KTT Glimp vs. Jwick Splash Brothers
An in-depth look at the KTT Glimp and the Jwick Splash Brothers switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
Introducing the KTT Glimp, a linear switch, and the Jwick Splash Brothers, also a linear switch. While both switches fall within the linear category, they bring their own unique features to the table. The Glimp switch is best known for striking the perfect balance between a substantial typing experience and a comfortable actuation force. With its tactile feedback and fairly clacky sound profile, it offers a satisfying and responsive typing feel. On the other hand, the Splash Brothers are designed to deliver an exceptional typing feel with their shorter activation and long pole stem. These switches also boast a creamy sound signature. Both switches offer a mild and neutral profile, but the Glimp leans towards being clacky and creamy, while the Splash Brothers are snappy, bouncy, subtle, and polished. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the ideal switch for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
43g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
53g
Bottom-out force
48g
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Pre-travel
1.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 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
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
18mm spring
Spring
Extended long spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the KTT Glimp and the Jwick Splash Brothers switches share a lot of similarities. Both switches utilize polycarbonate for their top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is because polycarbonate is a stiff plastic, allowing for a more clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the translucent nature of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches that are compatible with RGB lighting. Therefore, both the Glimp and Splash Brothers switches will provide similar results in terms of sound and aesthetics when it comes to their polycarbonate top housing.
However, when it comes to the bottom housing, the switches diverge. The Glimp features a nylon bottom housing, which is well-known for providing a deeper and fuller sound profile. This is because nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. On the other hand, the Splash Brothers also utilize a nylon bottom housing, offering the same deeper and fuller sound profile. In this aspect, both switches share the characteristic of creating a more immersive typing experience due to the properties of nylon.
It's worth noting that the housing materials of a switch play a significant role in the overall sound and feel when typing. While the bottom housing impacts the bottom-out sound and feel, the top housing influences the sound when releasing a key. Therefore, whether you choose the Glimp or the Splash Brothers, both switches will provide a satisfying and audible typing experience, albeit with slight variations due to their different bottom housing materials.
Weight
When comparing the KTT Glimp linear switch and the Jwick Splash Brothers linear switch, their actuation and bottom out forces differ. The Glimp has an actuation force of 43 grams, providing a medium-light touch to trigger a keystroke, while the Splash Brothers' actuation force is unknown. In terms of bottom out force, the Glimp requires 53 grams to fully press down, which is slightly heavier than the Splash Brothers' bottom out force of 48 grams, making the latter switch lighter. Some individuals may prefer the Glimp for its slightly heavier actuation force, as it provides a more substantial typing experience. However, those who prioritize a lighter touch may lean towards the Splash Brothers. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on personal preference and the desired typing experience.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the KTT Glimp linear switch and the Jwick Splash Brothers linear switch, it is clear that the Glimp has a longer travel distance of 4.0 mm, while the Splash Brothers has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.5 mm. The Glimp's travel distance falls within the realm of the most traditional measurement for switch travel, providing a sense of familiarity for users. On the other hand, the Splash Brothers offers a more shallow travel distance, catering to the preferences of gamers who prioritize faster response times. While both options offer distinct advantages, it ultimately comes down to personal preference. If you value quick responsiveness, the shorter travel distance of the Splash Brothers may be more suitable for you. However, if you enjoy a deeper, more deliberate switch feel, the Glimp's longer travel distance would be the preferable choice.
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 Jwick Splash Brothers comes in at $2.49 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
The subjective qualities of the KTT Glimp linear switch and the Jwick Splash Brothers linear switch can be compared in terms of sound and feel.
In terms of sound, the Glimp switch is best described as clacky. It produces a sharp and snappy sound when pressed, giving a crisp, bright, and percussive auditory experience. On the other hand, the Splash Brothers switch is described as having a neutral sound profile. It has a moderate sound profile, suitable for most intents and purposes, whether you are a beginner or advanced user, and whether you plan to use the switch at home or work. It's important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the choice of keyboard and keycaps.
Moving on to feel, the Glimp switch offers a creamy typing experience. This indicates that it provides a smooth and buttery sensation while typing. This could be due to lubrication applied at the factory or specific materials used in the switch. The Glimp switch has qualities that make typing feel silky and effortless, as if your fingers are gliding across the keys. Additionally, the Glimp switch can also be described as mild, offering a gentle typing experience without any pronounced characteristics. It stands in a safe, middle-ground zone, making it approachable for most users.
Comparatively, the Splash Brothers switch can be described as mild, snappy, bouncy, subtle, and polished. All these descriptors contribute to a pleasant and versatile typing experience. The switch's mild characteristic ensures a gentle typing feel, suitable for most users. Its snappy quality indicates high responsiveness, making the typing experience feel alive. The bouncy feedback provides a spring-like or elastic sensation, giving the keys a lively feel and rebound. The subtle resistance of the switch maintains a light typing feel without being feather-light, and the polished finish ensures smooth key travel with reduced friction.
Based on the available information, the Glimp switch and the Splash Brothers switch offer different subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Glimp switch has a clacky sound profile and provides a creamy and mild typing experience. On the other hand, the Splash Brothers switch has a neutral sound profile and offers a mild, snappy, bouncy, subtle, and polished typing experience. If you are looking for a similar typing feel, you can expect both switches to provide mild characteristics, ensuring a comfortable typing experience. However, for specific qualities like clacky sound or creamy feel, you would need to choose the respective switch accordingly.
Conclusion
In conclusion, if you are someone who values a substantial typing experience without overwhelming resistance, the KTT Glimp linear switch would be the ideal choice for you. With its medium-light bottom out force of 53 grams, it strikes a perfect balance. The Glimp switch offers a satisfying and responsive typing feel with its tactile feedback and comfortable actuation force. Additionally, the fairly clacky sound profile adds an enjoyable auditory element to your typing sessions. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter switch with shorter activation and a great typing feel, the Jwick Splash Brothers linear switch would be a better fit. With a bottom out force of 48 grams, it provides a lighter touch. You can expect a creamy sound signature from these switches, along with a range of other sensations such as snappiness, bounciness, subtlety, and a polished finish. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches depends on your personal typing preferences and the specific experience you are seeking.
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