KTT Lightning vs. Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade)
An in-depth look at the KTT Lightning and the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the KTT Lightning and the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) offer two distinct typing experiences. The Lightning switches are ideal for those seeking speed and precision, as they are optimized for quick response times. Typing on these switches provides a slick feel and a clacky sound profile, perfect for those who thrive in fast-paced gaming or competitive scenarios. On the other hand, the Moyu Black switches offer a unique blend of premium materials and a strong tactile sensation. With their PBT top and bottom housing, these switches provide a rare typing experience. They feature a strong downstroke tactile bump, but what truly sets them apart is the even sharper and stronger upstroke bump, creating a hypertactile sensation. The downstroke produces a satisfyingly sharp and snappy sound, while the medium-heavy feel and accentuated bottom-out contribute to a distinctive and impactful typing experience. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits your specific preferences and needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
43g
Actuation force
50g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
67g
Pre-travel
1.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
PBT
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
PBT
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
The housing materials of the KTT Lightning and the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) differ significantly. The Lightning features a polycarbonate top housing, which results in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is because polycarbonate is a stiffer plastic, ensuring a clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate is great for RGB lighting enthusiasts. In contrast, the Moyu Black's top housing is made of PBT, a material that offers a more neutral sound profile. While it may not be as crisp as polycarbonate, it also avoids sounding dull. Aesthetically, both housings are different, with the Lightning's being transparent and the Moyu Black's being opaque.
Moving on to the bottom housings, the KTT Lightning utilizes a nylon material, which is a classic choice for switch housing. Typing on switches with nylon bottom housing produces a deeper and fuller sound profile. This is because nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound, creating a duller and rounder sound. On the other hand, the Everglide Moyu Black employs PBT for its bottom housing, offering a similar neutral sound profile as its top housing counterpart. While the nylon bottom housing of the Lightning results in a unique sound experience, the PBT bottom housing of the Moyu Black provides a consistent tonal quality throughout.
Considering the overall impact, the differing top and bottom housings of the KTT Lightning and the Everglide Moyu Black distribute the qualities of each material across the switch. When pressing down on the switch, the bottom housing material greatly influences the resulting bottom-out sound and feel. For the Lightning, this means a deeper and fuller sound due to the nylon bottom housing, while the Moyu Black maintains its consistent neutral sound due to the PBT bottom housing. However, when releasing a key, the top housing material becomes more significant in affecting the sound. The polycarbonate top housing of the Lightning generates a sharper and crisper sound, whereas the PBT top housing of the Moyu Black ensures a more neutral and balanced sound. Ultimately, while the two keyboards have different housing materials, they both offer distinct sound profiles that cater to various preferences.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the KTT Lightning linear switch and the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) tactile switch, it becomes evident that there are differences in their weight. The Lightning switch has a relatively lighter actuation force of 43 grams, while the Moyu Black (Dark Jade) features a slightly heavier actuation force of 50 grams. In terms of bottom out force, the Lightning switch requires 50 grams to fully press down, whereas the Moyu Black (Dark Jade) necessitates a higher force of 67 grams to bottom out.
For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Lightning switch would be a suitable choice as it allows for longer typing durations without fatigue. This makes it ideal for work environments or extended gaming sessions. On the other hand, individuals seeking a more substantial typing feel may gravitate towards the Moyu Black (Dark Jade) switch due to its heavier actuation and bottom out forces. The 50-gram actuation force provides a satisfying push feel, while the 67-gram bottom out force ensures a more pronounced typing experience.
Although the actuation and bottom out forces differ between the two switches, it's important to note that both options guarantee reliable keystrokes. If one desires a similar outcome to the Moyu Black (Dark Jade) switch but prefers a lighter feel, the Lightning switch's actuation force aligns closely with the Moyu Black (Dark Jade), allowing for comparable results. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on personal preference for weight and the typing experience one seeks to achieve.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the KTT Lightning linear switch is 3 mm, while the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm. In terms of travel distance, the Moyu Black switch is longer than the Lightning switch. A travel distance of 4.0 mm is considered more traditional, while 3.0 mm is shallower. Gamers often prefer shorter travel distances as they provide faster response times, making them a popular choice. However, some individuals find shorter travel distances to be too abrupt and prefer a deeper key press. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for responsiveness or a more substantial feel.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) has an MSRP of $12.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Moyu Black (Dark Jade) for $7.59.
The KTT Lightning comes in at $3.41 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
The KTT Lightning linear switch is well-known for its "speed" qualities, making it an ideal choice for situations where quick reaction time is crucial. When typing with these switches, users will experience a slick, smooth feel accompanied by a clacky sound profile. The sound can be described as crisp, bright, and percussive, giving it a high-pitched and slightly chirpy characteristic.
On the other hand, the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) tactile switch offers a unique typing experience with its strong downstroke tactile bump and even sharper and stronger upstroke bump. This creates a hypertactile sensation that is not commonly found in other switches. When typing, users can expect a satisfyingly sharp and snappy sound from the downstroke bump, resulting in a clean and resonant sound profile. The Moyu Black switches provide a medium-heavy feel, with an accentuated bottom-out, offering an impactful and distinctive typing experience.
In summary, the KTT Lightning linear switch and the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) tactile switch have different subjective qualities. The Lightning switch provides a slick and clacky feel, with a sound that is clacky, high-pitched, and slightly chirpy. On the other hand, the Moyu Black switch offers a sharp tactile feel, characterized by a strong and crisp tactile bump and a resonant sound profile. Depending on personal preference, users will be able to choose between a smoother and clackier typing experience or a more tactile and resonant one. Both switches offer unique qualities that can enhance the overall typing experience, allowing users to find the switch that suits their preferences and needs.
Conclusion
In conclusion, if you prioritize speed and a slick typing experience, the KTT Lightning linear switch would be the ideal choice for you. These switches are perfect for situations where milliseconds can make a difference, offering a light bottom-out force of only 50 grams. You can expect a clacky sound profile, which is sharp and snappy, providing a crisp and percussive sound when pressed.
On the other hand, if you value a unique and premium typing experience with a strong tactile feel, the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) tactile switch is the way to go. With a medium-heavy bottom-out force of 67 grams, these switches offer a distinctive and impactful typing experience. The Moyu Blacks feature a sharp and short downstroke tactile bump, accompanied by an even sharper and stronger upstroke bump, creating a hypertactile sensation. The sound profile is resonant, producing a clean and sharp high-pitched sound when typing.
Ultimately, the choice between these two switches depends on your preferences and priorities. If you prioritize speed and a clacky sound profile, go for the Lightning linear switch. However, if you prefer a unique and premium typing experience with a strong tactile feel and resonant sound, the Moyu Black (Dark Jade) tactile switch is the better option. Consider your typing style, sound preference, and desired typing experience when making your decision.
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