Gateron Glory Yellow vs. HMX Sunset Gleam
An in-depth look at the Gateron Glory Yellow and the HMX Sunset Gleam switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the Gateron Glory Yellow and the HMX Sunset Gleam offer unique characteristics that cater to different typing preferences. The Glory Yellow, noted for its heavier weight in the Glory lineup, provides a smooth keystroke and a comfortably pleasing travel distance, making it an excellent choice for those who appreciate a more pronounced tactile feedback during their typing sessions. In contrast, the HMX Sunset Gleam, also known as the Duck Duck switch, boasts a carefully crafted blend of materials that ensure a subtle top-out and a satisfying clack, complemented by HMX's renowned factory lubrication for enhanced performance. While the Glory Yellow may appeal to typists who enjoy a robust and controlled feel, the Sunset Gleam attracts users seeking a smoother, quieter typing experience with delightful auditory feedback. 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
50g
Actuation force
42g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
48g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
Ly
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
15mm single-stage spring
Spring
22mm single-stage spring
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the Gateron Glory Yellow and the HMX Sunset Gleam switches, one immediately notices the differences in their top housings. The Gateron Glory Yellow features a nylon top housing, known for its ability to absorb sound effectively and produce a deeper, fuller sound profile. This softer plastic contributes to a duller and rounder auditory experience that can add a certain warmth to typing. In contrast, the HMX Sunset Gleam uses a polycarbonate top housing, which is stiffer and creates a sharper, higher-pitched sound. The clarity and resonance of polycarbonate enable a more pronounced auditory feedback, making it a popular choice for those who prefer a brighter sound. The aesthetic appeal of the polycarbonate housing, which is often clear, also enhances the visibility of RGB lighting, something that the nylon housing lacks.
On the other hand, both switches share the same material for their bottom housings: nylon. This shared characteristic means that regardless of the differences in the top housings, both the Glory Yellow and the Sunset Gleam will elicit a similar experience when considering the bottom-out sound and feel. The nylon bottom housing is instrumental in delivering a deeper and more profound sound profile due to its sound-absorbing properties. As such, both switches can provide a muted feel as users press down, owing to the consistent impact of the nylon on the overall typing experience. Thus, while the top housing significantly influences the type of auditory feedback one receives upon releasing a key, the bottom housing serves to harmonize the experience across both switches.
Ultimately, the combination of materials used in both switches creates a unique auditory and tactile experience. The Glory Yellow, with its nylon top, offers a warmer and more mellow sound profile, while the Sunset Gleam, with its polycarbonate top, provides sharper and crisper acoustics. However, both switches will deliver a consistent tactile feel because of their common nylon bottom housing. For those who appreciate the softer sound characteristics of nylon, the Gateron Glory Yellow might be more appealing. Meanwhile, enthusiasts of a brighter sound and RGB illumination may gravitate toward the HMX Sunset Gleam. In essence, these differences and similarities contribute to an exciting range of choices for typing preferences among mechanical keyboard users.
Weight
When comparing the Gateron Glory Yellow and HMX Sunset Gleam linear switches, there are notable differences in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Gateron Glory Yellow has a higher actuation force of 50 grams, making it heavier compared to the Sunset Gleam’s lighter actuation force of 42 grams. This difference means that the Glory Yellow requires more force to trigger a keystroke, which may appeal to users who prefer a more substantial typing experience. However, since the bottom out force for the Glory Yellow is unknown, we cannot provide a direct comparison there. In contrast, the Sunset Gleam features a bottom out force of 48 grams, allowing for a distinct tactile feedback upon fully pressing the switch down. For those who favor lighter switches for longer typing sessions or gaming, the Sunset Gleam would be a more suitable choice, while the Glory Yellow may satisfy users looking for a heavier, more pronounced push feel.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Gateron Glory Yellow linear switch and the HMX Sunset Gleam linear switch, a noticeable difference emerges. The Glory Yellow features a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Sunset Gleam has a shorter travel distance of 3.5 mm. This means that the Glory Yellow provides a more substantial feel with its longer travel, which may appeal to users who prefer a deeper keystroke that allows for a more pronounced feedback during typing or gaming. On the other hand, the Sunset Gleam's shorter 3.5 mm travel distance caters to gamers or those who favor quicker actuation and response times, making it feel more responsive and swift. Users with a preference for a more abrupt key response may gravitate towards this shorter option. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on individual preferences for tactile depth and responsiveness.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Gateron Glory Yellow has an MSRP of $4.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Glory Yellow for $4.19.
The HMX Sunset Gleam has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Sunset Gleam for $2.99.
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 Gateron Glory Yellow switch is characterized by its smooth keystroke and pleasing travel distance, resulting in a sound profile that is relatively quiet and unobtrusive, making it well-suited for both quiet environments and general typing. In contrast, the HMX Sunset Gleam offers a unique acoustic experience due to its blend of materials, producing a subtle top-out sound accompanied by a satisfying clack. This sound can add a bit of character to the typing experience, creating a more pronounced auditory feedback that some typists may find enjoyable. However, it’s important to note that the overall sound can also be influenced by the choice of keyboard and keycap materials, so it’s always worthwhile to experiment with different combinations to find the preferred sound.
When it comes to feel, the Glory Yellow switch is admired for its smoothness, providing a consistent and enjoyable experience as users progress through the keystroke without any tactile bumps. This makes it ideal for those who prefer a linear switch that can be pushed down effortlessly. Similarly, the Sunset Gleam offers a smooth keystroke but is enhanced by its excellent factory lube, which improves the glide and overall feel of each press, creating a luxurious typing experience. Both switches cater to linear switch enthusiasts who appreciate a streamlined feel but do feature slight differences in the lubricated experience of the Sunset Gleam.
Overall, both the Gateron Glory Yellow and the HMX Sunset Gleam linear switches present unique qualities that would appeal to different users. The Glory Yellow prides itself on a smooth and quiet typing experience, while the Sunset Gleam offers a more tactile acoustic sensation with its satisfying clack and superb lubrication. Ultimately, your choice will depend on whether you value a quieter, smoother action or a slightly more pronounced auditory feedback combined with an enhanced feel. Both switches will deliver familiar smoothness suited for linear switch fans, but the decision can come down to personal preference regarding sound and feel.
Conclusion
To conclude, the choice between the Gateron Glory Yellow and the HMX Sunset Gleam switches largely depends on your personal preferences and typing style. If you’re looking for a smooth keystroke experience with an ideal travel distance and a responsive feel, the Gateron Glory Yellow would be an excellent choice, especially if you favor a lighter touch and want a switch that offers an enjoyable typing experience without any significant resistance. On the other hand, if you prefer a more tactile feedback and a subtle satisfying sound with a bit more weight behind your keystrokes, the HMX Sunset Gleam would be more suitable for you, particularly given its characteristic clack sound and well-executed factory lube. Ultimately, pay attention to what you value in a typing experience—whether it's the smoothness and lightness of the Glory Yellow or the balanced feedback and quality sound of the Sunset Gleam—because each switch offers unique advantages that can enhance your overall mechanical keyboard experience.
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