Gateron Jupiter Banana vs. TTC Yunhai
An in-depth look at the Gateron Jupiter Banana and the TTC Yunhai switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When exploring the world of mechanical keyboard switches, the Gateron Jupiter Banana and the TTC Yunhai stand out for their distinct typing experiences. The Jupiter Banana, a tactile switch, is celebrated for its high-precision molds and softer backlight effects, delivering a satisfying tactile bump that provides feedback with every keystroke. Its two-stage springs enhance the overall performance, ensuring a strong return and a consistent feel, making it ideal for gamers and typists who appreciate a more engaged typing experience. On the other hand, the TTC Yunhai linear switch offers a remarkably effortless typing sensation, characterized by its deep, rounded sound profile and incredibly light actuation force. This makes the Yunhai particularly appealing to those who prefer a smooth, uninterrupted keystroke without the tactile feedback, catering to users who prioritize a quieter, more fluid typing experience. Both switches serve unique needs and preferences—while the Jupiter Banana is perfect for those seeking tactile engagement, the Yunhai is suited for anyone favoring a gentle touch. 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
59g
Actuation force
42g
Bottom-out force
69g
Bottom-out force
50g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.50 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POK
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
Spring steel
Spring
23mm single-stage spring
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the Gateron Jupiter Banana and the TTC Yunhai switches, a clear contrast emerges in their top housing compositions. The Jupiter Banana utilizes polycarbonate for its top housing, providing a sharper and more resonant sound profile. The rigidity of polycarbonate results in a crisper auditory experience, making it an excellent choice for those who prioritize clarity in their keystrokes. In comparison, the Yunhai features nylon as its top housing material, which lends itself to a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer nature. This soft plastic absorbs more sound, creating a more muted and rounder auditory output. Therefore, when typing on the two switches, users can expect distinctly different sound qualities stemming from their top housing materials, with the Jupiter Banana favoring brightness and clarity, while the Yunhai leans towards warmth and depth.
However, both switches share a commonality in their bottom housing, as they both utilize nylon. This consistency in material choice for the bottom housing results in a similar sound profile experienced during actuation. The nylon bottom housing in both switches contributes to a cleaner bottom-out sound, characterized by a deeper and fuller resonance common to nylon's properties. Thus, irrespective of their differences in the top housing, both the Gateron Jupiter Banana and TTC Yunhai will exhibit similar characteristics during the actuation of the key, providing users a comparable tactile and auditory feedback experience when fully pressed.
The impact of the distinct top housing materials on the overall feel and sound experience offers a rich area for exploration. With the Gateron Jupiter Banana's polycarbonate top resonating sharply upon release, users may notice a notable difference in its auditory feedback compared to the rounder sound produced by the nylon top housing of the Yunhai. Although the bottom housing provides a shared foundation that results in a common experience during actuation, the diverging qualities of the top housings fundamentally shape the switch's overall behavior and sound output when keys are released. Therefore, while there are similarities in the bottom housing's influence on the feel, the sound produced upon key release will significantly differ, offering users distinct experiences based on their material preferences.
Weight
When comparing the Gateron Jupiter Banana tactile switch and the TTC Yunhai linear switch, there are notable differences in both actuation force and bottom out force. The Jupiter Banana features an actuation force of 59 grams and a bottom out force of 69 grams, categorizing it as a medium-heavy switch. In contrast, the Yunhai linear switch has a lighter actuation force of 42 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams. This difference means the Jupiter Banana requires more force to activate a keystroke and to fully depress, making it suitable for users who prefer a more substantial typing experience. On the other hand, the lighter feel of the Yunhai makes it ideal for those who prioritize comfort during long typing sessions or gaming marathons. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches boils down to personal preference regarding typing experience, with the Jupiter Banana being the heavier option and the Yunhai being the lighter one.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Gateron Jupiter Banana tactile switch and the TTC Yunhai linear switch, we find that the Jupiter Banana has a travel distance of 3.4 mm, while the Yunhai measures 3.6 mm. This makes the Jupiter Banana the shorter option, appealing to gamers or users seeking quicker response times with a shallower press. On the other hand, the Yunhai's 3.6 mm travel distance offers a slightly deeper feel, which may be preferred by those who enjoy a more tactile and hearty keypress experience. Therefore, if you're looking for responsiveness and speed, the Jupiter Banana would be the better choice, while the Yunhai might be better suited for those who appreciate depth in their keystrokes.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The TTC Yunhai has an MSRP of $7.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Yunhai for $5.99.
The Gateron Jupiter Banana 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
When comparing the sound profiles of the Gateron Jupiter Banana tactile switch and the TTC Yunhai linear switch, the Jupiter Banana distinctly offers a high-pitched and resonant auditory experience. This switch produces a sharp and crisp sound when pressed, making it ideal for those who prefer a cleaner, more cutting sound in contrast to the deeper and bassy notes found in some other switches. The sound experiences can vary depending on the choice of board and keycaps, but the Jupiter Banana's specific engineering ensures a more defined and vibrant acoustic presence. In contrast to the Yunhai, which lacks specific sound descriptions, we can only speculate how it would fit into this comparison.
In terms of feel, the Jupiter Banana switch is celebrated for its polished and creamy characteristics, which provide a smooth and refined typing experience. The combination of high-quality materials and potential factory lubrication contributes to reduced friction, allowing for effortless key travel and a silky sensation under the fingers. This luxurious typing feel is likely to enhance productivity and comfort, particularly during extended typing sessions. The Yunhai, however, does not have any provided descriptors regarding its tactile feel, leaving an unknown gap that makes it challenging to compare directly with the Jupiter Banana.
In conclusion, the Gateron Jupiter Banana tactile switch offers a prominent high-pitched sound that pairs with a creamy, polished feel, creating an engaging and enjoyable typing experience. On the other hand, the TTC Yunhai linear switch presents unknowns in both sound and feel that make it difficult to evaluate against the more defined characteristics of the Jupiter Banana. Individuals seeking similar experiences may gravitate toward the Jupiter Banana for its clear auditory and tactile specifications, while those curious about the Yunhai await further information to determine its quality.
Conclusion
To conclude, choosing between the Gateron Jupiter Banana tactile switch and the TTC Yunhai linear switch ultimately depends on your typing preferences and how you intend to use your keyboard. If you appreciate a tactile feel with a medium-heavy bottom out force of 69 grams, the Jupiter Banana is an excellent choice. Its polished and creamy characteristics create a smooth typing experience complemented by a high-pitched and resonant sound profile, making it ideal for those who enjoy a more pronounced tactile feedback while typing or gaming. On the other hand, if you prefer a light, effortless actuation with a softer, rounded sound profile, the Yunhai linear switch would be more suitable. With a bottom out force of just 50 grams, it provides a gentle touch ideal for extended typing sessions or for those who prioritize speed and comfort without the need for tactile feedback. Ultimately, assess whether you lean towards a tactile experience or a lighter, linear feel, as this will guide you to the switch that best fits your needs.
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