Keygeek Keylin vs. KTT Pine
An in-depth look at the Keygeek Keylin and the KTT Pine switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to selecting the perfect linear switch for your mechanical keyboard, the Keygeek Keylin and the KTT Pine are two standout options that cater to different preferences and typing styles. The Keylin is celebrated for its innovative design, featuring new molds that provide a premium typing experience characterized by rich acoustics and exceptional smoothness. This makes it an appealing choice for users seeking a refined, tactile feedback without the interruption of clicks. On the other hand, the KTT Pine switches offer a distinct experience with their medium-heavy actuation force and a buttery smooth travel, thanks to their polished, factory-lubed finish. These switches are designed for those who enjoy a more substantial feel and lower-pitched sound, making each keystroke feel effortless. Ultimately, your choice between these two linear switches will depend on whether you prioritize a premium acoustic experience with the Keylin or the smooth, creamy touch of the KTT Pine. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
38g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
48g
Bottom-out force
58g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
UPE
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
21mm single-stage spring
Spring
15.5mm gold-plated spring
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the Keygeek Keylin and the KTT Pine, a notable distinction emerges in both the top and bottom housings. The Keylin employs nylon for its top housing, while the Pine opts for polycarbonate. Nylon's softer composition fosters a deeper, fuller sound profile, enhancing the auditory experience with a rounder and more muted sound. This characteristic is particularly appealing to users who prefer a more subdued acoustic feedback when typing. Conversely, the Pine's use of polycarbonate results in a sharper, crisper sound profile. This stiffer plastic not only contributes to a more resonant auditory experience but is also visually advantageous, especially with its translucency appealing to users keen on RGB lighting effects.
Furthering this contrast, both models utilize different materials for their bottom housings, with the Keylin again using nylon and the Pine using polycarbonate. The impact on sound and tactile feedback from these materials is crucial when analyzing the user experience. Just as with the top housings, the nylon bottom housing of the Keylin provides a fuller sound due to its sound-absorbing qualities, resulting in a dampened bottom-out sound. In comparison, the Pine's polycarbonate bottom housing accentuates the auditory experience with a clearer and more pronounced feedback during key presses. This divergence not only influences sound but also tactile feel—key presses on the Pine are likely to feel distinctively sharper than those on the Keylin.
Ultimately, the differences in materials used for the top and bottom housings of the Keylin and Pine result in a blend of auditory experiences. If both top and bottom housings utilized the same materials, the resulting sound profile would either amplify or reduce certain qualities, leading to a balanced auditory experience. However, with the combination of nylon and polycarbonate in both models, users will experience a juxtaposition of the deeper tones of nylon with the bright sonority of polycarbonate. This duality allows for a diverse typing experience, where the characteristics of each material play off one another, ensuring that both switches cater to distinct preferences depending on the user’s sound and feel priorities.
Weight
The Keygeek Keylin linear switch and the KTT Pine linear switch present distinct characteristics in terms of actuation and bottom out forces. The Keylin features a lighter actuation force of 38 grams and a bottom out force of 48 grams, making it more suited for those who prefer a light touch and longer typing sessions without fatigue. In contrast, the KTT Pine has a higher actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 58 grams, catering to users who appreciate a more substantial typing experience with heavier feedback. Thus, while both switches have their own merits, the Keylin is the lighter option, ideal for extended use, while the Pine is the heavier choice for those seeking a firmer push feel. This difference in force requirements will translate to contrasting typing experiences, allowing users to select based on their personal preference for weight and feedback.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Keygeek Keylin linear switch and the KTT Pine linear switch, the differences are notable. The Keylin offers a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Pine has a longer travel distance of 4 mm. This means that the Keylin is the shorter option, potentially providing a more responsive experience favored by gamers who prioritize quick key presses. Conversely, the KTT Pine's travel distance aligns more closely with traditional preferences, delivering a deeper feel that some users appreciate for its tactile feedback. As such, those who enjoy a more abrupt or snappy response may prefer the Keylin, while those who favor a more substantial keystroke may find the KTT Pine to be the better choice.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Keygeek Keylin has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Keylin for $3.29.
The KTT Pine has an MSRP of $4.60 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Pine for $4.15.
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 Keygeek Keylin linear switch has not been explicitly described in terms of its sound profile, but considering it is designed to deliver rich acoustics, you can expect a pleasant auditory experience when typing. In contrast, the KTT Pine linear switch is characterized by its bassy and low-pitched sound, offering a deeper and richer tone that resonates nicely while typing. The Pine’s sound profile might appeal to users who prefer a more pronounced audio feedback due to its deeper frequency range, while the Keylin will likely deliver a more neutral sound, allowing the acoustics of your keyboard setup to shine through depending on the board and keycaps chosen.
In terms of feel, the Keylin's characteristics are not specified, but its exceptional smoothness suggests a high-quality typing experience. Users can anticipate an overall satisfying sensation while typing. On the other hand, the KTT Pine linear switch is described as buttery smooth and creamy, offering a seamless and effortless keystroke experience. This means that the Pine switch allows for a gliding typing experience, as the factory-lubed finish minimizes friction and provides a silky sensation. If you seek a luxurious typing touch, the Pine is likely to offer that level, while the Keylin may also provide a similarly smooth yet undefined tactile feedback.
In conclusion, while both the Keygeek Keylin and KTT Pine linear switches promise exceptional typing experiences, they have unique qualities that can cater to different user preferences. The Keylin is designed for smoothness and rich acoustics, potentially offering a more understated sound that allows for personalization through keycaps and boards. Meanwhile, the Pine delivers a lush auditory experience with its bassy sound profile, alongside a buttery and creamy tactile feel that promotes effortless typing. Ultimately, if the Keylin meets the user's expectations in feel and sound, you may find enjoyment in either switch, depending on whether you value a richer audio experience or a particularly smooth typing sensation.
Conclusion
To conclude, choosing between the Keygeek Keylin linear switch and the KTT Pine linear switch largely depends on your personal preferences regarding typing feel, sound, and actuation force. If you prefer a lighter switch that offers a premium typing experience with rich acoustics and exceptional smoothness, the Keylin is an excellent choice. Its lower actuation force of 48 grams makes it ideal for those who prioritize speed and responsiveness, especially during fast-paced typing or gaming sessions. On the other hand, if you lean towards a bit more resistance and enjoy a buttery, creamy keystroke, the KTT Pine, with its 58-gram actuation force, would be the better fit. The Pine's bassy and low-pitched sound profile enhances the tactile experience, making each keystroke feel solid and satisfying. Ultimately, your decision should align with what you value most in your typing experience—lightness and smoothness with the Keylin or a more substantial, richly acoustic feel with the Pine.
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