Invyr Holy Panda vs. TTC Honey
An in-depth look at the Invyr Holy Panda and the TTC Honey switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Invyr Holy Panda and the TTC Honey offer distinct experiences for users. The Holy Panda is renowned for its sharp tactility, providing a satisfyingly bright "clack" with each keystroke. Its pronounced feedback and acoustic resonance make it a favorite among tactile switch enthusiasts. On the other hand, the TTC Honey is celebrated for its smooth and creamy feel, accompanied by a deep and pleasant sound profile. While the Holy Panda offers an accented and sharp typing experience, the TTC Honey provides a subdued and buttery feel. Ultimately, choosing between these switches will depend on your personal preferences for typing feel and sound. 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
N/A
Actuation force
42g
Bottom-out force
67g
Bottom-out force
50g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
25.5 mm lengthened spring
Housing materials
Comparing the housing materials of the Invyr Holy Panda and the TTC Honey, we see that both switches feature a polycarbonate top housing. This material creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to its relatively stiffer nature. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate allows for the use of RGB lighting, making it a popular choice for those looking to customize their keyboard's aesthetic. However, the Holy Panda's nylon bottom housing offers a deeper and fuller sound profile thanks to its softer nature, while the Honey's polycarbonate bottom housing maintains the sharper and clearer sound profile consistent with the material.
In terms of sound and feel, the different bottom housings of the Holy Panda and the Honey impact the overall typing experience. The nylon bottom housing of the Holy Panda creates a duller and rounder sound that adds depth to each keystroke, while the crisper sound from the polycarbonate bottom housing of the Honey provides a more distinct typing feedback. When typing on these switches, the bottom-out sound and feel will be influenced by the bottom housing material, while the sound upon key release will be more affected by the top housing material. This split in housing materials allows for a nuanced and customizable typing experience depending on the desired sound profile.
While the Holy Panda and the Honey share similar polycarbonate top housings, their distinct bottom housing materials offer contrasting sound profiles. The Holy Panda's nylon bottom housing creates a deeper and fuller sound, while the Honey's polycarbonate bottom housing maintains a sharper and crisper sound. This demonstrates how the choice of housing material can significantly impact the overall sound and feel of a mechanical switch, allowing for customization based on individual preferences for typing feedback. Whether the goal is a softer and more muted typing experience or a sharper and more pronounced sound, the housing materials of these switches play a crucial role in achieving the desired outcome.
Weight
The Invyr Holy Panda tactile switch and the TTC Honey linear switch have different actuation and bottom out forces. The Holy Panda has a bottom out force of 67 grams, making it medium-heavy, while the actuation force is not specified. In contrast, the Honey has a lighter bottom out force of 50 grams and an actuation force of 42 grams. The Holy Panda offers a more substantial typing experience with its heavier bottom out force, ideal for those who prefer a firmer keypress. On the other hand, the Honey provides a lighter typing experience, suitable for longer typing sessions or extended gaming sessions. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for a lighter or heavier actuation force.
Travel distance
The Invyr Holy Panda tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the TTC Honey linear switch has a travel distance of 3.8 mm. In this case, the Holy Panda has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Honey switch. The 4.0 mm travel distance of the Holy Panda is more traditional, offering a deeper key press experience, while the 3.8 mm travel distance of the Honey switch falls on the shorter end of the spectrum, providing a quicker response time preferred by gamers. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preference for either a longer, more substantial key press with the Holy Panda, or a shorter, faster response time with the TTC Honey switch.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Invyr Holy Panda has an MSRP of $12.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Holy Panda for $7.17.
The TTC Honey has an MSRP of $9.99 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Honey for $6.78.
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 considering sound, the Holy Panda is known for its sharp tactility that produces a satisfyingly bright "clack" with each keystroke, creating a unique and vibrant sound profile. In contrast, the Honey switch is described as having a more subdued sound, offering a dampened and subtle sound signature that is not completely silent but provides a smooth and creamy typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches would depend on whether you prefer a more pronounced and resonant sound like the Holy Panda or a quieter and more mellow sound like the TTC Honey.
In terms of feel, the Holy Panda is characterized by its accented and invigorating tactile feedback, along with a sharp and snappy typing experience that is immersive and responsive. On the other hand, the Honey switch is known for its creamy, frictionless, and buttery feel that offers a smooth and effortless typing sensation. The Honey switch also features a subtle and polished typing experience that is gentle and refined. Depending on your preference for a pronounced and snappy tactile feedback like the Holy Panda or a smooth and buttery typing experience like the TTC Honey, you can make a decision based on the feeling you desire in your mechanical keyboard.
In conclusion, the Invyr Holy Panda and the TTC Honey switches offer distinct qualities that cater to different preferences in sound and feel. While the Holy Panda provides a bright, sharp, and tactile typing experience with a unique sound profile, the Honey switch offers a smooth, creamy, and gentle typing feel with a more subdued sound. Whether you prioritize tactile feedback and responsive typing or prefer a buttery and frictionless typing experience, both switches provide quality options for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts. Ultimately, the choice between the Holy Panda and the Honey switch would depend on your personal preference for sound and feel in a mechanical keyboard switch.
Conclusion
To wrap up, if you are looking for a switch with a sharp tactile bump and pronounced feedback, the Invyr Holy Panda is the way to go. Its medium-heavy bottom out force of 67 grams provides a satisfyingly bright "clack" with each keystroke, making it a favorite among tactile switch enthusiasts. On the other hand, if you prefer a smoother and lighter typing experience, the TTC Honey linear switch with its 50-gram bottom out force is a great option. With a creamy and buttery feel, the Honey switch offers a pleasant sound profile that is deep and subdued. Ultimately, your choice between the Holy Panda and the Honey will depend on whether you prioritize sharp tactility or a smooth typing experience.
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