TTC Gold Brown vs. Outemu Silver
An in-depth look at the TTC Gold Brown and the Outemu Silver switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the TTC Gold Brown, a tactile switch, and the Outemu Silver, a linear switch, the choice ultimately comes down to personal preference and typing style. The Gold Brown is praised for its balanced feel, with a subtle bump and moderate weightiness that offers a satisfying typing experience. On the other hand, the Outemu Silver is known for its linear action, providing a smooth keystroke without any tactile feedback. While the Gold Brown is categorized as neutral, mild, buttery, accented, and polished, the Silver doesn't have any specific characteristics listed. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the right switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
55g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
63g
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
Standard
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
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
Both the TTC Gold Brown and the Outemu Silver feature polycarbonate top housings, which create a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to the relatively stiffer nature of polycarbonate, leading to a more clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it especially useful for switches that incorporate RGB lighting. On the other hand, both switches also feature nylon bottom housings, which elicit a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon's softer nature allows it to absorb more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound compared to the stiffer polycarbonate.
While both switches use the same materials for their top and bottom housings, the impact of each housing material is split between the top and bottom of the switch. When pressing down on the switch, the qualities of the bottom housing will be more prominent in the bottom-out sound and feel. Conversely, the top housing will have a greater impact on the sound when releasing a key. This distribution of housing materials allows for a dynamic typing experience that combines the sharper, crisper sound profile of polycarbonate with the deeper, fuller sound provided by nylon.
In conclusion, the TTC Gold Brown and the Outemu Silver both offer a unique combination of housing materials to create distinct sound profiles. While both switches utilize polycarbonate for the top housing and nylon for the bottom housing, the distribution of these materials results in a balanced typing experience. The stiffer nature of polycarbonate contributes to a sharper sound when pressing down on a key, while the softer nature of nylon absorbs more sound for a fuller bottom-out sound. Ultimately, these differences in housing materials offer users the opportunity to choose a switch that best fits their typing preferences.
Weight
The TTC Gold Brown tactile switch and the Outemu Silver linear switch have different actuation and bottom out forces. The Gold Brown has an actuation force of 55 grams and a bottom out force of 63 grams, making it a medium-weight switch. In contrast, the Silver has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams but a heavier bottom out force of 65 grams, making it a medium-heavy switch. The actuation force of a switch is crucial for triggering keystrokes, while the bottom out force measures the pressure required to press the key all the way down. Those who prefer a lighter feel may opt for the Silver switch, which has a lower actuation force, while those seeking a more substantial typing experience may prefer the Gold Brown with its higher bottom out force. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on personal preference and typing style.
Travel distance
Both the TTC Gold Brown tactile switch and the Outemu Silver linear switch have a travel distance of 4mm, making them equal in this aspect. When comparing and contrasting their travel distance, both switches provide a consistent and comfortable typing experience with the same amount of travel distance. This means that whether you choose the Gold Brown or the Silver switch, you can expect similar results in terms of how far the switch travels when pressed. Additionally, the identical travel distance of 4mm for both switches ensures that users will have a consistent typing feel regardless of which switch they choose.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The TTC Gold Brown has an MSRP of $5.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Gold Brown for $3.28.
The Outemu Silver 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 Gold Brown TTC switch offers a neutral sound profile, making it suitable for a wide range of users and environments. On the other hand, information on the sound of the Outemu Silver switch is not available. It is important to note that the overall sound of a switch can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard case material and keycap material.
Moving on to feel, the Gold Brown TTC switch provides a mild and approachable typing experience with a buttery and polished feel. The switch also offers an accented tactile bump that is not too pronounced. Unfortunately, there is no information available on the feel of the Outemu Silver switch. Without this information, it's difficult to make a direct comparison in terms of the typing experience provided by the two switches.
In conclusion, the Gold Brown TTC switch offers a balanced and satisfying typing experience with a moderate sound profile and tactile feedback. While the Outemu Silver switch lacks specific information on its sound and feel, it is important to consider individual preferences and requirements when choosing between the two switches. Ultimately, both switches are likely to provide satisfactory results depending on the user's needs and preferences.
Conclusion
In conclusion, when deciding between TTC Gold Brown tactile switches and Outemu Silver linear switches, you should consider your preference for a balanced and tactile typing experience with a moderate actuation force, as well as a softer sound profile, then the Gold Brown switches would be the ideal choice. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium-heavy bottom out force with a linear and seamless keystroke experience, then the Outemu Silver switches would be more suitable for you. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches will depend on your personal typing preferences and the type of typing experience you are looking for. Whatever you choose, both switches offer unique characteristics that can enhance your overall typing experience.
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