TKC Tangerine vs. Gazzew U4T
An in-depth look at the TKC Tangerine and the Gazzew U4T switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing the perfect mechanical keyboard switch, two popular options to consider are the TKC Tangerine and the Gazzew U4T. The TKC Tangerine is a linear switch that offers an incredibly smooth feel, making every keystroke a pleasure to type. One of its standout features is the rare use of UHWMPE housings, contributing to its frictionless and buttery typing experience. However, it does produce a high-pitched clack sound when typing. On the other hand, the Gazzew U4T is a tactile switch that combines thockiness and sharp tactility. It boasts a bassy "thock" sound profile, along with an assertive tactile feedback, creating a satisfying sensory experience with each keystroke. Both switches have unique characteristics that can enhance your typing experience, but let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can decide on the best switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
N/A
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
65g
Pre-travel
N/A
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
UHWMPE
Top housing material
Proprietary Gazzew blend
Bottom housing material
UHWMPE
Bottom housing material
Proprietary Gazzew blend
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold coated spring
Spring
Stainless steel 17.5mm Korean spring
Housing materials
The TKC Tangerine and the Gazzew U4T both feature unique housing materials that contribute to their respective sound profiles. The Tangerine's UHWMPE top housing provides a very bright sound signature and offers resonant clacks when typing. In contrast, the U4T's proprietary Gazzew blend top housing, also known as "boba plastic," delivers a rich and deep sound profile due to its softness. While both housing materials result in distinct sound profiles, the Tangerine's UHWMPE top housing creates a brighter sound, while the U4T's Gazzew blend top housing produces a deeper and richer sound.
Similarly, the bottom housing materials of the TKC Tangerine and Gazzew U4T also bring unique characteristics to the switches. The Tangerine's UHWMPE bottom housing contributes to its bright sound signature and provides resonant clacks when typing. In comparison, the U4T's proprietary Gazzew blend bottom housing, also referred to as "boba plastic," offers a rich and deep sound profile due to its softness. Despite their differences, both materials enhance the overall sound and feel of the switches, with the Tangerine's UHWMPE bottom housing emphasizing the bottom-out sound and feel, and the U4T's Gazzew blend bottom housing contributing to the overall sound when a key is released.
In terms of similarities, both switches utilize unique housing materials that contribute to their sound profiles. Although the TKC Tangerine's UHWMPE top and bottom housings and the Gazzew U4T's proprietary Gazzew blend top and bottom housings differ in characteristics, they each enhance the overall sound experience of the switches. Whether it be the bright sound signature and resonant clacks of the Tangerine or the deep and rich sound profile of the U4T, both switches offer distinct auditory feedback when typing. While the specific materials differ, the overall aim of providing an enjoyable and unique sound experience is achieved by both the Tangerine and the U4T.
Weight
When comparing the TKC Tangerine linear switch and the Gazzew U4T tactile switch, both switches have a medium bottom out force of 62 grams. However, the actuation force for these switches is unavailable for both. The Tangerine switch is known for its smooth linear action, providing a consistent typing experience throughout. This lighter actuation force could be beneficial for those who prefer a lighter touch and need to type for extended periods of time, making it suitable for work or long gaming sessions. On the other hand, the U4T tactile switch offers a more substantial typing experience with its heavier actuation force. This may be more desirable for individuals who enjoy a pronounced push feel while typing. Overall, both switches provide a medium bottom out force, ensuring similar results in terms of typing responsiveness.
Travel distance
The TKC Tangerine linear switch and the Gazzew U4T tactile switch have the same travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key with either switch, you will experience the same distance of travel from the top to the bottom. Therefore, you can expect similar results in terms of the tactile feedback and overall typing experience with both switches.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
For 10 switches, the TKC Tangerine comes in at $6.30, whereas the Gazzew U4T comes in at $6.50.
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 TKC Tangerine linear switch emits a high-pitched clack when typing, producing a sharp and crisp sound. On the other hand, the Gazzew U4T tactile switch is known for its bassy 'thock' sound profile, offering a deeper and richer sound during key presses. The U4T switch also has a thocky characteristic, producing a deep and satisfying sound. Keep in mind that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by factors such as your choice of keyboard board and keycaps. Overall, if you prefer a high-pitched and sharp sound, the Tangerine switch is a great choice, while the U4T switch provides a bassy and thocky auditory experience.
In terms of feel, the TKC Tangerine switch offers a frictionless typing experience due to its smooth and effortless keystrokes. It has been described as buttery, indicating a seamless and uniform typing sensation. This polished switch provides reduced friction and smooth key travel, resulting in a sleek typing experience. On the other hand, the Gazzew U4T tactile switch has a sharp tactile bump that delivers high feedback intensity. With each keypress, the tactile bump can be distinctly felt, giving a strong and crisp tactile sensation.
Considering the available information, the TKC Tangerine linear switch excels in providing a smooth and frictionless typing experience with its high-pitched clack sound profile. The UHWMPE housings contribute to the overall smoothness of the switch, making each keystroke a pleasure. The Gazzew U4T tactile switch, on the other hand, offers a harmonious fusion of thockiness and sharp tactility. It delivers a bassy 'thock' sound profile and an assertive tactile feedback that satisfies both the auditory and tactile senses. Both switches have their own unique qualities, so it ultimately comes down to personal preference. If you prefer a linear switch with a smoother feel and higher-pitched sound, go for the Tangerine. If you prefer a tactile switch with a sharp tactile bump and a bassy 'thock' sound, the U4T is an excellent choice. Regardless of which switch you choose, you can expect a satisfying typing experience and similar results in terms of smoothness or sound profile.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a linear switch that offers an incredibly smooth typing experience, the TKC Tangerine switches are the way to go. With their UHWMPE housings, these switches provide a frictionless and buttery feel that guarantees a pleasurable typing experience. The high-pitched clack sound they produce adds to the overall satisfaction of each keystroke. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch with a harmonious fusion of thockiness and sharp tactility, the Gazzew U4T switches are the perfect choice. Their bassy 'thock' sound profile, paired with an assertive tactile feedback, ensures a satisfying typing experience with each keypress. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches comes down to personal preference in terms of sound and feel. However, both the TKC Tangerine and Gazzew U4T switches offer unique qualities that will enhance your typing experience.
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