Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) vs. KTT Pine
An in-depth look at the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) and the KTT Pine switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options to consider are the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) and the KTT Pine. The Moyu Black is a tactile switch renowned for its sharp tactile feel. It offers a rare and premium typing experience with its unique blend of PBT top and bottom housing. The downstroke tactile bump is strong, but what truly sets these switches apart is the even sharper and stronger upstroke bump, creating a hypertactile sensation. Typing with the Moyu Blacks produces a satisfyingly sharp, short, snappy, and punchy sound while offering a medium-heavy feel and an accentuated bottom-out. On the other hand, the KTT Pine is a linear switch known for its effortless typing experience. These switches are medium-heavy and buttery smooth, making it a delight to use. They boast a polished, factory-lubed finish, minimizing friction for a smooth key travel. The Pine switches offer a creamy and low-pitched sound, providing a distinct and enjoyable typing experience. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the ideal switch for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
50g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
67g
Bottom-out force
58g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Total travel
4.00 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
PBT
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
PBT
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
15.5mm gold-plated spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) and the KTT Pine bring notable differences in sound profiles and aesthetic qualities. The Moyu Black (Dark Jade) features a PBT top housing, which offers a neutral sound profile. It neither has a very crisp nor dull sound. In contrast, the Pine utilizes a polycarbonate top housing that creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. The stiffer nature of polycarbonate contributes to a more clear and resonant sound. Additionally, polycarbonate's translucency makes it particularly suitable for switches using RGB lighting. Thus, the Pine's polycarbonate top housing provides a more vibrant and visually appealing experience compared to the Moyu Black's PBT top housing.
In terms of the bottom housing, both the Moyu Black (Dark Jade) and the Pine incorporate PBT and polycarbonate materials, respectively. While PBT is relatively unseen when used in switch housings, it offers a neutral sound profile that is neither sharp nor dull. Similarly, the polycarbonate bottom housing of the Pine delivers a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. The stiffer nature of polycarbonate contributes to a more clear and resonant sound. As with the top housing, the use of polycarbonate in the bottom housing of the Pine enhances its overall sound profile, providing a more distinct and crisp bottom-out sound and feel compared to the Moyu Black's PBT bottom housing.
When comparing the impact of the housing materials on the overall switch experience, it is evident that the bottom housing has more influence on the bottom-out sound and feel. Thus, when pressing down the switch, the qualities of the bottom housing will be more noticeable. On the other hand, the top housing exerts a greater impact on the sound when releasing a key. Within this context, the Pine's polycarbonate housing materials contribute to a more pronounced and resonant overall switch experience, both during depression and release, while the Moyu Black's PBT housing materials provide a more subtle and neutral switch experience in comparison.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) tactile switch and the KTT Pine linear switch, there are some notable differences. The Moyu Black has a slightly heavier actuation force of 50 grams compared to the Pine's 45 grams. This means that slightly more pressure is needed to trigger a keystroke on the Moyu Black. However, the bottom out force of the Moyu Black is also higher at 67 grams, indicating a more substantial typing experience when fully pressing the keys. In contrast, the Pine has a lower bottom out force of 58 grams, which may result in a lighter overall typing sensation. Therefore, those who prefer a lighter typing experience may opt for the Pine switch, while those who prefer a stronger push feel may lean towards the Moyu Black. However, it is important to note that both switches fall within the medium range in terms of bottom out force, so users can expect similar results in terms of typing experience.
Travel distance
The Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) tactile switch and the KTT Pine linear switch have the same travel distance of 4 mm. This means that both switches will provide a consistent feeling when pressing down on a key, as they both have an equal distance of travel from the top to the bottom. So whether you choose the Moyu Black or the Pine switch, you can expect similar results in terms of the distance you feel when pressing the keys.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) has an MSRP of $12.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Moyu Black (Dark Jade) for $7.59.
The KTT Pine has an MSRP of $4.60 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Pine for $4.15.
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 Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) tactile switch is best known for its resonant sound profile. When typing on these switches, you can expect a higher-pitched sound that is clean and sharp. On the other hand, the KTT Pine linear switch offers a bassy sound profile with a lower frequency range, providing a deeper and richer tone during key presses. The sound of both switches can be further influenced by factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps chosen. However, if you're looking for a crisp and sharp sound, the Moyu Black (Dark Jade) would be a better choice, while the Pine switch offers a more bass-heavy and mellow tone.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) is described as an accented and sharp tactile switch. Accented tactile switches provide a prominent amount of tactility without being overwhelming or too subtle. The Moyu Black has a strong and crisp tactile bump that is easily felt with each key press, adding to the typing experience. In contrast, the KTT Pine linear switch is described as buttery and creamy. These switches offer a smooth and fluid keystroke experience, providing a seamless and effortless typing sensation. The Pine switch is built for an effortless typing experience and ensures a uniform feel across all keys. If you prefer a switch with a more prominent tactile bump, the Moyu Black (Dark Jade) would be the better choice, while the Pine switch provides a smoother and more uniform typing experience.
Considering the available information, the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) tactile switch and the KTT Pine linear switch have distinct subjective qualities. The Moyu Black offers a sharp, punchy sound with its sharp tactile bump, creating a hypertactile sensation. It also provides a medium-heavy feel and an abrupt and accentuated bottom-out for a distinctive typing experience. On the other hand, the Pine switch offers a smooth and buttery typing experience, with a lubricated finish and medium-heavy weight for effortless typing. While both switches have their unique qualities, it ultimately comes down to personal preference. If you prefer a more tactile and sharp typing experience with a resonant sound, the Moyu Black would be the better choice. However, if you prefer a smoother and more uniform typing experience with a bassy sound, the Pine switch would be the ideal option.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a mechanical keyboard switch with a distinctive and impactful typing experience, the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) tactile switch would be an excellent choice. With its medium-heavy feel and sharp, snappy tactile bump, typing on these switches provides a satisfying and premium typing experience. The unique blend of PBT top and bottom housing adds to the overall feel and durability of the switches. Additionally, the Moyu Black's resonant sound profile offers a clean and sharp auditory experience.
On the other hand, if you prefer a smooth and effortless typing experience, the KTT Pine linear switch would be a great option. With its medium-bottom out force and buttery smooth key travel, these switches minimize friction and provide a seamless typing sensation. The factory-lubed finish enhances the smoothness of each keystroke. The Pine switches also offer a bassy and low-pitched sound profile, which adds depth and richness to the typing experience.
Ultimately, your choice between the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) and the KTT Pine switches will depend on your personal preference for typing feel and sound. Consider whether you prioritize a sharp and impactful tactile feel or a smooth and effortless keystroke. Both switches offer unique qualities that can enhance your typing experience, so choose the one that aligns with your preferences.
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