Gateron Mountain Top vs. Cherry MX Orange
An in-depth look at the Gateron Mountain Top and the Cherry MX Orange switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing mechanical keyboard switches, the Gateron Mountain Top and Cherry MX Orange present intriguing options for users seeking a blend of performance and comfort. The Gateron Mountain Top is meticulously designed for office environments, providing a quiet yet pleasantly light typing experience that is ideal for prolonged periods of use in professional settings. Its characteristics, such as being bouncy and easy to press, make it an excellent choice for those who value subtlety and reliability in their typing without causing distractions. In contrast, the Cherry MX Orange switch, reintroduced after its original creation, offers a more tactile feel, incorporating enhancements to fulfill high demands while maintaining a linear actuation. This balance of feedback and smoothness presents a unique appeal to gamers and typists who enjoy a switch that remains surprisingly responsive. Ultimately, both switches cater to specific preferences — the Mountain Top emphasizes discretion, while the MX Orange favors tactile feedback — 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
40g
Actuation force
55g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
1.40 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.40 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
Nylon
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm double-stage spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Gateron Mountain Top and Cherry MX Orange switches reveal significant similarities in their construction, primarily in their use of nylon for both the top and bottom housings. Both switches utilize nylon, a classic choice lauded for its ability to produce a deeper and fuller sound profile when typing. This is due to nylon's softer texture, which absorbs sound more effectively than harder plastics. As a result, both the Gateron Mountain Top and Cherry MX Orange generate a rounder and more muted keystroke sound, providing a similar auditory experience to users.
Despite these shared qualities, the impact of the nylon material on the overall typing experience is nuanced by the specific design of each switch. While both the Gateron Mountain Top and Cherry MX Orange benefit from the sound-dampening properties of nylon, their other design elements may contribute to subtle differences in feel and sound during activation and bottoming out. For example, if either switch features distinct actuation mechanisms or spring tensions, these factors can influence the tactile feedback and overall keystroke experience, even if the acoustic characteristics remain largely consistent due to the shared nylon housings.
In conclusion, the comparable housing materials of the Gateron Mountain Top and Cherry MX Orange switches imply that users will enjoy similar auditory outcomes when typing, characterized by a soft and muted sound profile. However, it's essential to recognize that the subjective feel of each switch can vary based on additional design choices beyond housing material alone. Thus, while both switches benefit from the same nylon formulation, individual preferences may lead to varying opinions on their performance, highlighting the importance of personal experience in selecting the right switch.
Weight
The Gateron Mountain Top linear switch and the Cherry MX Orange linear switch present a clear contrast in their actuation forces, with the Mountain Top requiring just 40 grams to register a keystroke compared to the heavier 55 grams required by the MX Orange. This difference makes the Mountain Top feel lighter and potentially more comfortable for extended typing sessions, which is beneficial for office work or long gaming marathons. In terms of bottom out force, the Mountain Top reaches a bottom out force of 50 grams, while the Cherry MX Orange does not have this value available. This lack of information for the MX Orange means that we cannot directly compare their bottom out experiences. However, given the known specifications, it is clear that the Mountain Top offers a lighter and more responsive feel in both actuation and bottom out compared to the Cherry MX Orange, which is better suited for users who prefer a firmer feedback with a stronger push feel.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch and the Cherry MX Orange linear switch, a clear difference emerges. The Mountain Top switch features a travel distance of 3.4 mm, while the MX Orange boasts a longer travel distance of 4 mm. This means that the Mountain Top offers a shorter key press, which may be more appealing for gamers seeking quicker response times due to its reduced travel distance. Conversely, the MX Orange, with its 4 mm travel, provides a more substantial feel that some users might prefer for a more pronounced typing experience. Ultimately, if you're looking for a more responsive switch, the Gateron Mountain Top would be the better choice, while those who enjoy a deeper key press may gravitate towards the Cherry MX Orange.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Cherry MX Orange has an MSRP of $4.10 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the MX Orange for $3.89.
The Gateron Mountain Top comes in at $6.00 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 it comes to sound, the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch is engineered for a muted experience, making it an excellent choice for office environments where discretion is key. It provides a quiet yet not entirely silent typing profile, which means that while typing may go unnoticed, it still offers a sufficient auditory feedback that isn’t disruptive. The Mountain Top's neutral sound signature allows it to suit various typing scenarios, whether at home or in a professional setting. In contrast, the Cherry MX Orange switch does not have specific sound characteristics provided in the information, leaving an unknown quality regarding its auditory qualities. Sound perception can also vary based on individual setup variables such as the keyboard frame and keycaps, so both switches may yield similar results depending on the user’s configuration.
In terms of feel, the Mountain Top linear switch excels with multiple attributes tailored for comfort and responsiveness. Described as bouncy, it offers a spring-like feedback that brings a lively sensation with each keypress, making the typing experience feel engaging and dynamic. It features an easy-to-press mechanism, requiring minimal force to activate, which minimizes finger fatigue during extended typing sessions. The mild and subtle characteristics contribute to a balanced experience, ensuring the feedback strikes a chord for both beginners and seasoned typists alike. The switch also showcases a snappy quality, enhancing responsiveness for precise inputs. Unfortunately, the feel of the Cherry MX Orange switch remains unspecified, so comparisons in this area cannot be made, leaving some uncertainty about its overall typing sensation.
Considering all of this information, the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch is designed with a sound profile suitable for quieter environments and a user-friendly feel that appeals to a wide range of typing experiences. While the Cherry MX Orange offers historical fanfare and improvements from its original design, its specific sound and feel qualities aren’t described here. Therefore, if sound levels and typing sensations are priorities for you, the Mountain Top stands as a clear contender, whereas the MX Orange will require further exploration to determine how it fits into your personal preferences. Ultimately, if you seek discreetness and comfort, the Mountain Top is the more defined choice at this moment, while the MX Orange presents a curiosity that may need additional investigation to uncover its full potential.
Conclusion
To sum up, when considering whether to choose the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch or the Cherry MX Orange, your decision will largely depend on your specific environment and typing preferences. If you primarily type in a quieter, office setting and seek a switch that balances sound and feedback, the Mountain Top switch would be an excellent choice. Its light actuation force, combined with a bouncy yet mild feel, ensures that your typing is not only efficient but also comfortable, reducing fatigue during long hours. On the other hand, if you value a rich historical feel in a switch and prefer a typing experience that honors classic designs, the Cherry MX Orange could be right for you. While it lacks specific sound and feel descriptions, its reputation suggests a robust construction ideal for both hobbyists and gamers who appreciate tactile feedback. In essence, your choice between these switches should reflect the context in which you'll be using them and your personal typing experience—whether you require something discreet for office use or something with a legacy that enhances the pleasure of tactile interaction.
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