Bsun Jade Rosales vs. Jerrzi Salt Ice
An in-depth look at the Bsun Jade Rosales and the Jerrzi Salt Ice switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When exploring the world of mechanical keyboard switches, the Bsun Jade Rosales and the Jerrzi Salt Ice present two compelling yet distinct options for enthusiasts seeking a linear experience. The Jade Rosales switches, developed by XY Studio, have undergone meticulous refinements over a year, culminating in custom housings, stems, and advanced lubrication techniques that provide an incredibly smooth typing experience—a great choice for those who prioritize quiet precision. On the other hand, the Salt Ice switches are celebrated for their bright and clacky characteristics paired with a light touch, offering vibrant feedback and effortless actuation that can energize your typing experience. While both switches promise smooth linear motion, the Jade Rosales leans toward a muted, refined elegance, whereas the Salt Ice aims for a lively and responsive interaction. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the right switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
53g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
Y3X
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Custom Milky Material
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
20.5mm single-stage nickel-plated spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Bsun Jade Rosales and the Jerrzi Salt Ice both utilize polycarbonate for their top housing, which significantly influences their acoustic properties. Polycarbonate is known for its stiffness, creating a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. Both switches benefit from this choice, ensuring clear and resonant sound production. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate enhances the display of RGB lighting, allowing for vibrant illumination that can enhance the aesthetic appeal of the switches. As a result, users of either switch can expect similar sound characteristics when typing, as the top polycarbonate housing influences the sound produced during key release.
Contrasting the bottom housings reveals a difference that contributes to the overall feel and acoustic performance of the switches. The Jade Rosales features a proprietary Custom Milky Material for its bottom housing, which likely introduces a unique sound profile and tactile experience compared to the Jerrzi Salt Ice, which also employs polycarbonate for its bottom housing. The use of polycarbonate in both bottom housings still leads to a generally sharper sound, but the distinct properties of the Custom Milky Material in the Jade Rosales may create variations in the bottom-out sound and feel upon key press. This differentiation can affect user experience, particularly for those sensitive to key feedback during typing.
Ultimately, while the top housing components of both switches ensure similarly resonant sound profiles and aesthetic qualities, the diverging materials of the bottom housings lead to distinct characteristics that users might perceive differently. The Jade Rosales, through its Custom Milky Material, may provide a unique tactile sensation and sound, enriching the overall interaction beyond what the Jerrzi Salt Ice can achieve with its exclusively polycarbonate structure. Thus, those choosing between the two will have to consider whether they prefer the potential variance in tactile feedback offered by the Jade Rosales or the uniform sound quality of the Salt Ice, based on how each bottom housing material influences their typing experience.
Weight
The Bsun Jade Rosales linear switch and the Jerrzi Salt Ice linear switch exhibit similarities and differences in their actuation and bottom out forces. Both the Jade Rosales and the Salt Ice switches share an identical actuation force of 45 grams, offering a consistent keystroke feel that caters to those who prefer a medium-light typing experience. However, the bottom out force for the Salt Ice switch is unspecified, while the Jade Rosales has a clearly defined bottom out force of 53 grams. This means that the Jade Rosales switch provides a more defined tactile feedback when pressed all the way down, which could be preferable for users who enjoy a more substantial feel. As it stands, the Jade Rosales is the heavier switch due to its known bottom out force, while the Salt Ice's characteristics remain incomplete, potentially making it a lighter or equal option depending on future disclosures. This contrast allows typists to make informed choices based on their preferences; those desiring a consistent actuation force of 45 grams with a bit more resistance when bottoming out might lean towards the Jade Rosales, whereas the Salt Ice remains an intriguing yet uncertain choice in terms of overall force dynamics.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Bsun Jade Rosales linear switch and the Jerrzi Salt Ice linear switch, the Jade Rosales offers a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Salt Ice has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.4 mm. This makes the Jade Rosales the longer of the two switches, providing a more pronounced feel during key presses compared to the Salt Ice, which caters to those who prefer a more responsive, albeit slightly abrupt, experience due to its shorter travel. Consequently, users who prioritize quick response times may find the Salt Ice more suitable, while those who enjoy a deeper key press might favor the Jade Rosales. Despite their differences, both switches fall within the modern trend of shorter travel distances, appealing to gamers and typists looking for swift actions in their keyboard experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Bsun Jade Rosales has an MSRP of $5.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Jade Rosales for $5.39.
The Jerrzi Salt Ice has an MSRP of $2.79 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Salt Ice for $2.30.
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 it comes to sound, the Bsun Jade Rosales switches produce a smooth and muted acoustics that reflects their refined design. In contrast, the Jerrzi Salt Ice switches are known for their bright and clacky character, delivering an energetic auditory experience with every keystroke. The difference in sound profiles can be attributed to their distinct construction and design philosophies, meaning that users seeking a quiet or understated sound will likely prefer the Jade Rosales, while those craving a lively and pronounced auditory feedback should lean towards the Salt Ice. Keep in mind that the overall sound will also depend on the choice of keyboard case and keycaps used.
Regarding feel, the Jade Rosales offers an exceptionally smooth typing experience, emphasizing a refined tactile response that many enthusiasts appreciate for its consistency and comfort during extended typing sessions. On the other hand, the Salt Ice switches provide vibrant feedback with a light touch that makes each actuation feel almost effortless. This lively response can enhance the typing experience for those who prioritize a dynamic and energetic feel under their fingers. Thus, if you value a smooth, gliding sensation, the Jade Rosales would be the ideal choice, whereas the Salt Ice will cater well to users who enjoy a peppy and responsive typing experience.
In conclusion, while both the Bsun Jade Rosales and the Jerrzi Salt Ice switches offer unique qualities, they cater to different preferences in sound and feel. The Jade Rosales is ideal for those who seek a smooth and subdued acoustic profile, paired with a refined tactile experience. Conversely, the Salt Ice is perfect for users who desire bright sounds and lively feedback with every keystroke. Ultimately, your choice should reflect your personal preferences and typing needs, as you can expect to enjoy different results with either switch type based on their distinct characteristics.
Conclusion
To conclude, choosing between the Bsun Jade Rosales and the Jerrzi Salt Ice linear switches ultimately depends on your personal preferences and intended use. If you prioritize a smooth and refined typing experience, the Jade Rosales, with its medium-light bottom-out force of 53 grams, is an excellent choice. This switch is crafted for users who appreciate a meticulously refined feel and want a balance of smoothness and subtle feedback, making it ideal for extensive typing sessions or precise gaming. On the other hand, if you enjoy a more vibrant and clacky typing experience, the Salt Ice switches will likely appeal to you. Their lightweight actuation and energetic feedback cater to those who prefer a responsive feel, perfect for fast typists or gamers seeking quick responses. Ultimately, consider how you value smoothness versus feedback, and choose the switch that aligns best with your typing style and overall keyboard experience.
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