Gazzew LT vs. KTT Vanilla Ice Cream
An in-depth look at the Gazzew LT and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Gazzew LT and KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switches, both offer unique characteristics that cater to different preferences. The LT switches are praised for their deep, resonant thockiness and seamless glide with every keystroke, making them ideal for those who appreciate a bassy and thocky typing experience. On the other hand, the Vanilla Ice Cream switches are celebrated for their smooth and creamy feel, thanks to the ingenious use of POK in the stem and bottom housing, providing a buttery and creamy typing sensation. Acoustically, the LT switches offer a low-pitched sound, while the Vanilla Ice Cream switches deliver a high-pitched and clacky sound signature. 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
43g
Bottom-out force
65g
Bottom-out force
48g
Pre-travel
N/A
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Total travel
3.20 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POK
Top housing material
Proprietary Gazzew blend
Top housing material
Proprietary KTT blend
Bottom housing material
Proprietary Gazzew blend
Bottom housing material
POK
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel Korean spring
Spring
Stainless steel 18mm spring
Housing materials
The Gazzew LT and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream both utilize proprietary blends for their top housing material, with the LT's Gazzew blend offering a rich and deep sound profile due to its softness, while the Vanilla Ice Cream's KTT blend provides a high-pitched and clacky sound signature. Despite their differences in sound profile, both housing materials are designed to enhance the overall typing experience for users by providing unique auditory feedback. Whether you prefer a softer, more mellow typing sound or a sharper, more pronounced click, both switches offer distinct options for customization.
In terms of bottom housing materials, the Gazzew LT and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream differ significantly. The LT utilizes its proprietary Gazzew blend, known for delivering a rich and deep sound profile through its softness. On the other hand, the Vanilla Ice Cream features a POK bottom housing, which offers exceptional durability, smoothness, and shock resistance. While the LT focuses on sound profile and softness, the Vanilla Ice Cream prioritizes durability and smoothness, ensuring that users will have a robust and reliable typing experience with minimal friction and wear over time.
Ultimately, the choice between the Gazzew LT and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream will come down to personal preference and typing style. The LT's focus on a rich and deep sound profile may appeal to users looking for a softer typing experience, while the Vanilla Ice Cream's emphasis on durability and smoothness makes it an attractive option for those prioritizing performance and longevity. Both switches offer unique qualities that can enhance the overall typing feel and sound, providing users with a customized typing experience based on their preferences.
Weight
In comparing the Gazzew LT linear switch and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch, it is evident that they have different actuation and bottom out forces. The Gazzew LT has a bottom out force of 65 grams, making it medium-heavy, while the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream has a lower bottom out force of 48 grams, categorizing it as light. The actuation force of the Gazzew LT is not specified, while the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream has an actuation force of 43 grams. This makes the Vanilla Ice Cream switch lighter in terms of both actuation and bottom out force compared to the Gazzew LT. For those who prefer a more substantial typing experience and heavier push feel, the Gazzew LT may be the better option. On the other hand, individuals who enjoy a lighter typing experience for longer periods of time may prefer the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream switch. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference and typing style.
Travel distance
The Gazzew LT linear switch has a travel distance of 3.2 mm, while the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm. This means that the Vanilla Ice Cream switch has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the LT switch. In general, a shorter travel distance is favored by gamers for faster response times, while a longer travel distance provides a deeper feel when pressing the key. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances that are becoming more popular, catering to those who prefer a quicker keystroke. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on whether you prioritize a shorter or longer travel distance in your typing experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The KTT Vanilla Ice Cream has an MSRP of $5.78 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Vanilla Ice Cream for $4.60.
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
When comparing the sound of the Gazzew LT linear switch and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch, we can see a stark contrast in their auditory characteristics. The LT switch provides a deep, resonant thockiness that delivers a bassy and low-pitched sound profile, creating a satisfying typing experience. On the other hand, the Vanilla Ice Cream switch offers a high-pitched and clacky sound signature, giving typists a clean and sharp auditory feedback. In terms of feel, the LT switch's qualities are unknown, while the Vanilla Ice Cream switch is described as providing a buttery and creamy typing experience, thanks to its smooth and uniform keystrokes. Overall, if you prefer a deeper, bass-heavy sound and a seamless glide while typing, the Gazzew LT linear switch would be a suitable choice. Alternatively, if you enjoy a higher-pitched, clean sound and a smooth, buttery typing sensation, the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch would be the way to go. Ultimately, both switches offer unique sound and feel qualities that cater to different preferences, ensuring an enjoyable typing experience regardless of your choice.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Gazzew LT linear switch and the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream linear switch, consider the bottom out force and sound profile that best suits your preferences. If you prefer a medium-heavy bottom out force and enjoy a bassy, thocky, and low-pitched sound experience, the Gazzew LT switches may be the perfect choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter bottom out force and enjoy a high-pitched, marbly, and resonant sound profile with a buttery and creamy typing experience, the KTT Vanilla Ice Cream switches might be more to your liking. Ultimately, the decision comes down to personal preference and the specific typing experience you are looking for.
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