TTC Ice vs. Gateron Jupiter Brown
An in-depth look at the TTC Ice and the Gateron Jupiter Brown switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, personal preference plays a crucial role in the typing and gaming experience. The TTC Ice switches, celebrated for their smooth linear action, provide a crystal-clear transparent design, delivering both a responsive feel and a satisfying bottom-out sound. This makes them an attractive option for users who prioritize speed and fluidity in their keystrokes, whether for fast-paced gaming or daily typing tasks. On the other hand, the Gateron Jupiter Brown switches offer a tactile experience that balances tradition and innovation. With their medium-heavy weight and tactile bump, they cater to those who appreciate a more classic keystroke feel, making them ideal for typists who enjoy feedback as they type. Additionally, their sophisticated design and soft backlight effects add an aesthetic dimension to their performance. Both switches have their distinct advantages, but choosing between them will depend on your individual preferences for smoothness versus tactile feedback. 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
55g
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
70g
Pre-travel
1.60 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 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
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
24mm single-stage spring
Spring
Spring steel
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the TTC Ice and the Gateron Jupiter Brown switches, it's evident that both utilize polycarbonate for their top housing. This commonality leads to a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile in both switches. Due to the stiffness of polycarbonate, users can expect a clear and resonant acoustic experience when typing. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate enhances the aesthetic appeal, making it an ideal choice for users who incorporate RGB lighting into their setups. This shared material creates a consistent auditory experience when releasing keys, ensuring that both switches will perform similarly in this regard.
However, the divergence in the bottom housing materials between the TTC Ice and Gateron Jupiter Brown adds complexity to their sound profiles and tactile experiences. While the Ice opts for polycarbonate in its bottom housing, echoing the top’s characteristics, the Jupiter Brown employs nylon, which is known for being softer. This difference results in a more profound impact on the sound and feel of the switches. The nylon in the Jupiter Brown creates a deeper, fuller sound profile by absorbing more noise, leading to a duller and rounder acoustic quality upon bottoming out. This distinction shapes the overall typing experience, as the characteristics of the bottom housing are felt more prominently when a key is pressed down.
In summary, while the TTC Ice and the Gateron Jupiter Brown share similarities in their top housing materials, the differences in their bottom housings create varied auditory and tactile feedback. Users of the Ice will experience a more consistent sound profile throughout the switch due to the homogeneity of polycarbonate in both housings. In contrast, those utilizing the Jupiter Brown will encounter a unique interaction between the sharper tones of the polycarbonate top and the mellower qualities of the nylon bottom. Understanding these differences in housing materials allows typists to select the switch that best fits their preferences for sound, feel, and overall aesthetic appeal.
Weight
When comparing the TTC Ice linear switch to the Gateron Jupiter Brown tactile switch, there are clear distinctions in their actuation and bottom out forces. The TTC Ice has an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 60 grams, making it the lighter option between the two. In contrast, the Gateron Jupiter Brown requires a heavier actuation force of 55 grams and reaches a bottom out force of 70 grams, classifying it as medium-heavy. This difference in weight may influence user preference; those who favor lighter switches might find the TTC Ice more suitable for extended typing sessions or gaming marathons. Conversely, individuals who prefer a more substantial typing experience may lean toward the Gateron Jupiter Brown for its stronger push feel. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches hinges on individual comfort and typing style, as the lighter actuation of the Ice translates to less effort while the Jupiter Brown offers a more forceful tactile experience.
Travel distance
The TTC Ice linear switch features a travel distance of 3.6 mm, making it the shorter option compared to the Gateron Jupiter Brown tactile switch, which has a travel distance of 4 mm. This means that the Ice switch offers a more responsive feel, appealing to those who prefer quicker actuation for gaming or fast typing. On the other hand, the Jupiter Brown, with its longer travel distance, provides a more substantial and deliberate keystroke, which may be preferable for users who enjoy a tactile feedback and deeper actuation. The difference of 0.4 mm may seem minor, but it can significantly impact the overall typing experience based on personal preference for either agility or depth.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The TTC Ice has an MSRP of $7.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Ice for $5.99.
The Gateron Jupiter Brown 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
In terms of sound, the TTC Ice linear switch offers a satisfying bottom-out sound that enhances the typing experience. Its crystal-clear transparent design contributes to a pronounced, pleasant audio profile that many enthusiasts appreciate, particularly for both gaming and everyday typing tasks. The Gateron Jupiter Brown tactile switch, while not explicitly described in sound, is typically known for producing a softer, more subtle audio feedback during key presses due to its tactile nature, which aligns with a traditional mechanical keyboard feel. However, like the Ice switches, the exact sound produced can vary significantly based on the keyboard build and keycap choice used with them.
When examining the feel of these switches, the TTC Ice linear switch is characterized by a smooth, responsive typing experience that allows for quick key presses, making it especially suitable for fast-paced gaming. In contrast, the Gateron Jupiter Brown tactile switch provides a mild and polished typing sensation. Its tactile feedback is delivered through a stepped design that allows users to feel both pre-travel and post-travel, contributing to a distinctive typing feel that pairs well with its medium-heavy weight. This combination creates a typing experience that is approachable yet retains enough character to keep typists engaged without overwhelming them.
In summary, the TTC Ice and Gateron Jupiter Brown switches serve different preferences within the mechanical keyboard landscape. The Ice linear switch excels with its smooth and satisfying sound profile, ideal for gamers and users looking for responsiveness. Meanwhile, the Jupiter Brown caters to those who prefer a more tactile experience with a moderate sound, promoting a gentle typing rhythm that many find appealing. Although their characteristics diverge regarding tactile feedback and sound, both switches can yield a delightful typing experience, tailored to individual preferences and setups.
Conclusion
To conclude, the choice between the TTC Ice linear switch and the Gateron Jupiter Brown tactile switch ultimately depends on your personal preferences and intended use case. If you're someone who values a smooth and responsive typing experience, particularly for gaming or fast-paced typing tasks, the TTC Ice switch with its 60g actuation force and satisfying sound may be the better option for you. Its crystal-clear design and premium feel can enhance not only your performance but also the aesthetic of your keyboard. On the other hand, if you prefer a more tactile feedback with a classic keystroke feel and don’t mind a slightly heavier actuation force of 70g, the Gateron Jupiter Brown will likely suit your needs. The mild yet polished and stepped tactile feedback provides a more grounded typing experience that many find satisfying for typing-intensive tasks. In summary, consider the Ice switch for a smooth, visually appealing experience and the Jupiter Brown for reliable tactile feedback.
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