TTC Gold Silver vs. Outemu Maple Leaf
An in-depth look at the TTC Gold Silver and the Outemu Maple Leaf switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When looking at mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options to consider are the TTC Gold Silver and the Outemu Maple Leaf. The TTC Gold Silver is a linear switch best known for its rapid responsiveness, offering a shortened travel distance that results in a solid bottom-out with each keystroke. Its smooth journey from press to bottoming out is accompanied by a resonant sound signature, creating a seamless and satisfying typing experience. On the other hand, the Outemu Maple Leaf is a tactile switch that lacks a specific standout feature but offers a different typing experience. While the Gold Silver focuses on speed and fluidity, the Maple Leaf provides a tactile feedback with each press, appealing to those who prefer a more pronounced keystroke 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
45g
Actuation force
55g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
65g
Pre-travel
1.40 mm
Pre-travel
2.30 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.30 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
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
18mm spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The housing materials of the TTC Gold Silver and the Outemu Maple Leaf switches offer distinct characteristics that contribute to the overall sound profile and feel of the switches. The Gold Silver utilizes polycarbonate for its top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile while also being compatible with RGB lighting due to its translucency. In contrast, the Maple Leaf features a nylon top housing that produces a deeper and fuller sound profile, thanks to nylon's ability to absorb more sound. This results in a duller and rounder sound compared to the Gold Silver.
Moving on to the bottom housing, both the Gold Silver and the Maple Leaf switches use nylon for this component. This choice of material results in a similar effect on the sound profile, with both switches eliciting a deeper and fuller sound when typing. The softer nature of nylon allows for the absorption of more sound, creating a rounder and more muted effect on both switches. Despite the difference in top housing materials, the similar choice of nylon for the bottom housing ensures a consistent sound profile in this aspect for both switches.
In terms of overall performance, the housing materials of the Gold Silver and the Maple Leaf switches play a significant role in defining their sound profiles. While the Gold Silver's polycarbonate top housing delivers a sharper and crisper sound, the Maple Leaf's nylon top housing offers a deeper and fuller sound. Both switches share a nylon bottom housing, resulting in a similar impact on the overall sound profile with a rounder and more muted effect. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will come down to personal preference for sound profile and feel when typing.
Weight
The TTC Gold Silver linear switch has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams compared to the Outemu Maple Leaf tactile switch, which has a heavier actuation force of 55 grams. However, the bottom out force for the Gold Silver is unknown, while the Maple Leaf has a bottom out force of 65 grams, making it a medium-heavy switch. For those who prefer a light typing experience and the ability to type for long periods without fatigue, the Gold Silver may be the better choice. On the other hand, for users who enjoy a more substantial typing feel and a stronger push, the Maple Leaf would be the preferred option. Overall, the actuation and bottom out forces play a significant role in determining the typing experience and feel of a keyboard switch.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the TTC Gold Silver linear switch and the Outemu Maple Leaf tactile switch, the Gold Silver has a slightly longer travel distance of 3.5 mm compared to the Maple Leaf's 3.3 mm. While the difference in distance may seem minimal, it can have an impact on the overall feel of the switch. The Gold Silver switch may provide a slightly deeper press compared to the Maple Leaf switch, which could be preferable for those who enjoy a more substantial keypress. On the other hand, the Maple Leaf switch offers a slightly quicker response time due to its shorter travel distance, making it a preferred choice for gamers looking for faster input speeds. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, catering to those who appreciate a more responsive typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for keypress depth and response time.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The TTC Gold Silver 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 Silver for $2.90.
The Outemu Maple Leaf 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 TTC Gold Silver linear switch is renowned for its thocky, low-pitched, and neutral sound profile, producing a deep and satisfying sound with each press. In contrast, the Outemu Maple Leaf tactile switch's sound profile is unknown, so it is difficult to make a direct comparison in this aspect. Moving on to feel, the Gold Silver switch is polished, silky, mild, and subtle, offering a smooth and refined typing experience with gentle resistance and minimal friction. On the other hand, the feel of the Maple Leaf switch is unidentified, making it challenging to draw a comparison. Overall, the TTC Gold Silver switch excels in rapid responsiveness, precise bottom-out, and smooth keystrokes, coupled with a resonant thocky sound and a polished and silky feel. While the subjective qualities of the Maple Leaf switch remain unknown, opting for the Gold Silver switch would likely deliver a similar level of performance and satisfaction.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the TTC Gold Silver linear switch and the Outemu Maple Leaf tactile switch, it ultimately comes down to your preference for typing experience. If you value rapid responsiveness, smooth keystrokes, and a thocky, low-pitched sound profile, then the TTC Gold Silver may be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium-heavy tactile feedback with a textured typing feel, the Outemu Maple Leaf could be the perfect fit. Consider your typing style, sound preferences, and desired key feel to make the best decision for your mechanical keyboard setup. Ultimately, both switches offer unique features that cater to different preferences, so choose the one that aligns best with your needs and typing habits.
Mentioned in this article
