HMX Vintage Citrus vs. Haimu Viola Tricolor
An in-depth look at the HMX Vintage Citrus and the Haimu Viola Tricolor switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, the decision often boils down to personal preferences in typing feel and sound. The HMX Vintage Citrus, a linear switch, stands out with its incredibly low actuation force of just 1mm, designed specifically for gamers who require rapid and precise inputs. Its bright, clacky sound profile and smooth push feel enhance the gaming experience, making it an excellent choice for those who prioritize speed and responsiveness during gameplay. In contrast, the Haimu Viola Tricolor offers a tactile experience, characterized by a thuddy and punchy sound profile that adds an enjoyable auditory element to typing. With its pronounced tactility, the Viola Tricolor provides satisfying feedback without being overly harsh, striking a balance that can enhance both casual and competitive typing. Ultimately, your choice between these two switches may depend on whether you favor the quick, fluid motion of the Vintage Citrus or the engaging tactile feedback of the Viola Tricolor. 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
48g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
53g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Pre-travel
1.00 mm
Pre-travel
N/A
Total travel
3.00 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
Nylon
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm single-staged spring
Spring
Dual-staged gold-plated spring
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the HMX Vintage Citrus and the Haimu Viola Tricolor, a distinct contrast is evident in their top housings, which directly influences the sound profiles produced by each switch. The Vintage Citrus utilizes nylon for its top housing, which contributes to a deeper and fuller acoustic experience. This is attributed to nylon's relatively soft texture, allowing it to absorb sound rather than reflect it. In contrast, the Viola Tricolor opts for polycarbonate, a stiffer plastic that lends itself to a sharper, higher-pitched sound. This difference signifies that while the Vintage Citrus provides a more muted and rounded auditory response, the Viola Tricolor aims for a clearer and more resonant sound profile, making them suited for different typing preferences.
Interestingly, both switches feature nylon as their bottom housing material, which contributes similarly to the typing experience. In both cases, the nylon bottom housing results in a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its ability to absorb sound. This shared aspect indicates that when typing on either switch, the bottoming-out sound and feel will be comparable, as the nylon material consistently delivers a subdued acoustic experience. This consistency across both switches contributes to an overall quality that enhances the tactile feedback provided during key presses.
Conclusively, while the Vintage Citrus and the Viola Tricolor diverge in their top housing materials—one prioritizing a fuller sound and the other a crisper audio profile—their bottom housings are identical, creating a unified experience in terms of sound dampening. The variation in top housing allows users to choose based on their desired sound characteristics without sacrificing the richness of the bottoming-out experience, which is characterized by the nylon's acoustic dampening. Hence, despite their differences, both models can achieve similar auditory outcomes through their nylon bottom housings, making them versatile choices for different user preferences.
Weight
When comparing the HMX Vintage Citrus linear switch with an actuation force of 48 grams and a bottom out force of 53 grams to the Haimu Viola Tricolor tactile switch, which has an unknown actuation force but a bottom out force of 63.5 grams, we see notable differences in their weight characteristics. The Vintage Citrus is categorized as medium-light, making it a suitable choice for users who prefer a lighter touch, enabling longer typing and gaming sessions without fatigue. In contrast, the Viola Tricolor, with its heavier bottom out force, ultimately provides a more substantial typing experience, appealing to those who appreciate a firmer response from their switches. Since the actuation force for the Viola Tricolor is unknown, we cannot directly compare it to the Vintage Citrus's 48 grams; however, given the heavier bottom out force, it is likely that the actuation force is also greater. Thus, users looking for a lightweight option should opt for the Vintage Citrus, while those who favor a firmer engagement might lean towards the Violet Tricolor.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the HMX Vintage Citrus linear switch and the Haimu Viola Tricolor tactile switch, we see a clear distinction. The Vintage Citrus features a travel distance of 3 mm, making it on the shorter side and ideal for users seeking quicker response times, especially gamers who favor responsive presses. In contrast, the Viola Tricolor boasts a travel distance of 3.8 mm, offering a more substantial feel that may appeal to those who prefer a deeper, more tactile experience. Thus, while both switches serve different preferences, the Vintage Citrus is the shorter option and would likely provide a more immediate feedback sensation, whereas the Viola Tricolor, with its longer travel distance, would deliver a more pronounced actuation feel.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
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.
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
When it comes to sound, the HMX Vintage Citrus switch stands out with its bright and clacky tone, providing an engaging auditory experience that appeals to gamers and typists alike. This switch is designed to deliver a lively sound profile, perfect for expressing keystrokes in a dramatic fashion. In contrast, the Haimu Viola Tricolor switch produces a thuddy and punchy sound that is deeper and richer, characterized by its low-pitched, bass-heavy qualities. This auditory profile offers a different experience, emphasizing a satisfying resonance with each key press that might feel more grounded. Both sound profiles provide distinct auditory sensations that suit specific preferences but will ultimately depend on additional factors such as the keyboard itself and the keycap material used.
Regarding feel, the Vintage Citrus switch is noted for its remarkably smooth push feel, designed for rapid inputs, making it feel effortless during fast-paced gaming sessions. This smoothness can enhance the user experience by allowing for quick key presses without friction or resistance, catering to gamers' need for speed. On the other hand, the Viola Tricolor provides a pronounced tactile feedback that is invigorating and snappy, with a medium level of tactility that does not tip into overwhelming territory. This tactile sensation is encouraging for typists, creating a solid engagement with each keystroke while offering a satisfying feedback loop that enhances typing rhythm. Both switches offer their own unique tactile sensations that cater to different user preferences.
In summary, the HMX Vintage Citrus and Haimu Viola Tricolor switches present vastly different auditory and tactile experiences. The Vintage Citrus is bright, clacky, and smooth, making it ideal for swift gaming actions, while the Viola Tricolor leans towards a bassy, low-pitched sound coupled with a pronounced yet controlled tactile feedback that enhances the typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on whether one prioritizes speed and brightness or prefers a deeper, more tactile experience. Each switch will contribute uniquely to your keyboard experience, offering options for personal preference in both sound and feel.
Conclusion
To sum up, your choice between the HMX Vintage Citrus linear switch and the Haimu Viola Tricolor tactile switch largely depends on how you intend to use your keyboard and what kind of experience you wish to have. If you're primarily a gamer and seek rapid key presses along with a fun and lively auditory experience, the Vintage Citrus is the ideal choice. Its medium-light bottom-out force and exceptionally low actuation point make it perfect for fast-paced gaming, where speed is crucial. Plus, the smooth feel and bright, clacky sound enhance the overall excitement of your gaming adventures. On the other hand, if you prioritize typing experience and prefer a satisfying tactile feedback without it being too overwhelming, the Viola Tricolor is the way to go. The medium-heavy actuation force paired with its pronounced tactility creates a richly engaging typing sensation, perfect for long writing sessions where you want to feel connected to each keystroke. The low-pitched, bassy sound profile adds a unique audio dimension that many find bewitching. Therefore, whether you favor swift gaming moves or an immersive, tactile typing experience, both switches offer distinct advantages tailored to your individual preferences.
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