Gazzew LT vs. Bsun Olive
An in-depth look at the Gazzew LT and the Bsun Olive switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the Gazzew LT linear switch and the Bsun Olive tactile switch offer distinct experiences for users. The LT is known for its enticing lilac hue and its deep, resonant "thockiness," providing a seamless glide with every keystroke. On the other hand, the Olive stands out with its all-POM housings, delivering a deep sound and pronounced tactile feedback for a satisfying typing experience. The LT can be categorized as 'Bassy', 'Thocky', and 'Low-pitched', while the Olive falls under 'Accented', 'Invigorating', 'Sharp', and 'Snappy'. 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
N/A
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
65g
Bottom-out force
65g
Pre-travel
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.20 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Proprietary Gazzew blend
Top housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Proprietary Gazzew blend
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel Korean spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Gazzew LT and the Bsun Olive offer different characteristics in terms of sound profiles. The LT's Gazzew blend, also known as "boba plastic," is described as delivering a rich and deep sound due to its softness. In contrast, the Olive's POM housing creates a unique and pleasing sound that is on the deeper side and more muted. These differences in sound profiles can significantly impact the overall typing experience for users.
In terms of construction, the Gazzew LT and the Bsun Olive both utilize proprietary blends for their top and bottom housings. The LT's blend extends to both the top and bottom housings, resulting in a consistent rich and deep sound profile. On the other hand, the Olive's POM material is used for both the top and bottom housings, providing a more muted and unique sound. While both switches aim to offer a high-quality typing experience, the choice between a consistent sound profile with the LT or a more unique and muted sound with the Olive will ultimately depend on personal preference.
When it comes to how the housing materials affect the overall typing experience, the bottom housing has more of an impact on the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing affects the sound when a key is released. In the case of the Gazzew LT and Bsun Olive, the difference in material between the top and bottom housing may result in varying experiences for users. Those who prefer a consistent sound profile throughout typing may lean towards the LT, while others looking for a more nuanced and unique typing experience may opt for the Olive. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will depend on individual preferences and the desired typing sound profile.
Weight
In comparing the Gazzew LT linear switch and the Bsun Olive tactile switch, it is clear that the LT is lighter in terms of actuation force as it requires None grams to trigger a keystroke, while the Olive tactile switch requires 45 grams. Both switches, however, share the same bottom out force of 65 grams, making them medium-heavy in that regard. The LT switch offers a smoother typing experience due to its linear nature, which some users may find preferable for extended typing or gaming sessions. On the other hand, the Olive tactile switch provides a more tactile feedback with its actuation force, which can give a more substantial typing feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches would depend on personal preference, with the LT switch being lighter in actuation force and the Olive switch offering a more tactile typing experience.
Travel distance
The Gazzew LT linear switch has a travel distance of 3.2 mm, while the Bsun Olive tactile switch has a slightly longer travel distance of 3.4 mm. This means that the Bsun Olive has a slightly deeper keypress compared to the Gazzew LT. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, which are popular for their quick responsiveness, particularly among gamers. However, the 0.2 mm difference between the two may not be noticeable to all users. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference regarding keypress depth and responsiveness.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Bsun Olive has an MSRP of $5.80 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Olive for $4.70.
The Gazzew LT comes in at $6.50 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 Gazzew LT linear switch stands out for its deep and resonant thocky sound profile, offering a satisfying auditory experience with each key press. On the other hand, the Bsun Olive tactile switch is known for its all-POM housing that creates a unique deep and resonant sound, along with a pronounced tactile feedback thanks to its design and long pole stem. In terms of sound, the LT is characterized by bassy, thocky, and low-pitched qualities, while the Olive's sound profile is unknown.
When it comes to feel, details about the LT switch are unavailable, but the Bsun Olive tactile switch is described as having an accented, invigorating, sharp, and snappy feel. This suggests that the Olive switch provides a tactile typing experience with a prominent amount of feedback and a snappy, responsive feel.
Considering the information available, both the Gazzew LT linear switch and the Bsun Olive tactile switch offer unique qualities in terms of sound and feel. If you prefer a deeper and bass-heavy sound along with a seamless glide, the LT switch may be the ideal choice. On the other hand, if you enjoy pronounced tactile feedback and a sharp, snappy typing experience, the Olive switch could be the perfect fit for you. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches will depend on your personal preferences for sound and feel during typing sessions.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Gazzew LT linear switch and the Bsun Olive tactile switch, you should consider the following factors. If you prioritize a smooth and satisfying typing experience with a focus on deep, resonant thockiness and a seamless glide, the LT switch may be the best choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch that delivers a distinct tactile feedback with an accentuated feel, characterized by its sharp bottom-out and unique design, the Olive switch could be the ideal option. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preferences for sound, feel, and overall typing experience.
Mentioned in this article
