HMX Deep Navy vs. KTT Lightning

Overview

When it comes to selecting the perfect mechanical keyboard switch, the choice between the HMX Deep Navy and the KTT Lightning can significantly influence your typing and gaming experience. The HMX Deep Navy switches are lauded for their rich, sharp sound profile and silky smooth keystrokes, thanks to their full nylon construction and Ly stem design. This switch appeals to those who prioritize a smooth and immersive typing experience, making it an excellent choice for both casual typists and dedicated writers. In contrast, the KTT Lightning switches are designed with speed in mind, offering a slick typing feel coupled with a clacky, high-pitched sound profile. These switches are ideal for competitive gamers where every millisecond counts, providing a quick and responsive feedback that can be crucial in fast-paced scenarios. Each switch has its own strengths that cater to different preferences, but 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

KTT Lightning Linear

$3.50

$2.79 per 10

$3.41 per 10

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Housing materials

The HMX Deep Navy and KTT Lightning switches exhibit distinct characteristics in their top housing materials, which significantly influence their acoustic profiles. The Deep Navy features a nylon top housing, a classic choice that offers a deeper and fuller sound. This resonance stems from nylon's softer composition, which absorbs sound waves, resulting in a duller and rounder sound profile when typing. In contrast, the KTT Lightning utilizes a polycarbonate top housing that provides a sharper, higher-pitched sound. The stiffer nature of polycarbonate enhances clarity and resonance, producing a crisp auditory experience. Interestingly, polycarbonate is often favored for its translucency, making it particularly suited for users who wish to showcase RGB lighting effects.

Both the Deep Navy and Lightning share similarities in their bottom housing, with nylon being the material of choice for both models. This consistency leads to a deeper and fuller sound profile due to nylon's sound-absorbing properties, which create a more muted auditory experience. Because both switches employ nylon in the bottom housing, users can expect similar tactile feedback and sound characteristics during key presses. The impact of the bottom housing is notably important as it contributes significantly to the bottom-out sound and feel of the switches, allowing for a consistent experience across both switch types despite differences in the top housing.

Ultimately, the contrasting materials of the top housings between the HMX Deep Navy and KTT Lightning create distinct sound profiles, while the shared nylon bottom housing harmonizes their acoustics at the base level. The nylon bottom in both switches ensures that, regardless of how the top housing affects the overall sound, users will still experience a deeper, fuller sound when the key bottoms out. This integration of materials means that while the top housing influences the initial sound and feel, the nylon bottom maintains a common auditory thread, allowing enthusiasts to appreciate the unique aspects of each switch while still enjoying similar results in terms of depth and fullness when typing.

Weight

When comparing the HMX Deep Navy linear switch and the KTT Lightning linear switch, there are some notable differences in their actuation and bottom out forces. The HMX Deep Navy requires a lighter actuation force of 40 grams, while the KTT Lightning has a slightly heavier actuation force of 43 grams. This means that the Deep Navy may be better suited for users who prefer a lighter keypress for extended typing or gaming sessions. In terms of bottom out force, the Deep Navy also has a lower bottom out force of 45 grams compared to the Lightning's 50 grams. Both switches are considered light overall, but the HMX Deep Navy offers a bit more ease when pressing keys, making it ideal for those who prioritize comfort during long periods of use. In contrast, the KTT Lightning, with its heavier actuation and bottom out force, provides a more substantial typing experience for users who favor a stronger push feel.

Travel distance

The HMX Deep Navy linear switch features a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the KTT Lightning linear switch has a shorter travel distance of 3 mm. This means that the Deep Navy offers a more pronounced tactile experience, which some users might prefer for its added depth, making it feel more substantial when pressed. On the other hand, the Lightning's 3 mm travel distance caters to gamers and those seeking quicker response times, as shorter distances are favored for faster actuation. Ultimately, if you prioritize responsiveness in your typing experience, the KTT Lightning would be the better choice, while the HMX Deep Navy may appeal to those who enjoy a little more travel distance in their keystrokes.

Price comparison

Typing experience

In terms of sound, the HMX Deep Navy switch stands out with its rich and sharp sound profile, largely attributed to its full nylon construction. This material choice contributes to a more subdued, yet robust acoustic experience, making it well-suited for those who appreciate a deeper tonal quality. On the other hand, the KTT Lightning switches are characterized by a clacky sound profile that is crisp, bright, and percussive. The clackiness adds an energetic quality to the typing sound, making it ideal for users who enjoy an audible feedback that emphasizes each keystroke. For those who prefer a sharper auditory experience, the high-pitched and chirpy elements of the Lightning further enhance its distinct sound signature, creating a lively and engaging typing environment.

When discussing feel, the Deep Navy switch is renowned for its silky smoothness with every keystroke. The Ly stem ensures effortless linear travel, providing an enjoyable tactile experience for typists. Conversely, the KTT Lightning switches offer a more subtle resistance, maintaining a light typing feel that entices fast action without sacrificing comfort. The polished nature of these switches means that they also deliver a refined and sleek experience, significantly reducing friction during usage. This combination makes them particularly appealing for users who prioritize speed and efficiency while also enjoying a smooth operation.

In conclusion, while the HMX Deep Navy and KTT Lightning linear switches cater to different preferences in both sound and feel, each offers a unique typing experience well-suited for various users. The Deep Navy’s rich sound and silky smoothness make it an excellent choice for those who appreciate a deeper acoustic profile and fluid key action. In contrast, the KTT Lightning’s clacky sound and polished feel appeal to those who thrive on speed and energetic feedback. Ultimately, choosing between these two switches will depend on your personal preferences for auditory and tactile feedback, but both provide high-quality experiences that can meet different typing styles.

Conclusion

To conclude, when deciding between the HMX Deep Navy linear switch and the KTT Lightning linear switch, it ultimately comes down to your personal preferences and typing needs. If you value a smooth, silky typing experience with a rich sound profile and lower actuation force—ideal for long typing sessions or enjoying that satisfying auditory feedback—the Deep Navy will be a fantastic choice. Its lightweight 45-gram bottom-out force provides a soft touch that's easy on the fingers, making it suitable for both casual typing and immersive gaming. On the other hand, if your focus is on speed and precision, particularly in competitive gaming scenarios where every millisecond counts, the KTT Lightning switch is the way to go. With a slightly firmer press at 50 grams, the Lightning offers a polished feel with a clacky sound profile, ensuring you receive tactile feedback that keeps you engaged during fast-paced action. Ultimately, choose the Deep Navy for a smooth auditory experience and the Lightning for a response-focused, speed-oriented typing sensation.

Mentioned in this article

HMX Deep Navy Linear

$3.50

$2.79 per 10

Learn more

KTT Lightning Linear

$3.41 per 10

Learn more