Gateron Mountain Top vs. KTT Sea Salt Lemon
An in-depth look at the Gateron Mountain Top and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch to the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch, both offer unique features that cater to different preferences. The Gateron Mountain Top is designed for office environments, providing a quiet yet tactile typing experience ideal for professional settings. On the other hand, the KTT Sea Salt Lemon offers a buttery smooth typing experience with its progressive spring and dry-lube design. While the Mountain Top switch focuses on discreet typing with a light actuation, the Sea Salt Lemon switch emphasizes smoothness and a low-pitched sound. Both switches have their own strengths and appeal to different preferences. 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
45g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
53g
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
No
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
13mm progressive spring
Housing materials
While the Gateron Mountain Top and KTT Sea Salt Lemon both utilize nylon for their bottom housing, they offer slightly different sound profiles due to the distinctions in their top housing materials. The nylon bottom housing in both switches results in a deeper and fuller sound profile, as nylon is known for its ability to absorb sound and create a duller yet rounder sound. However, the Mountain Top's nylon top housing provides a similarly deep sound profile, while the Sea Salt Lemon's polycarbonate top housing offers a sharper and crisper sound. This contrast showcases how the choice of top housing material can significantly impact the overall sound experience of a switch.
In terms of aesthetics, the use of polycarbonate in the Sea Salt Lemon's top housing allows for a clear and translucent look, making it ideal for switches that incorporate RGB lighting. On the other hand, the Gateron Mountain Top's nylon top housing may not offer the same level of visual appeal as the polycarbonate top housing. However, both switches maintain a classic feel with their nylon bottom housing, which contributes to their shared deep and full sound profiles. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches may come down to personal preference in terms of sound and visual aesthetics.
When considering the overall typing experience, the bottom housing of a switch plays a significant role in the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing impacts the sound when releasing a key. The Gateron Mountain Top and KTT Sea Salt Lemon showcase how the materials used in each part of the housing can influence the typing experience differently. Whether you prefer a deeper, fuller sound profile with a nylon bottom housing or a sharper, clearer sound profile with a polycarbonate top housing, both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to individual preferences in typing sound and feel.
Weight
In comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch, it is evident that the Mountain Top is the lighter option with an actuation force of 40 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams. On the other hand, the Sea Salt Lemon is slightly heavier with an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 53 grams. The lighter actuation and bottom out forces of the Mountain Top make it ideal for those who prefer a more effortless typing experience for extended periods, such as during work or gaming sessions. In contrast, the slightly heavier forces of the Sea Salt Lemon provide a more substantial and tactile typing experience for users who prefer a stronger push feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for typing feel and force requirements.
Travel distance
The Gateron Mountain Top linear switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm, while the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm. This means that the Sea Salt Lemon switch has a longer travel distance compared to the Mountain Top. The difference in travel distance may result in a slightly different typing experience for users. Those who prefer a quicker response time may lean towards the Mountain Top switch with its shorter travel distance, as it can lead to faster keystrokes and potentially quicker gaming reactions. On the other hand, individuals who enjoy a more pronounced keypress and a deeper feeling when typing may opt for the Sea Salt Lemon switch with its longer travel distance. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference and typing habits.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
For 10 switches, the Gateron Mountain Top comes in at $6.00, whereas the KTT Sea Salt Lemon comes in at $2.80.
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 switch offers a neutral sound profile, making it suitable for various uses in both home and work environments. On the other hand, the KTT Sea Salt Lemon switch provides a low-pitched sound with a more mellow tone, adding a touch of uniqueness to the typing experience. Both switches offer different auditory sensations that can cater to different preferences, but ultimately, the choice between the two would depend on the individual's sound preference and the overall setup of their keyboard.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Gateron Mountain Top switch is described as bouncy, easy-to-press, mild, snappy, and subtle, offering a responsive and low-impact typing feel that is suitable for extended typing sessions in professional settings. In comparison, the KTT Sea Salt Lemon switch is described as mild, providing a gentle typing experience that is approachable to most users. While both switches offer a comfortable typing experience, the Gateron Mountain Top switch may appeal more to those looking for a livelier and more responsive feel, while the KTT Sea Salt Lemon switch caters to users seeking a smoother and buttery typing experience.
In conclusion, the Gateron Mountain Top and KTT Sea Salt Lemon switches each have their own distinctive sound profiles and tactile feels that cater to different preferences. The Mountain Top switch is more geared towards professional settings with its bouncy and snappy feel, while the Sea Salt Lemon switch offers a smoother and more mild typing experience. If an individual prefers a lighter actuation force and a more subdued sound, the Mountain Top switch would be more suitable, whereas those looking for a buttery smooth typing experience may lean towards the Sea Salt Lemon switch. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches would depend on personal preference and the specific typing experience desired by the user.
Conclusion
In closing, when choosing between the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch and the KTT Sea Salt Lemon linear switch, consider the environment in which you will be using the keyboard. If you are looking for a switch that is specifically designed for office settings, providing a quiet and light typing experience, the Mountain Top may be the better choice for you. On the other hand, if you appreciate a buttery smooth typing feel and a low-pitched sound profile, the Sea Salt Lemon switch might be more suitable. Ultimately, both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences, so it is important to evaluate your personal typing needs and preferences before making a decision.
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