TTC Flaming Purple vs. Bsun Light Sakura
An in-depth look at the TTC Flaming Purple and the Bsun Light Sakura switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When choosing the right mechanical keyboard switch, enthusiasts often find themselves weighing the attributes of various options, such as the TTC Flaming Purple and the Bsun Light Sakura. The Flaming Purple, celebrated for its unique resonant character, delivers a subtly bassy sound signature with a delightful poppy undertone, while maintaining a feathery touch with a light 47g bottom-out force. This combination makes it an enticing selection for both avid gamers and everyday typists longing for an engaging auditory experience. In contrast, the Bsun Light Sakura stands out for its ultra-light feel and silent operation, making it the ideal pick for long typing sessions in shared or quiet environments. The Sakura provides comfort without sacrificing performance, prioritizing a fatigue-free experience for users who value discretion. Nonetheless, 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
42g
Actuation force
37g
Bottom-out force
47g
Bottom-out force
43g
Pre-travel
1.60 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POK
Stem material
Ly
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
23mm single-stage spring
Spring
22mm extended spring
Housing materials
The TTC Flaming Purple and the Bsun Light Sakura switches share similarities in their top housings, both utilizing polycarbonate materials. This choice results in a sound profile that is sharper and crisper, creating a noticeable auditory experience when typing. The stiffness of polycarbonate contributes to its ability to resonate sound clearly, making it an excellent choice for users who appreciate an articulate keypress. Additionally, the translucent nature of polycarbonate enhances the visual appeal, particularly when utilized alongside RGB lighting, providing a vibrant and colorful aesthetic that complements modern keyboard designs.
Contrastingly, the bottom housings of the two switches diverge significantly in material composition. The Flaming Purple opts for nylon, a classic choice known for its softer and more acoustic-absorbing properties. This material produces a deeper, fuller sound profile, contributing to a more subdued auditory experience when bottoming out during typing. The nylon's ability to absorb sound impacts the overall feel of the switch, leading to a rounder and mellower bottom-out sound, differentiating it from the sharper characteristics of polycarbonate. The Light Sakura, however, features polycarbonate as its bottom housing material, which maintains the clarity and resonance associated with the top housing, effectively creating a consistent sound signature across the switch.
The differing bottom materials signify that the Flaming Purple and the Light Sakura will produce distinct sound sensations during use. The importance of housing materials manifests in the auditory output; while the Flaming Purple benefits from the combination of a crisp top and a fuller bottom for an intriguing duotone sound, the Light Sakura's polycarbonate bottom enhances the overall sharpness and clarity. When using each of these switches, the user will feel a unique typing experience dictated by the interplay of the materials. Ultimately, both switches deliver quality results, but the user will notice differences in the auditory feedback based on the combination of the switch's top and bottom housing materials.
Weight
When comparing the TTC Flaming Purple linear switch and the Bsun Light Sakura linear switch, both exhibit relatively light actuation and bottom out forces that cater to users who prefer a softer typing experience. The Flaming Purple has an actuation force of 42 grams and a bottom out force of 47 grams, while the Light Sakura is slightly lighter, with an actuation force of 37 grams and a bottom out force of 43 grams. This makes the Light Sakura the lighter switch overall, emphasizing an even easier keystroke for prolonged typing or gaming sessions. On the other hand, the Flaming Purple, with its higher forces, offers a bit more resistance, which may be preferred by those seeking a more substantial feel. Overall, both switches allow for a more relaxed typing experience, but for those who favor less resistance, the Light Sakura would be the better choice.
Travel distance
Both the TTC Flaming Purple linear switch and the Bsun Light Sakura linear switch feature a travel distance of 3.6 mm, making them equal in this regard. This means that when pressing down a key equipped with either switch, users will experience the same travel distance, resulting in similar keystroke feedback and overall typing experience. Since both switches offer the same travel distance, they can be expected to deliver comparable performance in terms of actuation and responsiveness.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The TTC Flaming Purple has an MSRP of $8.30 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Flaming Purple for $4.30.
The Bsun Light Sakura has an MSRP of $4.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Light Sakura for $3.49.
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 Purple linear switch presents a unique auditory experience characterized by a bassy and resonant signature. This sound profile offers a slightly lower-pitched, deeper tone that delivers an engaging auditory flair with each keystroke. The richness of its sound can make it stand out among linear switches, providing a satisfying auditory feedback that many typists find appealing. Conversely, the Bsun Light Sakura is designed as a silent switch, producing minimal sound during operation. This makes it suitable for quiet environments, where discretion is paramount. While the Flaming Purple offers a more dynamic and resonant sound experience, the Light Sakura promotes a nearly soundless typing experience, catering to users wanting privacy in their keystrokes.
When it comes to feel, the Flaming Purple excels with its notably feathery and easy-to-press characteristics. The light actuation force of just 47g results in an effortless typing experience, reducing finger fatigue during long sessions. This silky smoothness enhances the overall typing experience by offering gentle resistance, allowing for quick and responsive typing ideal for various activities, including gaming and professional work. On the other hand, the feel of the Light Sakura switch remains largely unknown, particularly regarding specific descriptors such as resistance, actuation force, or smoothness. Given its design focus on comfort and ease of use, it might offer a comparable lightweight feel suitable for extended typing, similar to the Flaming Purple.
In conclusion, the TTC Flaming Purple linear switch provides a rich and resonant sound, combined with a feathery and smooth feel that makes it a compelling choice for those who enjoy a more engaging auditory and tactile experience. Meanwhile, the Bsun Light Sakura emphasizes quiet operation, making it ideal for use in shared workspaces. While the Flaming Purple offers a more defined auditory character and light touch, the feel and sound details of the Light Sakura remain largely unknown, yet it might still provide a comfortable typing experience. Ultimately, users considering switches favoring auditory feedback would likely lean toward the Flaming Purple, while those prioritizing silence would find the Light Sakura more appealing.
Conclusion
To conclude, choosing between the TTC Flaming Purple and the Bsun Light Sakura linear switches ultimately depends on your specific needs and preferences. If you enjoy a lively auditory experience while typing and appreciate a switch that provides a subtle tactile response, then the Flaming Purple, with its slightly bassy sound and feathery feel, could be your go-to option. It's perfect for those who want their keystrokes to resonate with a bit of character, making it suitable for both gaming and daily typing tasks. On the other hand, if you prioritize a quiet and gentle typing experience, especially in shared or professional environments, the Light Sakura is an excellent choice. Its ultra-light feel and silent operation cater to long typing sessions, allowing you to work comfortably without disturbing others. Ultimately, consider how you intend to use your keyboard, as both switches excel in their own realms: the Flaming Purple for expressive typing and the Light Sakura for discreet comfort.
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