Gateron CJ vs. Outemu Silent Grey
An in-depth look at the Gateron CJ and the Outemu Silent Grey switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Gateron CJ and Outemu Silent Grey offer unique experiences for different preferences. The Gateron CJ is a linear switch that stands out for its high-pitched clacks and smooth push feel, making typing on it a unique and enjoyable experience. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Grey is a tactile switch known for its quietness and highly tactile typing experience, with a pronounced bump and smooth keystrokes. While the Gateron CJ may appeal to those looking for a more neutral and thocky typing experience, the Outemu Silent Grey is perfect for those seeking a satisfying and silent 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
50g
Actuation force
50g
Bottom-out force
60g
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
No
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Gateron CJ and the Outemu Silent Grey both have unique housing materials that significantly impact the sound profiles of the switches. The CJ's proprietary INK blend top housing offers a pointed and relatively high-pitched sound, described as clacky, while the Silent Grey's polycarbonate top housing produces a sharper and crisper sound. The translucency of polycarbonate is beneficial for switches with RGB lighting, adding an aesthetic appeal to the Silent Grey. In contrast, the CJ's POM bottom housing creates a deeper and more muted sound profile, while the Silent Grey's nylon bottom housing produces a fuller and rounder sound due to its softer material.
Despite the differences in housing materials between the Gateron CJ and the Outemu Silent Grey, they both aim to enhance the overall typing experience with their unique sound profiles. While the CJ's INK blend top housing delivers a satisfying thin and higher-pitched sound, the Silent Grey's polycarbonate top housing creates a more clear and resonant sound. On the other hand, the CJ's POM bottom housing offers an incredibly pleasing and unique sound on the deeper side, while the Silent Grey's nylon bottom housing elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile. The split qualities of the top and bottom housings in each switch provide a well-rounded typing experience that caters to different preferences.
In terms of functionality, the housing materials of the Gateron CJ and the Outemu Silent Grey play a crucial role in determining the overall sound profile and feel of the switches. The impact of the bottom housing is more pronounced during bottom-out sound and feel, with POM creating a more muted sound in the CJ and nylon absorbing more sound in the Silent Grey. Conversely, the top housing's influence is more noticeable when releasing a key, with INK blend providing a clacky sound in the CJ and polycarbonate producing a sharper sound in the Silent Grey. Despite their differences, both switches offer unique typing experiences based on their housing materials, catering to various preferences in the mechanical keyboard community.
Weight
The Gateron CJ linear switch and the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch both have an actuation force of 50 grams, meaning that they require the same amount of force to trigger a keystroke. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the CJ has a lighter force of 60 grams compared to the Silent Grey's heavier force of 65 grams. This means that while both switches have a similar actuation force, the Silent Grey will provide a slightly more substantial typing experience due to its higher bottom out force. Some users may prefer the lighter actuation force of the CJ for extended typing or gaming sessions, while others may enjoy the stronger push feel of the Silent Grey for a more tactile typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preference for typing feel and force requirements.
Travel distance
Both the Gateron CJ linear switch and the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch have the same travel distance of 4mm. This means that when you press down on a key equipped with either of these switches, you will experience a similar amount of travel distance. This can result in a consistent typing experience across both switches. In terms of travel distance, there is no significant difference between the two switches, making them equally suitable choices for users looking for a specific travel distance in their mechanical keyboard switches.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Gateron CJ has an MSRP of $6.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the CJ for $5.35.
The Outemu Silent Grey 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
While the CJ linear switch has a chirpy and neutral sound profile with a moderate actuation force, the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch remains silent and lacks a defined sound description. On the other hand, the CJ switch provides an impossibly smooth push feel, giving a mild and gentle typing experience. In contrast, the Outemu Silent Grey offers a highly tactile experience with a pronounced bump and smooth keystroke. Ultimately, when comparing sound and feel, the CJ switch provides a unique higher-pitched clack sound and a smooth typing experience, while the Outemu Silent Grey switch offers a quiet and satisfying tactile feedback that is great for those wanting a silent typing experience. Both switches offer distinct qualities that cater to different preferences, so choosing between the two will depend on whether you prioritize sound, feel, or a combination of both in your mechanical keyboard switch selection.
Conclusion
In closing, when considering whether to choose the Gateron CJ linear switch or the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch, it ultimately comes down to your personal preferences and typing style. If you prefer a unique and smooth linear switch with a medium bottom out force and a slightly higher-pitched sound profile, the CJ may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you are looking for a quiet and highly tactile typing experience with a medium-heavy bottom out force and a pronounced bump, the Silent Grey could be more suited to your needs. Both switches offer their own distinct characteristics, so take into account what qualities are most important to you when making your decision. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will depend on what type of typing experience you are looking for.
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