HMX Deep Navy vs. Bsun Taichi
An in-depth look at the HMX Deep Navy and the Bsun Taichi switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, the subtle nuances between different models can significantly impact your typing experience. The HMX Deep Navy and the Bsun Taichi are both linear switches that cater to enthusiasts seeking smooth keystrokes, yet they offer distinct characteristics that may appeal to different preferences. The Deep Navy switches are celebrated for their rich, sharp sound profile and silky smoothness due to their full nylon construction and Ly stem design. This combination delivers a satisfying auditory feedback while also ensuring a comfortable typing experience. On the other hand, the Bsun Taichi switches are known for their enchanting high-pitched bottom-out sound, achieved through a long-pole stem, extended springs, and walled stems, which contribute to unparalleled smoothness and stability. While both switches provide a linear feel, their unique acoustic attributes and construction materials can sway a user's choice depending on their typing style and sound preferences. 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
40g
Bottom-out force
45g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.60 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
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
20mm single-stage spring
Spring
21mm single-staged spring
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the HMX Deep Navy and the Bsun Taichi, an interesting distinction emerges in their top housing components. The Deep Navy features a nylon top housing, which is known for its ability to produce a deeper and fuller sound profile. This characteristic is attributed to nylon's softer nature, allowing it to absorb sound more effectively, creating a distinctively duller and rounder auditory experience. In contrast, the Taichi utilizes a polycarbonate top housing that distinctly enhances sound with its sharper and crisper qualities. The stiffness of polycarbonate contributes to a clearer and more resonant sound profile, making it particularly favorable for those who appreciate a brighter auditory feedback when typing. This difference in material choice significantly influences the overall sound experience that users can expect from each switch.
On the other hand, both the Deep Navy and Taichi utilize nylon for their bottom housings. Nylon's traditional status as a premier switch housing material offers a consistent and familiar typing experience across both switch types. The use of nylon in the bottom housing contributes to the same deeper and fuller sound profile as noted in the Deep Navy, ensuring that users enjoy a soft-bottoming-out experience in both models. Thus, while the Deep Navy and Taichi differ in top housing materials and consequently in the sound profile experienced during key release, their shared nylon bottom housing ensures that both provide an absorbing and resonant feedback during key presses.
Ultimately, the combined effects of the different housing materials help define the unique typing characteristics of each switch. The Deep Navy's nylon top and bottom housings provide a cohesive sound profile that is notably deeper and warmer. In contrast, the Taichi—through its polycarbonate top and nylon bottom—merges clarity and depth, delivering a more versatile auditory experience. Users aiming for a more resonant and rounded feedback may lean towards the Deep Navy, while those seeking sharper articulation and responsiveness might prefer the Taichi. In either scenario, the nylon bottom ensures a familiar tactile sensation, allowing both switches to resonate harmoniously within their intended user experiences.
Weight
When comparing the HMX Deep Navy linear switch with the Bsun Taichi linear switch, both switches exhibit an identical actuation force of 40 grams, which means they require the same amount of pressure to register a keystroke. This similar actuation force allows users to expect a consistent typing experience from both switches, making them suitable for prolonged use during work or gaming sessions. However, the Deep Navy switch has a measurable bottom out force of 45 grams, indicating that it provides a light yet perceptible resistance when fully pressed down. In contrast, the bottom out force for the Taichi switch remains unknown, leaving uncertainty about its tactile response when bottoming out. Given that the Deep Navy is 45 grams for bottoming out, it suggests a slightly heavier feel compared to the uncertainty surrounding the Taichi. Overall, the HMX Deep Navy switch can be characterized as the lighter option due to its defined bottom out force, while the Taichi's weight remains ambiguous.
Travel distance
Both the HMX Deep Navy linear switch and the Bsun Taichi linear switch have an identical travel distance of 3.6 mm. This similarity means that users can expect a comparable experience when pressing down on either switch, resulting in similar tactile feedback and key response. Since both switches share the same travel distance, they are likely to provide consistent performance in terms of key actuation, making them equally suitable for those who prefer a smooth and linear typing experience.
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 Bsun Taichi has an MSRP of $2.75 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Taichi for $2.25.
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 switch offers a rich and sharp auditory experience, characterized by its full nylon construction, which contributes to a pronounced tonal quality with each keystroke. Users can expect a well-defined sound profile that enhances the typing experience. On the other hand, the Bsun Taichi switch delivers an enchanting high-pitched bottom-out sound, owing to its long-pole stem and extended springs. This combination produces a distinctive auditory feedback that many enthusiasts find appealing. Both switches provide a unique sound element, but the choice will ultimately depend on personal preference for either a sharper or higher-pitched auditory experience.
When it comes to the feel, the Deep Navy switch is celebrated for its silky smoothness with each keystroke, attributed to the Ly stem design that allows for fluid motion without tactile interruptions. This results in a seamless typing experience where the switches glide effortlessly under the fingers. In contrast, the Taichi switch focuses on unparalleled smoothness and stability due to its long-pole design and walled stems, providing a different kind of satisfying feeling when actuating keys. While both switches promise a smooth typing experience, the Deep Navy emphasizes an uninterrupted glide, whereas the Taichi offers a more stable and consistent feel.
In summary, the choice between the HMX Deep Navy and Bsun Taichi linear switches ultimately boils down to personal preference for sound and feel. The Deep Navy's rich and sharp sound coupled with its smooth operation makes it a favorite for those seeking a vibrant auditory experience and fluidity in typing. Conversely, the Taichi's high-pitched sound and focus on stability may appeal to users who prioritize a unique auditory quality and a consistent keystroke experience. Both switches can deliver satisfying results, so the decision will rely on what you value more in your mechanical keyboard experience.
Conclusion
To conclude, when deciding between the HMX Deep Navy linear switch and the Bsun Taichi linear switch, your choice largely depends on your personal preferences for sound and feel, as well as the weight of the actuation. If you enjoy a lighter switch and crave a rich, sharp sound profile with buttery smooth keystrokes, the Deep Navy is likely the right option for you. Its construction allows it to offer a delightful typing experience that many users find satisfying, especially for extended typing sessions or casual gaming. On the other hand, if you prioritize a unique high-pitched bottom-out sound and seek maximal stability and smoothness with its longer pole and extended springs, the Bsun Taichi may be your best bet. While its bottom-out force remains uncertain, its distinctive characteristics cater to those who appreciate a more pronounced auditory feedback and a stable actuation. In summary, choose the Deep Navy for a balance of lightness and rich sound or opt for the Taichi if you desire enhanced smoothness and a distinctive auditory experience during your typing or gaming sessions.
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