TTC Gold Red Pro vs. Neo Lavender HE
An in-depth look at the TTC Gold Red Pro and the Neo Lavender HE switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the TTC Gold Red Pro and the Neo Lavender HE offer unique experiences that cater to distinct user preferences. The Gold Red Pro, a linear switch, is celebrated for its versatile design, providing a smooth and effortless typing experience that appeals to gamers and typists alike. Its mild sound profile strikes a balance that makes it suitable for various environments, ensuring that users can immerse themselves in their tasks without distraction. On the other hand, the Neo Lavender HE, a hall effect switch, boasts a clean, low sound that stands out for its compatibility with Wooting keyboards, enabling responsive and precise keystrokes. While the Gold Red Pro excels in offering a seamless feel, the Lavender HE specializes in delivering a unique technology-driven experience. Both switches have their own merits: the Gold Red Pro is ideal for those looking for a reliable and adaptable option, while the Lavender HE appeals to users seeking innovation and precision. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
43g
Actuation force
40g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
50g
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Pre-travel
N/A
Total travel
3.80 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
NPI
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
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
18.5mm spring
Spring
16mm single-stage spring
Housing materials
The TTC Gold Red Pro and the Neo Lavender HE switches present an interesting contrast in their top housing materials, showcasing how the choice of material can significantly influence sound profiles and aesthetics. The Gold Red Pro utilizes polycarbonate in its top housing, which is known for its stiffness and translucency, producing a sharper and crisper sound. This stiffness contributes to a more resonant tone, which is especially accentuated when RGB lighting is employed, allowing the light to shine through the clear housing. In contrast, the Neo Lavender HE opts for a nylon top housing. Nylon is inherently a softer plastic, providing a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its sound-absorbing qualities. Consequently, while the Gold Red Pro offers a bright sound quality, the Lavender HE leans toward a more muted auditory experience.
In terms of bottom housing, both switches share a common material—nylon. This similarity means that both the Gold Red Pro and the Lavender HE will exhibit a deeper and fuller sound profile when typing, owing to nylon's soft nature, which dampens sound and creates a rounder acoustical feel. Despite the different top housing materials leading to distinct sounds on the release of a key, the tactile experience when bottoming out will remain consistent across both switches, due to the nylon bottoms. This aspect unifies their performance during use, as they both emphasize a smoother and more absorbed sound when keys are pressed down.
Ultimately, the combination of different materials in the top housing of these switches shapes their overall sound signature, yet they share a commonality in their bottom housing, allowing users to experience an enriched typing experience. The Gold Red Pro's use of polycarbonate enhances brightness and clarity, particularly when lifting off the key, while the Lavender HE's nylon top brings about a deeper, softer sound signature. This blend of characteristics contributes to the unique experience of each switch type, making them suitable for different preferences in acoustics and aesthetics. For users seeking a combination of both vibrant and subdued sound profiles, the appropriate selection between these two switches can cater to specific auditory tastes without sacrificing the solid performance provided by their nylon bottoms.
Weight
When comparing the TTC Gold Red Pro linear switch and the Neo Lavender HE hall effect switch, notable differences in actuation force and bottom out force emerge. The Gold Red Pro has an actuation force of 43 grams, while the Lavender HE has a slightly lighter actuation force of 40 grams. This makes the Neo Lavender HE a more comfortable option for prolonged typing sessions or gaming, as it requires less force to actuate. However, the TTC Gold Red Pro's bottom out force is not specified, leaving an unknown aspect in this comparison. Conversely, the Neo Lavender HE switch has a bottom out force of 50 grams, indicating that it provides a more substantial feel when pressed down completely. Consequently, for those who prefer a lighter switch that feels less strenuous, the Lavender HE is the better choice, while the Gold Red Pro may appeal to users who enjoy a firmer typing experience, despite the unknown bottoming force that could further inform preferences.
Travel distance
The TTC Gold Red Pro linear switch and the Neo Lavender HE hall effect switch both feature a travel distance of 3.8 mm, indicating that they provide an identical key press feel. This means that users of both switches will experience the same distance when pressing down on a key, resulting in similar tactile feedback and actuation characteristics. Because their travel distances are equal, this can lead to comparable performance in terms of responsiveness and typing comfort, making both switches suitable options for those who prioritize a consistent and satisfying key press experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The TTC Gold Red Pro has an MSRP of $6.11 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Gold Red Pro for $2.90.
The Neo Lavender HE comes in at $4.50 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
When comparing the sound profiles of the TTC Gold Red Pro linear switch and the Neo Lavender HE hall effect switch, the Gold Red Pro is characterized by its thocky, low-pitched, and neutral sound signature. This aspect provides a deep and satisfying feedback when typing, making it versatile enough for a variety of environments, from gaming to office use. In contrast, the sound characteristics of the Lavender HE remain unknown; therefore, it's challenging to draw a direct comparison. However, it's worth noting that the Gold Red Pro's adaptable nature makes it more likely to blend seamlessly into any auditory setting.
In terms of feel, the Gold Red Pro excels with its polished and silky finish, delivering an impressively smooth and refined typing experience. This switch's mild and subtle resistance contributes to a gentle and approachable typing feel, appealing to a wide range of users. The specifics of the Lavender HE's feel are also unclear, making it difficult to assess how it would compare in smoothness or resistance to the Gold Red Pro. Nonetheless, the well-established attributes of the Gold Red Pro provide a clear picture of its comfort and usability.
In conclusion, while the TTC Gold Red Pro linear switch offers a well-defined sound and feel that suits various applications, the Neo Lavender HE hall effect switch presents an air of mystery as its qualities remain unknown. The Gold Red Pro shines with its deep sound and silky smoothness, making it a solid choice for newcomers navigating the keyboard switch landscape. If seeking a more tailored switch experience, further exploration into the specifics of the Lavender HE would be beneficial, as its distinct magnetic technology could offer unique advantages that are not yet accounted for.
Conclusion
To conclude, the choice between the TTC Gold Red Pro linear switch and the Neo Lavender HE hall effect switch ultimately depends on your specific needs and preferences. If you desire an incredibly versatile switch that accommodates a range of typing experiences, the Gold Red Pro would be an excellent choice. Its smooth and polished feel, combined with a neutral sound profile, makes it suitable for various environments, whether you're gaming, typing long documents, or just casually browsing the web. However, if you seek a more specialized option that works seamlessly with certain Wooting keyboards and offers a distinct low sound with a unique actuation mechanism, the Neo Lavender HE may be your best bet. With its light bottom-out force of 50 grams, it caters well to those who prefer a lighter touch while typing. Ultimately, your decision should reflect your typing style, sound preference, and whether you wish to share your keyboard experience with others, as both switches have unique attributes that cater to different scenarios.
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