TTC Gold Red vs. Outemu Spring Breeze
An in-depth look at the TTC Gold Red and the Outemu Spring Breeze switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the TTC Gold Red and the Outemu Spring Breeze offer distinct typing experiences. The Gold Red is a linear switch that boasts a buttery smooth feel with a light-medium level of resistance, providing a pleasant typing experience. Its snappy sound profile adds a touch of personality to your keyboard without being overpowering. On the other hand, the Spring Breeze is a clicky switch that offers a more tactile and audible typing experience. While the Gold Red is categorized as 'Thocky', 'Low-pitched', 'Neutral', 'Mild', 'Silky', 'Subtle', and 'Polished', the Spring Breeze does not have any specific categorization listed. Depending on your preference for a smooth and quiet typing experience versus a more tactile and audible one, you may find either switch appealing. 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
40g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
55g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.50 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
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 Red and the Outemu Spring Breeze, we see that the Gold Red uses polycarbonate for its top housing, while the Spring Breeze uses nylon. Polycarbonate is known for creating a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile due to its stiffer nature, while nylon produces a deeper and fuller sound profile because it is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound. This difference in materials leads to distinct auditory experiences when typing on switches from each brand.
Despite having different top housing materials, both the Gold Red and Spring Breeze switches utilize nylon for their bottom housing. This means that when typing on these switches, users will experience a similar deep and full sound profile that nylon is known for creating. The softer nature of nylon absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound that enhances the overall typing experience. While the top housing may impact the sound when letting go of a key, the bottom housing plays a significant role in the bottom-out sound and feel of the switch.
In understanding the impact of different housing materials on switch performance, it is clear that the choice between polycarbonate and nylon can greatly influence the sound profile and typing experience. The Gold Red's polycarbonate top housing offers a sharper and crisper sound, whereas the Spring Breeze's nylon top housing provides a deeper and fuller sound. Both switches rely on nylon for their bottom housing, ensuring a consistent and satisfying sound profile during typing. Ultimately, the selection of housing materials in mechanical switches can significantly impact the overall tactile and auditory experience for users.
Weight
When comparing the actuation and bottom out forces of the TTC Gold Red linear switch and the Outemu Spring Breeze clicky switch, there are noticeable differences. The Gold Red has a slightly higher actuation force of 43 grams compared to the Spring Breeze's 40 grams, making the Spring Breeze slightly lighter in this aspect. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Gold Red requires 50 grams of force while the Spring Breeze needs 55 grams, indicating that the Gold Red is lighter in this regard. Overall, the Gold Red offers a lighter typing experience with a quicker actuation, while the Spring Breeze provides a bit more resistance for those who prefer a stronger push feel while typing. Both switches offer similar results in terms of the overall typing experience, but the Spring Breeze may be slightly better suited for those who prefer a bit more resistance.
Travel distance
The TTC Gold Red linear switch and the Outemu Spring Breeze clicky switch both have a travel distance of 4mm, making them equal in this aspect. When pressing down on a key with either switch, you will feel the same distance traveled from the top to the bottom. This means that you will get similar results in terms of key feel and feedback when using either switch. Overall, both switches provide a consistent and satisfying typing experience with their 4mm travel distance.
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 Outemu Spring Breeze 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
The Gold Red linear switch is known for its thocky, low-pitched, and neutral sound profile, making each keystroke satisfyingly deep and bass-heavy without being overpowering. On the other hand, the Spring Breeze clicky switch's sound profile is unknown, so it's difficult to make a direct comparison. Moving on to the feel, the Gold Red switch offers a mild, silky, subtle, and polished typing experience, ensuring smooth and refined key presses with a gentle resistance. In contrast, the feel of the Spring Breeze switch is unknown. Overall, if you're looking for a buttery smooth typing experience with a snappy sound, the Gold Red linear switch would be a great choice. However, for those interested in a clicky switch with a unknown sound profile and feel, the Spring Breeze could potentially offer a different typing experience. Ultimately, it's important to consider your personal preferences and intended use of the keyboard when choosing between these two switches.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the TTC Gold Red linear switch and the Outemu Spring Breeze clicky switch, consider the following guidelines. Choose the Gold Red if you prefer a light-medium level of resistance with a buttery smooth typing experience and a thocky, low-pitched sound profile. This switch offers a gentle and approachable feel, making it suitable for various typing needs. On the other hand, opt for the Spring Breeze if you prefer a medium-light resistance with a clicky sound profile that adds a touch of personality to your typing. Keep in mind that the Spring Breeze lacks specific sound and feel descriptors, so it's ideal for those who enjoy a traditional clicky switch experience without added nuances. Ultimately, your choice will depend on your preference for resistance, sound, and feel in a mechanical keyboard switch.
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