Gateron Oil King vs. TTC Venus
An in-depth look at the Gateron Oil King and the TTC Venus switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between the Gateron Oil King and the TTC Venus mechanical keyboard switches, you have two fantastic linear switch options to consider. The Oil King is celebrated for its smoothness and rich sound profile, while the Venus stands out for its unique internal configuration that provides a seamless glide and engaging tactile feedback. The Oil King is described as 'Low-pitched', 'Creamy', 'Silky', 'Bassy', 'Buttery', and 'Polished', whereas the Venus is categorized as 'Buttery', 'Gummy', 'Frictionless', 'Low-pitched', 'Mild', 'Muted', 'Neutral', 'Polished', 'Subdued', and 'Thocky'. Each switch offers its own set of qualities that appeal to different preferences and typing styles. 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
55g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
65g
Bottom-out force
52g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Total travel
4.00 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
Nylon
Top housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Color coated
Spring
Lengthened 20.5mm spring
Housing materials
The Gateron Oil King and the TTC Venus both offer unique housing materials that contribute to the overall sound profile of the switches. The Oil King's nylon top housing provides a deeper and fuller sound, thanks to its softer nature that absorbs more sound. This results in a duller and rounder sound compared to other housing materials. On the other hand, the Venus's POM top housing creates a more muted and deeper sound profile that is also pleasing to the ear. Despite their differences, both housing materials contribute to a unique typing experience that users can enjoy.
In terms of bottom housing, the Oil King's proprietary INK blend offers a high-pitched yet satisfying clacky sound. This sound profile is distinctive and adds an extra layer of feedback when typing. In contrast, the Venus's polycarbonate bottom housing produces a sharper and crisper sound, thanks to its stiff nature that enhances clarity and resonance. While the INK blend focuses on a thinner sound profile, the polycarbonate bottom housing brings out a more impactful typing experience with its higher-pitched tones.
When comparing the two switches, it is clear that the Gateron Oil King and the TTC Venus offer contrasting sound profiles due to their different housing materials. The combination of nylon and INK blend in the Oil King results in a unique typing experience with a deep and full sound profile, while the POM and polycarbonate materials in the Venus create a more muted and high-pitched sound. Despite these differences, both switches excel in providing users with a satisfying typing experience that caters to different preferences in sound and feel. Whether you prefer a duller, rounder sound or a sharper, crisper tone, both switches deliver exceptional performance based on their housing materials.
Weight
When comparing the Gateron Oil King linear switch and the TTC Venus linear switch, it is evident that they have different actuation and bottom out forces. The Oil King has a heavier actuation force of 55 grams compared to the Venus's lighter 45 grams. Similarly, the bottom out force of the Oil King at 65 grams is heavier than the Venus's 52 grams. This means that the Oil King provides a more substantial typing experience with a stronger push feel, while the Venus offers a lighter touch suitable for longer typing sessions or gaming. Both switches will deliver smooth linear keystrokes, but the choice between the two would ultimately depend on the user's preference for a lighter or heavier typing experience.
Travel distance
The Gateron Oil King linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the TTC Venus linear switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.8 mm. Both switches fall within the typical range of travel distances for mechanical switches, with the Oil King being slightly longer than the Venus. Gamers may appreciate the Venus switch for its faster response time due to its shorter travel distance, while those who prefer a more substantial keypress may gravitate towards the Oil King. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will depend on personal preference for keypress depth and responsiveness.
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 Gateron Oil King 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, the Gateron Oil King linear switch offers a low-pitched and bassy tone, providing a deep and rich sound profile during key presses. On the other hand, the TTC Venus linear switch delivers a low-pitched, muted, and subdued sound with a thocky characteristic, offering a soft and quiet typing experience. Both switches aim to provide a pleasant auditory experience, with the Oil King leaning towards a richer bass-heavy tone while the Venus emphasizes a more subtle and quiet sound signature.
When it comes to feel, the Gateron Oil King switch is described as creamy, silky, and buttery, offering a smooth and fluid typing sensation with effortless keystrokes. Conversely, the TTC Venus switch provides a buttery feel along with a gummy sensation, indicating a unique typing experience reminiscent of bottoming out on a trampoline or a gummy bear. Both switches aim to provide a polished typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel, ensuring a comfortable and engaging typing session.
In conclusion, both the Gateron Oil King and TTC Venus linear switches offer unique qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Oil King excels in providing a bass-heavy and buttery smooth sound with a silky typing sensation, the Venus stands out with its muted sound profile and gummy feel, making each keystroke engaging and smooth. Ultimately, choosing between these switches will come down to personal preference in sound and feel, with both promising a satisfying typing experience. If these qualities align with your preferences, you can expect similar results from both switches in terms of sound and feel.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Gateron Oil King linear switch and the TTC Venus linear switch, consider the following. If you prefer a medium-heavy bottom out force of 65 grams and a low-pitched, bassy sound profile, along with a creamy, silky, and buttery typing experience, then the Gateron Oil King switch is the way to go. On the other hand, if you lean towards a medium-light bottom out force of 52 grams, a low-pitched, muted, neutral, subdued, and thocky sound profile, and enjoy a buttery, gummy, frictionless, mild, and polished typing experience, then the TTC Venus switch might be more suited to your preferences. Ultimately, your choice should be based on your individual typing style, sound preferences, and tactile feedback desired while typing.
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