TTC Flaming Pink vs. HMX Twilight
An in-depth look at the TTC Flaming Pink and the HMX Twilight switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboards, the choice of switches plays a crucial role in customizing your typing experience, and two intriguing options are the TTC Flaming Pink and the HMX Twilight, both linear switches with unique attributes. The TTC Flaming Pink is celebrated for its smooth and responsive feel, delivering a satisfying bottom-out sound that enhances both gaming and daily typing tasks. With its bright yet subtle sound profile, it's favored by those who appreciate a touch of auditory feedback without being overly loud. On the other hand, the HMX Twilight stands out with an extended 3.85mm travel distance, providing a quieter typing experience while still embodying the distinctive clacky characteristics that HMX switches are known for. While each switch offers a compelling argument for selection—whether it be the premium feel of the Flaming Pink or the quieter, yet dynamic response of the Twilight—it's essential to delve deeper into their characteristics to determine which switch aligns best with your personal preferences.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
43g
Actuation force
42g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
50g
Pre-travel
1.60 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.85 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
Ly
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
24mm single-staged spring
Spring
20mm single-stage spring
Housing materials
The TTC Flaming Pink and HMX Twilight switches exhibit distinct differences in their top housing materials, which significantly influence their acoustic profiles. The Flaming Pink utilizes polycarbonate for its top housing, resulting in a sharper and crisper sound profile due to polycarbonate's stiffness. This material is particularly advantageous for showcasing RGB lighting as its translucency enhances the visual effects. In contrast, the Twilight features a nylon top housing, which lends itself to a deeper and fuller sound profile. This is largely attributed to nylon's softer composition, which absorbs sound more efficiently, thereby creating a rounder and more muted auditory experience. As a result, those looking for a bright and clear sound would prefer the Flaming Pink, while users seeking a more subdued tone would gravitate towards the Twilight.
Both switches share nylon as the material for their bottom housing, which bridges a similarity in auditory experience when typing on either switch. The nylon found in the bottom housing of both the Flaming Pink and Twilight contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile, absorbing more sound and providing a rounded acoustic effect. Since the bottom housing affects the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing the key, users may find that regardless of the top housing material, the typing experience during activation will feel more similar when using either switch. This shared characteristic emphasizes how nylon's qualities can make a substantive impact on the overall feedback when actuating the switch.
Ultimately, the differences in top housing materials lead to a divergence in sound profiles, while the shared nylon bottom housing facilitates a cohesive typing experience. The Flaming Pink, with its polycarbonate top, will appeal to users who prefer brightness and clarity in their keystrokes, making it suitable for RGB setups. Conversely, the HMX Twilight's nylon top will provide a warmer, more rounded sound profile desired by users who appreciate a softer typing experience. Nonetheless, due to their identical bottom housings, users will still find common ground in the deeper sound characteristics when bottoming out, establishing a unique combination of experiences that reflects the distinctive qualities of each housing material.
Weight
The TTC Flaming Pink linear switch and the HMX Twilight linear switch both feature light actuation and bottom out forces, making them suitable for users who favor extended typing or gaming sessions. The Flaming Pink has an actuation force of 43 grams, while the Twilight is slightly lighter at 42 grams, indicating a marginal preference for the Twilight if you prefer switches that require less force to engage. Both switches share an identical bottom out force of 50 grams, which provides a consistent tactile resistance when the keys are fully depressed. This similarity in bottom out force means that users will experience a comparable end-point sensation with either switch. Overall, while the Flaming Pink is slightly heavier in terms of actuation, both options present a comfortable experience for those who enjoy lighter switches.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the TTC Flaming Pink linear switch and the HMX Twilight linear switch, the differences are clear. The Flaming Pink has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Twilight measures slightly longer at 3.85 mm. This indicates that the Flaming Pink is the shorter option and may provide a more responsive experience, which is often favored by gamers seeking quicker key presses. In contrast, the longer travel distance of the Twilight might appeal to those who prefer a more substantial feel when typing, providing a greater sense of depth. Overall, if you're looking for speed and quicker response times, the Flaming Pink could be the preferred choice, whereas if you favor a more pronounced key press, the Twilight would be more suitable.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The TTC Flaming Pink has an MSRP of $4.29 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Flaming Pink for $4.00.
The HMX Twilight has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Twilight for $3.29.
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 TTC Flaming Pink switch produces a bright yet not overly loud sound profile, making it a pleasant option for both gaming and typing without being distracting. This switch delivers a satisfying bottom-out sound that enhances the overall typing experience. In contrast, the HMX Twilight switch has an extended travel distance of 3.85mm, which results in a slightly quieter performance while still embracing the signature clacky characteristics typical of HMX switches. While both switches aim to provide enjoyable auditory feedback, the Flaming Pink leans towards a livelier sound, while the Twilight offers a more subdued yet still engaging auditory experience.
When it comes to feel, the Flaming Pink switch is characterized by its smooth and responsive action, allowing for seamless keystrokes that are ideal for both gaming and day-to-day typing tasks. It is designed to offer a premium experience, enhancing the overall satisfaction for users who prioritize fluidity in their typing. On the other hand, the HMX Twilight switch, with its longer travel distance, may provide a different tactile sensation, focusing more on a distinct feel over the entire stroke, which could cater to users who appreciate that tactile feedback in their typing experience. While both switches provide a linear feel, the Flaming Pink emphasizes smoothness, whereas the Twilight may offer a unique tactile experience due to its extended travel.
In conclusion, both the TTC Flaming Pink and HMX Twilight linear switches offer distinct qualities that cater to different preferences. While the Flaming Pink is noted for its smooth, responsive action and a bright auditory profile, the Twilight switch stands out with its longer travel distance and slightly quieter sound, capturing a more subdued yet still engaging typing sensation. Ultimately, your choice between these switches will depend on whether you prioritize a livelier auditory experience or a unique tactile feedback that comes with extended travel. Regardless of which option you choose, both switches promise a rewarding typing experience, each in their unique way.
Conclusion
In summary, when deciding between the TTC Flaming Pink linear switch and the HMX Twilight linear switch, your choice ultimately depends on your personal preferences and typing habits. If you seek a smooth and responsive feel with a satisfying bottom-out sound—ideal for both gaming sessions and everyday typing—the Flaming Pink is likely the best choice for you. Its tactile feedback provides an engaging experience, particularly if you appreciate a bright yet controlled acoustic profile. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch with an extended travel distance that prioritizes a quieter operation without sacrificing performance, the HMX Twilight could be your go-to. Its design caters well to those who want a softer sound while retaining the signature clackiness essential for a tactile experience. Ultimately, consider your typing style and the environment in which you'll be using your keyboard. Whether that’s fast-paced gaming or focused work sessions, both switches offer great attributes, so choose the one that resonates most with your needs.
Mentioned in this article
