TTC Flaming Purple vs. Gateron Mars
An in-depth look at the TTC Flaming Purple and the Gateron Mars switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing mechanical keyboard switches, the TTC Flaming Purple and Gateron Mars both offer unique experiences that cater to different preferences among typists and gamers. The TTC Flaming Purple is celebrated for its resonant character, delivering a subtly bassy sound profile that adds an engaging auditory flair to each keystroke. Its lightweight actuation, with a bottom-out force of just 47g, makes it an excellent option for those who value swift, effortless typing, whether for work or leisure. On the other hand, the Gateron Mars switches stand out with their innovative design, featuring a POK stem and a housing made from a blend of Nylon and POM that contributes to smooth key presses and durability. While the Mars switches are known for their ergonomic performance and reliability, the Flaming Purple offers a more engaging auditory experience with feathery actuation. Ultimately, your choice might depend on whether you prioritize a tactile auditory experience or a specialized design for smooth 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
42g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
47g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
1.60 mm
Pre-travel
1.20 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
POK
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
23mm single-stage spring
Spring
22mm double-staged spring
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the TTC Flaming Purple and the Gateron Mars switches, it is essential to note the distinct differences between their top housings. The Flaming Purple features a polycarbonate top housing, which is known for its stiffness and clarity in sound production. This material results in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper auditory profile, making it ideal for users who favor bright and resonant key sounds. In contrast, the Gateron Mars utilizes a nylon top housing, a softer plastic that absorbs more sound. As a result, it produces a deeper and fuller sound profile, lending a rounder auditory experience. Thus, the choice of top housing material significantly influences the sound signature of each switch, providing users vastly different auditory experiences.
On the other hand, the bottom housings of both switches share a key similarity, both employing nylon and POM materials, respectively. The Flaming Purple features a nylon bottom housing, renowned for its ability to create a deeper, more muted sound profile. This material absorbs a considerable amount of sound due to its relatively softer nature, delivering a more subdued auditory experience. The Gateron Mars, on the contrary, boasts a POM bottom housing, which also contributes to a muted sound profile, albeit characterized as uniquely pleasing. The incorporation of these materials in the bottom housing affects the feel and bottom-out sound of the switch, essentially ensuring both switches deliver a satisfying tactile experience upon actuation.
In summary, although the TTC Flaming Purple and Gateron Mars switches differ in their top housing materials, the use of nylon in the Flaming Purple's bottom housing and POM in the Mars creates a similar depth in sound. Therefore, users can expect a comparable experience in terms of muted key presses despite the contrasting tonal characteristics brought about by their respective top housings. By integrating the resilient features of polycarbonate and the sound-absorbing properties of nylon and POM, both switches attract diverse preferences in sound profiles while ensuring that tactile feedback remains appealingly consistent across the board.
Weight
The TTC Flaming Purple linear switch and the Gateron Mars linear switch present a noticeable contrast in their actuation forces, while the bottom out force for the Mars switch remains unknown. The Flaming Purple features a lighter actuation force of 42 grams, making it an appealing choice for users who prefer a more effortless typing experience, especially during extended use cases like long workdays or gaming sessions. On the other hand, the Gateron Mars switch has a slightly heavier actuation force of 45 grams, which may provide users with a more substantial feel when typing, appealing to those who favor a stronger push. However, due to the lack of available information on the bottom out force for the Mars switch, a direct comparison in that regard cannot be made. Overall, the Flaming Purple is the lighter option, which might benefit users seeking comfort during prolonged typing, while the heavier feel of the Mars could be better suited for those who desire a more tactile response.
Travel distance
Both the TTC Flaming Purple linear switch and the Gateron Mars linear switch have an identical travel distance of 3.6 mm, which means that users pressing down on either switch will experience the same key travel. This similarity in travel distance ensures that both switches provide a comparable tactile feedback and actuation experience. Consequently, users can expect similar results when typing or gaming, as the feel and responsiveness will not differ significantly between the two.
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 Gateron Mars has an MSRP of $6.10 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Mars for $5.50.
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 profile of the TTC Flaming Purple switch is characterized by a bassy, low-pitched resonance that lends a unique auditory flair to each keystroke. This is indicative of a deeper and richer sound that can enhance the typing experience, featuring a poppy undertone that sets it apart from more traditionally neutral switches. The resonant quality of the Flaming Purple produces a clean and immersive auditory experience, contributing to a vibrant typing atmosphere. In contrast, the Gateron Mars switch lacks specific sound descriptors, which suggests that its auditory characteristics remain unexamined or may vary significantly based on the keyboard setup, including the choice of board and keycaps, making it difficult to provide a direct comparison in this area.
When evaluating the feel, the TTC Flaming Purple offers a distinctly feathery and silky typing experience, making it easy to press with minimal effort. With a bottom-out force of only 47g, it allows for quick actuation, which is particularly advantageous for extensive typing or gaming sessions, helping to minimize finger fatigue. The smoothness of the Flaming Purple enhances comfort and responsiveness, resulting in a more enjoyable typing experience. Unfortunately, there is no detailed information available regarding the feel of the Gateron Mars switch, leaving its tactile qualities and overall user experience unknown, which makes it difficult to compare directly to the Flaming Purple.
In conclusion, the TTC Flaming Purple linear switch excels in both sound and feel, offering a bassy resonance and a feathery typing experience that caters well to typists and gamers alike. Meanwhile, the Gateron Mars switch presents an unknown auditory and tactile experience, making it challenging to gauge its performance. Given these insights, if you're seeking a switch that combines pleasant auditory feedback with effortless typing, the TTC Flaming Purple stands as a compelling option, while the Gateron Mars may require further exploration to determine its qualities. The choice between them ultimately hinges on personal preference and intended use, as their varying characteristics can cater to different typing styles and auditory tastes.
Conclusion
To conclude, when deciding between the TTC Flaming Purple and the Gateron Mars linear switches, your choice will ultimately depend on your typing preferences and needs. If you value a light touch with a bottom-out force of 47 grams, the Flaming Purple is an excellent option, particularly for lengthy typing sessions or gaming marathons where speed and comfort are paramount. Its unique sound profile, characterized by a bassy resonance and poppy undertones, can enhance your auditory experience, making every keystroke enjoyable. On the other hand, if you're seeking a more innovative switch with potentially distinct materials that offer responsive typing and a different tactile experience, you might lean towards the Gateron Mars switch, despite lacking specific details on its actuation forces. Ultimately, if you want a switch that combines a satisfying auditory experience with light, effortless keystrokes, the TTC Flaming Purple is likely your best bet, whereas the Gateron Mars may suit those looking for something less conventional in feel and construction.
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