Gazzew U4 vs. TTC Venus
An in-depth look at the Gazzew U4 and the TTC Venus switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing and contrasting the Gazzew U4 and the TTC Venus mechanical keyboard switches, it is evident that each offers a unique typing experience. The U4 is renowned for its silent tactile switches that provide a sharp and satisfying tactile bump combined with a plush bottom-out sensation, resulting in a whisper-quiet sound profile. On the other hand, the Venus stands out for its innovative internal design, offering a frictionless glide and a "Q-texture" feel that is smooth yet engaging. The Venus boasts a very light actuation for rapid typing and a muted sound signature for a subdued auditory experience. While the U4 excels in providing a tactile typing experience, the Venus offers a smooth and buttery feel with a unique textured sensation. Ultimately, whether you prefer the sharp tactility of the U4 or the smooth glide of the Venus depends on your personal typing preferences. 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
62g
Bottom-out force
52g
Pre-travel
N/A
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Proprietary Gazzew blend
Top housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Proprietary Gazzew blend
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel 14mm Korean spring
Spring
Lengthened 20.5mm spring
Housing materials
The Gazzew U4 and TTC Venus both feature unique housing materials that contribute to their distinct sound profiles. The U4 utilizes a proprietary Gazzew blend top and bottom housing, known for delivering a rich and deep sound due to its softness. In contrast, the Venus opts for POM top housing, which creates a deeper and relatively more muted sound. This highlights a key difference between the two switches in terms of the material used in the top housing, affecting the overall sound produced during keypresses and releases.
Furthermore, the bottom housing of the U4 is also made from the same Gazzew blend as the top housing, reinforcing the rich and deep sound profile of the switch. On the other hand, the Venus features a polycarbonate bottom housing, known for creating a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. This contrast in bottom housing material between the two switches showcases how the materials influence the overall sound characteristics, with polycarbonate offering a clearer and more resonant sound compared to the softer Gazzew blend.
Overall, while both the Gazzew U4 and TTC Venus focus on delivering unique sound experiences, they achieve this through different housing materials. The U4's focus on a softer Gazzew blend for both top and bottom housing results in a rich and deep sound profile, while the Venus's combination of POM and polycarbonate housing creates a more muted and sharper sound. Despite these differences, both switches aim to provide users with a satisfying typing experience through their distinct sound characteristics, demonstrating the impact of housing materials on switch performance.
Weight
Comparing the Gazzew U4 tactile switch and the TTC Venus linear switch, both switches have the same actuation force of 45 grams, providing a consistent typing experience in terms of initial force required to register a keystroke. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the U4 has a heavier bottom out force of 62 grams compared to the Venus with a lighter bottom out force of 52 grams. This means that the U4 offers a more substantial typing experience with a firmer press required to fully depress the key, while the Venus provides a lighter touch for a smoother and lighter typing feel. Depending on personal preference, some users may prefer the lighter touch of the Venus for extended typing or gaming sessions, while others may lean towards the heavier bottom out force of the U4 for a more satisfying keystroke feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on whether a user prefers a lighter or heavier typing experience.
Travel distance
The Gazzew U4 tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.6mm, slightly shorter than the TTC Venus linear switch with a travel distance of 3.8mm. While both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, the U4 offers a slightly quicker response time compared to the Venus. Gamers seeking faster reaction times may prefer the U4, while those who enjoy a more substantial key press may lean towards the Venus. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for travel distance and key feel.
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 Gazzew U4 comes in at $6.50 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
In terms of sound, both the Gazzew U4 and the TTC Venus switches are described as having a low-pitched and muted sound profile. The U4 provides a whisper-quiet typing experience with a softer and quieter sound, while the Venus offers a subdued auditory embrace with a more bass-heavy and mellow tone. This means that users can expect similar results in sound from both switches, enjoying a quieter and more mellow typing experience compared to other mechanical switches.
As for the feel of the switches, the U4 is described as having a sharp tactile bump that provides a high feedback intensity, giving a distinct feel with each keypress. On the other hand, the Venus is characterized by a buttery, gummy, frictionless, mild, and polished sensation. This means that while the U4 offers a sharp and crisp tactile bump, the Venus provides a smooth, effortless, and uniform typing experience with minimal resistance or friction. Users can expect a more intense tactile feedback from the U4, while the Venus offers a smoother and more fluid typing sensation.
In conclusion, both the Gazzew U4 tactile switch and the TTC Venus linear switch offer unique qualities in terms of sound and feel. The U4 provides a sharp tactile bump and a whisper-quiet sound, while the Venus offers a smooth and engaging typing experience with a mellow and subdued sound profile. Depending on individual preferences for tactile feedback and sound, users can choose between the sharper feedback of the U4 or the smoother typing experience of the Venus. Ultimately, both switches offer distinct qualities that cater to different typing preferences, ensuring a satisfying typing experience for newcomers to the mechanical keyboard world.
Conclusion
In summary, when considering whether to choose the Gazzew U4 tactile switch or the TTC Venus linear switch, it ultimately comes down to your preferences and typing style. If you prefer a sharper tactile bump and a plush bottom-out sensation with a muted and low-pitched sound profile, then the U4 may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you enjoy a smooth and almost frictionless typing experience with a unique "matte" sensation, along with a very light actuation force and a subdued, thocky sound signature, then the Venus switch could be the better option. Both switches offer distinct characteristics that cater to different typing preferences, so it's important to consider what qualities are most important to you when making your decision. Ultimately, whether you choose the U4 or the Venus, you can expect a high-quality typing experience tailored to your individual preferences.
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