HMX Deep Navy vs. Outemu Yellow Silver

Overview

When choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, the HMX Deep Navy and Outemu Yellow Silver offer distinct experiences, each catering to different user preferences. The Deep Navy, renowned for its rich and sharp sound profile, features a full nylon construction that enhances durability and provides a silky smooth typing experience thanks to its Ly stem. This linear switch appeals to those who appreciate both auditory feedback and tactile refinement, making it a great choice for typists who enjoy a premium feel. In contrast, the Outemu Yellow Silver stands out with its light actuation force and a neutral sound profile, tailored for gamers and typists who prioritize speed and responsiveness. This switch is designed to facilitate quick key presses without the extra noise, thereby enhancing gameplay and boosting typing efficiency. Overall, while both switches excel in their respective areas—graceful sound and tactile smoothness versus speed and quiet operation—each has its merits depending on your typing habits and preferences. 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 Yellow Silver Linear

$3.50

$2.79 per 10

$3.40 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

When comparing the housing materials of the HMX Deep Navy and the Outemu Yellow Silver, their top housings represent a striking contrast in both sound and aesthetic appeal. The Deep Navy features a nylon top housing that lends itself to producing a deeper, fuller sound profile, characterized by its softer plastic composition. This material's ability to absorb sound results in a duller and rounder auditory experience, making it ideal for users seeking a more subdued typing feeling. In contrast, the Yellow Silver's top housing is made of polycarbonate, a stiffer plastic that generates a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile. The clarity and resonance associated with polycarbonate also contribute to a more immediate auditory feedback, which could be preferable for those who enjoy a more pronounced typing experience. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate enhances visual appeal for users who utilize RGB lighting, inherently drawing attention to the switch's aesthetics compared to the opaque nature of nylon.

In examining the bottom housings of both switches, one notices a similarity; both the Deep Navy and Yellow Silver feature nylon materials. This shared choice of bottom housing influences the typing experience by providing a deeper, fuller sound profile in both switches. As noted, the nylon material dampens sound due to its softer composition, giving both switches a rounded feel upon bottoming out. This means that regardless of the differences presented by their top housings, in terms of sound and tactile feedback when pressing down, both switches will deliver a similar auditory and physical experience attributable to their nylon bottom housings.

The differences in top housing materials between the two switches ultimately affect the overall typing experience, as each housing contributes different qualities when a key is pressed or released. With the Deep Navy, the more pronounced bottom housing characteristics govern the deeper sound during the key press, while the nylon upper influences the sound profile upon release. Conversely, the Yellow Silver’s crisp and clear top housing leads to a more resounding release sound that might appeal to users who prefer sharper feedback. In contrast, the nylon bottom housing in both switches ensures that feelings of fullness and depth are intertwined in the overall typing experience. This duality illustrates how even with diverse top housings, the nylon material in the bottom provides a common ground in sensory perception while accentuating the unique qualities of each switch’s design.

Weight

When comparing the HMX Deep Navy linear switch and the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch, there are notable differences in actuation and bottom out forces that could influence a user's typing experience. The HMX Deep Navy has a lighter actuation force of 40 grams and a bottom out force of 45 grams, making it particularly suitable for users who prefer to type for extended periods or enjoy a more delicate touch when gaming. In contrast, the Outemu Yellow Silver is slightly heavier, with an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 55 grams, offering a more substantial feel that may appeal to those who favor a firmer push. Consequently, users seeking a lightweight switch for comfort during long sessions may gravitate towards the HMX Deep Navy, while those looking for a more robust typing experience might prefer the Outemu Yellow Silver. Overall, these differences in resistance can lead to contrasting preferences, with the Deep Navy providing ease and quickness, and the Yellow Silver delivering a firmer, more assured keystroke.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distances of the HMX Deep Navy linear switch and the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch, we see that the Deep Navy features a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Yellow Silver has a slightly longer travel distance of 4 mm. The difference in travel distance can significantly influence the user experience; the shorter travel of the Deep Navy can provide quicker response times, making it appealing for gamers who seek efficiency and speed in their keystrokes. On the other hand, the Yellow Silver, with its longer travel distance, may offer a more substantial tactile experience, appealing to those who prefer a deeper, more resonant feedback while typing. Ultimately, if you prioritize responsiveness, the shorter travel of the Deep Navy would be the better choice, whereas if you value depth, the Yellow Silver would cater to your preferences with 4 mm of travel.

Price comparison

Typing experience

The sound profile of the HMX Deep Navy linear switch is rich and sharp, attributed to its full nylon construction. This switch produces a distinct auditory experience that stands out in comparison to a more muted, neutral sound profile of the Outemu Yellow Silver. The Yellow Silver, on the other hand, is designed to deliver a moderate sound level that is versatile and makes it suitable for different environments, whether at home or in an office setting. While both switches are linear, the Deep Navy's more pronounced sound can provide a more engaging keystroke experience, especially for those who appreciate auditory feedback, whereas the Yellow Silver may cater to users looking for a quieter operation.

When it comes to feel, the Deep Navy switch is renowned for its silky smoothness on each keystroke, thanks to the Ly stem that contributes to an effortless typing experience. The Yellow Silver switch, while it also features a light actuation force and a responsive feel, does not necessarily emphasize smoothness to the same degree, instead focusing on a snappy and quick response, favored by gamers who value speed. The tactile sensations can vary, with the Deep Navy likely providing a more luxurious glide, while the Yellow Silver may give a more straightforward, efficient experience.

In conclusion, the HMX Deep Navy linear switch excels in its sound profile with a rich and sharp quality, paired with a notably smooth keystroke feel. In contrast, the Outemu Yellow Silver offers a moderate, neutral sound and a light, responsive feel that appeals particularly to gamers. While both provide a distinct linear experience, the choice will ultimately depend on whether one prioritizes auditory richness and silky keystrokes or prefers a quicker, more neutral typing environment. Both options yield impressive results, accommodating different user preferences and styles.

Conclusion

To conclude, your choice between the HMX Deep Navy linear switch and the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch ultimately depends on your personal preferences and intended usage. If you lean towards a keystroke experience that is light and smooth, with a distinct sound profile that adds character to your typing or gaming sessions, the Deep Navy switch may be the ideal fit for you. Its lower bottom-out force of 45 grams allows for quicker actuation, making it particularly appealing for users who engage in fast-paced gaming or enjoy a tactile auditory feedback while typing. On the other hand, if you prefer a moderately firmer feel with a more neutral sound profile, the Yellow Silver switch is a fantastic choice. With its 55 grams of bottom-out force, it strikes a balance that provides both speed and stability, making it suitable for a broader range of activities, from casual typing to competitive gaming. In essence, choose the Deep Navy for a unique acoustical experience and a silky typing feel, while the Yellow Silver will better serve those seeking versatility and a straightforward, responsive action in their keyboard experience.

Mentioned in this article

HMX Deep Navy Linear

$3.50

$2.79 per 10

Learn more

Outemu Yellow Silver Linear

$3.40 per 10

Learn more