Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) vs. TKC Tangerine
An in-depth look at the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) and the TKC Tangerine switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
Introducing two popular mechanical keyboard switches, the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) and the TKC Tangerine. Both switches offer unique qualities that can enhance your typing experience. The Moyu Black is best known for its tactile feel, featuring a strong downstroke tactile bump and an even sharper upstroke bump, creating a hypertactile sensation. With a distinctive and impactful typing experience, these switches provide a rare and premium feel. On the other hand, the Tangerine switch stands out for its smoothness, thanks to the UHWMPE housings, which are rarely found in bespoke mechanical switches. Each keystroke is a pleasure to type, with a fairly high-pitched clack. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
50g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
67g
Bottom-out force
62g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
N/A
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
UHWMPE
Bottom housing material
PBT
Bottom housing material
UHWMPE
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
Gold coated spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) and the TKC Tangerine switches offer distinct differences in terms of sound profile and feel. Starting with the top housing, the Moyu Black utilizes a PBT material, which provides a neutral sound profile. This means that the keystrokes will have a balanced tone, not too sharp or dull. In contrast, the Tangerine switch features a UHWMPE top housing, a newer material known for its bright sound signature. Typing on switches with this housing produces resonant clacks, offering a livelier and more pronounced auditory experience.
Moving on to the bottom housing, both switches incorporate PBT material for the Moyu Black and UHWMPE material for the Tangerine. Similar to the top housing, the PBT bottom housing of the Moyu Black contributes to a neutral sound profile, maintaining a consistent tone throughout keystrokes. Conversely, the UHWMPE bottom housing used in the Tangerine switch enhances the bright sound signature, creating a more vibrant and resonant bottom-out sound and feel. When pressing down on the Tangerine switch, users can expect a satisfying and audibly distinct experience.
While both switches feature different housing materials for their top and bottom components, it is worth noting that the bottom housing has a more significant impact on the bottom-out sound and feel. This means that when you press down on either the Moyu Black or the Tangerine switch, you will notice the qualities of the bottom housing material the most. Conversely, the top housing material influences the sound when releasing a key. Therefore, if you are seeking a switch that provides a balanced and neutral typing experience, the Moyu Black, with its PBT top and bottom housing, will offer similar results. On the other hand, if you desire a switch with a more vibrant and resonant auditory feedback, the Tangerine switch, with its UHWMPE top and bottom housing, would be a suitable choice.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) tactile switch and the TKC Tangerine linear switch, there are distinct differences to consider. In terms of actuation force, the Moyu Black requires 50 grams of force, while the Tangerine's actuation force is unknown. This means that the Moyu Black may provide a lighter and more responsive typing experience, making it ideal for individuals who prefer a lighter touch when typing for extended periods or engaging in lengthy gaming sessions. However, the actuation force of the Tangerine remains uncertain, making it difficult to make a direct comparison.
Moving on to the bottom out force, the Moyu Black has a slightly heavier bottom out force of 67 grams. This provides a more substantial typing experience and may suit those who prefer a stronger push feel when typing. In contrast, the Tangerine has a bottom out force of 62 grams, indicating a medium level of resistance. Although the Tangerine may not be as firm or heavy as the Moyu Black in terms of bottoming out, it still offers a decent level of feedback for typists.
Ultimately, while the Moyu Black (Dark Jade) appears to be on the heavier side with both its actuation and bottom out forces, the TKC Tangerine falls more into the medium category. Therefore, for those seeking a lighter typing experience, the Moyu Black may be the preferable option, while the Tangerine offers a balance between responsiveness and resistance. However, since the actuation force of the Tangerine is unknown, it is difficult to make a conclusive comparison in this aspect.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) tactile switch and the TKC Tangerine linear switch is the same, with both switches having a travel distance of 4mm. Therefore, pressing down on a key with either switch will provide a similar feeling in terms of the distance the switch travels from the top to the bottom. Both switches offer a comfortable travel distance that allows for precise typing or gaming experiences.
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 TKC Tangerine comes in at $6.30 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 Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) tactile switch offers a resonant experience. Typing on these switches produces a higher-pitched sound profile that is clean and sharp. On the other hand, the TKC Tangerine linear switch produces a high-pitched clack when typing. This gives it a sharp and crisp sound when pressed. Both switches offer distinct sound profiles, but the Tangerine has a more rich and bassy sound compared to the Moyu Black. However, it is important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
In terms of feel, the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) offers an accented and sharp tactile experience. It provides a prominent amount of tactility without being overwhelming or subtle. The strong and crisp tactile bump is easily felt with each keypress. On the other hand, the TKC Tangerine linear switch offers a frictionless, buttery, and polished feel. It provides an extremely smooth and effortless typing experience with minimal resistance or friction. The switch feels fluid and polished, resulting in a sleek typing experience.
In conclusion, the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) tactile switch and the TKC Tangerine linear switch offer different subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Moyu Black has a resonant sound with a sharp and prominent tactile feel, while the Tangerine has a high-pitched sound with a frictionless, buttery, and polished feel. However, it is important to keep in mind that individual preferences for sound and feel may vary. If you prefer a tactile experience with a sharp and crisp sound, the Moyu Black would be a great choice. On the other hand, if you prefer a linear switch with a smooth and effortless typing feel, the Tangerine would be a suitable option. Ultimately, it is recommended to try out both switches to determine which one aligns better with your personal preferences.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you prioritize a distinctive and impactful typing experience with a sharp tactile feel, you would want to choose the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) switches. These switches offer a strong downstroke tactile bump and an even sharper and stronger upstroke bump, creating a hypertactile sensation. With their medium-heavy feel and an abrupt and accentuated bottom-out, they provide a rare and premium typing experience. On the other hand, if you prefer an incredibly smooth and effortless typing experience, the TKC Tangerine linear switches would be the better choice. These switches have UHWMPE housings, which contribute to their smooth feel, resulting in a pleasure to type on. Additionally, if you appreciate a higher-pitched sound profile, the Tangerine switches produce a sharp and crisp sound when pressed. Ultimately, the choice between the Moyu Black (Dark Jade) tactile switches and the Tangerine linear switches depends on your preference for tactile feedback and sound, with the Moyu Blacks offering a more tactile experience and the Tangerines providing a smoother and more refined typing sensation.