HMX Deep Navy vs. Outemu Silent Grey
An in-depth look at the HMX Deep Navy and the Outemu Silent Grey switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the HMX Deep Navy and the Outemu Silent Grey each present unique advantages that cater to different typing preferences. The Deep Navy, renowned for its rich and sharp sound profile coupled with a full nylon construction, offers an exceptional silky smoothness through its Ly stem, making it a prime choice for those who relish an uninterrupted, linear typing experience that allows for rapid keystrokes and fluid motion. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Grey delivers a more tactile experience, featuring a pronounced bump that provides satisfying feedback without the noise, making it ideal for users who seek a quieter environment without sacrificing the pleasure of tactile response. While both switches have their strengths, whether you prefer the immersive sound and smoothness of the Deep Navy or the subtle feedback and silence of the Silent Grey, it's essential to consider your typing habits and environment. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the optimal switch for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
40g
Actuation force
50g
Bottom-out force
45g
Bottom-out force
65g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.60 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
Ly
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
20mm single-stage spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the HMX Deep Navy and the Outemu Silent Grey, a distinct disparity is evident in the top housing composition. The Deep Navy uses nylon, known for its capacity to produce a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer texture, which absorbs sound more effectively than harder materials. This characteristic softens the auditory feedback of each keystroke, resulting in a more muted and rounded acoustic experience. In contrast, the Outemu Silent Grey incorporates polycarbonate in its top housing, which contributes to a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile. The stiffer nature of polycarbonate facilitates a more resonant and clear sound, ideal for users who prefer a brighter auditory feedback. Thus, the main difference lies in the impact of these materials on sound production: nylon offers a comfortable warmth, while polycarbonate provides crisp clarity.
Interestingly, both the Deep Navy and the Silent Grey utilize nylon for their bottom housings, suggesting a certain synergy in their designs. The nylon bottom housing enhances the tactile feedback and sound experience by delivering a deep and full sound profile, similar in both switches. As nylon is a classic choice known for its sound-absorbing properties, typists will appreciate the consistency in the acoustic quality when pressing the keys on either switch. While the individual sound profiles may differ between the two due to their respective top housings, the shared bottom housing guarantees a consistently warm and rounded auditory response during the key press, thus creating a unifying factor in their performance.
Ultimately, the combination of the different top housing materials alongside the identical bottom housing leads to a unique typing experience when using either switch. The Deep Navy offers users a smooth and rich sound when pressing keys, with the nylon bottom absorbing much of the sound intensity. Conversely, the Outemu Silent Grey, with its polycarbonate top bringing brightness into play, will present a vivid sound during actuation while maintaining the warmer characteristics of the nylon bottom upon bottoming out. This interplay between the hard and soft materials demonstrates how contrasting components can be harmonized within the overall function of a switch, ensuring a diverse yet complementary typing experience. In essence, while the sound perception may vary significantly due to the top housing differences, the consistent nylon bottom housing gives both switches a shared foundation that will appeal to various typing preferences.
Weight
When comparing the HMX Deep Navy linear switch and the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch, there are notable differences in both actuation force and bottom out force. The Deep Navy has an actuation force of 40 grams and a bottom out force of 45 grams, making it a lighter option, ideal for those who prefer a more effortless typing experience, particularly during extended use, such as in professional or gaming scenarios. In contrast, the Silent Grey switch requires a heavier actuation force of 50 grams and a bottom out force of 65 grams, catering to users who enjoy a more substantial key feel. This medium-heavy resistance can provide a more tactile feedback for typing but may not be as comfortable for prolonged use. Overall, while the Deep Navy switch offers a lighter touch, the Silent Grey appeals to those who prefer a greater heft and resistance in their typing experience.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the HMX Deep Navy linear switch and the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch, we find that the Deep Navy has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Silent Grey features a longer travel distance of 4.0 mm. This means that the Deep Navy offers a slightly shorter travel distance, which may appeal to gamers who prioritize faster response times and a more rapid actuation. On the other hand, the Silent Grey’s longer travel distance could be more satisfying for users who prefer a deeper, more pronounced keystroke. Therefore, if you lean towards responsiveness and quick actuation, the Deep Navy is the better choice, while those who enjoy a more robust feel may prefer the Silent Grey.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The HMX Deep Navy has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Deep Navy for $2.79.
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
The sound profile of the HMX Deep Navy linear switch is characterized by a rich and sharp tone, largely attributed to its full nylon construction. This results in a distinctive auditory experience that can be quite satisfying, especially when typing at a fast pace. In contrast, the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch is designed to be much quieter, providing a soft, muted sound that is ideal for environments where noise reduction is a priority. The pronounced bump of the Silent Grey still offers a certain level of acoustic feedback, but it remains significantly less disruptive than the Deep Navy's sharper tones. Ultimately, if you're seeking an immersive auditory experience, the Deep Navy might be preferable, whereas the Silent Grey shines in providing a more discreet typing environment.
When it comes to feel, the HMX Deep Navy switches are celebrated for their silky smoothness, allowing for a fluid keystroke devoid of any tactile resistance. This smooth action can make for an enjoyable typing experience, particularly for users who favor linear switches. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Grey offers a pronounced tactile bump, which many users find satisfying as it provides more feedback during each key press. This tactile response not only enhances the typing experience but also ensures that users can confidently register when a key has been pressed, which is often preferred for typing and gaming scenarios. While both switches provide a distinctive feel, they cater to different preferences: Deep Navy for smoothness and Silent Grey for tactile feedback.
In conclusion, the HMX Deep Navy linear switch and the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch offer unique qualities that cater to different typing preferences. The Deep Navy excels in sound with its rich and sharp profile, along with a smooth keystroke feel, making it ideal for users who enjoy auditory stimulation while typing. In contrast, the Silent Grey provides a quiet yet tactile experience, focusing on effective feedback and sound dampening suitable for quieter settings. Depending on your desired typing experience, whether it's immersive sound or a more muted yet tactile feel, you can select a switch that closely aligns with your preferences.
Conclusion
To conclude, when deciding between the HMX Deep Navy linear switch and the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch, your choice should align with your typing preferences and environment. If you prefer a light touch with smooth keystrokes and seek a rich sound to enhance your typing experience, the Deep Navy switches may be your ideal match. Their 45-gram actuation force makes them exceptionally responsive, allowing for quick typing sessions where every keystroke feels effortless and fluid. On the other hand, if you are in a shared space or prefer a quieter setup without sacrificing tactile feedback, the Silent Grey switches are the way to go. With a heavier bottom out force of 65 grams, they provide a satisfying tactile bump that offers clarity in each keystroke while minimizing noise, making them perfect for office environments or late-night typing. Ultimately, it comes down to whether you value the smoothness and sound of the Deep Navy or the tactile feedback and silence of the Silent Grey.
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