TTC Honey vs. Outemu Gold
An in-depth look at the TTC Honey and the Outemu Gold switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, the TTC Honey and the Outemu Gold offer unique experiences for users. The TTC Honey is a linear switch that is celebrated for its smooth and creamy feel, along with a deep and pleasant sound profile. It is often described as 'subdued', 'buttery', and 'polished'. On the other hand, the Outemu Gold is a clicky switch that doesn't have any specific standout features but is known for its tactile feedback and audible click sound. While each switch has its own strengths, such as the Honey's smoothness and the Gold's clickiness, ultimately, it comes down to personal preference. 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
42g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
60g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
25.5 mm lengthened spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The housing materials of the TTC Honey and the Outemu Gold switches share many similarities, as both utilize polycarbonate in their top housing components. Polycarbonate is known for creating a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to its stiffness, making it ideal for switches that prioritize a clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate is beneficial for switches that incorporate RGB lighting, enhancing the visual appeal of the keyboard. Despite these similarities, the Honey's polycarbonate bottom housing offers a different sound profile compared to the Gold's nylon bottom housing. The Honey's bottom housing continues the trend of sharp and clear sound, while the Gold's nylon bottom housing elicits a deeper and fuller sound due to its softer nature and sound absorption capabilities.
In terms of sound and feel, the housing materials of the Honey and the Gold switches play a significant role in shaping the overall typing experience. The Honey's polycarbonate top housing contributes to a more vibrant and resonant sound when releasing a key, while the Gold's polycarbonate top housing offers a similar effect. However, when it comes to the bottom housing, the differences between the two switches become more pronounced. The Honey's polycarbonate bottom housing continues the trend of sharp and clear sound upon bottoming out a key, while the Gold's nylon bottom housing creates a duller and rounder sound, adding a unique tactile element to the typing experience.
Overall, the choice of housing materials between the TTC Honey and Outemu Gold switches results in distinct sound profiles and tactile feedback. While both switches share similarities in their polycarbonate top housing, the differentiation in bottom housing materials leads to varying sound characteristics. This highlights the importance of considering the impact of each housing component on the overall typing experience, as it can significantly influence the sound and feel of the switches when in use. Whether one prefers the sharper and clearer sound of the Honey or the deeper and fuller sound of the Gold, the housing materials play a crucial role in shaping the overall typing experience for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts.
Weight
The actuation force and bottom out force differ between the TTC Honey linear switch and the Outemu Gold clicky switch. The TTC Honey has a lighter actuation force of 42 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams. In contrast, the Outemu Gold has a slightly heavier actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 60 grams. The Honey switch provides a lighter typing experience, making it ideal for longer typing sessions or extended gaming sessions. On the other hand, the Gold switch offers a more substantial typing experience with its heavier forces, which some users may prefer for a more satisfying tactile feedback. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on individual preference for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The TTC Honey linear switch has a travel distance of 3.8 mm, making it slightly shorter than the Outemu Gold clicky switch with a travel distance of 4 mm. Both switches fall within the range of traditional travel distances, but the Honey offers a slightly quicker keypress response compared to the Gold. Gamers seeking faster response times may favor the shorter travel distance of the Honey, while those who prefer a more substantial keypress feel may opt for the longer travel distance of the Gold. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for keypress depth and responsiveness.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
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.
The Outemu Gold 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 Honey linear switch is well-known for its smooth and creamy feel, providing a silky sensation when typing. In contrast, the Outemu Gold clicky switch does not have a specific descriptor for feel. When it comes to sound, the Honey switch offers a subdued and pleasant sound profile, while the Gold switch's sound characteristics are unknown. Overall, the Honey switch is likely to provide a quieter and smoother typing experience compared to the Gold switch. However, without specific information on the Outemu Gold switch, it's difficult to make a direct comparison. In general, both switches may offer a satisfactory typing experience based on personal preference, with the Honey switch being more suited for those who prefer a quieter and smoother feel.
Conclusion
To sum up, when choosing between the TTC Honey linear switch and the Outemu Gold clicky switch, you should consider the following factors. If you prefer a lighter bottom out force of 50 grams and enjoy a smooth and creamy typing experience with a pleasant sound profile, the TTC Honey linear switch would be a great choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a slightly heavier bottom out force of 60 grams and are looking for a clicky switch with a distinct sound profile, the Outemu Gold clicky switch might be more suitable for your typing preferences. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preferences for typing feel and typing sound.
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