TTC Flaming Purple vs. Bsun Tomcat (Heavy)

Overview

When exploring the world of mechanical keyboards, switch choice plays a pivotal role in defining your typing experience. The TTC Flaming Purple and the Bsun Tomcat (Heavy) are both linear switches, but they each offer unique characteristics that cater to different preferences. The Flaming Purple stands out with its bassy, resonant sound profile and feathery actuation force of just 47g, providing an almost effortless typing experience that appeals to both enthusiasts and everyday users alike. In contrast, the Tomcat (Heavy) switch is designed for those who prioritize a smooth typing sensation, featuring Ly stems that ensure a refined keystroke, while its resonant sound profile adds a satisfying auditory feedback. Both switches provide an engaging typing experience, with the Flaming Purple leaning towards a more lively and responsive feel, whereas the Tomcat emphasizes smoothness and stability. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.

By the numbers

TTC Flaming Purple Linear

Bsun Tomcat (Heavy) Linear

$8.30

$4.30 per 10

$2.99 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

The housing materials of the TTC Flaming Purple and Bsun Tomcat (Heavy) are remarkably similar, exhibiting a shared emphasis on performance and aesthetic qualities. Both switches utilize polycarbonate for their top housing, which contributes to a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This similarity arises from the inherent properties of polycarbonate, a relatively stiff plastic, which enhances clarity and resonance. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate is particularly advantageous for RGB lighting applications, allowing for an illuminated aesthetic that permeates through the clear housing. As a result, both switches promise users a vibrant and dynamic lighting experience, while maintaining an auditory sharpness that is desirable in mechanical switch designs.

Further emphasizing their comparable construction, the TTC Flaming Purple and Bsun Tomcat (Heavy) both feature nylon as the material for their bottom housing. This choice of material is significant, as nylon is known for creating a deeper and fuller sound profile than harder plastics. Its softer composition enables better sound absorption, resulting in a typing experience characterized by rounder and more muted auditory feedback. This shared trait allows for an enriching tactile sensation and auditory experience that diversifies the overall performance of both switches, demonstrating how the nylon bottom housing and the polycarbonate top housing elements complement each other beautifully.

In considering the overall sound and feel of both switches, it becomes evident that the interplay of the different housing materials will influence the user experience. The polycarbonate top housing enhances the release sound and sharpness, while the nylon bottom housing contributes to a warmed and rounded bottom-out feel. Thus, despite the similarities in materials and their individual contributions, the unique combination of housing materials ensures that users will enjoy the benefits of each switch's construction in both sound characterization and typing dynamics. Whether choosing the Flaming Purple or the Tomcat (Heavy), users can expect a qualitatively rich experience, driven by the effective acoustic properties of polycarbonate and nylon working in harmony.

Weight

When comparing the TTC Flaming Purple linear switch and the Bsun Tomcat (Heavy) linear switch, there are notable differences in both actuation and bottom out forces. The Flaming Purple features a lighter actuation force of 42 grams and a bottom out force of 47 grams, making it suitable for those who prefer a more effortless typing experience, ideal for extended use in work or gaming sessions. In contrast, the Tomcat (Heavy) has a significantly heavier actuation force of 55 grams and a bottom out force of 64 grams, appealing to users who enjoy a more substantial feel during typing. This means that while the Flaming Purple allows for quicker and less forceful keystrokes, the Tomcat (Heavy), with its stronger forces, provides a firmer feedback, which can enhance the tactile experience for typists who prefer higher resistance. Consequently, the Flaming Purple is the lighter option, making it a better choice for long durations of use, while the Tomcat (Heavy) is better suited for those who desire a heftier keystroke feel.

Travel distance

Both the TTC Flaming Purple linear switch and the Bsun Tomcat (Heavy) linear switch have an identical travel distance of 3.6 mm. This means that when pressing down on a key equipped with either switch, users will experience the same amount of travel from the top to the bottom. As a result, both switches will provide a similar tactile feel and responsiveness during typing or gaming, making them comparable in terms of travel distance. Since they share the same specifications, users can expect consistent performance regardless of the switch chosen.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When it comes to sound, the TTC Flaming Purple switch stands out with its bassy and resonant character. It produces a deeper, richer sound profile that leans towards the lower frequencies, resulting in a unique auditory experience that feels engaging and satisfying during each key press. This low-pitched signature resonates well, providing a clearer, sharper sound that is enjoyable for both typing and gaming. In contrast, the sound characteristics of the Bsun Tomcat (Heavy) switch are not detailed, so it’s difficult to draw a direct comparison. However, it's noted that Tomcat switches also feature a resonant sound profile, suggesting that they might share similarities with the Flaming Purple in terms of auditory experience.

In terms of feel, the TTC Flaming Purple switch offers a notably feathery touch, characterized by a light actuation force of just 47g. This contributes to a very effortless typing experience, reducing finger fatigue during extended use. The switch is designed to be easy to press, providing little resistance that enhances the overall comfort for both casual typing and more intensive gaming sessions. Additionally, its silky nature ensures a smooth actuation, allowing for fluidity in keystrokes. On the other hand, the feel of the Bsun Tomcat (Heavy) switch remains unspecified, making it challenging to assess how it compares to the Flaming Purple in terms of user experience.

In conclusion, while the TTC Flaming Purple linear switch is well-documented with its distinctive sound and light, smooth feel, the specifics of the Bsun Tomcat (Heavy) switch remain largely unknown. For those who appreciate a bassy and resonant sound accompanied by a feathery, easy-to-press feel, the Flaming Purple provides a compelling choice. If you are considering either switch, you may end up with a satisfying auditory experience with the Flaming Purple, while the Tomcat (Heavy) could also potentially deliver a pleasing result, yet the attributes cannot be corroborated as they are not elaborated upon.

Conclusion

To conclude, your choice between the TTC Flaming Purple linear switch and the Bsun Tomcat (Heavy) linear switch ultimately hinges on your personal preferences and typing habits. If you prioritize a light and effortless typing experience, the Flaming Purple, with its 47-gram bottom-out force and engaging bassy sound profile, will likely suit you well. It’s particularly advantageous for long typing sessions, whether you’re gaming, working, or studying, as it minimizes finger fatigue and allows for rapid key presses. On the other hand, if you gravitate towards a more robust typing feel, the Tomcat (Heavy) with its 64-gram bottom-out force offers a satisfying resistance that can enhance your typing precision, especially beneficial for tasks where feedback and control are paramount. The Tomcat is equally known for its smoothness, making it a solid choice for those who enjoy a richer tactile experience. Ultimately, consider your preferences in typing weight and sound profile to determine which switch aligns best with your needs, as both switches present distinct advantages for various typing experiences.

Mentioned in this article

TTC Flaming Purple Linear

$8.30

$4.30 per 10

Learn more

Bsun Tomcat (Heavy) Linear

$2.99 per 10

Learn more