HMX Deep Navy vs. Everglide Sunset Yellow
An in-depth look at the HMX Deep Navy and the Everglide Sunset Yellow switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the HMX Deep Navy and the Everglide Sunset Yellow stand out for their unique characteristics, each appealing to different types of users. The HMX Deep Navy boasts a full nylon construction and delivers a rich, sharp sound profile, providing an immersive auditory experience with every keystroke. Its silky smoothness, facilitated by the Ly stem, makes it an excellent choice for those who prioritize fluidity in typing. In contrast, the Everglide Sunset Yellow features a delightful Creamsicle hue and a captivating sound reminiscent of mahjong tiles colliding, creating a soundscape that feels indulgent. With a medium weight that accommodates a wide range of preferences and its unique combination of short travel and long-pole stem, the Sunset Yellow offers a responsive, thocky keystroke that many gamers and typists cherish. While both switches cater to the linear switch fans, their distinct textures and sounds provide unique typing experiences. 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
43g
Bottom-out force
45g
Bottom-out force
51g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.20 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
Ly
Stem material
Ly
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
20mm single-stage spring
Spring
Single-staged lengthened 20mm spring
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the HMX Deep Navy and the Everglide Sunset Yellow, distinct characteristics emerge in their construction and resulting sound profiles. The Deep Navy utilizes a nylon top and bottom housing, both of which are known for their ability to create a deeper and fuller sound experience. Nylon's relatively softer structure helps absorb sound waves, resulting in a duller, rounder auditory profile. In contrast, the Sunset Yellow employs POM for both its top and bottom housings, noted for producing a unique and pleasing sound that is also deeper but carries a more muted quality. While both switches aim for rich sound profiles, the nuances in material—nylon versus POM—offer distinct tactile and auditory experiences.
While the materials differ between the HMX Deep Navy and the Everglide Sunset Yellow, they share a common goal of achieving unique sound profiles. Nylon in the Deep Navy delivers a sound that is well-rounded due to its sound-absorbing characteristics, whereas POM in the Sunset Yellow leans more towards a pleasing but muted auditory experience. The POM material is noted for its distinctly pleasant output, contrasting slightly with nylon's deeper tonal quality. Thus, while the overall sound experience of both switches is designed to be deep, the tactile feedback and sound signature will vary based on the material specifications of each housing.
Ultimately, both the HMX Deep Navy and Everglide Sunset Yellow can produce desirable sound profiles but through differing materials. The nylon of the Deep Navy will lend a rounder sound profile, while the POM of the Sunset Yellow offers a muted quality that can also be quite appealing. If a user is aiming for a specific sound, their choice between these two options will dictate their keyboard experience; however, due to the inherent properties of both nylon and POM, they each provide a satisfactory auditory experience, albeit through different tactile sensations and acoustic properties.
Weight
When comparing the HMX Deep Navy linear switch and the Everglide Sunset Yellow linear switch, we observe notable differences in their 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 extended typing sessions and gaming due to its ease of pressing. In contrast, the Sunset Yellow has a slightly heavier actuation force of 43 grams and a bottom out force of 51 grams, offering a more substantial typing experience for those who prefer a firmer feel with their keystrokes. Consequently, if you favor a lighter option, the Deep Navy is the clear choice, while the Sunset Yellow will appeal to those seeking a bit more resistance. Overall, the differences in their actuation and bottom out forces highlight the varied preferences of users when it comes to switch selection.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the HMX Deep Navy linear switch and the Everglide Sunset Yellow linear switch, a notable difference emerges. The Deep Navy features a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Sunset Yellow has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.2 mm. This means that the Sunset Yellow is designed for a quicker response time, which can be particularly beneficial for gamers seeking fast actuation. Conversely, the Deep Navy’s longer travel distance may provide a more substantial tactile experience, appealing to those who prefer a deeper keypress. In summary, if you favor rapid responses, the Sunset Yellow would be the ideal choice, whereas the Deep Navy might be preferable for a more pronounced keystroke 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 Everglide Sunset Yellow comes in at $3.09 per 10 switches.
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
The sound profiles of the HMX Deep Navy and Everglide Sunset Yellow linear switches are distinct yet share some qualities that typists may appreciate. The Deep Navy is known for its rich, sharp sound, likely stemming from its full nylon construction, allowing for a more pronounced auditory experience with each keystroke. On the other hand, the Sunset Yellow provides a captivating, bassy sound reminiscent of mahjong tiles, characterized by a deep and satisfying thock when pressed. This sound can be quite indulgent, offering a tactile auditory feedback that is enjoyable during long typing sessions. While both switches produce engaging sounds, the Deep Navy has a sharper profile, while the Sunset Yellow leans towards a deeper resonance.
In terms of feel, the Deep Navy switches excel in the smoothness department, providing an effortless typing experience. However, the specifics about their tactile experience are not detailed here. In contrast, the Sunset Yellow switches boast a creamy, frictionless feel that many users find appealing. With a judicious application of factory lubrication and a polished finish, these switches deliver a silky typing sensation that allows fingers to glide effortlessly across the keys. This smoothness, combined with a short travel distance and a responsive long-pole stem, ensures that users experience a very fluid typing action, which might be less emphasized in the Deep Navy.
Overall, both the HMX Deep Navy and Everglide Sunset Yellow switches offer unique experiences that cater to different preferences in sound and feel. The Deep Navy's sharp sound and smooth operation will appeal to users looking for auditory clarity, while the Sunset Yellow's bassy, thocky feedback and creamy texture provide a luxurious typing experience. Regardless of the choice, both switches are designed to enhance typing comfort and satisfaction, making them excellent options for newcomers exploring the world of mechanical keyboards.
Conclusion
To wrap up, choosing between the HMX Deep Navy linear switch and the Everglide Sunset Yellow linear switch ultimately depends on your personal preferences and typing style. If you enjoy a lighter press with a superior sound profile, the Deep Navy might be your go-to choice, especially if you appreciate a rich, sharp auditory feedback during your typing sessions. Its smooth and silky keystrokes, coupled with a bottom-out force of 45 grams, make it an excellent option for fast typists or gamers who value responsiveness and speed. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium-light feel with a more bassy and thocky sound, the Sunset Yellow is likely a better fit for you, providing a unique and satisfying auditory experience reminiscent of mahjong tiles. With a slightly heavier push at 51 grams, it's versatile enough to cater to a broader range of users, making it ideal for both casual typing and gaming. The creamy and frictionless feel ensures that typing remains an indulgent experience, enhancing overall comfort. Ultimately, your choice should align with how you want to experience sound and feel under your fingertips; so consider what aspects are most important to you before making your decision.
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