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TTC Gold Brown vs. Outemu Maple Leaf

An in-depth look at the TTC Gold Brown and the Outemu Maple Leaf switches—which one is the best fit for you?

Overview

When comparing the TTC Gold Brown and the Outemu Maple Leaf mechanical keyboard switches, it’s important to consider their unique characteristics. The Gold Brown switch is renowned for its balance, offering a slight, satisfying bump along with a moderate weightiness. The sound profile of the Gold Brown is softer than many other switches, without being completely silent. On the other hand, the Maple Leaf switch doesn’t have any specific standout features, leaving it a bit more open-ended. If you’re looking for a switch with a subtle tactile feedback and a polished feel, the Gold Brown may be the way to go. 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

55g

Actuation force

55g

Bottom-out force

63g

Bottom-out force

65g

Pre-travel

2.00 mm

Pre-travel

2.30 mm

Total travel

4.00 mm

Total travel

3.30 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

Plate (3-pin)

Mount type

Plate (3-pin)

Spring

Stainless steel

Spring

Stainless steel

Housing materials

In comparing the housing materials of the TTC Gold Brown and the Outemu Maple Leaf, it is evident that they utilize different materials for their top housing. The Gold Brown utilizes polycarbonate, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to its relatively stiffer nature. On the other hand, the Maple Leaf opts for nylon, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile as nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound. While the Gold Brown's polycarbonate top housing is more likely to be used for RGB lighting purposes due to its translucency, the Maple Leaf's nylon top housing offers a more classic typing experience with a rounder sound profile.

Moving on to the bottom housing, both the Gold Brown and the Maple Leaf employ nylon for this component. This results in a similar typing experience for both switches, as nylon's soft nature absorbs more sound than harder plastics, creating a deeper and fuller sound profile. The bottom housing has a greater impact on the bottom-out sound and feel of the switch, contributing to the overall typing experience. Despite the differences in the top housing materials between the two switches, the shared use of nylon in the bottom housing ensures a similar sound profile and typing feel for both the Gold Brown and the Maple Leaf switches.

Overall, while the Gold Brown and the Maple Leaf switches differ in their choice of top housing material, the similarities in their bottom housing material result in a comparable typing experience. The Gold Brown's polycarbonate top housing provides a crisper sound profile with RGB lighting capabilities, while the Maple Leaf's nylon top housing offers a classic deep and full sound profile. Both switches benefit from the sound-absorbing properties of nylon in their bottom housing, ensuring a consistent typing experience in terms of sound and feel.(inplace of how you'll get similar results)

Weight

When comparing the TTC Gold Brown tactile switch and the Outemu Maple Leaf tactile switch, we can see that both have a similar actuation force of 55 grams. However, the Gold Brown has a lower bottom out force of 63 grams, making it lighter compared to the Maple Leaf with a bottom out force of 65 grams, which is considered medium-heavy. For those who prefer a lighter typing experience to type for longer periods without fatigue, the Gold Brown may be the better option. However, if someone prefers a more substantial typing feel with a stronger push, the Maple Leaf would be the ideal choice. Both switches offer a tactile feel, but the slight difference in bottom out force may provide a slightly varied typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches would depend on individual preferences for actuation and bottom out forces.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distance of the TTC Gold Brown tactile switch and the Outemu Maple Leaf tactile switch, it is evident that the Gold Brown has a longer travel distance of 4 mm compared to the Maple Leaf which has a travel distance of 3.3 mm. The Gold Brown offers a deeper press due to its longer travel distance, which may appeal to those who prefer a more substantial key press. On the other hand, the Maple Leaf provides a slightly shallower press, which may be favored by those looking for a quicker and more responsive typing experience. Both switches offer different tactile feedback due to their varying travel distances, so the choice between them ultimately depends on individual preferences for key press depth and responsiveness.

Price comparison

Which switch is more bang for your buck?

The TTC Gold Brown has an MSRP of $5.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Gold Brown for $3.28.

The Outemu Maple Leaf comes in at $3.10 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

Overall, the TTC Gold Brown tactile switch offers a balanced typing experience with a slight bump and moderate weightiness, resulting in a soft and rounded sound profile that is suitable for various uses. In terms of feel, these switches provide a mild and buttery typing experience with an accented tactile feedback, creating a seamless and effortless keystroke. While the subjective qualities of the Outemu Maple Leaf tactile switch are unknown, it is likely that users can expect similar results in terms of sound and feel to the Gold Brown switch due to their tactile nature. Ultimately, both switches offer a comfortable typing experience that caters to a wide range of preferences.

Conclusion

To sum up, when deciding between the TTC Gold Brown tactile switch and the Outemu Maple Leaf tactile switch, consider the following guidelines. If you prioritize a balanced feel with a moderate weightiness and a slight, satisfying bump, the Gold Brown switch would be the suitable choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a heavier bottom out force and do not have specific preferences for sound and feel, the Maple Leaf switch could be a good option. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal typing preferences and how you prioritize factors such as tactility, weightiness, and sound profile. Consider trying out both switches to see which one feels more comfortable and enjoyable for your typing experience.

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