TTC Flaming Pink vs. Outemu Black
An in-depth look at the TTC Flaming Pink and the Outemu Black switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the TTC Flaming Pink and Outemu Black both offer unique experiences for users seeking a linear typing feel. The Flaming Pink is highly regarded for its smooth, responsive action and satisfying bottom-out sound, making it an excellent choice for those who value both gaming performance and daily productivity. With a bright yet not overly loud sound profile, it manages to strike a balance that appeals to a broad audience, ensuring a premium typing experience. In contrast, the Outemu Black, while less celebrated, is recognized for its durability and consistent keystroke quality, making it a go-to for those who prefer a tendentially heavier actuation force, and appreciate the robustness that comes with linear switches. While both switches cater to users who enjoy the seamless feel of linear actuation, they cater to different preferences regarding sound and actuation force. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
43g
Actuation force
65g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
82g
Pre-travel
1.60 mm
Pre-travel
2.50 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
4.00 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
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
24mm single-staged spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the TTC Flaming Pink and the Outemu Black, it's interesting to note that both switches utilize identical materials for their top and bottom housings. The Flaming Pink features a polycarbonate top housing that is characterized by its ability to produce a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This quality is attributed to polycarbonate's stiffness, which aids in creating a clear and resonant sound. The switch's translucency also enhances its compatibility with RGB lighting, as it allows light to pass through effectively, delivering an eye-catching visual performance. Similarly, the Outemu Black's polycarbonate top housing shares these characteristics, ensuring that users will experience a comparable sound quality and aesthetic when using either switch.
In terms of their bottom housings, both the TTC Flaming Pink and the Outemu Black utilize nylon, a material known for its classic application in switch design. Nylon's inherent flexibility contributes to a deeper, fuller sound profile when typing, as it dampens vibrations and absorbs sound effectively. This results in a softer and rounder auditory experience that contrasts with the sharpness offered by polycarbonate. Since both switches use nylon for their bottom housing, the deeper sound produced will be consistently experienced across both models, ensuring that users receive a similar feedback in terms of sound quality from each switch's bottom-out experience.
Overall, the combination of polycarbonate in the top housing and nylon in the bottom housing of both the TTC Flaming Pink and the Outemu Black delivers a balanced auditory experience. The crispness of the top housing allows for clarity upon key release, while the damping effects of the nylon bottom housing provide depth during key presses. This harmonious blend of materials means that while the aesthetic and sound characteristics of each switch are aligned, users can count on a unique tactile and auditory feedback that combines the best features of both materials, regardless of which switch they are using.
Weight
The TTC Flaming Pink linear switch and the Outemu Black linear switch present distinct characteristics in terms of actuation and bottom out forces. The Flaming Pink switch features a lighter actuation force of 43 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams, making it an excellent choice for extended typing sessions or gaming, as it requires less effort to press the keys. In contrast, the Outemu Black switch demands a heavier actuation force of 65 grams and a bottom out force of 82 grams, catering to those who prefer a more substantial push feel for their typing experience. Thus, the Flaming Pink is the lighter option, while the Outemu Black is the heavier one, making them suited to different user preferences based on comfort and typing style. Although both switches serve similar functions, the difference in weight can significantly impact overall typing experience, with the Flaming Pink being ideal for long durations and the Black appealing to users who enjoy a firmer keystroke.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the TTC Flaming Pink and the Outemu Black linear switches, the differences are quite noticeable. The Flaming Pink features a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Outemu Black has a slightly longer travel distance of 4 mm. As such, those who favor a quicker response time in gaming may gravitate towards the Flaming Pink switch, as its shorter travel distance allows for faster actuation. On the other hand, the Outemu Black may appeal to users who prefer a deeper, more substantial feel when pressing the keys, as its 4 mm travel distance provides a more pronounced experience. Therefore, if you are looking for a switch that delivers swift responses, the Flaming Pink is the shorter and more responsive option, whereas those seeking a more robust key press would benefit from the longer travel distance of the Outemu Black.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The TTC Flaming Pink has an MSRP of $4.29 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Flaming Pink for $4.00.
The Outemu Black 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 TTC Flaming Pink switch offers a bright yet not overly loud sound profile, providing a pleasant auditory experience that strikes a balance between being audible enough for feedback without being distracting. The satisfying bottom-out sound contributes to the overall enjoyment of typing and gaming. On the other hand, the Outemu Black switch lacks specific sound characteristics, which may leave users curious about its audio feedback, making it difficult to provide a comparable auditory experience.
When it comes to feel, the TTC Flaming Pink switch is notable for its smooth and responsive action, which enhances both typing and gaming performance. This fluidity allows for quick key presses and a comfortable user experience throughout extended sessions. In contrast, the feel of the Outemu Black switch is unspecified, leaving potential users without insight into its tactile characteristics. This makes it challenging to draw direct comparisons regarding touch sensation and overall performance while typing or gaming.
In conclusion, the TTC Flaming Pink switch stands out with its well-defined sound and tactile qualities, making it an attractive choice for those seeking a premium typing experience. Meanwhile, the Outemu Black switch remains an enigma in terms of sound and feel, which may appeal to users who prefer a less defined typing experience or are willing to explore its qualities through personal trial. Ultimately, the Flaming Pink's superior auditory and tactile specifications are likely to provide a more fulfilling experience for most users, while the Outemu Black may still cater to niche preferences.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the TTC Flaming Pink and Outemu Black linear switches, consider your personal preferences and intended use. If you prefer a lighter switch and desire a smooth, responsive feel along with a satisfying bottom-out sound, the Flaming Pink is the way to go, making it an excellent choice for both gaming and everyday typing. Its 50 grams of actuation force is ideal for those who enjoy quick keystrokes without much effort, which can enhance your typing comfort during extended use. On the other hand, if you favor a heavier switch that provides a more substantial resistance with its 82 grams bottom-out force, the Outemu Black may suit your needs better, particularly for activities where you want to avoid accidental key presses. Although the Black doesn't boast the same reputation for sound or feel as the Flaming Pink, its sturdiness can appeal to users who appreciate a more deliberate typing experience. Thus, consider your typing style and the sensation you prefer under your fingers to make the best choice for your mechanical keyboard.