Gateron Mountain Top vs. Outemu Brown
An in-depth look at the Gateron Mountain Top and the Outemu Brown switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, it is important to consider your specific preferences and needs. The Gateron Mountain Top, a linear switch, offers a quiet and light typing experience ideal for office environments. Known for its subdued sound signature and comfortable actuation, the Mountain Top switch is perfect for professionals seeking a bouncy, easy-to-press key feel. On the other hand, the Outemu Brown, a tactile switch, provides a different typing experience with a tactile bump upon actuation. While the Brown switch does not have a specific standout feature like the Mountain Top, it is favored for its overall 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
53g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
65g
Pre-travel
1.40 mm
Pre-travel
1.20 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
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
22mm double-stage spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
Comparing the housing materials of the Gateron Mountain Top and the Outemu Brown, we see that the Mountain Top features a nylon top housing while the Brown utilizes a polycarbonate top housing. The nylon top housing of the Mountain Top creates a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer plastic that absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. In contrast, the polycarbonate top housing of the Brown produces a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile because of its stiffer plastic, leading to a more clear and resonant sound. Aesthetically, the polycarbonate top housing is preferred for RGB lighting due to its translucency, offering a visually appealing option.
On the other hand, both the Mountain Top and the Brown feature a nylon bottom housing, which contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile by absorbing more sound than harder plastics. This similarity in bottom housing material results in a consistent typing experience in terms of sound quality between the two switches. While the top housing may differ in material and sound profile, the bottom housing serves as a unifying factor in providing a similar tactile experience for users who type on switches that use nylon bottom housings.
Overall, the choice between the Gateron Mountain Top and the Outemu Brown will ultimately depend on the user's preference for sound profile and aesthetics. The Mountain Top's nylon housing offers a more subdued and rounded sound, ideal for those seeking a quieter typing experience, while the Brown's polycarbonate housing provides a sharper and clearer sound, perfect for users who prefer a more distinct and resonant typing sound. Despite the differences in top housing material, the shared nylon bottom housing ensures a consistent and familiar typing feel across both switches.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch and the Outemu Brown tactile switch, it is clear that the Mountain Top is lighter in both aspects. The Mountain Top has an actuation force of 40 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams, while the Brown has an actuation force of 53 grams and a bottom out force of 65 grams. The lighter actuation and bottom out forces of the Mountain Top make it ideal for those who prefer a lighter touch and want to type for longer periods without fatigue. On the other hand, the Brown switch's heavier forces provide a more substantial typing experience for those who enjoy a stronger push feel. Both switches offer different typing experiences based on their actuation and bottom out forces, allowing users to choose based on their preference for a lighter or heavier feel.
Travel distance
The Gateron Mountain Top linear switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm, making it shorter than the Outemu Brown tactile switch, which has a travel distance of 4 mm. The Mountain Top offers a shorter travel distance, which may be preferred by gamers looking for a faster response time. On the other hand, the Brown switch provides a deeper key press, which some users may find more satisfying. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for travel distance and the desired typing or gaming experience. Both switches offer different travel distances, catering to different user preferences, but they both provide a satisfactory typing experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
For 10 switches, the Gateron Mountain Top comes in at $6.00, whereas the Outemu Brown comes in at $3.10.
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, the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch offers a neutral profile, making it suitable for various typing environments. On the other hand, the Outemu Brown tactile switch's sound characteristics are unknown. The sound produced by a switch can also be influenced by factors like the keyboard's construction and keycaps.
When it comes to feel, the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch is known for its bouncy and easy-to-press qualities, providing a lively and responsive typing experience. It offers a mild and subtle feel, making it comfortable for extended typing sessions. In comparison, the feel of the Outemu Brown tactile switch remains unspecified.
Overall, the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch is designed for discreet and continuous typing in professional settings, offering a quiet yet not entirely silent typing experience with a light actuation force. While the subjective qualities of the Outemu Brown tactile switch remain unknown, based on the information provided, users can expect a typing experience that is suitable for most intents and purposes. Both switches emphasize comfort and ease of typing, with the Gateron Mountain Top switch catering to quiet environments and the Outemu Brown switch offering tactile feedback, though specifics on its sound and feel may vary.
Conclusion
To sum up, when choosing between the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch and the Outemu Brown tactile switch, consider the environment in which you will be using the keyboard. If you require a quiet and unobtrusive typing experience in a professional office setting, the Mountain Top switch is a suitable choice with its light actuation force and subdued sound signature. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium-heavy tactile feedback and do not have specific sound requirements, the Brown switch may be more suitable for your needs. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preferences for typing feel, sound profile, and the working environment in which the keyboard will be used.
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