TTC Gold Pink vs. TKC Tangerine
An in-depth look at the TTC Gold Pink and the TKC Tangerine switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the TTC Gold Pink and the TKC Tangerine are two popular options that offer unique features and benefits. The Gold Pink is widely recognized for its light actuation force of 37g, making it one of the lightest switches available. Ideal for those who desire a fast and effortless typing experience, this switch is perfect for both rapid typing and gaming. The Gold Pinks also deliver a satisfying level of feedback with their clacky sound, providing a lively and enjoyable typing experience. On the other hand, the Tangerine switches offer an incredibly smooth feel with each keystroke, taking your typing experience to the next level. This is partly due to the use of UHWMPE housings, a rarity in the world of bespoke mechanical switches. Typing on the Tangerines results in a fairly high-pitched clack. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits your unique preferences and needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
37g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
45g
Bottom-out force
62g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
N/A
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
UHWMPE
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
UHWMPE
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Gold coated spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the TTC Gold Pink and the TKC Tangerine switches differ in their composition and resulting sound profiles. The Gold Pink utilizes polycarbonate for its top housing, which creates a sharper and crisper sound. This is due to the stiffer nature of polycarbonate, leading to a more clear and resonant sound profile. In contrast, the Tangerine features a UHWMPE top housing, a newer material that offers a very bright sound signature with resonant clacks when typing. While both materials contribute to an enhanced sound experience, polycarbonate emphasizes clarity, while UHWMPE adds brightness and resonance.
Moving on to the bottom housing, the Gold Pink employs nylon, a classic switch housing material that produces a deeper and fuller sound. This can be attributed to nylon's softer nature and higher sound absorption qualities, resulting in a duller and rounder sound profile. In comparison, the Tangerine incorporates a UHWMPE bottom housing, which again adds to the switch's bright sound signature and resonant clacks. Both materials enhance the overall sound experience, but nylon leans towards a deeper and fuller sound, while UHWMPE emphasizes brightness and resonance.
Regarding the impact on the switch's sound and feel, differences between the top and bottom housing become evident. When pressing down on a switch, the qualities of the bottom housing become prominent, influencing the bottom-out sound and feel. Thus, the choice of material for the bottom housing, such as nylon or UHWMPE, plays a crucial role in shaping this aspect of the switch experience. Conversely, the top housing has a greater impact on the sound produced when releasing a key, affecting the overall sound profile and auditory feedback. Despite the differences in housing materials between the Gold Pink and the Tangerine, both switches provide unique and enhanced sound characteristics through their top and bottom housing materials.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the TTC Gold Pink linear switch and the TKC Tangerine linear switch, there are notable differences. The Gold Pink switch has a relatively light actuation force of 37 grams, making it easier to trigger keystrokes with minimal effort. It also has a bottom out force of 45 grams, providing a consistent and satisfying typing experience. On the other hand, the Tangerine switch's actuation force is unknown, making it difficult to determine its specific characteristics. However, the Tangerine switch does have a heavier bottom out force of 62 grams, giving it a more substantial typing feel. This may be appealing to individuals who prefer a stronger and more tactile typing experience. Overall, the Gold Pink switch offers a lighter actuation and bottom out force, while the Tangerine switch provides a heavier bottom out force, resulting in different typing experiences for users seeking varying levels of feedback and resistance.
Travel distance
The travel distance of a switch is the distance it travels from the top to the bottom, which is the distance you feel when you press down on a key. When comparing the travel distance of the TTC Gold Pink linear switch and the TKC Tangerine linear switch, it is evident that both switches have the same travel distance of 4 mm. Therefore, when using either of these switches, you can expect similar results in terms of the distance they travel from the top to the bottom.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The TTC Gold Pink has an MSRP of $4.80 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Gold Pink for $4.28.
The TKC Tangerine comes in at $6.30 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 Gold Pink switches are best described as clacky, providing a satisfying level of feedback. On the other hand, the Tangerine switches have a high-pitched clack when typing on them. It's important to note that the sound produced by a switch is also influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used. Depending on your specific setup, the sound experience may vary. However, if you prefer a sharper and crisper sound, the Tangerine switches would be a suitable choice.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Gold Pink switches are described as buttery, mild, feathery, subtle, and polished. These qualities indicate a smooth and effortless keystroke experience with a gentle resistance and reduced friction. Moreover, the light actuation force of the Gold Pink switches reduces finger fatigue, making them comfortable for extended typing sessions or gaming. On the other hand, the Tangerine switches are characterized as frictionless, buttery, and polished. This suggests an extremely smooth and effortless typing experience with minimal resistance or friction. The Tangerine switches also offer a fluid key travel.
In conclusion, the Gold Pink and Tangerine switches offer distinct subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Gold Pink switches provide a clacky sound and a light and lively typing experience with reduced friction, making them suitable for rapid typing or gaming. On the other hand, the Tangerine switches offer a high-pitched clack and an incredibly smooth feel with frictionless keystrokes, providing a pleasurable typing experience. While the Gold Pink switches focus on lightness and feedback, the Tangerine switches prioritize smoothness and fluidity. Depending on your personal preferences, either switch can deliver a satisfying typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you prioritize a light and lively typing experience, with a fast and effortless feel, then the TTC Gold Pink linear switch is the one for you. With a bottom out force of 45 grams and a 37g actuation force, these switches are perfect for rapid typing or gaming. They offer a satisfying level of feedback and deliver a clacky sound. On the other hand, if you're looking for a switch that takes your typing experience to the next level with an incredibly smooth feel, then the TKC Tangerine linear switch is worth considering. With a bottom out force of 62 grams and UHWMPE housings, these switches provide a pleasure to type experience with a fairly high-pitched clack. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on your preferences for key feel, sound, and typing style.
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