TTC Flaming Purple vs. Outemu Cold Plum
An in-depth look at the TTC Flaming Purple and the Outemu Cold Plum switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the TTC Flaming Purple and Outemu Cold Plum both offer unique features and characteristics that cater to different preferences. The TTC Flaming Purple is known for its resonant character and bassier sound profile, making each keystroke engaging and enjoyable. With a feather-light actuation force of just 47g, typing on this switch is effortless and swift, appealing to both enthusiasts and daily typists. On the other hand, the Outemu Cold Plum stands out with its thocky sound profile and fully nylon construction, providing a smooth keystroke and satisfying typing experience. While both switches have their strengths, each appeals to a different type of user. 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
60g
Bottom-out force
47g
Bottom-out force
70g
Pre-travel
1.60 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.30 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POK
Stem material
Nylon
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
23mm single-stage spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
While both the TTC Flaming Purple and the Outemu Cold Plum feature a nylon bottom housing, the Flaming Purple's polycarbonate top housing brings a sharper and crisper sound profile compared to the Cold Plum's nylon top housing, which elicits a deeper and fuller sound. The stiffer nature of polycarbonate in the Flaming Purple creates a more resonant sound, while the softer nylon in the Cold Plum absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. This contrast in sound profiles highlights the importance of housing materials in creating distinct typing experiences.
In terms of aesthetics, the Flaming Purple's polycarbonate top housing offers translucency, making it ideal for switches designed with RGB lighting in mind. On the other hand, the Outemu Cold Plum's nylon top housing emphasizes functionality over visual appeal, focusing on delivering a deeper sound experience for typists. Despite their differences, both housing materials play a crucial role in dictating the overall sound profile of the switches, catering to different preferences among mechanical keyboard enthusiasts.
When considering how the housing materials affect the typing experience, it becomes apparent that the qualities of each material are split between the top and bottom of the switch. The bottom housing impacts the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing influences the sound when releasing a key. This division of responsibilities between the top and bottom housings underscores the importance of choosing the right materials to achieve the desired typing experience, whether it be a sharper and higher-pitched sound profile with the Flaming Purple or a deeper and fuller sound with the Cold Plum.
Weight
When comparing the TTC Flaming Purple linear switch and the Outemu Cold Plum linear switch, it is evident that there is a notable difference in the actuation force and bottom out force. The Flaming Purple has a lighter actuation force of 42 grams and a bottom out force of 47 grams, making it more suitable for those who prefer a lighter touch for extended typing or gaming sessions. In contrast, the Cold Plum features a heavier actuation force of 60 grams and a bottom out force of 70 grams, providing a more substantial typing experience for those who prefer a stronger push feel. The actuation force of the Flaming Purple is significantly lighter than that of the Cold Plum, making it the lighter option, while the Cold Plum falls on the medium-heavy side in terms of force. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will depend on individual preferences for typing experience and force requirements.
Travel distance
The TTC Flaming Purple linear switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Outemu Cold Plum linear switch has a travel distance of 3.3 mm. In this case, the Flaming Purple has a longer travel distance compared to the Cold Plum. A shorter travel distance can be beneficial for gamers looking for quicker response times, while a longer travel distance may provide a more satisfying tactile feedback for some users. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on personal preference and the specific needs of the user. While the travel distances are different in this case, both switches offer a similar linear typing experience.
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 Outemu Cold Plum comes in at $3.10 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 comparing the sound of the TTC Flaming Purple and the Outemu Cold Plum switches, the Flaming Purple stands out for its bassier undertone and resonant character, providing a poppy and engaging auditory experience with each keystroke. On the other hand, the Cold Plum switches are known for their thocky sound profile, which offers a unique and satisfying typing experience. While the specific sound qualities of the Cold Plum switch are not mentioned, it is likely to produce a distinctive sound that differs from the Flaming Purple. Ultimately, both switches offer different sound profiles that cater to individual preferences and typing styles.
In terms of feel, the TTC Flaming Purple switches are characterized as feathery and easy-to-press, providing a light and effortless typing experience that minimizes finger fatigue and enhances comfort during extended typing sessions. The smooth and silky feel of the Flaming Purple adds to the overall typing experience, making it a popular choice among enthusiasts and daily typists. On the other hand, the Outemu Cold Plum switches are not described in terms of feel, but their nylon construction suggests a durable and possibly smoother typing experience compared to other switches. Both switches offer unique tactile feedback and actuation force, catering to different typing preferences.
Overall, the TTC Flaming Purple and Outemu Cold Plum switches offer distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel, providing enthusiasts and typists with a range of options to choose from based on their preferences. While the specific sound profile and feel of the Cold Plum switches are not explicitly outlined, users can expect a different typing experience compared to the Flaming Purple switches due to their unique design and construction. Ultimately, both switches offer a variety of subjective qualities that can enhance the overall typing experience, making them suitable choices for different preferences and typing styles.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the TTC Flaming Purple linear switch and the Outemu Cold Plum linear switch, consider your preference for bottom-out force and sound profile. If you prefer a lighter bottom-out force and enjoy a bassier sound profile with a feathery and easy-to-press feel, the TTC Flaming Purple may be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium-heavy bottom-out force and value a thocky sound profile with a smooth keystroke, the Outemu Cold Plum could be more suited to your preferences. Ultimately, both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different typing preferences, so choose based on what feels most comfortable and enjoyable to you.
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