your usage. If you're looking for a switch that offers a slightly lighter bottom-out force with a tactile feedback that feels smooth and responds elegantly to your keystrokes, the Deep Navy would be an excellent choice. Its sound profile is sharp and resonant, which can enhance your typing experience, especially if you appreciate auditory feedback while you type. On the other hand, if you prioritize extended typing sessions and seek a switch that feels effortless under your fingers, the Grape Orange could be more suitable. With a slightly higher bottom-out force and an ultra-low actuation force, it excels at providing comfort over long periods. This makes it perfect for those marathon writing sessions or when you're putting in lengthy hours gaming. Ultimately, your decision should hinge on whether you value a richer sound and silky feel of the Deep Navy or the ultra-light and effortless experience of the Grape Orange.

Mentioned in this article

HMX Deep Navy Linear

$3.50

$2.79 per 10

Learn more

Huano Grape Orange Linear

$3.00

$2.79 per 10

Learn more