Bsun Guyu vs. Outemu Crystal Brown
An in-depth look at the Bsun Guyu and the Outemu Crystal Brown switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, two popular options that stand out are the Bsun Guyu linear switch and the Outemu Crystal Brown tactile switch. The Bsun Guyu is praised for its unique auditory experience, featuring all-POM housings that enhance acoustics and a long pole stem for a crisp bottom-out sound. With a medium weight and super-smooth keystrokes, typing on the Guyu switch is effortless and enjoyable. On the other hand, the Outemu Crystal Brown switch is known for its tactile feedback, providing a satisfying sensation with each key press. While the Guyu switch is described as 'Clacky', 'Creamy', 'Frictionless', 'Polished', 'Silky', and 'Snappy', the Crystal Brown switch does not have specific descriptive categories. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on 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
45g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
55g
Pre-travel
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
UPE
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
21mm spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Bsun Guyu and the Outemu Crystal Brown both feature unique housing materials that significantly impact the sound profile of the switches. The Guyu's POM top housing creates a deep and muted sound, while the Crystal Brown's polycarbonate top housing produces a sharper and crisper sound. The POM material of the Guyu provides a more subdued typing experience, whereas the polycarbonate of the Crystal Brown offers a more clear and resonant sound, especially suited for RGB lighting due to its translucency.
In terms of the bottom housing, the Guyu's POM material continues to create a pleasing and unique sound with a deeper profile, while the Crystal Brown's nylon bottom housing elicits a fuller and rounder sound. The softer nylon material of the Crystal Brown absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller yet deeper typing experience. Both switches offer contrasting sound profiles based on their bottom housing materials, with the Guyu providing a more muted sound and the Crystal Brown offering a deeper and fuller sound.
Overall, the use of different housing materials in the top and bottom housings of switches leads to a split in the qualities each material brings to the typing experience. While the bottom housing affects the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down on a key, the top housing influences the sound when releasing the key. Despite their differences, both the Bsun Guyu and the Outemu Crystal Brown showcase how housing materials play a crucial role in determining the overall sound profile and typing feel of mechanical switches. Whether it be the POM top housing of the Guyu or the polycarbonate top housing of the Crystal Brown, each material offers a distinct typing experience for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts.
Weight
The Bsun Guyu linear switch and the Outemu Crystal Brown tactile switch both have an actuation force of 45 grams, providing a relatively light touch for typing. However, when it comes to the bottom out force, the Guyu requires 50 grams while the Crystal Brown requires 55 grams, making the Crystal Brown slightly heavier. The lighter actuation force of both switches allows for longer typing sessions without causing fatigue, perfect for work or gaming. For those who prefer a more substantial typing experience with a stronger push feel, the slight difference in bottom out force may make the Crystal Brown a better choice. In either case, users can expect similar results in terms of actuation force, making the choice between the two switches a matter of personal preference based on desired typing feel.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the Bsun Guyu linear switch is 3.6 mm, while the Outemu Crystal Brown tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm. In this case, the Crystal Brown has a longer travel distance compared to the Guyu. The Guyu's shorter travel distance may be preferred by gamers looking for faster response times, while the Crystal Brown may appeal to users who appreciate a more substantial key press. Both switches offer different feels due to their varying travel distances, so it ultimately depends on personal preference when choosing between the two.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Bsun Guyu has an MSRP of $4.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Guyu for $3.70.
The Outemu Crystal Brown 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
When it comes to sound, the Bsun Guyu linear switch offers a unique auditory experience with its deep and crisp acoustics, attributed to the POM housings and long pole stem. This results in a clacky sound profile that is sharp, bright, and percussive, providing a satisfying typing rhythm. On the other hand, the Outemu Crystal Brown tactile switch's sound characteristics are unknown. Keep in mind that the sound produced by a switch is influenced by various factors such as the keyboard's construction and keycaps used.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Bsun Guyu linear switch is praised for its super-smooth keystrokes, offering a creamy and frictionless typing experience. The UPE stem contributes to a silky sensation, creating an effortless glide with every keypress. This polished and snappy switch minimizes resistance, allowing for fluid key travel. In contrast, the tactile feel of the Outemu Crystal Brown switch is not described. Both switches aim to provide a comfortable typing experience, but the specific tactile feedback of the Crystal Brown switch remains unknown.
In conclusion, the Bsun Guyu linear switch and the Outemu Crystal Brown tactile switch offer distinct sound and feel profiles. The Guyu stands out for its clacky and crisp sound with smooth and buttery keystrokes, while the Crystal Brown switch's sound and feel qualities remain undisclosed. Both switches emphasize a pleasant typing experience, but without detailed information on the Crystal Brown, it is recommended to try both switches to determine which aligns best with your preferences. Keep in mind that personal preference plays a significant role in selecting the ideal mechanical keyboard switch.
Conclusion
To sum up, when considering which switch to choose, it ultimately comes down to your preference in typing experience. If you value a unique acoustic experience with a bright, crisp sound and super-smooth keystrokes, the Bsun Guyu linear switch may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium-light tactile switch with a bottom out force of 55 grams, the Outemu Crystal Brown may be more suitable. Both switches offer distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel, so it's important to consider what you prioritize in a keyboard switch. Ultimately, the decision is yours to make based on your personal typing preferences.
Mentioned in this article
