KTT Glimp vs. Gateron Mountain Top
An in-depth look at the KTT Glimp and the Gateron Mountain Top switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, the KTT Glimp and the Gateron Mountain Top both offer unique advantages depending on your typing preferences. The KTT Glimp, known for its tactile feedback and comfortable actuation force, provides a satisfying typing feel with a fairly clacky sound profile, making it ideal for those who enjoy a more pronounced auditory experience while typing. On the other hand, the Gateron Mountain Top is designed specifically for office environments, offering a quiet yet not entirely silent typing experience with a comfortably light actuation. If you prioritize a more tactile typing experience, the Glimp switch may be the better choice for you. However, if you value a discreet typing experience in a professional setting, the Mountain Top switch may be more suitable. 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
40g
Bottom-out force
53g
Bottom-out force
50g
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Pre-travel
1.40 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.40 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
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
18mm spring
Spring
22mm double-stage spring
Housing materials
The KTT Glimp features a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile compared to the Gateron Mountain Top's nylon top housing. Polycarbonate is known for its stiffness, which leads to a more clear and resonant sound. On the other hand, nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile. Both materials have their unique characteristics that can significantly affect the overall typing experience.
In terms of the bottom housing, both the Glimp and the Mountain Top use nylon, a classic switch housing material. Typing on switches with nylon bottom housing also elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile, as nylon's softer nature absorbs more sound than harder plastics. This similarity means that the impact on the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down on the switch will be relatively consistent between the two models. The choice of nylon for the bottom housing ensures a certain level of sound and feel that users can expect from both switches.
Overall, the choice of housing materials in the KTT Glimp and Gateron Mountain Top switches plays a crucial role in shaping the sound profile and typing experience. While the Glimp's polycarbonate top housing offers a sharper and crisper sound, the Mountain Top's nylon top housing provides a deeper and fuller sound. On the other hand, both switches use nylon for the bottom housing, resulting in a similar impact on the bottom-out sound and feel. Understanding how different materials contribute to the overall typing experience can help users make an informed decision based on their preference for sound and feel.
Weight
The KTT Glimp linear switch and the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch both offer smooth keystrokes with minimal resistance, making them ideal for long typing or gaming sessions. The actuation force of the Glimp is slightly heavier at 43 grams compared to the Mountain Top's 40 grams, making the Mountain Top the lighter option. Additionally, the bottom out force of the Glimp is also slightly heavier at 53 grams compared to the Mountain Top's 50 grams, indicating that the Glimp provides a more substantial typing experience. However, both switches fall within the medium-light to light range, which means users can expect similar results in terms of typing comfort and performance. Ultimately, choosing between the two switches will come down to personal preference for a lighter or slightly heavier keypress.
Travel distance
The KTT Glimp linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm. The Glimp switch offers a longer travel distance compared to the Mountain Top switch, making it slightly more responsive and providing a deeper keypress feel. Gamers who prefer a more traditional keypress experience may opt for the Glimp switch, while those looking for a shallower keypress may lean towards the Mountain Top switch. Both switches offer a different feel due to their varying travel distances, allowing users to choose based on their preferences for responsiveness and keypress depth.
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 Mountain Top comes in at $6.00 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
In terms of sound, the KTT Glimp switch offers a clacky experience, producing a sharp and snappy sound when pressed, adding a crisp and bright auditory element to your typing sessions. On the other hand, the Gateron Mountain Top switch provides a neutral sound profile, suitable for most intents and purposes, making it ideal for office environments where a quiet yet not entirely silent typing experience is desired. The sound produced by both switches will also depend on the choice of keyboard and keycaps used.
When it comes to feel, the KTT Glimp switch offers a creamy typing experience, smooth and buttery due to the lubricant applied at the factory or specific materials used. Typing on a Glimp switch feels like gliding your fingers across the keys with ease, a satisfying sensation with each keystroke. In comparison, the Gateron Mountain Top switch is described as bouncy, providing a spring-like feedback sensation that gives keys a lively feel, making typing responsive and enjoyable. Both switches also offer mild characteristics, providing a gentle typing experience that is approachable to most users.
Overall, the KTT Glimp linear switch stands out for its clacky sound profile and creamy feel, offering a satisfying and responsive typing experience with tactile feedback. On the other hand, the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch caters specifically to office environments, providing a quiet yet enjoyable typing experience with a focus on discretion. Depending on your preference for sound and feel, both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different typing needs. Whether choosing the Glimp or the Mountain Top, users can expect a similar level of quality and satisfaction in their typing experience.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the KTT Glimp linear switch and the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch, consider your preferences and needs. If you prioritize a medium-light switch with tactile feedback, a clacky sound profile, and a creamy typing experience, the Glimp switch may be the better choice for you. On the other hand, if you're looking for a light switch with a neutral sound profile, easy-to-press keys, and bouncy or subtle feedback, the Mountain Top switch could be more suitable for your needs. Ultimately, both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different typing preferences, so make sure to choose the one that aligns best with your typing style and environment.
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