Everglide Bamboo Green vs. Outemu Lime (V3)
An in-depth look at the Everglide Bamboo Green and the Outemu Lime (V3) switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, there are a plethora of options to choose from, each with its own distinct characteristics. Two popular choices in the tactile switch category are the Everglide Bamboo Green and the Outemu Lime. The Bamboo Green is well-known for its clacky sound signature, offering a crisp and sparkling tactility. It falls into the category of switches that are 'stepped', 'high-pitched', 'accented', 'sharp', 'resonant', and 'polished'. On the other hand, the Lime switches are incredibly unique, being lightweight, featuring an approachable tactility, and being silenced. This makes them ideal for tactile enthusiasts who desire a feathery light typing experience with a subtle touch of tactility. The Lime switches fall into the category of switches that are 'neutral', 'mild', 'muted', 'feathery', 'subtle', and 'polished'. These general pointers can help guide your decision, however, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
43g
Actuation force
35g
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
45g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.30 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
PBT
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
PBT
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Everglide Bamboo Green and the Outemu Lime differ in terms of their housing materials, which have a significant impact on the overall sound profile and tactile experience of the switches. The Bamboo Green features a PBT top and bottom housing, while the Lime utilizes a nylon top and bottom housing. While both switches offer a neutral sound profile, they differ in terms of crispness and dullness.
In terms of sound profile, the Bamboo Green's PBT top housing offers a neutral and relatively unseen experience. It produces a sound that is not very crisp but also not dull, creating a balanced auditory feedback. On the other hand, the Lime's nylon top housing brings a deeper and fuller sound profile. The relatively softer nylon material absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound that can be appealing to typists seeking a more substantial auditory experience.
When it comes to the bottom housing, both switches continue to exhibit variations in sound and feel. The PBT bottom housing of the Bamboo Green provides a neutral sound profile similar to its top housing, ensuring consistency throughout the switch. Conversely, the nylon bottom housing of the Lime contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile, complementing the effects of the nylon top housing. The bottom-out sound and feel of the Lime switch will be impacted by the characteristics of the nylon material, resulting in a more substantial tactile experience.
In summary, while the Everglide Bamboo Green and the Outemu Lime share similarities in terms of offering a neutral sound profile, they diverge in their crispness and dullness. The PBT housing of the Bamboo Green ensures a balanced sound profile throughout the switch, while the nylon housing of the Lime enhances the auditory experience by providing a deeper and fuller sound. Whether it is the top or bottom housing, these materials play a crucial role in shaping the overall sound and tactile feedback of the switches, providing users with different options based on their preferences.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch and the Outemu Lime tactile switch, it becomes clear that there are differences in weight between the two. The Bamboo Green switch has a slightly heavier actuation force of 43 grams and a bottom out force of 62 grams, making it a medium-weight option. On the other hand, the Lime switch has a lighter actuation force of 35 grams and a bottom out force of 45 grams, categorizing it as a lighter option.
The weight of a switch is an important factor to consider based on personal preferences. Those who prefer a lighter touch may opt for switches like the Lime, as it allows for longer periods of comfortable typing, making it suitable for work environments or extended gaming sessions. However, for individuals who desire a more substantial typing experience with a stronger push feel, the Bamboo Green switch, with its heavier forces, would be the better choice.
While the Bamboo Green and Lime switches have differences in their actuation and bottom out forces, both switches offer their own distinct advantages. The Bamboo Green switch provides a more tactile and durable experience with its slightly heavier forces, ensuring a satisfying typing feedback. On the other hand, the Lime switch offers a lighter and more effortless typing experience, making it ideal for users who prefer a smoother keypress.
Overall, the preference for a lighter or heavier switch is subjective, and it depends on the individual's typing style and preferences. Both the Everglide Bamboo Green and the Outemu Lime switches provide unique characteristics, catering to different needs.
Travel distance
The Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Outemu Lime tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.3 mm. The Bamboo Green offers a more traditional travel distance of 4.0 mm, providing a deeper key press feel. On the other hand, the Lime offers a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.3 mm, which may appeal to gamers seeking faster response times. The choice between the two ultimately depends on personal preferences. If you value a more responsive experience, the shorter travel distance of the Lime switch may suit you better. However, if you prefer a deeper and more deliberate key press, the Bamboo Green switch with its longer travel distance is the option to consider.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Everglide Bamboo Green has an MSRP of $9.67 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Bamboo Green for $7.19.
The Outemu Lime (V3) comes in at $3.40 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
When it comes to sound, the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch produces a high-pitched and resonant sound. This switch has a sharp and crisp sound profile, which may be appealing to those who prefer a more distinctive and immersive auditory experience. On the other hand, the Outemu Lime tactile switch has a neutral and muted sound profile. It offers a softer and quieter sound compared to regular or clacky switches, making it ideal for those who value a more subtle and minimized noise while typing. It's important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
In terms of feel, the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch provides a stepped, accented, sharp, and polished typing experience. This switch has a medium tactile bump that is neither overwhelming nor subtle, offering a prominent amount of tactility. It offers a smooth and refined finish, resulting in reduced friction and smooth key travel. On the other hand, the Outemu Lime tactile switch offers a mild, feathery, subtle, and polished typing experience. It provides a gentle resistance and is exceptionally light to press, reducing finger fatigue and strain. Similar to the Bamboo Green switch, it also offers a smooth and refined finish for a sleek typing experience.
Overall, the Everglide Bamboo Green and Outemu Lime tactile switches have distinct subjective qualities. The Bamboo Green switch produces a clacky sound with a sharp and crisp tactility, while the Lime switch offers a more muted sound with a lightweight and approachable tactility. If you are looking for a switch with a high-pitched and resonant sound, as well as a stepped, accented, sharp, and polished feel, the Bamboo Green switch would be a suitable choice. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch with a neutral and muted sound, along with a mild, feathery, subtle, and polished feel, the Lime switch would be a great option. Both switches are designed to cater to different preferences, but if you desire similar results in terms of sound and feel, either switch can provide a satisfying typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a tactile switch with a medium bottom out force, a clacky sound signature, and a crisp and sparkling tactility, the Everglide Bamboo Green switch would be a great choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter bottom out force, a unique lightweight design, a touch of tactility, and a silenced sound profile, the Outemu Lime switch would be the perfect fit. Consider the Everglide Bamboo Green if you enjoy a higher-pitched and resonant sound profile, as well as a stepped, accented, and sharp tactile feel. On the other hand, if you prefer a more neutral sound profile and a typing feel that is mild, feathery, or subtle, the Outemu Lime switch would be the better option. Both switches have a polished finish for smooth key travel. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches depends on your personal preferences for bottom out force, sound, and feel.
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