TTC Venus vs. Haimu Viola Tricolor
An in-depth look at the TTC Venus and the Haimu Viola Tricolor switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, the TTC Venus and the Haimu Viola Tricolor present distinct qualities that cater to different preferences. The Venus is praised for its seamless glide and unique "Q-texture," offering a smooth and engaging typing experience with a light actuation and muted sound profile. In contrast, the Viola Tricolor stands out with its thuddy and punchy sound, delivering a pronounced tactile feedback without being overwhelming. While the Venus provides a polished and subdued feel, the Viola Tricolor offers an invigorating and bassy sensation. Both switches have their strengths, but diving deeper beyond these generalities will help you determine which one best suits your typing style and preferences.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
52g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Pre-travel
N/A
Total travel
3.80 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Lengthened 20.5mm spring
Spring
Dual-staged gold-plated spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the TTC Venus and the Haimu Viola Tricolor exhibit distinct characteristics that contribute to their overall sound profiles. The Venus's POM top housing produces a deeper and more muted sound compared to the Viola Tricolor's polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper and higher-pitched sound. The use of polycarbonate in the top housing of the Viola Tricolor also allows for RGB lighting, making it a more visually appealing option for those looking to customize their setup. In contrast, the Venus's polycarbonate bottom housing contributes to a clearer and more resonant sound profile, while the Viola Tricolor's nylon bottom housing offers a deeper and fuller sound, thanks to its softer material that absorbs more sound.
Despite their differences, both the TTC Venus and the Haimu Viola Tricolor showcase the importance of housing materials in determining the sound characteristics of a switch. The split between the top and bottom housings allows for a combination of qualities that impact both the bottom-out sound and feel, as well as the sound when releasing a key. Whether it's the sharpness of polycarbonate or the softer absorbency of nylon, each material plays a crucial role in defining the overall typing experience on these switches. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches comes down to personal preference in sound profile and aesthetic considerations.
In conclusion, while the TTC Venus and the Haimu Viola Tricolor offer different housing materials in their top and bottom components, they both showcase the impact of these materials on the sound profile of a switch. The POM and polycarbonate top housings of the Venus and Viola Tricolor, respectively, contribute to distinct sound profiles, with the former offering a deeper tone and the latter providing a sharper pitch. Similarly, the polycarbonate and nylon bottom housings of the switches offer unique sound characteristics, with the former delivering a clearer sound and the latter providing a fuller, rounder tone. Overall, the choice between these switches will depend on individual preferences for sound, feel, and aesthetics.
Weight
The TTC Venus linear switch has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams compared to the Haimu Viola Tricolor tactile switch, which has an unknown actuation force. However, the bottom out force of the Venus switch is 52 grams, while the Viola Tricolor switch has a heavier bottom out force of 63.5 grams. This means that the Venus switch provides a slightly lighter typing experience overall, making it easier to type for longer periods of time. In contrast, the Viola Tricolor switch offers a more substantial push feel, which some users may prefer for a more tactile typing experience. Despite the differences in force, both switches will provide similar results in terms of actuation and bottom out, allowing users to choose based on their preference for a lighter or heavier touch.
Travel distance
Both the TTC Venus linear switch and the Haimu Viola Tricolor tactile switch have the same travel distance of 3.8 mm. This means that when pressing down on either key, you will feel the same distance of travel. This makes them equal in terms of the physical feedback experienced by the user. While some switches may have shorter or longer travel distances, both the Venus and Viola Tricolor offer a consistent and uniform key press experience. So whether you choose the Venus or the Viola Tricolor, you can expect similar results in terms of travel distance.
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 Haimu Viola Tricolor has an MSRP of $6.60 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Viola Tricolor for $3.09.
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 TTC Venus linear switch is best characterized as having a muted, low-pitched, and subdued sound signature that provides a soft and pleasing auditory experience. The sound produced is neutral and thocky, offering a gentle yet satisfying typing sound. On the other hand, the Haimu Viola Tricolor tactile switch is known for its bassy and low-pitched sound profile that adds a touch of character to the typing experience. It strikes a balance between sharp tactile feedback and a rich, deep sound during key presses, creating an immersive auditory sensation. Both switches offer unique sound profiles that cater to different preferences, with the Venus providing a more mellow and subdued sound, while the Viola Tricolor offers a more pronounced and characterful typing sound.
When it comes to the feel of the switches, the TTC Venus linear switch is praised for its buttery, gummy, and frictionless typing experience that is smooth, effortless, and uniform. The switch offers a seamless glide with a subtle resistance akin to biting into a chewy mochi, creating a delightful tactile sensation. In contrast, the Haimu Viola Tricolor tactile switch is known for its accented and invigorating feel, providing pronounced feedback and a snappy, reactive typing experience. The switch strikes a balance between tactile feedback and actuation force, offering a satisfying keystroke without feeling too overwhelming. Both switches offer unique tactile sensations that cater to different preferences, with the Venus providing a smoother and more polished typing experience, while the Viola Tricolor offers a more pronounced tactile feedback.
In conclusion, the TTC Venus linear switch and the Haimu Viola Tricolor tactile switch offer distinct advantages in terms of sound and feel. The Venus excels in providing a muted, low-pitched sound profile and a buttery, frictionless tactile experience, while the Viola Tricolor stands out with its bassy sound profile and accented, invigorating tactile feedback. Depending on your preference for sound and feel, both switches offer a high-quality typing experience that is sure to enhance your overall enjoyment while using a mechanical keyboard. Ultimately, choosing between the two switches will depend on whether you prefer a smoother, more subdued typing experience with the Venus, or a more pronounced, characterful typing sensation with the Viola Tricolor.
Conclusion
In conclusion, if you prefer a lighter actuation force and a smoother, more muted typing experience, you should consider choosing the TTC Venus linear switch. The Venus offers a unique "matte" sensation with its Q-texture and nearly frictionless glide, making every keystroke smooth and engaging. On the other hand, if you enjoy a slightly heavier actuation force and a more pronounced tactile feedback, the Haimu Viola Tricolor tactile switch may be the better choice for you. The Viola Tricolor strikes a perfect balance between sharp tactility and satisfying feedback, without being too overwhelming. Ultimately, your decision between the Venus linear switch and the Viola Tricolor tactile switch should be based on your personal preference for actuation force, typing experience, and sound profile.
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