Outemu Crystal vs. Gateron Quinn
An in-depth look at the Outemu Crystal and the Gateron Quinn switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, two popular options are the Outemu Crystal and the Gateron Quinn. The Crystal switch offers a unique linear typing experience with its medium-light weight and elastic feel. It provides a neutral sound profile while typing, giving you a quiet and smooth typing experience. On the other hand, the Quinn switch stands out with its crisp and light switch-like tactility. It has a specially designed nylon housing that produces a deep and resonant sound, adding character to your typing. With each keystroke, you can expect a precise and clean tactile bump. Both switches have their own strengths and characteristics, making them suitable for different preferences and typing styles. However, let's dive deeper beyond these generalities to help you make the best decision for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
59g
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
67g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
22mm double-stage gold-plated
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Outemu Crystal and the Gateron Quinn switches differ in terms of their material composition and resulting sound profiles. The Crystal features a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. This is because polycarbonate is a stiffer plastic, leading to a more clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the translucent nature of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches with RGB lighting. On the other hand, the Quinn utilizes a nylon top housing, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon, being a softer plastic, absorbs more sound and produces a duller and rounder sound. While both materials have distinct sound profiles, they differ in terms of sharpness and resonance.
Similarly, the bottom housing materials of the Crystal and Quinn switches contribute to their overall sound profiles. The polycarbonate bottom housing of the Crystal shares similar qualities with its top housing counterpart. It produces a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound due to the stiffer nature of polycarbonate. The translucent property of polycarbonate is also advantageous for switches with RGB lighting. In contrast, the nylon bottom housing of the Quinn creates a deeper and fuller sound. The softer plastic of nylon absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound profile. Although the bottom housing has less influence on the overall sound compared to the top housing, it still contributes to the switch's bottom-out sound and feel.
When using switches with different top and bottom housing materials, the qualities of each material will be distributed between the top and bottom of the switch. Pressing down on the switch will make you feel the impact of the bottom housing, which can affect the bottom-out sound and feel of the switch. Conversely, releasing a key will predominantly showcase the sound profile influenced by the top housing. Therefore, it is important to consider the material composition of both the top and bottom housings when evaluating the overall performance and sound of a switch.
Weight
When comparing the Outemu Crystal linear switch and the Gateron Quinn tactile switch, it is evident that there are notable differences in their actuation force and bottom out force. The Crystal has an actuation force of 45 grams, while the Quinn requires 59 grams of force to trigger a keystroke. This indicates that the Quinn has a slightly heavier actuation force compared to the Crystal. In terms of bottom out force, the Crystal requires 55 grams of force, whereas the Quinn necessitates 67 grams. This distinction showcases that the Quinn has a heavier bottom out force in comparison to the Crystal.
Considering the weight of the switches is important due to various reasons. Those who prefer a lighter feel may opt for the Crystal, as its lower actuation and bottom out forces allow for longer periods of comfortable typing or extended gaming sessions. Conversely, individuals seeking a more substantial typing experience might gravitate towards the Quinn, as its heavier forces provide a stronger push, resulting in a tactile feedback that some find satisfying.
In summary, the Outemu Crystal linear switch has a lighter actuation force and bottom out force in comparison to the Gateron Quinn tactile switch, making it suitable for those seeking a lighter typing experience. Conversely, the Quinn offers a heavier actuation and bottom out force, appealing to individuals who prefer a more substantial push feel. Both switches cater to different preferences and can provide satisfying typing experiences depending on one's personal preferences.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Outemu Crystal linear switch and the Gateron Quinn tactile switch, there is a noticeable difference. The Crystal has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Quinn has a travel distance of 3.4 mm. 4.0mm is the most traditional travel distance, providing a familiar and comfortable feel when typing. On the other hand, the Quinn offers a slightly shorter travel distance, which can be beneficial for gamers seeking faster response times. If you prioritize responsiveness and quick actions, the Quinn's 3.4 mm travel distance may be the preferable choice. However, some individuals may find shorter travel distances to feel too abrupt. If you prefer a deeper and more substantial keypress sensation, the Crystal's longer 4 mm travel distance may be the better option. Ultimately, the choice between these switches depends on personal preference and the desired typing or gaming experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Gateron Quinn has an MSRP of $6.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Quinn for $5.50.
