HMX Deep Navy vs. TTC Silent Red
An in-depth look at the HMX Deep Navy and the TTC Silent Red switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When choosing a mechanical keyboard, the type of switch you select can significantly influence your typing experience, and comparing the HMX Deep Navy and the TTC Silent Red presents an interesting dichotomy. The Deep Navy switches, with their full nylon construction, are renowned for their rich and sharp sound profile, providing a satisfying auditory experience that enthusiasts often cherish. Their Ly stem design ensures a silky smooth keystroke, perfect for those who revel in tactile feedback and enjoy a dynamic acoustic ambiance while typing. In contrast, the TTC Silent Red switches cater to those who seek a quieter and more discreet environment, boasting a muted sound profile that is ideal for office settings or shared living spaces. These switches deliver a buttery, polished feel with a padded bottom-out experience, ensuring comfort during prolonged use. Whether you prioritize an immersive auditory experience or a smooth, silent typing feel will guide your choice between these two linear switches. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
40g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
45g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
Ly
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
20mm single-stage spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The HMX Deep Navy and the TTC Silent Red switches exhibit contrasting characteristics in their top housing materials, namely nylon and polycarbonate, which significantly affect their acoustic profiles. The Deep Navy's nylon top housing is known for its ability to produce a deeper and fuller sound due to the softer nature of nylon, which absorbs sound waves rather than allowing them to resonate. This leads to a duller and rounder sound signature that many typists find satisfying. In contrast, the Silent Red’s polycarbonate top housing generates a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile, thanks to the material's stiffer structure. This rigidity enables a clearer and more resonant sound, making the Silent Red ideal for those who prefer a crisper auditory feedback during typing sessions. Ultimately, the use of nylon in the Deep Navy and polycarbonate in the Silent Red results in distinctly different sound characteristics that cater to different user preferences.
However, when we shift our focus to the bottom housing of both switches, we find a commonality that reinforces the overarching acoustic qualities shaped by the nylon material. Both the Deep Navy and Silent Red employ nylon for their bottom housings, which contributes to a deeper and fuller sound experience. As nylon is known to absorb sound effectively, the bottom-out sound and tactile feel are similar in this regard, regardless of the differences presented by the top housing materials. While the Silent Red's top housing creates a brighter sound profile upon release, the bottom housing's shared material means that the typing experience remains uniformly rich and satisfying across both switch variants when the keys are bottomed out.
In essence, the materials used in the HMX Deep Navy and the TTC Silent Red switches serve to create a distinctive typing experience that is marked by contrasting high-frequency responses in their top housings while maintaining a shared, deeper auditory quality in their bottoms. This characteristic duality illustrates how the combination of different materials can yield unique results. The nylon-based bottom housing provides a consistent tactile feedback that is appreciated by typists, while the contrasting top housing materials generate varied auditory perceptions upon key press and release. Therefore, regardless of the discrepancies in the top housings, users can expect a familiar, plush auditory experience when the keys are engaged thanks to the shared properties of the nylon bottom housing.
Weight
When comparing the HMX Deep Navy linear switch and the TTC Silent Red linear switch, significant differences emerge in both actuation force and bottom out force. The HMX Deep Navy features a light actuation force of 40 grams and a bottom out force of 45 grams, making it ideal for users who prefer a less strenuous typing experience, perfect for extended use during work or gaming sessions. In contrast, the TTC Silent Red has a slightly heavier actuation force of 45 grams and a much heavier bottom out force of 63.5 grams. This results in a more substantial typing feel, appealing to those who appreciate a stronger resistance while typing. Consequently, the Deep Navy is the lighter option overall, while the Silent Red leans towards the medium-heavy side, providing a more robust tactile experience. Users looking for a lighter switch will find the Deep Navy appealing, whereas those seeking a firmer push will likely gravitate towards the Silent Red.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the HMX Deep Navy linear switch and the TTC Silent Red linear switch, we find distinct differences that may influence user preference. The HMX Deep Navy has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the TTC Silent Red measures slightly longer at 3.7 mm. As such, the Deep Navy offers a shorter travel distance, which may appeal to gamers seeking faster response times and more immediate actuation. Conversely, the Silent Red, with its longer travel distance, might provide a more satisfying tactile feedback for those who enjoy a deeper key press. Users who prefer a firmer depth in their keystrokes may favor the Silent Red for its additional 0.1 mm of travel. Thus, the choice between these two switches ultimately hinges on individual preference for responsiveness versus a more traditional feel.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
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.
The TTC Silent Red has an MSRP of $5.28 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Silent Red for $4.38.
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
In terms of sound, the HMX Deep Navy linear switch offers a rich and sharp sound profile, attributed to its full nylon construction. This gives a distinctive auditory feedback when typing, contributing to an immersive experience. On the other hand, the TTC Silent Red linear switch is characterized by its muted sound profile, meaning it produces a softer and quieter noise compared to traditional mechanical switches. This reduced noise level makes it an ideal choice for office environments or shared spaces, allowing for a less disruptive typing experience.
When it comes to feel, the Deep Navy switch is noted for its silky smoothness, thanks to the Ly stem, which allows for flowing keystrokes without friction. Meanwhile, the Silent Red switch provides a buttery smooth typing experience, offering seamless and effortless keystrokes. Its mild characteristics make it approachable for a broad audience, ensuring that both novice and seasoned users can enjoy a comfortable typing experience. Additionally, the polished finish of the Silent Red switch further enhances its feel, promoting reduced friction and a refined key travel.
In conclusion, while the HMX Deep Navy and TTC Silent Red switches might cater to different preferences in terms of sound and feel, both provide unique advantages. The Deep Navy is geared toward users who appreciate audible feedback, while the Silent Red prioritizes a quiet, smooth typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on personal preferences regarding sound and tactile sensation, ensuring that either option can lead to satisfying typing performance when paired with an appropriate keyboard setup.
Conclusion
To conclude, your choice between the HMX Deep Navy and the TTC Silent Red linear switch heavily depends on your personal preferences and the environment in which you'll be using your keyboard. If you favor a lightweight switch with a sharp, rich sound profile and a silky smooth keystroke, then the Deep Navy is an excellent choice—especially if you enjoy a more tactile auditory experience while you type. This switch thrives in settings where sound isn't a primary concern, such as at home while gaming or during creative work. On the other hand, if you need a switch that prioritizes silence without sacrificing a smooth typing experience, the TTC Silent Red is ideal. With its muted sound and medium-heavy actuation force, this switch accommodates shared spaces or office environments, ensuring you can type comfortably and quietly. Additionally, the cushioned bottom-out feel adds to the overall comfort, making it a great option for prolonged typing sessions. Ultimately, both switches offer unique benefits, so consider your typing style and environment to make the best choice for your mechanical keyboard experience.
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