Gateron Mountain Top vs. Haimu Orange Sea
An in-depth look at the Gateron Mountain Top and the Haimu Orange Sea switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When selecting mechanical keyboard switches, the Gateron Mountain Top and the Haimu Orange Sea both offer unique features that cater to different typing experiences, despite being linear switches. The Gateron Mountain Top shines in office settings, expertly balancing a quiet yet noticeable typing sound with a comfortably light actuation, making it ideal for those who require discretion while maintaining a smooth and enjoyable typing experience. Its design focuses on unobtrusive performance, perfect for long hours of continuous use in professional environments. On the other hand, the Haimu Orange Sea is celebrated for its impeccably smooth typing feel and a neutral sound signature, appealing to users who prioritize a fluid and effortless input experience without distractions. While both switches are linear and provide distinct advantages, their intended use cases and tactile responses can influence your choice significantly. 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
37g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
45g
Pre-travel
1.40 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm double-stage spring
Spring
22mm extended double-stage spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Gateron Mountain Top and Haimu Orange Sea switches exhibit notable differences, particularly in their top housing. The Mountain Top utilizes nylon for its top housing, which is recognized for its softer plastic properties that absorb sound effectively, resulting in a deeper, fuller sound profile. This is contrasted with the Orange Sea's use of polycarbonate for its top housing, which contributes to a sharper and crisper sound. The stiffer nature of polycarbonate enhances clarity, making it ideal for clearer sound resonance, and it is often preferred for switches that incorporate RGB lighting due to its translucency. The differing properties of these materials create distinct auditory experiences when typing, with the Mountain Top providing a more subdued sound while the Orange Sea delivers a more pronounced acoustic response.
On the other hand, both switches use nylon for their bottom housing, creating a point of similarity between them. This shared material ensures that when the switches are actuated, both will produce a deeper and rounder sound profile upon bottoming out. Nylon's sound-absorbing qualities lend a consistency to the bottom-out feel for both switches, making the experience of typing on them feel cohesive in this particular aspect. The impact of the nylon bottom housing guarantees a similar tactile sensation, ensuring a unified auditory experience even if the top housing contrasts in material and sound profile.
In summary, the combination of sound characteristics between the top and bottom housings of both the Gateron Mountain Top and Haimu Orange Sea switches creates a unique typing experience. While the Mountain Top offers a distinctively fuller sound from its nylon top housing, the Orange Sea's polycarbonate top delivers a crisper auditory feedback. However, the shared nylon material in the bottom housing aligns the bottom-out sounds between the two. Therefore, while typing on both switches will elicit different sound profiles from the top, the bottom housing's nylon component ensures that users will still feel connected through the rich, round sound when the keys are pressed down. This interplay highlights how the materials used in each housing contribute to the overall performance and feel of the switches.
Weight
When comparing the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch and the Haimu Orange Sea linear switch in terms of actuation and bottom out forces, both switches exhibit light characteristics, but the Mountain Top is slightly heavier. The Mountain Top has an actuation force of 40 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams, while the Orange Sea features a lighter actuation force of 37 grams and a bottom out force of 45 grams. This difference means that typists and gamers who prefer a lighter touch might lean towards the Orange Sea for comfort during extended use. Conversely, those who enjoy a more substantial typing experience might find the Mountain Top's greater resistance more satisfying. Overall, while both switches offer a light feel, the Orange Sea provides a marginally lighter experience, making it preferable for those focused on longer typing sessions.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch measures 3.4 mm, while the Haimu Orange Sea linear switch has a slightly longer travel distance of 3.6 mm. This means that, when pressed, the Mountain Top switch will travel a shorter distance compared to the Orange Sea switch. For gamers and those who favor responsiveness, the Gateron Mountain Top may be the more appealing option due to its shorter travel distance, allowing for quicker actuation. On the other hand, players who prefer a deeper feel and more feedback might gravitate towards the Haimu Orange Sea, which provides a longer travel distance that may feel less abrupt. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will depend on personal preferences regarding responsiveness versus deeper engagement during key presses.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
For 10 switches, the Gateron Mountain Top comes in at $6.00, whereas the Haimu Orange Sea comes in at $2.79.
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 characteristics of the Gateron Mountain Top and the Haimu Orange Sea switches, the Mountain Top is designed with a neutral sound profile that strikes a balance suitable for various environments, particularly in office settings. Its moderate sound level allows for quiet typing without the risks of distraction commonly associated with louder switches. On the other hand, the sound qualities of the Orange Sea are not specified; however, they are noted to have a neutral sound signature as well. It's worth noting that the actual sound can vary based on additional factors like the choice of board and keycaps, which means both switches could potentially deliver a similarly unobtrusive typing experience.
In terms of feel, the Mountain Top switch is characterized by a range of engaging qualities. It boasts a bouncy nature, providing a spring-like feedback that enhances the typing experience with a lively rebounding feel. Additionally, its easy-to-press design requires minimal force, allowing for comfortable extended typing sessions and reducing finger fatigue. The feel is further enhanced by its mild and subtle characteristics, offering gentle resistance that remains accessible for users of all experience levels. The Mountain Top switch is also described as snappy, ensuring a responsive typing experience. Unfortunately, details regarding the feel of the Haimu Orange Sea switch aren’t provided, leaving a gap in direct comparison for tactile feedback.
In conclusion, both the Gateron Mountain Top and Haimu Orange Sea switches cater well to users seeking a balanced typing experience, particularly in shared or professional environments. The Mountain Top excels in delivering a carefully engineered response both in terms of sound and feel, making it a solid choice for those prioritizing discretion and comfort. While the Orange Sea offers an impeccably smooth typing feel, its other subjective qualities remain unknown, making it a less directly comparable option. Ultimately, users looking for a quiet, enjoyable typing experience will find merit in both switches, though the Mountain Top may have the edge in providing a broader description of its tactile experience.
Conclusion
To conclude, the choice between Gateron Mountain Top linear switches and Haimu Orange Sea linear switches ultimately depends on your specific preferences and typing environment. If you are often in an office setting or require a switch that prioritizes discretion and comfort during prolonged typing sessions, the Mountain Top is likely the better option for you. With its light bottom-out force of 50 grams, it provides a balanced typing experience that combines a bouncy feel with subtle feedback, making it ideal for reducing finger fatigue while keeping noise levels to a minimum. On the other hand, if you value a remarkably smooth typing experience over a quieter sound profile and prefer a switch that feels neutral, the Orange Sea may be more appealing. Its lighter actuation force of 45 grams enhances the effortless feel of typing, perfect for those who prioritize a seamless keypress over auditory concerns. Ultimately, your choice should reflect how you intend to use your keyboard—whether for a bustling office setting or a more personal environment where smoothness and feel take precedence.
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