The Outemu Crystal 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
The Outemu Crystal linear switch is known for providing a fairly elastic type feel, making it a unique choice for a linear typing experience. It has a medium-light weight, which adds to the overall typing experience. In terms of sound, the Crystal switch offers a neutral sound profile when typing, giving it a chirpy and high-pitched sound. On the other hand, the Gateron Quinn tactile switch offers a combination of crisp, light switch-like tactility along with a deep and resonant sound profile, thanks to its specially designed nylon housings. The Quinn switch provides a precise, clean, and crisp tactile bump with each keystroke, resulting in a rich and immersive sound that adds character to the typing experience. It has a bassy, clacky, low-pitched, and resonant sound profile.
When comparing the sound of the two switches, the Crystal switch produces a chirpy and high-pitched sound, while the Quinn switch offers a bassy, clacky, low-pitched, and resonant sound. Both switches have unique acoustic signatures that set them apart from each other. The Crystal switch has a sharper and crisper sound, while the Quinn switch has a deeper and richer sound. It's important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used. Based on the available information, if you prefer a higher-pitched and sharper sound, the Crystal switch would be a good choice, but if you prefer a deeper and richer sound, the Quinn switch would be more suitable.
When it comes to feel, the Crystal switch offers a polished experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel. It has a sleek and refined finish, resulting in a smooth typing experience. On the other hand, the Quinn switch is described as snappy, polished, bouncy, accented, buttery, and creamy. It provides a super responsive typing experience, thanks to its longer or dual-staged springs. The keys have a lively feel and offer rebound when pressed. The Quinn switch also offers a smooth and fluid keystroke experience with a seamless and effortless typing sensation.
In conclusion, the Outemu Crystal linear switch and the Gateron Quinn tactile switch offer different subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Crystal switch provides a chirpy and high-pitched sound profile along with a polished and smooth typing experience. On the other hand, the Quinn switch offers a bassy, clacky, low-pitched, and resonant sound profile, along with a snappy, bouncy, accented, buttery, and creamy typing experience. Based on your personal preferences, you can choose between the two switches to achieve the desired sound and feel. However, it's important to keep in mind that other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps can also impact the overall sound and feel of the switches.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a unique, linear typing experience with a medium-light weight, the Outemu Crystal linear switch is a great choice. These switches provide a fairly elastic feel and have a bottom out force of 55 grams, making them easy to press. Additionally, when typing on the Crystal switches, you can expect a neutral sound profile, which is ideal if you prefer a quieter typing experience.
On the other hand, if you value a tactile bump and enjoy a deep, resonant sound profile, the Gateron Quinn tactile switch might be the better option for you. With a bottom out force of 67 grams, these switches offer a precise and crisp tactile bump that enhances the typing experience. Thanks to their specially designed nylon housings, they also produce a rich and immersive sound with each keystroke.
In terms of sound, the Crystal switches have a chirpy and high-pitched sound, adding a unique acoustic signature to your typing. Conversely, the Quinn switches offer a bassy, clacky, low-pitched, and resonant sound, providing a variety of options depending on your preference for sound profiles.
In terms of feel, both switches feature a polished finish, resulting in reduced friction and smooth key travel. However, the Crystal switches are best described as polished, providing a sleek typing experience. On the other hand, the Quinn switches are also snappy, bouncy, accented, buttery, and creamy, offering a more responsive and lively feel with rebound when pressed.
Ultimately, the choice between the Outemu Crystal linear switch and the Gateron Quinn tactile switch depends on your personal preferences. If you prioritize a unique, linear typing experience with a neutral sound profile, go for the Crystal switches. If you prefer a tactile bump with a deep, resonant sound profile, opt for the Quinn switches. Consider your desired bottom out force, sound profile, and typing feel to make an informed decision that suits your needs.
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