MMD Princess Linear and Tactile Switch Review: New Budget King?
For a few weeks now, I've been doing my best to refine my switch review format. With keyboards, there are a lot of specific features, or lack thereof, that will help to focus on the product as a whole, and how good, or bad it objectively is. Yes, a keyboard can have objectively bad features but still be subjectively liked, but a keyboard has a wealth of specifications that will land on the objective side of the equation. When it comes to switches though, besides the materials and the weight of the spring, all that is really left is one's own opinion. So, in an effort to not let perfect be the enemy of good, I'm starting my new switch review "format" and will adjust as needed.
MMD Princess Tactile Switch
First, the specs.
- 60g Tactile Switch
- Factory Lubricated
- 5 Pin (Thin pins, Outemu compatible)
- Operating Force: 60gf±5gf
- Tactile Force: 67gf±5gf
- Pre travel: 1.8mm±0.2mm
- Total Travel: 3.2mm±0.2mm
- 20.4mm two stage spring
- PC top housing
- PA66 bottom housing
- POM stem
- Weight: 1.7g
With the combination of a long pole stem that includes a distinctly pronounced bump and the two stage spring, this switch's actuation starts with a whisper of pre-travel that nearly instantly makes it's way into a large capital 'D' bump, before quickly dropping off the cliff to deliver a sharp and satisfying bottom out that pronounces a sure report of it's terminus, before snapping back to attention with a distinct "speed bump" on the way back up.
Personally, I love everything about this switch. The price, $0.23 a switch, the bump, the bottom out, the loudness; it checks all of my 'tactile' boxes.
Here is the complete review:
And the sound tests:
MMD Princess Linear Switch
First, the specs.
- 53g Linear Switch
- Factory Lubricated
- 5 Pin (Thin pins, Outemu compatible)
- Operating Force: 53gf±5gf
- Bottom Force: 61gf±5gf
- Pre travel: 1.8mm±0.2mm
- Total Travel: 3.2mm±0.2mm
- 20.4mm two stage spring
- PC top housing
- PA66 bottom housing
- POM stem
- Weight: 1.7g
Snappy! If I had to describe this switch in one word it would be 'snappy'. Between the short travel distance and the dual stage spring, the switch is swift to deliver a satisfying bottom out after an ever increasing spring weight that builds as the stroke races to the bottom, bounding back with a sure and motivated force finally finding it's resting place.
Not usually the biggest fan of linears, mind you, I do not dislike them, I just prefer tactile switches, but this one is one of those special ones. It most reminds me of a Black Cherry Pie frankenswitch, at least as far as the sharp and satisfying bottom out go. I intend to test this switch in various boards as I feel it will hit that 'marbles on glass' sound when mixed with the right materials.
Here is the complete review:
Just the sound tests: