Dareu Dream vs. Outemu Silent Ocean
An in-depth look at the Dareu Dream and the Outemu Silent Ocean switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, the Dareu Dream and the Outemu Silent Ocean both offer unique features to consider. The Dareu Dream switches are popular for their light linear feel, clacky sound, and mild tactile feedback, all at an attractive price point, making them a great choice for those looking for quality and affordability. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Ocean switch doesn't have any particular standout feature but provides a smooth linear experience. While these general pointers can help guide your decision, it's important to delve deeper into the nuances of each switch to determine which one best suits your preferences.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
40g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
N/A
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
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
Both the Dareu Dream and the Outemu Silent Ocean feature polycarbonate top housings, providing a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to the stiffness of the material. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it suitable for switches that will be used with RGB lighting, enhancing the overall aesthetic appeal of the keyboard. This similarity in housing material ensures that users can expect consistent sound characteristics when typing on either switch, making them both excellent choices for those who prioritize sound quality in their mechanical keyboards.
However, where the two switches differ is in their bottom housings. The Dream utilizes a nylon bottom housing, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile when typing. Nylon, being a softer plastic, absorbs more sound than polycarbonate and creates a duller and rounder sound. On the other hand, the Silent Ocean also features a nylon bottom housing, offering a similar typing experience as the Dream with its deeper and fuller sound profile. This shared feature between the two switches ensures that users can enjoy a consistent typing experience regardless of which switch they choose, as both nylon bottom housings deliver a satisfying sound when typing.
Ultimately, the choice between the Dareu Dream and the Outemu Silent Ocean comes down to personal preference in terms of sound profile and keyboard aesthetics. While both switches feature similar polycarbonate top housings that provide a sharp and crisp sound, the differences in their nylon bottom housings offer a unique typing experience for users. Whether you prefer a deeper and fuller sound profile with the Dream or enjoy the rounder sound created by the Silent Ocean, both switches offer high-quality housing materials that contribute to an overall satisfying typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Dareu Dream linear switch and the Outemu Silent Ocean linear switch, we can see that the Dream has a lighter actuation force of 40 grams compared to the Silent Ocean's 45 grams. Both switches have unknown bottom out forces, which means that it is difficult to determine which one is heavier in this aspect. Those who prefer a lighter typing experience may opt for the Dareu Dream switch, as it requires less force to register a keystroke. On the other hand, users looking for a more substantial typing experience may lean towards the Outemu Silent Ocean switch with its slightly heavier actuation force. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will come down to personal preference in terms of typing feel and force requirement.
Travel distance
Both the Dareu Dream linear switch and the Outemu Silent Ocean linear switch have a travel distance of 4mm, making them equal in this aspect. This means that when you press down on a key using either switch, you will experience the same distance of travel from the top to the bottom. This similarity ensures that regardless of which switch you choose, you will get consistent feedback and typing experience in terms of key travel distance. It is worth noting that the travel distance is an important factor to consider when selecting a switch, as it can impact typing speed and comfort. Ultimately, both the Dareu Dream and the Outemu Silent Ocean switches offer a standard travel distance of 4mm, providing users with a reliable and consistent typing experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Dareu Dream has an MSRP of $6.59 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Dream for $3.76.
The Outemu Silent Ocean 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
In terms of sound, the Dareu Dream linear switch is characterized by a clacky sound, producing a sharp and snappy noise when pressed. This sound is often described as crisp, bright, and percussive, providing a satisfying auditory experience for typists. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Ocean linear switch sound characteristics are unknown at this time. It is important to note that the sound of a switch can be influenced by various factors such as the keyboard board used and the keycaps installed.
When it comes to feel, the Dareu Dream linear switch is known for providing an easy-to-press experience, offering gentle resistance during key presses and requiring minimal force to activate. This light actuation force contributes to a comfortable and effortless typing experience, reducing finger fatigue during extended typing sessions. Additionally, the Dareu Dream switch is described as mild, offering a gentle typing experience without extreme characteristics. However, the feel of the Outemu Silent Ocean linear switch is unknown, so a direct comparison in terms of feel cannot be made as of now.
In conclusion, the Dareu Dream linear switch stands out for its light linear option, along with its affordability and quality, making it a popular choice among keyboard enthusiasts. With its clacky sound and easy-to-press, mild feel, the Dareu Dream switch offers a pleasant typing experience for those who prefer a lighter touch. While the sound and feel of the Outemu Silent Ocean linear switch remain unknown, it is likely that users may experience similar results in terms of sound and feel to the Dareu Dream switch, as both switches are linear in design. For those looking for a budget-friendly and quality linear switch option, the Dareu Dream switch may be a suitable choice.
Conclusion
To sum up, when choosing between the Dareu Dream linear switch and the Outemu Silent Ocean linear switch, consider your personal preferences and priorities. If you are looking for a very light linear option with a gentle typing experience and an attractive price point, the Dareu Dream switch would be a great choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium-heavy bottom out force and are not particularly concerned about sound and specific feel descriptions, the Outemu Silent Ocean switch could be the better option. Ultimately, your decision should be based on what factors are most important to you in a mechanical keyboard switch.
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