HMX Deep Navy vs. Outemu Silent Ocean

Overview

When it comes to selecting the ideal mechanical keyboard switch, the HMX Deep Navy and the Outemu Silent Ocean stand out as two compelling linear options, each offering a unique typing experience. The HMX Deep Navy is celebrated for its rich, sharp sound profile, thanks in part to its full nylon construction, providing users with a satisfyingly tactile response and silky smooth keystrokes courtesy of the Ly stem. This switch is perfect for those who enjoy a bit of auditory feedback without the clicky noise that some other switch types create. In contrast, the Outemu Silent Ocean, while not specified for its unique features, is designed for quieter operation, making it an excellent choice for users seeking a subdued typing experience, whether in a shared workspace or during late-night gaming sessions. Both switches cater to specific preferences, with the Deep Navy enhancing the auditory aspect of typing and the Silent Ocean focusing on noise reduction. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.

By the numbers

HMX Deep Navy Linear

Outemu Silent Ocean Linear

$3.50

$2.79 per 10

$3.10 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

The housing materials of the HMX Deep Navy and the Outemu Silent Ocean demonstrate distinct characteristics that significantly influence their overall sound profiles. The Deep Navy utilizes nylon for its top housing, a material known for its ability to produce a deeper, fuller sound profile due to its relatively softer structure. In contrast, the Silent Ocean features a polycarbonate top housing, which leads to a sharper, crisper sound profile because of the stiffer nature of polycarbonate. This difference in housing material results in contrasting sound experiences when typing: users of the Deep Navy will appreciate the muted and rounded tones typical of nylon, while Silent Ocean users will enjoy the pronounced and resonant feedback associated with polycarbonate.

Interestingly, both switches share nylon for their bottom housing, meaning they will produce similar acoustic properties in this aspect regardless of the differences in their top housings. The nylon bottoms found in both the Deep Navy and the Silent Ocean contribute to a deeper, fuller sound profile, enhancing the overall typing experience with a robust bottom-out sound. This similarity helps to anchor the sound profile of both switches, ensuring a degree of auditory consistency despite the contrasting influences of the top housing materials. Thus, even when the two switches diverge in their top housing characteristics, the nylon bottom housing ensures a comparable depth and fullness in sound when the keys are pressed down.

Ultimately, the way these two switches interact between their differing top materials and similar bottom materials illustrates the nuanced effects of housing composition on sound production. While the Deep Navy's nylon top introduces a softer and more muted sound quality, the Silent Ocean's polycarbonate top offers clarity and sharpness. However, owing to their shared nylon bottom housings, both switches curtail any dramatic changes in their feel and sound when bottoming out, creating a unique interplay that balances their respective sound profiles. Users can expect allegiances to their switch choice primarily based on personal sound preferences, yet both switch types will deliver a satisfying typing experience rooted in the foundational qualities of the nylon bottom housing.

Weight

When comparing the HMX Deep Navy linear switch and the Outemu Silent Ocean linear switch, notable differences in actuation and bottom out forces emerge. The HMX Deep Navy features a lighter actuation force of 40 grams and a bottom out force of 45 grams, making it ideal for extended typing sessions where minimal effort is desired. In contrast, the Outemu Silent Ocean has a higher actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 65 grams, offering a more substantial feel that may appeal to users who prefer a heavier switch for tactile feedback. As a result, those opting for the Deep Navy will experience less resistance during key presses, while Silent Ocean users will notice a firmer push, which could enhance the typing experience for users seeking that substantial feedback. Overall, the HMX Deep Navy is the lighter switch, while the Outemu Silent Ocean is the heavier one, catering to different preferences in typing feel and effort.

Travel distance

The HMX Deep Navy linear switch and the Outemu Silent Ocean linear switch differ in their travel distances, with the Deep Navy measuring 3.6 mm and the Silent Ocean at 4 mm. The shorter travel distance of the Deep Navy makes it a suitable choice for gamers who favor faster response times and a more responsive feel when typing or gaming. In contrast, the Silent Ocean's longer travel distance of 4 mm can provide a more satisfying and pronounced tactile experience for users who prefer a deeper keypress. While both switches fall within the typical range, the Deep Navy is the shorter option, promoting rapid action, whereas the Silent Ocean caters to those who enjoy a more hearty depth in their keystrokes.

Price comparison

Typing experience

When comparing the sound of the HMX Deep Navy linear switch and the Outemu Silent Ocean linear switch, the Deep Navy is recognized for its rich and sharp sound profile, enhancing the auditory experience with each keystroke. The full nylon construction contributes to this resonant quality, creating a satisfying acoustic feedback that many users appreciate. In contrast, the sound characteristics of the Silent Ocean remain unspecified, leaving its auditory traits unknown. However, it's important to remember that the sound produced by both switches can greatly vary based on the keyboard construction and the type of keycaps used.

In terms of feel, the Deep Navy switch offers a notably silky smoothness with each press, ensuring a clean and fluid typing experience that many typists and gamers alike tend to prefer. The use of a Ly stem further enhances this smooth operation. The feel of the Silent Ocean, however, is not defined here, so we don't have specific insights into its tactile feedback or responsiveness. This might lead to uncertainty regarding the overall typing experience it provides compared to the more established Deep Navy.

Overall, while the HMX Deep Navy linear switch stands out with its distinct sound and smooth feel, the presence of unknown qualities within the Silent Ocean switch creates an opportunity for exploration. If you're looking for a confident auditory and tactile experience, the Deep Navy fulfills those criteria. If the Silent Ocean aligns similarly, you could expect a comparable outcome, but it would be wiser to experience these switches firsthand to fully grasp their unique characteristics.

Conclusion

To conclude, selecting between the HMX Deep Navy linear switch and the Outemu Silent Ocean linear switch ultimately comes down to your personal preferences and the context in which you’ll be using them. If you favor a light keystroke with a smooth, satisfying feel, the Deep Navy may be your best option, especially if you enjoy the delightful sound profile that accompanies it. It’s perfect for typing enthusiasts or gamers who appreciate rapid actuation while also enjoying a tactile auditory feedback without being overstimulated. On the other hand, if you prefer a firmer resistance that can help reduce finger fatigue over long typing sessions, the Silent Ocean could be more advantageous. This switch is particularly suited for environments where you might need to be quieter, as it dampens the sound, making it a better choice for office settings or shared spaces. Ultimately, your decision should hinge on your typing style, desired sound level, and the specific environments where you'll most often use your keyboard.

Mentioned in this article

HMX Deep Navy Linear

$3.50

$2.79 per 10

Learn more

Outemu Silent Ocean Linear

$3.10 per 10

Learn more