Outemu Crystal Brown vs. TTC Venus
An in-depth look at the Outemu Crystal Brown and the TTC Venus switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options to consider are the Outemu Crystal Brown, a tactile switch, and the TTC Venus, a linear switch. The Crystal Brown is known for its tactile feedback, providing a noticeable bump with each keypress. On the other hand, the TTC Venus stands out for its unique internal configuration, offering a smooth glide with a distinctive "Q-texture" that adds a springy resistance to each keystroke. While the Crystal Brown offers a traditional tactile typing experience, the Venus provides a more innovative and engaging feel. 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
45g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
52g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Lengthened 20.5mm spring
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Outemu Crystal Brown and the TTC Venus switches, one key difference is in the top housing material. The Crystal Brown features a polycarbonate top housing, which is known for creating a sharper and crisper sound profile, especially when paired with RGB lighting. On the other hand, the Venus utilizes a POM top housing, resulting in a deeper and more muted sound. This contrast in sound profiles highlights how different housing materials can significantly impact the overall typing experience for users.
Another distinction between the two switches lies in their bottom housing materials. The Crystal Brown utilizes a nylon bottom housing, which is known for producing a deeper and fuller sound profile. This is due to nylon being a softer plastic that absorbs more sound, creating a duller and rounder sound. In comparison, the Venus features a polycarbonate bottom housing, leading to a sharper and more resonant sound profile. This difference showcases how the choice of bottom housing material can greatly influence the overall sound and feel of a switch.
Despite these differences, both the Outemu Crystal Brown and the TTC Venus switches showcase the significance of housing materials in determining sound profiles. While the Crystal Brown's polycarbonate top housing offers a sharp and clear sound, the Venus's POM top housing provides a unique and deep sound experience. Similarly, the Crystal Brown's nylon bottom housing results in a fuller sound, while the Venus's polycarbonate bottom housing contributes to a crisper sound profile. Overall, these switches demonstrate how different housing materials can lead to varying sound characteristics, allowing users to choose a switch that best suits their typing preferences.
Weight
The Outemu Crystal Brown tactile switch and the TTC Venus linear switch both have similar actuation forces of 45 grams, making them light switches that require a gentle touch to trigger a keystroke. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Crystal Brown has a slightly heavier force of 55 grams compared to the Venus at 52 grams. This means that the Crystal Brown switch offers a slightly more substantial typing experience when fully pressed down. Both switches fall under the medium-light category, making them suitable for users who prefer a lighter typing experience for extended periods of time. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches may come down to personal preference in terms of the force required for typing or gaming.
Travel distance
The Outemu Crystal Brown tactile switch and the TTC Venus linear switch have slightly different travel distances, with the Crystal Brown at 4 mm and the Venus at 3.8 mm. The Crystal Brown offers a slightly longer travel distance, which may provide a more satisfying keypress for those who prefer a deeper depth when typing. On the other hand, the Venus offers a slightly shorter travel distance, making it a preferred choice for gamers looking for faster response times. Both switches fall within the traditional range of travel distances, with 4.0mm being the most common. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preferences regarding keypress feel and response time.
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 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
When it comes to sound, the Outemu Crystal Brown switch is often praised for its neutral and subdued sound profile, making it a versatile choice for various environments. On the other hand, the TTC Venus linear switch stands out with its low-pitched and muted sound, creating a more bass-heavy and mellow typing experience. Both switches offer a quieter alternative to traditional mechanical switches, with the Crystal Brown providing a more moderate sound profile and the Venus offering a deep and satisfying "thocky" sound. Ultimately, your choice of board and keycaps will also play a significant role in the overall sound produced by either switch.
As for the feel, the Outemu Crystal Brown switch and the TTC Venus linear switch offer distinct tactile experiences. The Crystal Brown's feel is unspecified, while the Venus switch is described as buttery, gummy, frictionless, mild, and polished. This combination of qualities results in a smooth and fluid keystroke experience with the Venus switch, providing a seamless and effortless typing sensation. In contrast, the feel of the Crystal Brown switch remains unknown, leaving room for interpretation and experimentation to determine if it meets your preferred typing style and comfort level.
In conclusion, the Outemu Crystal Brown tactile switch and the TTC Venus linear switch each bring unique characteristics to the table in terms of sound and feel. While the Crystal Brown may offer a more versatile sound profile and an unidentified tactile experience, the Venus switch boasts a distinct low-pitched sound and a buttery, gummy, and polished feel that ensures a smooth and engaging typing experience. Ultimately, personal preference and typing habits will dictate which switch is the better choice for you, but rest assured that both switches provide quality options for a satisfying mechanical keyboard experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Outemu Crystal Brown tactile switch and the TTC Venus linear switch, consider the factors that matter most to you. If you prefer a switch with a bit more tactile feedback and a medium-light bottom out force, the Crystal Brown may be the better choice for you. On the other hand, if you are drawn to a unique internal design that offers a smooth, nearly frictionless typing experience with a light actuation force, the Venus switch might be the one to go for. Additionally, if you value a more neutral and subdued sound profile, the Venus switch is likely to be more appealing to you. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches will come down to your personal preferences in terms of feel, sound, and typing experience.
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