Bsun Taichi vs. HMX Vintage Citrus
An in-depth look at the Bsun Taichi and the HMX Vintage Citrus switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, choosing the right one can significantly shape your typing or gaming experience. The Bsun Taichi and the HMX Vintage Citrus both fall into the linear category, yet they cater to distinct user preferences. The Taichi is celebrated for its enchanting high-pitched bottom-out sound, achieved through a long-pole stem, extended springs, and walled designs that contribute to its smoothness and stability. This makes it an appealing option for users who enjoy a satisfying acoustic feedback while typing or gaming. On the other hand, the Vintage Citrus is specifically designed for gamers, featuring an impressively low actuation force of just 1mm, perfect for rapid-fire inputs. With its bright and clacky sound profile combined with a remarkably smooth push feel, it’s an excellent choice for those who prioritize speed and responsiveness during gameplay. Both switches offer unique advantages, catering to different tastes and needs in the keyboard enthusiast community. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
40g
Actuation force
48g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
53g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.00 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
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
21mm single-staged spring
Spring
22mm single-staged spring
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the Bsun Taichi and the HMX Vintage Citrus, a notable difference arises in the choice of materials for their top housings. The Taichi utilizes polycarbonate for its top housing, which is known for producing a sharper and more resonant sound profile. This is largely due to polycarbonate's stiffer nature, allowing for a clearer sound that is accentuated in switches with RGB lighting thanks to its translucency. In contrast, the Vintage Citrus opts for nylon as its top housing material, known for delivering a deeper and fuller sound. The softer characteristics of nylon contribute to a sound profile that absorbs more vibrations, leading to a more muffled auditory experience. This fundamental difference in material composition creates distinct auditory results when the switches are actuated.
Both the Taichi and Vintage Citrus utilize nylon for their bottom housings, providing a uniform auditory foundation across the two models. The nylon bottom housing, prevalent in both designs, fosters a deeper and rounder sound with a fuller feel when typing. The softness of nylon effectively absorbs sound waves, resulting in a muted sound profile when the key is bottomed out. The similarity in bottom housing materials means that, regardless of the differences in their top housings, users can expect a comfortable and consistent typing experience characterized by a deeper auditory feedback from both switches.
Ultimately, the interplay of materials in each switch serves to balance out the acoustic experience. The Taichi’s polycarbonate top housing contributes a vibrant and bright tonal quality while the nylon bottom housing rounds out the sound with depth. Conversely, the Vintage Citrus is wholly anchored by nylon for both the top and bottom housing, resulting in a more cohesive but softer sound profile. In essence, while the materials differ, the nature of their compositions allows for the potential of achieving satisfying and engaging sound qualities from both switches, albeit through different auditory pathways. Whether one prefers the crispness of polycarbonate or the warmth of nylon, each switch is tailored to cater to distinct preferences in sound and feel, reflecting the unique character of the respective models.
Weight
When comparing the Bsun Taichi linear switch and the HMX Vintage Citrus linear switch, notable differences in actuation force stand out, while information on bottom out force for the Taichi is unfortunately unavailable. The Taichi features a lighter actuation force of 40 grams, in contrast to the heavier actuation force of 48 grams found in the Vintage Citrus. This means that users who prefer lighter switches may gravitate towards the Taichi, which could enhance typing comfort during extended use, making it suitable for long work sessions or gaming marathons. On the other hand, the Vintage Citrus, with its medium-light actuation and a bottom out force of 53 grams, provides a more substantial typing experience, appealing to those who enjoy a stronger push feel. Consequently, while the Taichi is the lighter option, the Vintage Citrus is heavier, catering to different user preferences. Without the bottom out force for the Taichi, a full comparison for that aspect remains incomplete.
Travel distance
The Bsun Taichi linear switch features a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the HMX Vintage Citrus linear switch has a shorter travel distance of 3 mm. This makes the Taichi the longer of the two switches, offering a bit more depth in key presses compared to the more shallow Vintage Citrus switch. For gamers or users who prioritize faster response times, the Vintage Citrus may be more appealing due to its shorter travel distance, allowing for rapid keystrokes. Conversely, users who prefer a more pronounced tactile feedback may find the Taichi's depth more satisfying. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on personal preferences for responsiveness versus the feeling of key press depth.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Bsun Taichi has an MSRP of $2.75 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Taichi for $2.25.
The HMX Vintage Citrus has an MSRP of $3.49 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Vintage Citrus for $2.79.
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 BSUN Taichi switch is renowned for its enchanting high-pitched bottom-out sound, which can offer an exhilarating auditory experience for typists and gamers alike. This characteristically bright sound is a result of its long-pole stem design and extended springs. In contrast, the HMX Vintage Citrus switch delivers a bright, clacky sound profile that enhances its appeal for gamers looking for both feedback and auditory cues when executing rapid-fire commands. While both switches contribute to a lively soundscape, the Taichi leans more towards a higher pitch, whereas the Vintage Citrus provides a sharp, playful clack. Remember, the overall sound will also be influenced by the specific keyboard construction and keycap materials, which may further differentiate the two.
Regarding feel, the Taichi switch is celebrated for its unparalleled smoothness and stability, owing to its walled stem and the design elements that reduce friction during actuation. This results in a luxuriously effortless keystroke experience that can benefit both typing and gaming. On the other hand, the Vintage Citrus switch shines with an exceptionally low actuation force of just 1mm, designed to facilitate rapid inputs while maintaining a notably smooth push feel. This lean towards lightweight actuation makes it specifically advantageous for gamers who need quick and responsive keystrokes. Overall, the feel of both switches emphasizes a smooth experience, though the Taichi focuses more on stability, while the Vintage Citrus maximizes speed and responsiveness.
In conclusion, both the BSUN Taichi and HMX Vintage Citrus switches have their unique advantages and sound profiles tailored for different user experiences. While the Taichi offers a high-pitched auditory experience and exceptional smoothness for those who value a stable keystroke, the Vintage Citrus provides gamers with a delightful clacky sound and lightning-fast actuation for rapid inputs. Depending on individual preferences for sound and tactile feedback, either switch can lead to satisfying results, but they cater to slightly different audiences and use cases within the realm of mechanical keyboards.
Conclusion
To conclude, your choice between the Bsun Taichi linear switch and the HMX Vintage Citrus linear switch ultimately hinges on your personal typing and gaming preferences. If you enjoy a high-pitched bottom-out sound and crave smoothness in your keystrokes, the Taichi switch's unique design with its long-pole stem and extended springs offers an unparalleled experience. This might be more suitable if you're seeking a premium typing experience for tasks like writing or programming. On the other hand, if you're a gamer looking for rapid-fire key presses and a tactilely responsive experience, the Vintage Citrus is the ideal choice with its low actuation force and quick 1mm activation distance. Its clacky sound profile adds an engaging auditory feedback that complements fast-paced gameplay. Therefore, consider how you prioritize sound, feel, and responsiveness in your keyboard use—choosing the Taichi for an elevated typing experience or the Vintage Citrus for a gaming edge will lead to the satisfaction you seek in your mechanical keyboard journey.
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