TTC Neptune vs. Outemu Crystal Brown
An in-depth look at the TTC Neptune and the Outemu Crystal Brown switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the TTC Neptune and the Outemu Crystal Brown stand out for their unique characteristics. The TTC Neptune is a linear switch that offers a smooth and almost frictionless typing experience, with a touch of springy resistance that resembles chewy delights like mochi or tapioca pearls. This switch is ultralight, making typing effortless and swift, while its muted sound signature keeps the typing noise refined and unobtrusive. On the other hand, the Outemu Crystal Brown is a tactile switch that does not have a specific standout feature mentioned but is known for its tactile feedback. While the Neptune provides a "matte" feel with each keystroke, the Crystal Brown switch offers a different 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
41g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
55g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Lengthened 21.5mm spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The housing materials of the TTC Neptune and the Outemu Crystal Brown switches showcase distinct characteristics. The POM top housing of the Neptune provides a deeper and relatively muted sound profile, making it a good choice for those seeking a more subtle typing experience. In contrast, the Crystal Brown's polycarbonate top housing offers a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile, ideal for users looking for a more distinct and resonant typing sound. Additionally, the translucent nature of the polycarbonate allows for greater compatibility with RGB lighting, adding a visually appealing element to the switch.
Moving on to the bottom housings, the Neptune's polycarbonate bottom housing mirrors the characteristics of its top housing, providing a similar sharp, higher-pitched sound profile. On the other hand, the Crystal Brown's nylon bottom housing offers a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer composition that absorbs more sound. Each material brings its own unique sound and feel to the typing experience, catering to different preferences among users. While the bottom housing has a significant impact on the bottom-out sound and feel of the key press, the top housing influences the sound as the key is released, creating a holistic typing experience.
Despite their differences, both the Neptune and Crystal Brown switches highlight the importance of housing materials in determining the overall typing experience. While the Neptune focuses on a more subdued and muted sound profile with its POM top housing, the Crystal Brown offers a sharper and crisper sound with its polycarbonate housing. The choice between these two switches ultimately comes down to personal preference, with the top and bottom housings playing a crucial role in shaping the overall sound and feel of the typing experience. Ultimately, both switches provide unique qualities that cater to a variety of user preferences, showcasing the importance of housing materials in mechanical keyboards.
Weight
The TTC Neptune linear switch has a lighter actuation force (41g) and bottom out force (50g) compared to the Outemu Crystal Brown tactile switch, which has a slightly heavier actuation force (45g) and bottom out force (55g). This means that the Neptune will require less force to register a keystroke and will feel lighter overall when typing, making it ideal for those who prefer a lighter touch for extended typing sessions. On the other hand, the Crystal Brown switch will provide a slightly more substantial typing experience due to its heavier force requirements, appealing to those who enjoy a firmer push feel. Both switches fall within the light to medium-light range in terms of actuation and bottom out force, so users can expect similar results in terms of typing comfort and responsiveness. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for typing feel and force requirements.
Travel distance
In comparing the travel distance of the TTC Neptune linear switch and the Outemu Crystal Brown tactile switch, it is clear that the Neptune has a shorter travel distance of 3.8 mm, while the Crystal Brown has a longer travel distance of 4 mm. This means that the Crystal Brown provides slightly more depth when pressing down on a key compared to the Neptune. While both switches are in the range of traditional travel distances, the Neptune may be preferred by those looking for a quicker response time, such as gamers, due to its slightly shorter travel distance. On the other hand, the Crystal Brown may be more suitable for those who prefer a more substantial feeling when typing or gaming. Overall, both switches offer a solid travel distance that will provide a satisfactory typing experience, but the minor difference in distance may influence individual preferences.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The TTC Neptune has an MSRP of $7.99 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Neptune for $5.09.
The Outemu Crystal Brown comes in at $3.10 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
The TTC Neptune linear switch offers a low-pitched, muted, neutral, subdued, and thocky sound profile, providing a refined and unobtrusive auditory experience. In contrast, the Outemu Crystal Brown tactile switch lacks specific information about its sound qualities. Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Neptune is characterized as buttery, gummy, frictionless, mild, and polished, delivering a smooth, effortless, and textured typing sensation. Unfortunately, the feel of the Crystal Brown switch remains unknown. Overall, while the Neptune showcases a unique blend of smoothness and springy resistance in both sound and feel, the specific qualities of the Crystal Brown switch are not detailed. With the available information, it can be inferred that the Neptune would provide a satisfying typing experience with a premium feel and subdued sound, whereas the Crystal Brown switch remains a mystery in terms of its tactile feedback and auditory characteristics.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the TTC Neptune linear switch and the Outemu Crystal Brown tactile switch, consider your preferences for typing experience and sound. If you enjoy a smooth and almost frictionless typing feel with a light bottom out force, the Neptune may be the ideal choice for you. Its muted and low-pitched sound signature offers a refined and unobtrusive auditory experience. On the other hand, if you prefer a slightly heavier bottom out force and a tactile bump for added feedback during typing, the Crystal Brown could be more suitable. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal typing style and preference for tactile feedback.
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