Gateron Mountain Top vs. TTC Venus
An in-depth look at the Gateron Mountain Top and the TTC Venus switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches for your typing needs, two options that stand out are the Gateron Mountain Top and the TTC Venus, both linear switches offering unique features. The Mountain Top by Gateron is tailored for office environments, providing a quiet yet tactile typing experience ideal for professional settings. In contrast, the TTC Venus boasts an innovative internal design that offers a smooth and engaging typing experience with a distinctive "Q-texture" for added comfort. While the Mountain Top is characterized by its bouncy and subtle feel, the Venus is known for its buttery and polished touch. 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
52g
Pre-travel
1.40 mm
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Total travel
3.80 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
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm double-stage spring
Spring
Lengthened 20.5mm spring
Housing materials
The Gateron Mountain Top and the TTC Venus both feature unique housing materials that contribute to their overall sound profiles. The Mountain Top utilizes a nylon top housing, which provides a deeper and fuller sound thanks to its softer plastic that absorbs more sound. In contrast, the Venus uses a POM top housing, which creates a pleasing and unique deeper sound that is relatively more muted. While both offer a deeper sound profile, the nylon top housing of the Mountain Top may provide a duller and rounder sound compared to the more muted sound of the POM top housing of the Venus.
Moving on to the bottom housing, the Gateron Mountain Top and the TTC Venus take different routes in their choice of materials. The Mountain Top's nylon bottom housing contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile similar to its top housing, whereas the Venus's polycarbonate bottom housing creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. The polycarbonate material in the Venus's bottom housing provides a clear and resonant sound profile, while the nylon material in the Mountain Top's bottom housing offers a duller and rounder sound. Additionally, the use of polycarbonate in the Venus's bottom housing is ideal for switches featuring RGB lighting due to its translucency.
In summary, while both the Gateron Mountain Top and the TTC Venus offer unique sound profiles based on their housing materials, they differ in the specific qualities they bring to the table. The Mountain Top's nylon housing provides a deeper and fuller sound throughout, while the Venus features a mix of POM and polycarbonate for a more muted top sound and a sharper bottom sound. Despite their differences, both switches showcase how the choice of housing material can significantly impact the overall typing experience and sound profile.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch and the TTC Venus linear switch, it is evident 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 Venus has an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 52 grams. Both switches fall on the lighter side of the spectrum, with the Mountain Top being slightly lighter than the Venus. Those who prefer a lighter typing experience may find the Mountain Top more suitable, as it requires less force to activate and bottom out. However, the Venus provides a slightly more substantial typing experience with slightly heavier forces. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on personal preference, with some users opting for a lighter touch for longer typing sessions, while others may prefer a bit more resistance for a more tactile typing experience.
Travel distance
The Gateron Mountain Top linear switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm, while the TTC Venus linear switch has a travel distance of 3.8 mm. In this case, the Mountain Top has a shorter travel distance compared to the Venus switch. The 0.4 mm may not seem like a significant difference, but it can affect the overall feel and response of the keyboard. Gamers who prefer faster response times may gravitate towards the Mountain Top switch, while those who enjoy a more substantial keypress may opt for the Venus switch. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference and typing style.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The TTC Venus has an MSRP of $7.99 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Venus for $5.09.
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 switch offers a neutral sound profile suitable for various environments, while the TTC Venus switch provides a low-pitched, muted, and thocky sound that adds a unique tactile experience to typing. The Mountain Top switch leans towards a more universally acceptable sound, catering to professional settings, while the Venus switch offers a distinctive and engaging auditory experience for those seeking something different. Both switches have their own signature sound characteristics that will appeal to different preferences, ensuring that users can enjoy the typing experience according to their personal tastes.
In terms of feel, the Gateron Mountain Top switch offers a bouncy, easy-to-press, mild, snappy, and subtle typing experience that is responsive and comfortable. On the other hand, the TTC Venus switch provides a buttery, gummy, frictionless, mild, and polished feel that emphasizes smoothness and uniformity in keystrokes. The Mountain Top switch focuses on providing a lively and effortless typing experience suitable for extended use, while the Venus switch prioritizes a seamless and fluid keystroke sensation that enhances the overall typing feel. Both switches offer a range of tactile feedback options, ensuring that users can find a switch that suits their typing style and preferences.
In conclusion, the Gateron Mountain Top and TTC Venus linear switches offer distinct subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Mountain Top switch aims for a balanced and discreet typing experience suitable for professional environments, the Venus switch introduces innovative design elements that create a unique typing sensation. Depending on individual preferences for sound and feel, users can choose between these switches to customize their typing experience accordingly. Whether opting for the Mountain Top's neutral sound and bouncy feel or the Venus's low-pitched sound and buttery feel, both switches provide options for users to achieve a satisfying and personalized typing experience.
Conclusion
To conclude, when choosing between the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch and the TTC Venus linear switch, it ultimately comes down to your specific preferences and needs. If you prioritize a light actuation force and a quiet typing experience ideal for professional environments, the Gateron Mountain Top switch may be the better choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a unique "matte" sensation with a very light actuation force and a smoother, more engaging typing experience, the TTC Venus switch could be the right fit. Consider the sound and feel characteristics described for each switch to determine which one aligns best with your typing style and preferences. Ultimately, both switches offer distinct qualities that cater to different preferences, so choose the one that best suits your needs.
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