Gateron Mountain Top vs. Haimu Viola Tricolor
An in-depth look at the Gateron Mountain Top and the Haimu Viola Tricolor switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, it's important to consider your typing preferences and the environment in which you'll be using it. The Gateron Mountain Top switch is ideal for professional settings, thanks to its quiet yet satisfying typing experience. With a light actuation and subtle sound signature, this linear switch offers a bouncy and easy-to-press feel, perfect for uninterrupted typing in office environments. On the other hand, the Haimu Viola Tricolor switch is designed to provide a more stimulating and character-filled typing experience. With a thuddy and punchy sound profile, this tactile switch offers a pronounced tactility without being too overwhelming. While the Mountain Top switch focuses on discretion and comfort, the Viola Tricolor switch aims to deliver a more invigorating and bassy typing experience. 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
N/A
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Pre-travel
1.40 mm
Pre-travel
N/A
Total travel
3.40 mm
Total travel
3.80 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
Dual-staged gold-plated spring
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Gateron Mountain Top and the Haimu Viola Tricolor, it is evident that they both utilize nylon for their bottom housing. This means that both switches will provide a deeper and fuller sound profile due to the softer nature of nylon that absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound overall. Therefore, if you are looking for switches with a similar sound profile and feel, both the Mountain Top and Viola Tricolor would be ideal choices due to their shared use of nylon in the bottom housing.
However, when it comes to the top housing material, the Gateron Mountain Top uses nylon while the Haimu Viola Tricolor employs polycarbonate. The Mountain Top's nylon top housing creates a deeper sound profile, while the Viola Tricolor's polycarbonate top housing produces a sharper and crisper sound. The translucency of polycarbonate in the Viola Tricolor also makes it a great choice for those looking to incorporate RGB lighting into their setup, offering a unique aesthetic appeal that nylon cannot provide.
It is important to note that the top housing material of a switch plays a significant role in the overall sound profile, especially when releasing a key. The differences in material between the Mountain Top and Viola Tricolor top housings will result in contrasting sound profiles when using the switches. While both switches offer similar qualities in their bottom housing due to the use of nylon, the distinct characteristics of nylon and polycarbonate in the top housing will provide users with unique typing experiences based on their preferences for sound and feel.
Weight
Comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch and the Haimu Viola Tricolor tactile switch, we see that the Mountain Top has a lighter actuation force of 40 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams, while the Viola Tricolor has a medium-heavy bottom out force of 63.5 grams, with an unknown actuation force. This means that the Mountain Top is lighter overall, making it ideal for those who prefer a lighter touch for extended typing or gaming sessions. In contrast, the Viola Tricolor offers a more substantial typing experience with a heavier bottom out force. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for actuation and bottom out forces, with the lighter Mountain Top being more suitable for longer typing sessions and the heavier Viola Tricolor providing a more tactile typing experience.
Travel distance
The Gateron Mountain Top linear switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm, while the Haimu Viola Tricolor tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.8 mm. In this case, the Viola Tricolor has a longer travel distance compared to the Mountain Top. The shorter travel distance of the Mountain Top may appeal to gamers looking for faster response times, while the longer travel distance of the Viola Tricolor may provide a more satisfying key press for those who prefer more depth in their keystrokes. 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 Haimu Viola Tricolor has an MSRP of $6.60 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Viola Tricolor for $3.09.
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
In terms of sound, the Gateron Mountain Top switch offers a neutral sound profile that strikes a balance between actuation force and sound level, making it suitable for a wide range of users and environments. On the other hand, the Haimu Viola Tricolor switch provides a bassy and low-pitched sound that adds character to the typing experience without being overwhelming. The sound of both switches will also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard and keycaps used.
When it comes to feel, the Gateron Mountain Top switch is characterized by a bouncy, easy-to-press, mild, snappy, and subtle typing experience. This means that users can expect a responsive and comfortable typing feel with minimal finger fatigue. On the other hand, the Haimu Viola Tricolor switch offers an accented and invigorating tactile sensation, providing a prominent amount of tactility without being overpowering. Both switches offer unique typing experiences that cater to different preferences.
In conclusion, the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch and the Haimu Viola Tricolor tactile switch offer distinct sound and feel qualities that cater to different user preferences. The Mountain Top switch provides a neutral sound profile and a comfortable typing experience, while the Viola Tricolor switch offers a punchy sound and pronounced tactility. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on individual preferences for sound, feel, and typing experience.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Gateron Mountain Top linear switch and the Haimu Viola Tricolor tactile switch, consider the environment you'll be using the keyboard in and your personal typing preferences. If you prioritize a quiet and light typing experience, ideal for office settings, the Mountain Top may be the better choice with its bouncy and easy-to-press feel. However, if you enjoy a more characterful typing experience with pronounced tactility and a thuddy sound profile, the Viola Tricolor may be more up your alley. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your individual needs and preferences to ensure the best typing experience possible.
Mentioned in this article
