Durock Black Lotus vs. Outemu Silent Ocean
An in-depth look at the Durock Black Lotus and the Outemu Silent Ocean switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Durock Black Lotus and the Outemu Silent Ocean mechanical keyboard switches, it is evident that they both offer unique features and benefits to enhance your typing experience. The Black Lotus is praised for its silky smooth feel and unparalleled precision, with a 55g actuation weight that strikes a balance between substantial and comfortable. Additionally, the reduction of housing and stem wobble maximizes typing pleasure, while the unique light column adds a touch of customization with in-switch lighting that is fully removable. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Ocean may not have a specific standout feature, but it offers a different typing experience. 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
63.5g
Bottom-out force
65g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.60 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Modified PC & UPE Blend
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the Durock Black Lotus and the Outemu Silent Ocean switches, it is clear that both switches utilize nylon for their bottom housing. Nylon is known for creating a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer nature, which absorbs more sound than harder plastics. This results in a duller and rounder sound when typing on switches made with nylon housing. Therefore, both the Black Lotus and the Silent Ocean switches will provide a similar typing experience in terms of sound and feel when it comes to the bottom housing.
However, the top housing of these two switches differs significantly. The Black Lotus features a Modified PC and UPE Blend top housing, giving it a unique and premium feel. On the other hand, the Silent Ocean utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, which is known for creating a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. The use of polycarbonate in housing results in a more clear and resonant sound, especially when paired with RGB lighting due to its translucency. This contrast in top housing material will likely result in a noticeable difference in sound and feel when typing on the two switches.
In terms of overall typing experience, the bottom housing material of the Durock Black Lotus and the Outemu Silent Ocean switches will provide a similar deep and full sound profile. However, the top housing materials of the switches will offer contrasting characteristics. The Black Lotus's Modified PC and UPE Blend top housing will provide a premium feel, while the Silent Ocean's polycarbonate top housing will create a sharper and crisper sound profile. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will come down to personal preference in typing feel and sound.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Black Lotus linear switch and the Outemu Silent Ocean linear switch, it is evident that the Black Lotus has a slightly heavier actuation force at 55 grams compared to the Silent Ocean's 45 grams. However, the bottom out force of the Silent Ocean is heavier at 65 grams, while the Black Lotus bottoms out at 63.5 grams. Both switches fall within the medium-heavy range, providing a substantial typing experience. Those who prefer a lighter touch may lean towards the Silent Ocean, as it has a lighter actuation force. On the other hand, individuals who enjoy a more pronounced push feel may opt for the Black Lotus with its heavier bottom out force. Overall, while the actuation and bottom out forces differ slightly between the two switches, users can expect similar results in terms of typing experience.
Travel distance
Both the Durock Black Lotus linear switch and the Outemu Silent Ocean linear switch have the same travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when pressing down on a key with either of these switches, users will experience a consistent travel distance. This allows for a similar tactile feel and response when typing on a keyboard equipped with either of these linear switches. The equal travel distance of both switches ensures that users will have a consistent typing experience, regardless of which option they choose.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Durock Black Lotus has an MSRP of $5.60 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Black Lotus for $4.57.
The Outemu Silent Ocean comes in at $3.10 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 Black Lotus linear switch is known for its quiet operation, making it ideal for office or shared environments where noise level is a concern. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Ocean linear switch is designed to provide a near-silent typing experience, perfect for those who prefer a quieter keystroke. Both switches offer a satisfying sound profile that is not overly loud or distracting, allowing for a more focused and undisturbed typing experience.
When it comes to the feel of the switches, the Black Lotus linear switch is described as silky and buttery, providing a smooth and fluid keystroke experience. With a mild actuation force of 55g, the Black Lotus switch offers a gentle typing experience that is approachable to most users. In contrast, the Outemu Silent Ocean switch's feel is not specified, but given its "silent" designation, it is likely designed to offer a smooth and quiet typing experience similar to the Black Lotus.
Overall, both the Durock Black Lotus linear switch and the Outemu Silent Ocean linear switch offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences. The Black Lotus excels in providing a smooth, precise, and satisfying typing experience with its silky feel and buttery keystrokes, while the Silent Ocean aims to deliver a near-silent operation for a quieter typing environment. Depending on whether you prioritize sound level, feel, or both in your mechanical keyboard switch selection, either option can provide a premium typing experience with their respective subjective qualities.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a linear switch with a medium-heavy bottom out force and a silky smooth feel, the Durock Black Lotus would be a great choice for you. It offers unparalleled precision, reduced wobble, and a unique light column feature, making it a top contender for typing pleasure. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch with similar characteristics but with a slightly higher bottom out force and potentially a different sound profile, the Outemu Silent Ocean linear switch could be the right fit for you. Ultimately, both switches have their own unique qualities and it ultimately comes down to personal preference and typing style when deciding between the two.
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