TTC Gold Red Pro vs. Bsun Olive
An in-depth look at the TTC Gold Red Pro and the Bsun Olive switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The TTC Gold Red Pro and BSUN Olive mechanical keyboard switches offer distinct qualities that cater to different preferences. The Gold Red Pro, a linear switch, boasts versatility with its seamless typing experience and neutral sound signature, making it suitable for various settings. On the other hand, the Olive, a tactile switch, stands out with its deep, resonant sound and pronounced tactile feedback, providing a satisfying tactile and auditory experience. While the Gold Red Pro is praised for its adaptability and ease of press, the Olive excels in its sharp bottom-out and invigorating feel. 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
43g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
65g
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Total travel
3.40 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
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
18.5mm spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the TTC Gold Red Pro and the Bsun Olive, we can see that they share some similarities in their top housings. Both switches utilize materials that create unique sound profiles - with the Gold Red Pro's polycarbonate offering a sharper and crisper sound, while the Olive's POM provides a deeper and more muted sound. However, the Gold Red Pro's polycarbonate is known for its translucency and compatibility with RGB lighting, making it a more visually appealing option for those looking to customize their keyboard with colorful lighting effects.
On the other hand, when it comes to the bottom housing, the Gold Red Pro's nylon offers a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer plastic composition, which absorbs more sound than harder plastics. In contrast, the Olive's POM bottom housing shares similar qualities with its top housing, providing a deeper and more muted sound profile. This difference in bottom housing materials may result in a slight variation in the overall sound and feel of the switches when pressed.
Ultimately, the choice between the TTC Gold Red Pro and the Bsun Olive will come down to personal preference in sound profile and aesthetics. While both switches offer unique qualities in their housing materials, such as the polycarbonate and POM top housings creating distinct sound profiles, and the nylon and POM bottom housings contributing to the overall typing experience, users can expect similar results in terms of key feel and sound quality between the two switches.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the TTC Gold Red Pro linear switch and the Bsun Olive tactile switch, it is evident that the Gold Red Pro is lighter in terms of actuation force at 43 grams compared to the Olive's 45 grams. However, the bottom out force of the Olive at 65 grams is heavier than the Gold Red Pro, for which the bottom out force is unknown. The Gold Red Pro provides a lighter touch, making it ideal for longer typing sessions or gaming, while the Olive offers a more substantial typing experience with a stronger push feel. Both switches offer different weights that cater to users' preferences for typing comfort and feedback. Ultimately, choosing between the two would depend on whether one prefers a lighter or heavier typing experience.
Travel distance
The TTC Gold Red Pro linear switch has a travel distance of 3.8 mm, while the Bsun Olive tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm. In this case, the Gold Red Pro has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Olive switch. Shorter travel distances are becoming more popular, especially among gamers looking for faster response times. The shorter travel distance of the Olive switch may be preferred for those seeking a quicker key press. However, some users may find shorter travel distances to feel too abrupt and prefer a switch with a longer travel distance for a more satisfying keypress experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will come down to personal preference and the specific needs of the user.
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 Bsun Olive has an MSRP of $5.80 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Olive for $4.70.
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 TTC Gold Red Pro linear switch offers a thocky and low-pitched sound profile that is neutral and suitable for various environments. On the other hand, the Bsun Olive tactile switch is known for its resonant, deep sound that is set apart by its tactile feedback. The Olive switch provides a unique auditory experience due to its all-POM housings and long pole stem, resulting in a satisfying sound during use. While both switches offer different sound qualities, users can expect a pleasant typing experience with either option, depending on their preference for a more neutral or resonant sound.
When it comes to feel, the Gold Red Pro switch is polished, silky, mild, and subtle, providing a smooth and refined typing experience with gentle resistance. This results in a typing feel that is approachable to most users, offering a safe, middle-ground zone in terms of sound and feel. In contrast, the Bsun Olive switch is accented, invigorating, sharp, and snappy, providing pronounced feedback with a prominent tactile bump that is distinctly felt with every keypress. The Olive switch offers a more tactile and responsive typing experience compared to the smoother feel of the Gold Red Pro switch.
Overall, the TTC Gold Red Pro linear switch and the Bsun Olive tactile switch offer unique sound and feel qualities that cater to different preferences. The Gold Red Pro excels in its versatility and adaptability, providing a seamless typing experience with a neutral sound profile. In comparison, the Bsun Olive switch stands out for its resonant sound and pronounced tactile feedback, offering a tactile and immersive typing sensation. Both switches have their strengths and can deliver a satisfying typing experience depending on the user's preference for sound and feel. Ultimately, users can expect a high-quality typing experience with either switch, tailored to their specific needs and preferences in the realm of mechanical keyboard switches.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the TTC Gold Red Pro linear switch and the BSUN Olive tactile switch, you should consider the environment in which you'll be using them and your personal preference for typing experience. If you prefer a smooth, versatile switch with a neutral sound profile that suits a variety of settings, the Gold Red Pro is the way to go. On the other hand, if you enjoy a tactile switch with a distinct feedback and deep, resonant sound that enhances your typing experience, the Olive switch would be more fitting for you. Ultimately, your choice should align with your typing style and the atmosphere in which you'll be using the keyboard.
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