KTT Glimp vs. Gateron Ink Red
An in-depth look at the KTT Glimp and the Gateron Ink Red switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboards, two popular switches that often come to mind are the KTT Glimp and the Gateron Ink Red. The Glimp switch is a medium-light linear switch that provides a substantial typing experience without overwhelming resistance. Its tactile feedback and comfortable actuation force offer a satisfying and responsive typing feel. Moreover, the Glimp switch has a fairly clacky sound profile, adding an enjoyable auditory element to your typing sessions. On the other hand, the Ink Red switch is also a linear switch but stands out with its lower actuation force, making it ideal for those with a lighter typing style. The Ink Reds are known for their satisfyingly smooth operation and crispy, clacky sound profile. They are effortless to type on, providing a seamless typing experience. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities, so you can best decide on the switch that suits your preferences and needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
43g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
53g
Bottom-out force
60g
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
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
Gold-plated
Housing materials
The KTT Glimp and the Gateron Ink Red have contrasting housing materials that contribute to their distinct sound profiles. The Glimp boasts a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. This is due to polycarbonate's stiffness, resulting in a clear and resonant sound that is especially ideal for use with RGB lighting. On the other hand, the Ink Red features a proprietary INK blend top housing, characterized by a pointed and relatively high-pitched sound that is described as clacky. While both materials produce high-pitched sounds, the Glimp's polycarbonate gives a sharper and crisper tone, whereas the Ink Red's blend offers a satisfying and slightly less sharp sound.
In terms of their bottom housings, the Glimp utilizes a nylon material, which generates a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon, being a softer plastic that absorbs more sound, contributes to a duller and rounder sound. On the other hand, the Ink Red features its proprietary INK blend bottom housing, resulting in a pointed and relatively high-pitched sound. Both materials bring different qualities to the switch's sound, with the Glimp's nylon offering a deeper and fuller tone, while the Ink Red's blend provides a thinner and slightly clacky sound.
When it comes to the overall feel of the switch, the bottom housing plays a significant role. The typing experience and bottom-out sound are influenced by the qualities of the bottom housing. However, the top housing, whether polycarbonate or INK blend, has more impact on the sound when the key is released. While the KTT Glimp and the Gateron Ink Red have differing housing materials, their combination of top and bottom housings work together to create their unique sound profiles and tactile experiences.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the KTT Glimp linear switch and the Gateron Ink Red linear switch, there are some notable differences. The Glimp has an actuation force of 43 grams, slightly lighter than the Ink Red's 45 grams. Both switches have a relatively similar actuation force, resulting in a relatively light keystroke that is ideal for prolonged typing or gaming sessions. Moving on to the bottom out force, the Glimp has a force of 53 grams, whereas the Ink Red requires a slightly heavier force of 60 grams for bottoming out. This means that the Glimp provides a slightly softer and smoother typing experience, while the Ink Red offers a more substantial and pronounced keystroke. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preferences. Those who prefer a lighter touch may opt for the Glimp, while those seeking a more solid and forceful typing experience may prefer the Ink Red. Nonetheless, both switches offer a comfortable and satisfying tactile response.
Travel distance
The travel distance of a switch plays a crucial role in determining the tactile feedback and typing experience. In the case of the KTT Glimp linear switch and the Gateron Ink Red linear switch, both have an identical travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when pressing down on a key equipped with either of these switches, the distance traveled from the top to the bottom will be the same. As a result, users can expect a similar typing experience in terms of key depth and feedback from both the KTT Glimp and Gateron Ink Red switches.
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 Red has an MSRP of $7.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Ink Red for $7.35.
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, the Glimp switch is known for its fairly clacky sound profile. This means that when the switch is pressed, it produces a sharp and snappy sound that can be described as crisp, bright, and percussive. On the other hand, the Ink Red switch has a neutral sound profile which means it has a moderate sound without any distinctive characteristics. However, it is worth noting that the sound of a switch is also influenced by factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
In terms of feel, the Glimp switch offers a creamy typing experience. This means that it provides a smooth and buttery sensation when typing. The keys effortlessly glide under your fingers, allowing for easy keystrokes. Additionally, the Glimp switch falls under the mild category, which means it offers a gentle typing experience without any extreme characteristics.
Similarly, the Ink Red switch is also described as having a mild typing experience. It provides a safe middle-ground feel that is approachable to most users. Additionally, it is considered silky, meaning it offers an exceptionally smooth typing experience with minimal resistance when pressing and releasing keys. The Ink Red switch is also mentioned to have a polished finish, resulting in reduced friction and smooth key travel.
To summarize, both the Glimp and Ink Red switches offer satisfying and enjoyable typing experiences. While the Glimp switch has a clacky sound profile and a creamy feel, the Ink Red switch has a neutral sound profile and a silky feel. If you prefer a snappier sound and a buttery typing experience, the Glimp switch would be a great choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a more moderate sound and an exceptionally smooth typing experience, the Ink Red switch would be a suitable option. Regardless of your choice, both switches provide a comfortable typing experience with their mild characteristics.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you're seeking a substantial typing experience with tactile feedback and a comfortable actuation force, the KTT Glimp linear switch is the ideal choice for you. With its medium-light bottom out force of 53 grams, it strikes the perfect balance between resistance and ease of typing. The Glimp switch offers a satisfying and responsive typing feel, accompanied by a fairly clacky sound profile that adds an enjoyable auditory element to your typing sessions. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter typing style, the Gateron Ink Red linear switch is the way to go. With a bottom out force of 60 grams, it offers a smooth and effortless typing experience. The Ink Reds are satisfyingly smooth, have a crispy and clacky sound profile, and require a lower actuation force. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches depends on your preferred typing experience and sound profile.
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