TTC Flaming Pink vs. Gazzew U4T
An in-depth look at the TTC Flaming Pink and the Gazzew U4T switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the choice between the TTC Flaming Pink and the Gazzew U4T can significantly impact your typing experience. The TTC Flaming Pink, a linear switch, is renowned for its smooth and responsive feel, providing a premium typing experience that excels in both gaming and everyday tasks. Its sound profile strikes a perfect balance, delivering a bright yet unobtrusive bottom-out sound that enhances the typing experience without being overly loud. In contrast, the Gazzew U4T is a tactile switch that offers a unique combination of thockiness and sharpness, making each keystroke not only audible but also undeniably satisfying. With its bassy 'thock' sound and assertive tactile feedback, the U4T caters to those who revel in a more pronounced keystroke experience. While the Flaming Pink is ideal for users seeking a smooth and versatile switch, the U4T appeals to enthusiasts who appreciate a tactile and auditory dimension to their typing. 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
43g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
65g
Pre-travel
1.60 mm
Pre-travel
N/A
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Proprietary Gazzew blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Proprietary Gazzew blend
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
24mm single-staged spring
Spring
Stainless steel 17.5mm Korean spring
Housing materials
The TTC Flaming Pink and the Gazzew U4T both utilize different materials for their switch housings, leading to distinct sound profiles and user experiences. The Flaming Pink features a polycarbonate top housing that is known for producing a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile. This stiffer plastic enhances clarity and resonance, making it an excellent choice for users who prefer a more defined auditory feedback when typing. Moreover, its translucency allows for effective RGB lighting effects, adding an aesthetic appeal that complements its sonic attributes. In comparison, the U4T employs a proprietary blend referred to as "boba plastic" for its top housing. Although softer than polycarbonate, this blend aims to create a rich sound profile, albeit with a different focus on clarity and pitch, pointing to a more muted, yet fuller sound when typing.
Both switches feature different materials for their bottom housings that further diversify their audio characteristics. The Flaming Pink utilizes a nylon bottom housing, known for its classic properties, which contribute to a deeper and fuller sound profile. The softness of nylon helps absorb sound, resulting in a rounder and more subdued auditory experience when the key bottoms out. Conversely, the U4T's bottom housing also consists of the proprietary boba plastic blend, mirroring the qualities found in its top housing. This material is designed to maintain a rich and deep sound profile, allowing users to enjoy a consistent auditory experience throughout the actuation and bottoming-out phases. Both switches, therefore, leverage the inherent softness of their materials to create a sound profile that is deeper and richer.
When considering the interaction of these materials, it becomes apparent that both the TTC Flaming Pink and the Gazzew U4T can achieve somewhat similar results when deployed in a keyboard. While the Flaming Pink emphasizes a crisp sound through its polycarbonate top, paired with the deep tone from its nylon bottom, the U4T relies on its boba plastic throughout both housings to offer a consistent depth of sound. The overall typing experience is influenced and shaped significantly by the housing materials, which allows for nuanced differences that cater to various preferences. Consequently, even though the sound characteristics of each switch may differ, both can still deliver satisfying and enjoyable auditory feedback depending on user preferences and context, providing a rich typing experience overall.
Weight
The TTC Flaming Pink linear switch and the Gazzew U4T tactile switch exhibit distinct differences in their actuation and bottom out forces, catering to different preferences among users. The Flaming Pink has a notably lighter actuation force of 43 grams, compared to the U4T, which has an unspecified actuation force but a heavier bottom out force of 65 grams. This makes the Flaming Pink more suitable for those who favor a lighter touch, allowing for longer typing sessions without fatigue, making it an excellent choice for work or lengthy gaming marathons. In contrast, the Gazzew U4T’s heavier bottom out force of 65 grams provides a more substantial typing experience, appealing to those who prefer a stronger push feel. Overall, the Flaming Pink is the lighter option, while the U4T is on the heavier side, making them ideal for different user preferences based on desired typing feel and usage duration.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the TTC Flaming Pink linear switch and the Gazzew U4T tactile switch, a noticeable difference emerges. The Flaming Pink has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the U4T features a longer travel distance of 4 mm. This distinction suggests that the Flaming Pink switch may provide a more responsive feel, appealing to gamers who favor quick key presses for faster response times. On the other hand, the U4T, with its longer travel distance, may be preferred by those who enjoy a more substantial key press that offers a deeper tactile experience. Ultimately, the short travel distance of the Flaming Pink makes it the more suitable choice for those seeking urgency, whereas the U4T caters to those who appreciate a heartier depth in their key presses.
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 Gazzew U4T comes in at $6.50 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
When it comes to sound, the TTC Flaming Pink switch is designed to deliver a bright yet not overly loud sound profile. This means the switch provides a satisfying bottom-out noise that complements the typing experience without overwhelming the senses, making it suitable for environments where quieter operation is preferred. On the other hand, the Gazzew U4T switch produces a unique auditory experience characterized by a bassy 'thock' sound. This deeper sound generates a rich acoustic presence during key presses, resonating with a satisfying thock that many typists find enjoyable. The different sound profiles distinctly cater to various preferences, with the Flaming Pink targeting a more subtle resonance while the U4T emphasizes a profound and rich tonal quality.
In terms of feel, the TTC Flaming Pink switch is celebrated for its smoothness and responsiveness, providing a premium typing experience that enhances both gaming and everyday use. This switch allows for effortless keystrokes without any tactile interruption. Conversely, the Gazzew U4T switch is defined by its assertive tactile feedback. The sharp tactile bump enables typists to experience a pronounced tactile response with every keystroke, creating a more engaged feel while typing. The Flaming Pink offers a smoother experience compared to the pronounced tactile feedback of the U4T, appealing to those who favor either a seamless or a tactile engagement during typing.
In conclusion, the TTC Flaming Pink and Gazzew U4T switches present distinct auditory and tactile experiences tailored to different preferences. The Flaming Pink provides a bright and smooth typing experience with a moderate sound profile, making it versatile for various usage scenarios. In contrast, the U4T delivers a rich thocky sound and sharp tactile feedback, appealing to users who appreciate a more pronounced response and deeper acoustic presence. Ultimately, your choice between the two will depend on whether you prioritize a smooth feel and subtle sound or prefer a pronounced tactile sensation with a deeper auditory experience.
Conclusion
To conclude, your choice between the TTC Flaming Pink linear switch and the Gazzew U4T tactile switch ultimately depends on your personal preferences and intended use. If you favor a smooth, lightweight typing experience that edges towards gaming, the Flaming Pink is an excellent option. With a bottom-out force of just 50 grams, these switches provide a responsive feel that allows for quick key presses and comfortable, fatigue-free typing over long sessions. Their bright yet subtly engaging sound profile offers a nice balance that won't distract others nearby, making them suitable for both casual and competitive gaming as well as everyday typers. On the flip side, if you prefer a more pronounced feedback with satisfying auditory cues, the Gazzew U4T tactile switch would likely be more appealing. With a medium-heavy bottom-out force of 65 grams, the U4T delivers a rich, thocky sound accompanied by a sharp tactile bump that provides clear, engaging feedback with every keystroke. This makes them an excellent choice for those who enjoy typing with a bit more resistance, or for tasks that require deliberate and confident key presses, such as coding or writing. Thus, consider what you value more—smoothness and lightness or pronounced tactility and sound—when making your switch selection.
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