TTC Gold Red vs. Gateron Jupiter Brown
An in-depth look at the TTC Gold Red and the Gateron Jupiter Brown switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the TTC Gold Red linear switch and the Gateron Jupiter Brown tactile switch, it is evident that they offer unique typing experiences suited for different preferences. The Gold Red is praised for its buttery smooth feel and light-medium resistance, providing a snappy sound profile that adds personality to your keyboard without being overpowering. On the other hand, the Jupiter Brown offers a blend of tradition and innovation with its tactile feedback and medium-heavy weight, providing a more classic keystroke feel. While the Gold Red is categorized as 'Thocky', 'Low-pitched', 'Neutral', 'Mild', 'Silky', 'Subtle', 'Polished', the Jupiter Brown is labeled as 'Mild', 'Polished', and 'Stepped'. Choosing between these switches ultimately comes down to personal preference and typing style. 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
55g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
70g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 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
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Spring steel
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the TTC Gold Red and the Gateron Jupiter Brown, both switches feature a polycarbonate top housing that creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to the stiffness of polycarbonate, which leads to a more clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches with RGB lighting. However, while both switches share this top housing material, they differ in their bottom housing material. The Gold Red utilizes a nylon bottom housing, which produces a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer plastic composition that absorbs more sound. Conversely, the Jupiter Brown also features a nylon bottom housing for a similar typing experience in terms of sound profile.
When considering the impact of the different housing materials on the overall typing experience, it is important to note that the qualities of each material are distributed between the top and bottom of the switch. The bottom housing plays a significant role in the bottom-out sound and feel when a key is pressed, as it is softer and absorbs more sound than harder plastics. On the other hand, the top housing has a greater impact on the sound when a key is released. Therefore, while both switches may have similar sound profiles due to their shared polycarbonate top housing, the bottom housing material can still influence the overall typing experience in subtle ways.
In conclusion, while the TTC Gold Red and Gateron Jupiter Brown have differences in their bottom housing materials, their shared polycarbonate top housing ensures a similar sound profile characterized by sharpness, high-pitched tones, and crispness. The nylon bottom housing of both switches contributes to a deeper and fuller sound experience, creating a duller and rounder sound due to its softer plastic composition. Ultimately, the distribution of housing materials between the top and bottom of the switch plays a key role in shaping the overall typing experience, with each material affecting sound production in unique ways.
Weight
The TTC Gold Red linear switch has a lighter actuation force of 43 grams and a lighter bottom out force of 50 grams compared to the Gateron Jupiter Brown tactile switch, which has a heavier actuation force of 55 grams and a heavier bottom out force of 70 grams. The lighter actuation and bottom out forces of the Gold Red make it more suitable for users who prefer a lighter typing experience, ideal for long typing sessions or gaming. In contrast, the heavier actuation and bottom out forces of the Jupiter Brown provide a more substantial typing feel, catering to users who prefer a stronger push when typing. Both switches offer distinct typing experiences based on the force required, with the Gold Red being lighter and the Jupiter Brown being heavier.
Travel distance
Both the TTC Gold Red linear switch and the Gateron Jupiter Brown tactile switch have a travel distance of 4 mm, meaning they both offer the same tactile feedback and typing experience in terms of physical movement. Despite having the same travel distance, they differ in their respective switch types - linear for Gold Red and tactile for Jupiter Brown. Both switches are ideal for different preferences, with linear switches offering a smooth keystroke with no tactile bump, while tactile switches provide a slight bump feedback upon actuation. Overall, whether you choose the TTC Gold Red or the Gateron Jupiter Brown, you can expect a consistent typing experience due to their identical travel distances.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The TTC Gold Red 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 Red for $3.28.
The Gateron Jupiter Brown comes in at $2.80 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
The Gold Red linear switch offers a thocky and low-pitched sound profile, giving a deep and satisfying typing experience. The sound is described as neutral, making it suitable for various environments. On the other hand, the Jupiter Brown tactile switch does not have a specific sound descriptor provided. Moving on to the feel, both switches are described as mild and polished, providing a smooth and refined typing experience. The Gold Red offers a silky and subtle feel, while the Jupiter Brown adds a stepped characteristic, giving a tactile bump with multiple stages.
Overall, both the TTC Gold Red linear switch and the Gateron Jupiter Brown tactile switch offer excellent qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Gold Red provides a slightly more pronounced sound profile with its thocky and low-pitched attributes, the Jupiter Brown offers a unique stepped feel with its tactile characteristics. Ultimately, both switches aim to provide a buttery smooth typing experience with a medium level of resistance, making them suitable for a wide range of users. Whether you choose the Gold Red for its snappy sound or the Jupiter Brown for its blend of tradition and innovation, you can expect similar results in terms of quality and performance.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a smooth and light typing experience with a subtle sound profile, the TTC Gold Red linear switch may be the best choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a more tactile feel with a medium-heavy weight and a polished finish, the Gateron Jupiter Brown tactile switch would be more suitable. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preferences for typing feel, sound, and overall typing experience. Both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different typing styles, so be sure to consider what matters most to you when making your selection.
Mentioned in this article
