HMX Deep Navy vs. Bsun Olive

Overview

When it comes to the world of mechanical keyboard switches, enthusiasts often find themselves choosing between varying styles to suit their typing preferences. The HMX Deep Navy, a linear switch, offers a silky smooth keystroke experience thanks to its Ly stem and full nylon construction, allowing for a seamless typing experience without any tactile bumps or clicks. This makes it an ideal choice for gamers and typists seeking speed and fluidity in their keystrokes, as the absence of tactile feedback can enhance rapid key presses. In contrast, the Bsun Olive presents a distinct tactile experience, characterized by its medium weight and pronounced tactile feedback. Crafted from all-POM housings, these switches deliver a resonant sound profile and a unique long pole stem design that ensures a crisp, satisfying bottom-out with each press. This switch is perfect for those who appreciate a tactile feel and auditory engagement while typing. However, let’s dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on which switch aligns with your personal preferences and typing style.

By the numbers

HMX Deep Navy Linear

Bsun Olive Tactile

$3.50

$2.79 per 10

$5.80

$4.70 per 10

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Housing materials

The housing materials used in the HMX Deep Navy and the Bsun Olive switches present a fascinating study in contrasts while maintaining certain underlying similarities. The Deep Navy utilizes nylon for both its top and bottom housings, a material known for its soft, absorbent properties that contribute to a deeper and fuller sound profile. This characteristic allows for a typing experience that resonates with a rounder, dulled acoustic signature, helping to mitigate higher-pitched sounds. In comparison, the Bsun Olive employs POM (polyoxymethylene) for both its top and bottom housings. POM is known for its unique sound characteristics, producing a deep and relatively muted tone while offering enhanced durability. The difference in materials showcases the unique acoustic properties each type of plastic can bring to the overall typing experience.

Despite their differing compositions, both the nylon of the Deep Navy and the POM of the Olive share a common trait: the emphasis on delivering a desirable sound profile that is richer and more engaging. Each housing material contributes to the overall sound experience, albeit in varying ways; while the nylon tends to dull and round out sounds, the POM focuses on creating a distinct, yet pleasing resonance. Thus, while the switch to POM may produce a more unique sound when compared to nylon, users can still expect a similarly deep and muted typing experience. The impact of these materials on sound dynamics highlights how even subtle changes in housing can create different auditory environments.

Ultimately, the interaction of top and bottom housings explains how different materials can harmonize for a similar result in terms of user experience. With the nylon top and bottom of the Deep Navy housing working together to soften the acoustics and create a fuller sound upon bottoming out, the POM housing of the Bsun Olive serves a parallel function through its unique acoustic properties, producing a more muted experience with its inherent characteristics. In both cases, the qualities of the housing materials influence the overall feel and sound of the switch, presenting typists with a satisfying auditory experience. Whether opting for nylon or POM, users will benefit from the thoughtful blending of these materials to achieve sound profiles that resonate deeply with each keystroke.

Weight

The HMX Deep Navy linear switch and the Bsun Olive tactile switch present a notable comparison in terms of actuation and bottom out forces. The Deep Navy features a lighter actuation force of 40 grams and a bottom out force of 45 grams, making it more suitable for prolonged typing sessions or gaming, as its lighter weight can reduce fatigue. In contrast, the Olive switch comes with a heavier actuation force of 45 grams and a significantly heavier bottom out force of 65 grams, providing a more substantial typing experience that some users may prefer. This difference in weight means that those who prioritize a softer touch and lighter keypresses would gravitate towards the Deep Navy switch, while users looking for a firmer feedback and a weightier feel would be inclined to choose the Olive switch. Overall, the Deep Navy offers a lighter option, while the Olive is decidedly heavier, making them cater to different user preferences based on typing dynamics.

Travel distance

The HMX Deep Navy linear switch and the Bsun Olive tactile switch differ in travel distances, with the Deep Navy measuring 3.6 mm and the Olive at 3.4 mm. This slight variance indicates that the Deep Navy provides a longer key press, which may appeal to users who enjoy a more pronounced tactile feedback, thereby offering a deeper typing experience. In contrast, the Olive's shorter travel distance could cater to gamers and those who favor quicker response times, as less distance can lead to faster actuation. While both switches are shorter than the traditional 4.0 mm travel distance, the Olive stands out as the more responsive option due to its 3.4 mm travel length. Ultimately, your choice between the two would depend on whether you prefer the hearty depth of the Deep Navy or the rapid actuation of the Olive.

Price comparison

Typing experience

In terms of sound, the HMX Deep Navy switches produce a rich and sharp auditory profile that enhances the typing experience, making each keystroke feel engaging. Crafted with a full nylon construction, these switches deliver a silky smooth sound that is pleasing to the ear without any harshness. On the other hand, the Bsun Olive switches offer a resonant, deep sound, which is distinctively satisfying due to their all-POM housings. The auditory experience of the Olives is marked by a crisp and sharp bottom-out, making it a delightful choice for those who appreciate a distinctly pronounced acoustic signature. It’s important to keep in mind that the overall sound can also vary depending on the choice of keyboard and keycaps used.

When considering the feel, the HMX Deep Navy switch is characterized by its silky smoothness, allowing for an effortless typing experience without significant tactile feedback. In contrast, the Bsun Olive switch presents a completely different sensation: it boasts medium tactile feedback that is described as "accedent," striking a balance between being overwhelming and subtle. This invigorating quality produces a pronounced feedback that combines moderate to firm actuation force, creating a snappy and reactive feel that enhances the typing experience. The sharp tactile bump of the Olive adds a layer of engagement, making every keystroke feel distinct and responsive.

In conclusion, the HMX Deep Navy and Bsun Olive switches cater to different preferences, with the Deep Navy focusing on smoothness and an engaging sound profile, while the Olive emphasizes a deep auditory experience and pronounced tactile feedback. If you seek smoothness combined with an appealing sound, the Deep Navy is ideal, whereas if you prefer a pronounced tactile sensation with a rich sound, the Bsun Olive would be more suitable. Both switches provide a unique typing experience, so your choice ultimately depends on whether you prioritize sound, feel, or a combination of both.

Conclusion

To sum up, your choice between the HMX Deep Navy linear switch and the Bsun Olive tactile switch ultimately hinges on your personal preferences for sound, feel, and the kind of tasks you plan to undertake with your keyboard. If you favor a lighter switch that offers a smooth and quiet typing experience, the Deep Navy is your go-to option. Its gentle 45-gram actuation force allows you to type with minimal effort, making it ideal for long sessions of typing, programming, or gaming where a fast, fluid response is paramount. You’ll also appreciate the rich, sharp sound profile that enhances your overall experience without being too obtrusive. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch with a more pronounced tactile feedback and a satisfying auditory experience, the Bsun Olive would be the better fit. With its medium-heavy 65-gram actuation force, the Olive provides a solid and invigorating typing sensation, making it enjoyable for those who appreciate a pronounced tactile bump and respond to a distinct auditory click. This can be particularly beneficial in situations where you want to feel and hear every keystroke, such as when typing long documents or enjoying a bit of gaming where feedback is essential. In essence, choose the Deep Navy for smoothness and ease, and lean towards the Olive for tactile satisfaction and a more immersive typing experience.

Mentioned in this article

HMX Deep Navy Linear

$3.50

$2.79 per 10

Learn more

Bsun Olive Tactile

$5.80

$4.70 per 10

Learn more