Invyr Holy Panda vs. Gateron Mountain Top
An in-depth look at the Invyr Holy Panda and the Gateron Mountain Top switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
In the realm of mechanical keyboards, the Invyr Holy Panda and the Gateron Mountain Top switches offer distinct experiences for users seeking tactility and linear functionality, respectively. The Holy Panda, hailed for its sharp tactility, delivers a satisfyingly bright "clack" with each keystroke, appealing to tactile switch enthusiasts with its pronounced feedback and acoustic resonance. On the other hand, the Gateron Mountain Top switch is designed with discretion in mind, catering specifically to office environments by providing a quiet yet not entirely silent typing experience. While the Holy Panda is characterized by its accentuated and invigorating feel, the Mountain Top switch is described as bouncy, easy-to-press, and subtle. Both switches have their unique advantages depending on user preferences and needs. 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
40g
Bottom-out force
67g
Bottom-out force
50g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.40 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.40 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
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
22mm double-stage spring
Housing materials
The Invyr Holy Panda features a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharp, high-pitched, and crisp sound profile due to its stiffness. This material is ideal for switches that use RGB lighting, as its translucency allows for vibrant illumination. In contrast, the Gateron Mountain Top utilizes a nylon top housing, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon is known for its softer properties, absorbing more sound and creating a rounder tone. While both materials offer unique sound characteristics, they cater to different preferences in terms of sound profile.
In terms of the bottom housing, both the Holy Panda and the Gateron Mountain Top utilize nylon. This choice of material results in a deeper and fuller sound profile for both switches. Nylon's softer properties allow for a more dampened and mellow sound, contrasting with the sharper and crisper sound profile of polycarbonate. While the bottom housing may not be as visually prominent or immediately noticeable as the top housing, it plays a crucial role in shaping the overall sound and feel of the switch.
Overall, the choice of housing materials in mechanical switches can greatly impact the typing experience. While the Invyr Holy Panda’s polycarbonate top housing offers a clear and resonant sound, the Gateron Mountain Top’s nylon top housing provides a deeper and fuller tone. The nylon bottom housing in both switches contributes to the overall sound profile, creating a more muted and mellow tone compared to the stiffer polycarbonate. Whether one prefers a sharper, crisper sound or a deeper, fuller tone, both the Holy Panda and the Mountain Top offer unique typing experiences based on their housing materials.
Weight
The Invyr Holy Panda tactile switch and Gateron Mountain Top linear switch have distinct differences in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Holy Panda has a bottom out force of 67 grams, making it medium-heavy and providing a more substantial typing experience. In comparison, the Mountain Top has a lighter bottom out force of 50 grams, making it more suitable for longer periods of typing or gaming. While the actuation force for the Holy Panda is unknown, the Mountain Top requires 40 grams, indicating a lighter initial keystroke. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on personal preference for a lighter or heavier typing experience.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Invyr Holy Panda tactile switch and the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch, we find that the Holy Panda has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Mountain Top has a travel distance of 3.4 mm. The Holy Panda offers a longer travel distance, providing a deeper keypress feel compared to the Mountain Top. This may be preferred by those who enjoy a more substantial keypress experience. On the other hand, the Mountain Top has a slightly shorter travel distance, which can result in a quicker response time, making it a popular choice among gamers looking for speed and efficiency. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for keypress depth and speed of response. Both switches offer unique benefits, with the Holy Panda emphasizing depth and the Mountain Top focusing on quick response times.
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 Gateron Mountain Top comes in at $6.00 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
In terms of sound, the Holy Panda switch is best known for its satisfyingly bright "clack" with each keystroke, providing a pronounced feedback and acoustic resonance that tactile switch enthusiasts appreciate. On the other hand, the Gateron Mountain Top switch is designed to cater specifically to office environments, offering a quiet yet not entirely silent typing experience with a subdued sound signature and light actuation. While the Holy Panda switch leans towards a more pronounced and resonant sound, the Mountain Top switch focuses on being discreet and unobtrusive for professional settings.
Moving on to feel, the Holy Panda switch is known for its sharp and invigorating tactile feedback, delivering a pronounced and immersive typing sensation. With its sharp tactile bump and snappy response, users can expect a dynamic typing experience. In contrast, the Gateron Mountain Top switch offers a bouncy and easy-to-press feel, providing gentle resistance and a light actuation force for effortless typing. The Mountain Top switch aims to enhance the typing experience by offering a responsive and low-impact feel suitable for extended typing sessions in office environments.
In conclusion, the Holy Panda switch stands out for its sharp tactility, bright sound signature, and immersive typing experience, making it a favorite among tactile switch enthusiasts. On the other hand, the Gateron Mountain Top switch excels in providing a quiet and easy-to-press typing experience tailored for professional settings. While the Holy Panda switch offers a more accentuated and sharp feel, the Mountain Top switch focuses on a bouncy and easy feel. Depending on personal preference and usage, both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different needs and preferences, ensuring a satisfying typing experience for users.
Conclusion
In closing, when choosing between the Invyr Holy Panda tactile switch and the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch, consider your typing preferences and environment. If you enjoy a sharp tactile feedback and a bright "clack" with each keystroke, the Holy Panda is the switch for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a light actuation force and a quiet typing experience designed for professional settings, the Mountain Top may be more suitable. Ultimately, the decision comes down to whether you prioritize tactility and acoustics or a low-impact, quiet typing experience. Trust your instincts and choose the switch that matches your typing style and needs best.
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