KTT Mannan Pipefish vs. SP-Star Meteor Orange
An in-depth look at the KTT Mannan Pipefish and the SP-Star Meteor Orange switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
If you're in the market for a mechanical keyboard switch, two options to consider are the KTT Mannan Pipefish and the SP-Star Meteor Orange. The Mannan Pipefish is a linear switch, offering a smooth and effortless typing experience. With its light 45g actuation and bottom-out force, paired with a lengthened spring, it provides comfort and precision for casual typists looking for a strain-free keyboarding journey. On the other hand, the Meteor Orange switch is a tactile switch, known for its gentle and seductive tactility. It offers a soft touch while typing and emits a neutral sound profile. Both switches are categorized as 'Polished', ensuring a sleek appearance on your keyboard setup. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
37g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
45g
Bottom-out force
57g
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
One of the key differences between the KTT Mannan Pipefish and the SP-Star Meteor Orange is the housing material used for their top housings. The Mannan Pipefish utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharp, high-pitched, and crisp sound profile. This is because polycarbonate is a relatively stiff plastic, resulting in a clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the polycarbonate top housing is ideal for those who plan to use RGB lighting due to its translucency. On the other hand, the Meteor Orange features a nylon top housing. Typing on switches with a nylon top housing produces a deeper and fuller sound profile. This is because nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound than harder plastics, creating a duller and rounder sound.
Moving on to the bottom housings, both the Mannan Pipefish and the Meteor Orange share the same nylon material. Typing on switches that use nylon for the bottom housing also elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile compared to harder plastics. This is because nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. Therefore, in terms of sound, both switches offer similar characteristics due to their shared nylon bottom housing.
When considering the overall sound and feel of a switch, the housing materials play a crucial role. The top and bottom housings contribute distinct qualities to the switch's sound profile. The impact of the bottom housing is more pronounced when you press down on the switch, influencing the bottom-out sound and feel. In the case of the Mannan Pipefish and the Meteor Orange, their nylon bottom housings contribute to a deep and full sound when keys are pressed. On the other hand, the top housing has more influence on the sound when a key is released. The polycarbonate top housing of the Mannan Pipefish creates a sharper and crisper sound when keys are released, while the nylon top housing of the Meteor Orange produces a fuller and rounder sound upon key release.
In summary, the KTT Mannan Pipefish and the SP-Star Meteor Orange differ in their housing materials for both the top and bottom housings. The Mannan Pipefish utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, resulting in a sharper and crisper sound profile, ideal for RGB lighting. On the other hand, the Meteor Orange features a softer nylon top housing, producing a deeper and fuller sound. However, both switches share a nylon bottom housing, resulting in a similar deep and full sound when keys are pressed. The impact of the bottom and top housings also differs, with the bottom housing influencing the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing affects the sound when releasing a key.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the KTT Mannan Pipefish linear switch and the SP-Star Meteor Orange tactile switch, there are notable differences. The Mannan Pipefish has an actuation force of 37 grams, which is relatively light. On the other hand, the Meteor Orange's actuation force is unavailable, so it is difficult to compare directly. However, in terms of bottom out force, the Mannan Pipefish requires 45 grams of force, which is still lighter compared to the Meteor Orange's 57 grams, making it a medium-light switch.
Considering weight, some individuals prefer lighter switches as it allows for longer typing without fatigue, making it suitable for work or extended gaming sessions. These individuals may find the lighter actuation force of the Mannan Pipefish appealing. On the contrary, some people prefer a stronger push feel for a more substantial typing experience. These individuals may opt for switches with heavier forces, such as the bottom out force of the Meteor Orange.
In summary, the Mannan Pipefish linear switch is lighter in both actuation and bottom out force compared to the Meteor Orange tactile switch. However, since the actuation force of the Meteor Orange is not provided, it is challenging to make a complete comparison. Nonetheless, if the actuation forces were similar, the heavier bottom out force of the Meteor Orange would result in a more substantial typing experience than the Mannan Pipefish.
Travel distance
The KTT Mannan Pipefish linear switch and the SP-Star Meteor Orange tactile switch have similar travel distances of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key with either of these switches, you will feel the same distance of travel from the top to the bottom. Therefore, in terms of travel distance, both switches will provide similar results. There is no significant difference in the travel distances between the two switches as they both measure 4 mm.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The KTT Mannan Pipefish has an MSRP of $3.53 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Mannan Pipefish for $3.05.
The SP-Star Meteor Orange has an MSRP of $5.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Meteor Orange for $5.00.
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
In terms of sound, both the KTT Mannan Pipefish linear switch and the SP-Star Meteor Orange tactile switch have a neutral sound profile. This means that they have a moderate actuation force requirement and produce a moderate sound when pressed and released. The Mannan Pipefish switch is known for its neutral sound, while the Meteor Orange switch also has a thocky sound characteristic, which produces a deep and satisfying sound. It's important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps chosen.
In terms of feel, the Mannan Pipefish linear switch is described as easy-to-press, offering gentle resistance during key presses and requiring minimal force to activate. This light actuation force makes typing effortless and comfortable, reducing finger fatigue during extended typing sessions. Additionally, the Mannan Pipefish switch is also polished, resulting in a smooth and refined finish, providing a sleek typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel.
On the other hand, the SP-Star Meteor Orange tactile switch is described as mild, offering a gentle typing experience compared to switches with more pronounced characteristics. Its qualities stand in a safe middle-ground zone, making it approachable to most users. Similar to the Mannan Pipefish switch, the Meteor Orange switch is also polished, resulting in a smooth and refined finish for a sleek typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel.
Overall, both the KTT Mannan Pipefish linear switch and the SP-Star Meteor Orange tactile switch provide pleasant and enjoyable typing experiences. They both have a neutral sound profile, making them suitable for various purposes and settings. They also share the polished characteristic, ensuring a smooth and sleek typing experience with reduced friction. Whether you prefer the easy-to-press and low-impact feel of the Mannan Pipefish or the mild and approachable feel of the Meteor Orange, you can expect similar results in terms of sound and feel from both switches.
Conclusion
In conclusion, if you are a casual typist seeking a strain-free and enjoyable typing experience, the Mannan Pipefish linear switch would be the perfect choice for you. With its light 45g actuation and bottom-out force, easy-to-press and polished feel, and neutral sound profile, these switches offer a comfortable and precise typing journey. On the other hand, if you prefer a more gentle typing experience and enjoy a soft and seductive tactility, the SP-Star Meteor Orange tactile switch would be the ideal option. With a slightly higher bottom out force of 57 grams, mild feel, and also polished finish, these switches provide a safe and approachable typing experience. Both switches have a moderate actuation force requirement and a moderate sound profile, making them suitable for various typing needs, whether you are a beginner or advanced typist using them at home or work. Ultimately, the choice between the Mannan Pipefish and Meteor Orange switches depends on your personal preference for typing feel and sound.
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