HMX KD200 vs. Gateron Melodic
An in-depth look at the HMX KD200 and the Gateron Melodic switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When selecting a mechanical keyboard switch, understanding the nuances between different types can significantly enhance your typing experience. The HMX KD200, known as the clackiest member of the HMX Film switch family, is a linear switch that offers a smooth keystroke without any tactile feedback or audible click. This makes it an ideal choice for gamers and typists who prefer quick, uninterrupted key presses, allowing for rapid input without distractions. On the other hand, the Gateron Melodic redefines the clicky switch category by incorporating advancements like smooth factory lubing and dual-railed stems, delivering a classic clicky sound and tactile feedback while maintaining a butter-smooth feel. This switch is perfect for users who enjoy the satisfying auditory and tactile response with each keystroke, which can enhance the overall typing enthusiasm. While both switches provide distinct advantages, such as speed and feedback, the choice ultimately depends on your personal 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
45g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
60g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
Ly
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm single-stage spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The HMX KD200 and Gateron Melodic switches present a fascinating contrast in their top housing materials, which significantly influence their auditory characteristics. The KD200 incorporates a nylon top housing, a material known for its softer, sound-absorbing qualities. This results in a typing experience that produces a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon's inherent softness dampens the sound, creating a rounder auditory sensation that is often preferred by users seeking a muted and refined typing experience. In contrast, the Gateron Melodic features a polycarbonate top housing, recognized for its rigid and translucent properties. This material generates a sharper, crisper sound profile that enhances clarity and resonance, making it an ideal choice for users who favor a more pronounced acoustic feedback when typing. The aesthetic aspect of polycarbonate, with its ability to allow RGB light to shine through, further distinguishes it from nylon, often leading users to prefer it for illuminated setups.
When considering the bottom housings, both switches share a commonality that mitigates some of their differences. The KD200's bottom housing, like that of the Melodic, is crafted from nylon, which maintains the deep and full sound profile characteristic of this material. Both switches thus benefit from a uniformity in their bottom housings, leading to a similar experience regarding the bottom-out sound and feel. Since both switches utilize nylon for their bottom housing, they provide a cohesive tactile satisfaction, reinforcing the full-bodied sound that nylon is known to produce. This shared material ensures that users will experience a satisfying bottoming-out sensation, regardless of the differences presented by the top housing materials.
Ultimately, the divergence in the top housing materials of the HMX KD200 and the Gateron Melodic leads to distinct auditory and aesthetic experiences, but the similarity in their respective bottom housings creates an interesting balance. The KD200's use of nylon at both ends creates a consistent auditory experience, while the Melodic’s combination of polycarbonate at the top and nylon at the bottom results in a balance of crispness and depth. Users will appreciate the tactile feedback and full sound from the bottom housing in both switches, while the top housing defines their various sound profiles upon release. The result is a layering of auditory experiences, showcasing how the interplay between materials can greatly affect performance and user satisfaction.
Weight
When comparing the HMX KD200 linear switch and the Gateron Melodic clicky switch, notable differences in their actuation and bottom out forces highlight distinct user experiences. The KD200 features a light actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams, making it an excellent choice for those who prefer effortless typing or extended periods of use, such as during long gaming sessions or at work. In contrast, the Gateron Melodic has an unknown actuation force but possesses a heavier bottom out force of 60 grams, indicating a more substantial tactile feel when bottoming out. This suggests that, while the KD200 is lighter overall and easier on the fingers, the Melodic will provide a firmer push, appealing to users who enjoy a more robust typing experience. Ultimately, the selection between these two switches will depend on individual preferences for typing feel and duration of use.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the HMX KD200 linear switch and the Gateron Melodic clicky switch, a distinct difference becomes apparent. The KD200 has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Melodic clicky switch features a longer travel distance of 4.0 mm. This 0.5 mm difference may not seem significant, but it can influence the overall typing experience. Gamers or users favoring a quicker response time may lean towards the shorter travel distance of the KD200, which allows for faster actuation. In contrast, those who appreciate a more substantial feel in their keystrokes might prefer the Melodic clicky switch, as its increased travel distance provides a deeper and more tactile experience. Thus, the KD200 is the shorter option, appealing to those seeking quickness, while the Melodic caters to preferences for deeper engagement with its longer travel.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The HMX KD200 has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the KD200 for $3.29.
The Gateron Melodic has an MSRP of $6.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Melodic for $6.00.
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 HMX KD200 switch is recognized for its exceptionally clacky sound, which makes it the standout member of the HMX Film switch family, perfect for those who enjoy auditory feedback from their typing experience. In contrast, the Gateron Melodic switch boasts a resonant, higher-pitched sound that provides a clean and sharp auditory profile, reminiscent of stepping on crisp autumn leaves with its crunchy characteristic. Both switches offer their unique auditory delights; however, the personal environment—such as the keyboard's build and keycap material—will influence how these sounds are perceived in practice.
When it comes to tactile feel, the KD200's characteristics are not explicitly detailed, but the Gateron Melodic switch is noted for its buttery smoothness during key presses. This pleasant fluidity combined with an invigorating feedback creates an engaging typing sensation. The Melodic also provides a moderate to firm actuation force and a snappy feel that enhances the overall typing experience. While the precise feel of the KD200 remains undocumented, users seeking a smooth yet responsive typing action may find common ground between the two switches.
In summary, the HMX KD200 and Gateron Melodic switches cater to distinct auditory and tactile preferences, with the KD200 emphasizing a clacky sound and the Melodic offering a refined auditory experience with its resonant and crunchy tones. In terms of feel, the Melodic's buttery smoothness and invigorating feedback set it apart, though the exact attributes of the KD200 are less clarified. Ultimately, both switches deliver engaging typing experiences, but your choice will depend on whether you prioritize sound, smoothness, or feedback in your mechanical keyboard.
Conclusion
To conclude, your choice between the HMX KD200 linear switch and the Gateron Melodic clicky switch ultimately depends on your typing preferences and usage scenarios. If you favor a lighter touch with a noise profile that adds excitement to your typing experience, the KD200's 50-gram actuation force and its reputation as the clackiest in the HMX Film switch family make it an excellent option for casual typing, gaming, or any setting where sound enhances engagement. Its unique auditory character, without compromising on smoothness, will appeal to those who enjoy a lively and expressive keystroke. Conversely, if you seek a balance of tactile feedback and a more pronounced auditory cue, the Gateron Melodic, with its heavier 60-gram actuation force, provides an invigorating typing experience, ideal for those who appreciate the traditional clicky feel but want a smoother keystroke. The Melodic's resonant and crunchy sound profile, enhanced by recent advancements like factory lubing and dual-railed stems, ensures that you can enjoy consistent feedback without sacrificing comfort. Ultimately, whether you prefer the fun clackiness of the KD200 or the refined clickiness of the Melodic will guide you to the switch that best complements your typing style and environment.
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