Gateron Mountain Top vs. Bsun Taichi
An in-depth look at the Gateron Mountain Top and the Bsun Taichi switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When selecting the right mechanical keyboard switch, the Gateron Mountain Top and Bsun Taichi offer two compelling yet distinct options tailored for different typing experiences. The Mountain Top shines in office environments, boasting a relatively quiet yet pleasant typing sound while providing a comfortable light actuation that appeals to those who prioritize discretion during extended typing sessions. Its characteristics, including a bouncy feel and snappy response, make it an excellent choice for professionals seeking an unobtrusive yet effective typing solution. In contrast, the Bsun Taichi switch stands out with its enchanting high-pitched bottom-out sound, engineered for a smooth and stable experience thanks to its long-pole stem and extended springs. This switch caters to users who appreciate tactile feedback and auditory satisfaction, ensuring each keystroke feels both engaging and effective. However, let’s dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the right switch for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
40g
Actuation force
40g
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
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
21mm single-staged spring
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the Gateron Mountain Top and the Bsun Taichi switches, a definitive difference is observed in the choice of top housing. The Mountain Top utilizes nylon for its upper housing, which is known to contribute to a deeper and fuller sound profile. This is largely due to nylon's softer plastic properties, allowing it to absorb more sound and produce a rounder audio experience. Conversely, the Taichi features a polycarbonate top housing, which leads to a sharper and crisper sound profile thanks to its stiffer plastic structure. This difference in material directly affects the acoustic dynamics of the switches, making the Mountain Top more suitable for those seeking a muted typing experience, while the Taichi is positioned as a choice for users who appreciate a more resonant and vibrant auditory feedback.
In terms of bottom housing, both the Mountain Top and Taichi switches utilize nylon, which serves to create a consistent deeper sound profile across both models. The nylon's absorptive qualities remain the same, ensuring that the bottom-out sound is subdued and plush for both switches. Because the bottom housing has a significant impact on the overall feel and auditory feedback when a key is fully pressed, both switches inherit that rounded, less resonant quality in their performance from the nylon material. This shared characteristic means that while the top housings may diverge in sound profile—creating a blending of audio sensations when typing—the bottom housings maintain a uniform auditory foundation.
Ultimately, the combination of housing materials in the Gateron Mountain Top and the Bsun Taichi results in a fascinating interplay of sound profiles. Users can expect a fuller auditory experience from the Mountain Top due to its nylon top housing, while the Taichi offers a more vibrant tone thanks to its polycarbonate construction. However, with both switches sharing nylon in their bottom housings, a common grounding in sound is maintained, influencing the sensation felt during keypresses. Therefore, those who appreciate the deeper sound signature of the nylon may find familiarity in the Taichi despite its distinct top housing, offering a nuanced listening experience while typing that's unique to each model's characteristic.
Weight
When comparing the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch to the Bsun Taichi linear switch, we find that both switches share the same actuation force of 40 grams, which means users will experience a similar ease of keystroke registration across both options. However, the key difference lies in the bottom out force: the Mountain Top has a measurable bottom out force of 50 grams, indicating that users will feel a slightly more substantial feedback when pressing the key all the way down. In contrast, the bottom out force for the Taichi switch is currently unknown, leaving uncertainty about its tactile response upon bottoming out. Consequently, while both switches offer a lightweight actuation suitable for prolonged use, the Mountain Top provides a clearer sense of resistance with its defined bottom out force, making it a better choice for those who appreciate a more engaged typing experience. For users who prefer a lighter typing feel, both switches are on the lighter side, but if the bottom out force of the Taichi switch were known and was significantly lighter than 50 grams, it might appeal to those favoring minimal resistance further.
Travel distance
The Gateron Mountain Top linear switch boasts a travel distance of 3.4 mm, while the Bsun Taichi linear switch features a slightly longer travel distance of 3.6 mm. This means that when pressing down on a key, the Mountain Top provides a more responsive feel with its shorter travel distance, which could benefit gamers looking for quicker response times. On the other hand, the Taichi, with its longer travel distance, might cater to those who prefer a fuller keystroke, providing a more substantial depth that some users find more satisfying, albeit less immediate. Therefore, if responsiveness is your priority, the Mountain Top switch is the better choice, while the Taichi is better suited for those who appreciate a more robust keypress experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Bsun Taichi has an MSRP of $2.75 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Taichi for $2.25.
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 comparing the sound profile of the Gateron Mountain Top switch to the Bsun Taichi switch, notable differences emerge. The Mountain Top switch is designed with a focus on discretion, offering a neutral yet balanced sound that fits seamlessly into office environments. It produces a quiet typing experience without being entirely silent, which allows for unobtrusive typing in shared spaces. In contrast, the Taichi switch is characterized by its enchanting high-pitched bottom-out sound, facilitated by its long-pole stem design. This gives it a more pronounced auditory signature, making it particularly appealing for those who enjoy auditory feedback during typing.
In terms of feel, the Mountain Top switch excels with its bouncy and easy-to-press characteristics. It provides a lively rebound sensation upon key presses, requires minimal force for activation, and is approachable and comfortable for prolonged periods. The various descriptors associated with its feel, such as mild and snappy, emphasize both its responsiveness and gentle resistance, making it user-friendly for anyone from beginners to seasoned typists. The feel of the Taichi switch is not specifically detailed, but the emphasis on smoothness and stability suggests a quality typing experience, potentially offering a different tactile sensation influenced by its unique design features like extended springs.
In conclusion, the Gateron Mountain Top switch is crafted for minimal sound and an amiable typing experience, ideal for office settings, while the Bsun Taichi switch provides a more resonant auditory experience with an emphasis on smoothness. While they differ significantly in auditory characteristics, both switches bring valuable qualities to the typing experience. The Mountain Top excels in discretion and comfort, making it suitable for long typing sessions in shared workspaces. In contrast, the Taichi might appeal to those who appreciate tactile feedback and distinctive sounds. Ultimately, your choice between these switches will depend on your personal preference for sound and feel in your typing environment.
Conclusion
To conclude, choosing between the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch and the Bsun Taichi linear switch ultimately depends on your specific typing needs and environment. If you're primarily using the keyboard in an office setting or a shared workspace, the Mountain Top switch is the ideal choice due to its light actuation force of 50 grams and its neutral, mild sound profile. It provides a bouncy yet discreet typing experience, allowing you to type efficiently without disturbing those around you. The comfortable keypress and gentle resistance make it easy to type for extended periods, minimizing finger fatigue. On the other hand, if you’re looking for a keyboard that offers a smoother, more stable experience and you enjoy the enchanting sound signature that comes with longer stems, the Bsun Taichi switch may be more suitable for you. This switch caters to those who appreciate a more pronounced acoustic feedback and absolute fluidity in their keystrokes. Ultimately, your choice should align with your primary use case—whether it’s a tranquil office environment or a more auditory typing experience at home.
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