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KTT Glimp vs. Gateron Ink Box Pink

An in-depth look at the KTT Glimp and the Gateron Ink Box Pink switches—which one is the best fit for you?

Overview

Introducing the KTT Glimp and the Gateron Ink Box Pink, both linear switches that offer unique benefits for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts. The Glimp switch strikes the perfect balance with its medium-light actuation force, providing a substantial typing experience without overwhelming resistance. Its tactile feedback ensures a satisfying and responsive typing feel, and the fairly clacky sound profile adds an enjoyable auditory element to your typing sessions. On the other hand, the Ink Box Pink switch stands out with its smooth and lighter typing feel, making it a great choice for those who prefer a gentle touch. With a higher-pitched clack, these translucent switches add a touch of elegance to any keyboard setup. 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

50g

Bottom-out force

53g

Bottom-out force

60g

Pre-travel

1.90 mm

Pre-travel

1.80 mm

Total travel

4.00 mm

Total travel

3.60 mm

Factory lubed

Yes

Factory lubed

Yes

Stem construction

Standard

Stem construction

Partial box

Stem material

POM

Stem material

POM

Top housing material

Polycarbonate

Top housing material

Proprietary INK blend

Bottom housing material

Nylon

Bottom housing material

Proprietary INK blend

Mount type

PCB (5-pin)

Mount type

PCB (5-pin)

Spring

18mm spring

Spring

Stainless steel

Housing materials

The housing materials of the KTT Glimp and the Gateron Ink Box Pink differ in terms of the materials used. The Glimp features a polycarbonate top housing, while the Ink Box Pink utilizes Gateron's proprietary INK blend top housing. While both materials aim to create a satisfying sound profile, their characteristics differ slightly. The Glimp's polycarbonate top housing creates a sharper and crisper sound profile, thanks to its relatively stiffer plastic. On the other hand, the Ink Box Pink's INK blend top housing produces a pointed and high-pitched sound without being overly sharp. Both materials, however, offer transparency, making them suitable for switches with RGB lighting.

Moving on to the bottom housing, the Glimp incorporates a nylon material, which is considered a classic choice for switch housing. In terms of sound, typing on switches with nylon bottom housings delivers a deeper and fuller sound profile. This is due to nylon's softer plastic, allowing it to absorb more sound and consequently create a duller and rounder sound. Conversely, the Ink Box Pink utilizes Gateron's INK blend bottom housing, which offers a similar clacky and higher-pitched sound profile as its top housing. Both bottom housing materials contribute to the overall sound and feel of the switch when pressed down.

In summary, the KTT Glimp and the Gateron Ink Box Pink utilize different housing materials to achieve their respective sound profiles. The Glimp's polycarbonate top housing offers a crisper and sharper sound, while the Ink Box Pink's INK blend top housing provides a pointed and high-pitched sound without being excessively sharp. Both switches feature transparent top housing, enabling the use of RGB lighting. In terms of bottom housing, the Glimp's nylon material creates a deeper and fuller sound, contrasting with the clacky and higher-pitched sound produced by the Ink Box Pink's INK blend bottom housing. Despite their differences, both switches ensure a satisfying typing experience with unique sound characteristics.

Weight

When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the KTT Glimp linear switch and the Gateron Ink Box Pink linear switch, it is evident that both switches fall within the medium-light to medium range. The Glimp has an actuation force of 43 grams and a bottom out force of 53 grams, while the Ink Box Pink has an actuation force of 50 grams and a bottom out force of 60 grams. These slight differences in force can have an impact on the typing experience.

For those who prefer a lighter typing feel, the Glimp switch would be a suitable choice as it requires slightly less force to trigger a keystroke. This is especially beneficial for individuals who type for extended periods or engage in long gaming sessions, as it reduces fatigue and strain on the fingers. On the other hand, the Ink Box Pink switch provides a slightly heavier push feel with its higher actuation and bottom out forces. This may appeal to users seeking a more substantial typing experience, as the increased force can provide a satisfying tactile feedback.

Ultimately, both switches offer comparable results in terms of their actuation and bottom out forces. While the Glimp switch is lighter and the Ink Box Pink switch is heavier, the variances between the forces are relatively minor. Therefore, individuals seeking a similar typing experience can opt for either switch, knowing that the differences in force are not significant enough to significantly impact their typing or gaming performance.

Travel distance

The KTT Glimp linear switch has a travel distance of 4.0 mm, which is considered a more traditional and deeper travel distance. On the other hand, the Gateron Ink Box Pink linear switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.6 mm. This makes the Ink Box Pink the shorter option between the two. The shorter travel distance of the Ink Box Pink can be preferred by gamers who prioritize faster response times, while the Glimp with its longer travel distance may be more suitable for those who prefer a deeper and more substantial feel when pressing down on a key. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for either a shorter and more responsive experience or a longer and more substantial typing experience.

Price comparison

Which switch is more bang for your buck?

The KTT Glimp has an MSRP of $3.84 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Glimp for $3.45.

The Gateron Ink Box Pink has an MSRP of $8.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Ink Box Pink for $7.65.

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, both the KTT Glimp and the Gateron Ink Box Pink switches can be described as clacky. A clacky keyboard switch produces a sharp and snappy sound when pressed, with a crisp, bright, and percussive quality. However, the Ink Box Pink switches have a higher-pitched sound profile compared to the Glimp switches. This means that if you prefer a more rich and bassy sound, the Gateron Ink Box Pink switches would be a good choice.

Moving on to feel, the Glimp switches are often referred to as creamy, offering a smooth and buttery typing experience. This is thanks to lubricant applied at the factory or specific materials used in the switch construction. Typing on the Glimp switches feels like gliding your fingers across the keys with ease, as each keystroke effortlessly melts into the switch. On the other hand, the Gateron Ink Box Pink switches are described as silky and polished. They provide an exceptionally smooth typing experience by minimizing resistance when pressing and releasing keys. The switches have a refined finish, resulting in reduced friction and smooth key travel.

Considering all the available information, the KTT Glimp and Gateron Ink Box Pink switches offer different subjective qualities for sound and feel. The Glimp switches provide a satisfying tactile feedback and comfortable actuation force, resulting in a substantial typing experience without overwhelming resistance. They have a fairly clacky sound profile and a creamy feel, offering a moderate and approachable experience for most users. On the other hand, the Ink Box Pink switches have a lighter typing feel and a higher-pitched clack sound. They offer a silky and polished feel, enhancing the overall smoothness of the typing experience.

While the Glimp and Ink Box Pink switches differ in some aspects, such as sound and feel, they can both provide a pleasant typing experience. If you enjoy a medium-light switch with tactile feedback, the Glimp switches would be a great choice. If you prefer a smoother and lighter typing feel with a higher-pitched clack sound, the Ink Box Pink switches would be a suitable alternative. By considering your preferences and combining these switches with compatible boards and keycaps, you can achieve similar satisfying results based on your personal preferences.

Conclusion

To sum up, if you prioritize a satisfying and responsive typing experience with a medium-light bottom out force, as well as a clacky sound profile, then the KTT Glimp linear switch would be a great choice for you. It strikes a balance between tactile feedback and comfortable actuation force, offering a substantial typing feel without overwhelming resistance. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter typing feel with a medium bottom out force and a higher-pitched clack sound, then the Gateron Ink Box Pink linear switch would be more suitable for you. These translucent switches are smooth and provide a gentle typing experience, with enhanced smoothness and reduced friction. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches depends on your personal preferences for typing feel, sound profile, and actuation force.

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