Bsun Tomcat vs. HMX Vintage Citrus

Overview

When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the choice between the Bsun Tomcat and the HMX Vintage Citrus can significantly impact your typing or gaming experience, especially considering both are linear switches designed to enhance fluidity and responsiveness. The Tomcat is celebrated for its Ly stems, which deliver a supremely smooth keystroke, complemented by a resonant sound profile that adds a unique auditory element without the interruptions of tactile feedback. In contrast, the Vintage Citrus switch from HMX is engineered specifically for gamers, featuring a low actuation force of just 1mm, allowing for lightning-fast key presses, a bright clacky sound profile, and an exceptionally smooth push feel that makes it ideal for rapid-fire actions in games. While either switch can elevate your experience depending on your preferences—whether you're looking for a smooth and acoustically rich environment with the Tomcat or the nimble and responsive nature of the Vintage Citrus—let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.

By the numbers

Bsun Tomcat Linear

HMX Vintage Citrus Linear

$2.99 per 10

$3.49

$2.79 per 10

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Housing materials

The housing materials of the Bsun Tomcat and the HMX Vintage Citrus offer a fascinating contrast in both sound profile and tactile feedback. The Tomcat features a polycarbonate top housing, which is known for generating a sharper and crisper sound signature. This material's inherent stiffness contributes to a clear resonance that is particularly well-suited for RGB lighting, as its translucency enables vibrant illumination to shine through. In contrast, the Vintage Citrus utilizes a nylon top housing, which is recognized for producing a deeper and fuller sound due to its softer composition. This softer plastic absorbs sound, leading to a more muted and rounded acoustic profile, highlighting the stark difference in the auditory experience one can expect from these two switches.

When examining the bottom housings of both switches, we find that the Bsun Tomcat and the HMX Vintage Citrus are aligned in their choice of material—both featuring nylon. This results in a consistent characteristic across the two switches, where the nylon composition lends itself to a deeper sound, effectively absorbing impact and creating a pleasantly rounded bottom-out experience. Consequently, while the Tomcat's top housing might provide a brighter and more resonant sound when releasing a key, the use of nylon in both bottom housings guarantees that both switches will deliver a deep and satisfying feel when pressed down.

Ultimately, even though the Bsun Tomcat and HMX Vintage Citrus utilize different top housing materials, the similarities in their bottom housing create a harmonious balance between tactile feel and sound. The polycarbonate top of the Tomcat aims for a crisp release while the nylon bottoms of both switches provide that deeply gratifying feel, ensuring that users will enjoy a rich typing experience regardless of the switch selected. Whether one prefers the sharper notes of the Tomcat or the fuller tones of the Vintage Citrus, both promise a satisfying auditory and tactile result, given their thoughtful material choices.

Weight

When comparing the Bsun Tomcat linear switch to the HMX Vintage Citrus linear switch, we see some interesting differences in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Tomcat features an actuation force of 45 grams, while the Vintage Citrus requires a slightly heavier force of 48 grams to achieve the same keystroke. This means that the Tomcat switch feels lighter when pressed, making it potentially more comfortable for longer typing sessions or extended gaming, especially for those who prefer a lighter touch. In terms of bottom out force, the Tomcat's 54 grams slightly surpasses the Vintage Citrus's 53 grams, resulting in a comparable overall feel, but still reflects a tendency toward a slightly firmer response with the Tomcat. Ultimately, if you're inclined towards a lighter typing experience, the Tomcat would be the better choice, while those who appreciate a bit more resistance might find the Vintage Citrus appealing. Overall, while both switches are considered medium-light, the Tomcat edges out as the lighter option in terms of actuation force.

Travel distance

The Bsun Tomcat linear switch and the HMX Vintage Citrus linear switch differ in their travel distances, with the Tomcat measuring 3.6 mm and the Vintage Citrus measuring 3 mm. This makes the Bsun Tomcat the longer option, providing a more substantial feel as it offers a deeper key press. In contrast, the HMX Vintage Citrus, with its shorter 3 mm travel distance, offers a quicker response time, appealing to gamers and those who favor a more tactile experience with less key travel. While shorter travel distances can enhance responsiveness, some users may find the abruptness of the shorter switch less satisfying compared to the more pronounced depth of the Tomcat. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on personal preference for either a deeper experience or rapid actuation.

Price comparison

Typing experience

The sound profile of the Bsun Tomcat linear switch is resonant, offering a rich auditory experience that can enhance the typing or gaming atmosphere. In contrast, the HMX Vintage Citrus linear switch produces a bright, clacky sound, which can be particularly appealing for gamers looking for auditory feedback during rapid inputs. While both switches provide distinct sound characteristics, the final auditory experience will also depend on the specific keyboard build and keycaps used.

When it comes to feel, the Tomcat switch is recognized for its super smooth typing experience, attributed to its Ly stems, which minimize friction and enhance responsiveness. On the other hand, the Vintage Citrus switch is designed to provide a remarkably smooth push feel as well, but its exceptionally low actuation force of just 1mm makes it especially responsive for quick actions. Gamers may find the Vintage Citrus's lightness advantageous for speedy executions, whereas typists may appreciate the Tomcat's emphasis on smoothness.

In conclusion, both the Bsun Tomcat and HMX Vintage Citrus switches offer unique benefits catering to different preferences. The Tomcat excels in a resonant sound profile and smooth typing experience, while the Vintage Citrus caters to gamers with its bright sound and rapid actuation force. Depending on your priorities—be it sound or feel—you'll find that either option can provide a satisfying experience, albeit in distinctly different ways. Ultimately, the choice will hinge on whether you prefer the resonant smoothness of the Tomcat or the quick responsiveness and clackiness of the Vintage Citrus.

Conclusion

To sum up, choosing between the Bsun Tomcat linear switch and the HMX Vintage Citrus linear switch ultimately depends on your specific typing needs and preferences. If you prioritize a smooth and resonant typing experience, the Tomcat switch is your best bet, as it features Ly stems that enhance its slick feel while maintaining a medium-light bottom out force of 54 grams. This makes it well-suited for both casual typing and longer writing sessions where comfort is key. On the other hand, if you are a gamer seeking rapid input response and exciting auditory feedback, the Vintage Citrus switch is designed just for that, with a low actuation force at just 1mm and a bright, clacky sound profile. This makes it ideal for fast-paced gaming sessions where every millisecond counts. Therefore, consider your primary use—if it’s typing and comfort, go for the Tomcat; if it's gaming and speed, opt for the Vintage Citrus.

Mentioned in this article

Bsun Tomcat Linear

$2.99 per 10

Learn more

HMX Vintage Citrus Linear

$3.49

$2.79 per 10

Learn more