Invyr Holy Panda vs. KTT Sea Salt Lemon
An in-depth look at the Invyr Holy Panda and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Invyr Holy Panda and KTT Sea Salt Lemon offer distinct experiences to users. The Holy Panda is celebrated for its sharp tactility, providing a satisfyingly bright "clack" with every keystroke. This switch is a favorite among tactile switch enthusiasts for its pronounced feedback and acoustic resonance. On the other hand, the Sea Salt Lemon by KTT offers a different type of experience with its linear design. Known for its progressive spring and buttery smooth typing experience, this switch provides a more neutral and mild feel. While the Holy Panda is accented, invigorating, sharp, and snappy, the Sea Salt Lemon is low-pitched and neutral. Each switch has its unique qualities that cater to different preferences. 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
45g
Bottom-out force
67g
Bottom-out force
53g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
No
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
13mm progressive spring
Housing materials
The primary difference between the housing materials of the Invyr Holy Panda and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon switches lies in their bottom housing. The Holy Panda uses a nylon bottom housing, which results in a deeper and fuller sound profile when typing. This is due to nylon being a softer plastic that absorbs more sound, leading to a duller and rounder sound. In contrast, the Sea Salt Lemon also features a nylon bottom housing, allowing for a similar typing experience with a deep and full sound profile.
On the other hand, both the Holy Panda and Sea Salt Lemon switches have a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. Polycarbonate is known for being a stiff plastic that enhances the clarity and resonance of the sound produced. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches that plan to incorporate RGB lighting, as it allows the light to shine through the housing for an aesthetically pleasing effect.
Overall, while the housing materials of the Holy Panda and Sea Salt Lemon switches differ in their bottom housing with nylon, their top housing with polycarbonate provides a similar sound experience with a sharp and clear profile. The combination of these materials in both switches allows for a unique typing experience, with the bottom housing affecting the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing influencing the sound when releasing a key. Whether you prefer the deeper sound of nylon or the sharper sound of polycarbonate, both switches offer a quality typing experience to suit your preferences.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Invyr Holy Panda tactile switch and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch, we can see that the Holy Panda has a bottom out force of 67 grams, while the Sea Salt Lemon has a bottom out force of 53 grams, making the Holy Panda the heavier of the two. However, in terms of actuation force, the Sea Salt Lemon requires 45 grams to trigger a keystroke, whereas the Holy Panda's actuation force is unspecified. Both switches offer a different typing experience due to their weight differences. The Holy Panda provides a more substantial typing experience with its medium-heavy bottom out force, while the Sea Salt Lemon offers a lighter touch with its medium-light bottom out force. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on individual preference for typing feel and the desired level of force required for a satisfying typing experience.
Travel distance
Both the Invyr Holy Panda tactile switch and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch have a travel distance of 4 mm, making them equal in this aspect. This means that when you press down on a key using either of these switches, you will experience the same amount of travel distance. The similarity in their travel distances suggests that users can expect a consistent typing experience in terms of key press depth regardless of which switch they choose. With both switches offering the same travel distance, users can expect similar results in terms of tactile feedback and key press feel.
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 KTT Sea Salt Lemon comes in at $2.80 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 Holy Panda switch is well-known for its sharp tactility, providing a satisfyingly bright "clack" sound with each keystroke. On the other hand, the Sea Salt Lemon switch offers a low-pitched sound profile that is more bass-heavy and mellow. When it comes to sound, the Holy Panda switch delivers a more pronounced feedback and acoustic resonance, while the Sea Salt Lemon switch offers a neutral and moderate sound profile suitable for various purposes.
In terms of feel, the Holy Panda switch is described as accented, invigorating, sharp, and snappy, providing a tactile typing experience that is immersive and responsive. In contrast, the Sea Salt Lemon switch is described as mild, offering a more gentle typing experience that falls within a safe, middle-ground zone in terms of sound and feel. The Holy Panda switch's blend of pronounced feedback and sharp tactility sets it apart from the Sea Salt Lemon switch's buttery smooth typing experience with a progressive spring and dry-lube design.
Overall, the Invyr Holy Panda tactile switch stands out for its unique sharp tactility, pronounced feedback, and bright "clack" sound, making it a favorite among tactile switch enthusiasts. On the other hand, the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch offers a buttery smooth typing experience with a low-pitched and neutral sound profile. Choosing between the two switches ultimately comes down to personal preference for sound and feel, as both switches offer distinct qualities that cater to different typing preferences. Whether you opt for the Holy Panda for its sharp tactility or the Sea Salt Lemon for its smooth typing experience, you can expect a satisfying and reliable performance from either switch.
Conclusion
In conclusion, when deciding between the Invyr Holy Panda tactile switch and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch, you should consider the type of typing experience you prefer. If you enjoy a sharp and tactile feedback with each keystroke, the Holy Panda would be a great choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a smoother and more gentle typing experience, the Sea Salt Lemon may be more suitable. Additionally, if you prefer a medium-heavy bottom out force, the Holy Panda is the way to go, while if you prefer a medium-light bottom out force, the Sea Salt Lemon would be a better fit. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches comes down to personal preference and what type of typing feel and sound you prefer.
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