HMX Gravel vs. Outemu Ocean

Overview

When it comes to choosing the right mechanical keyboard switch, the HMX Gravel and Outemu Ocean present two distinct options that cater to different typing preferences. The HMX Gravel is celebrated for its exceptional smoothness and refined typing experience, making it an ideal choice for those who prioritize a lightweight, responsive feel. Its medium-light actuation force allows for effortless keystrokes, which can enhance productivity and comfort during extended typing sessions. In contrast, the Outemu Ocean offers a tactile experience, providing noticeable feedback with each keystroke, which many users find satisfying and assuring while typing or gaming. This added tactile sensation can help improve typing accuracy and can be particularly appealing for users who enjoy a more pronounced response from their keyboard. 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 Gravel Linear

Outemu Ocean Tactile

$3.50

$2.99 per 10

$3.10 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

The HMX Gravel and the Outemu Ocean both utilize polycarbonate for their top housings, a choice that significantly impacts the acoustic characteristics of each switch. The polycarbonate material is known for producing a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile, attributed to its stiffer composition. This resonant quality makes both switches ideal for users who enjoy a bright audio feedback while typing. Additionally, the translucence of polycarbonate enhances aesthetic appeal, particularly for setups involving RGB lighting, as the glow can seep through the clear top housing, making for a visually stunning experience. Thus, despite being different products, the Gravel and Ocean share similar audio and visual properties thanks to their common top housing material.

In contrast, the bottom housing of both switches diverges with the use of nylon in each case. Nylon is recognized for its softer texture, creating a deeper and fuller sound profile compared to that of stiffer materials. The Gravel and Ocean, both employing nylon for this purpose, effectively absorb more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder auditory experience when typing or bottoming out. Consequently, even though both switches provide a rich auditory experience, the combination of the polycarbonate top and nylon bottom helps to balance the distinct sound profiles, allowing for a comprehensive acoustic signature that varies through the actuation and release of each key.

Furthermore, the interplay of these materials highlights the unique attributes they contribute to the overall typing experience. While both the Gravel and Ocean present clear, resonant sounds upon release due to the polycarbonate tops, their softer nylon bottoms muffle and enrich the sound during the key's descent. This partnership allows typists to enjoy a broad range of auditory sensations, making both switches appealing to a wide variety of users. Therefore, while the materials used in the Gravel and Ocean differ on the bottom housing level, the combination of polycarbonate and nylon utilized in both switches leads to similar resonant outcomes, resulting in complementary auditory and tactile experiences.

Weight

When comparing the HMX Gravel linear switch and the Outemu Ocean tactile switch, notable differences emerge in their actuation force. The Gravel features a lighter actuation force of 45 grams, making it ideal for extended typing sessions, especially in environments like the workplace or during long gaming marathons. In contrast, the Ocean switch has a heavier actuation force of 55 grams, appealing to users who prefer a more substantial typing experience with a stronger push feel. Regarding bottom out force, the Gravel's value is set at 50 grams, indicating a need for moderate pressure to fully depress the key. However, the bottom out force for the Ocean switch is unknown, leaving a gap in the comparison. Ultimately, for those who prioritize lightness and comfort during extensive use, the Gravel is the preferable choice, while the Ocean caters to users who enjoy more pronounced tactile feedback through a heavier actuation force.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distances of the HMX Gravel linear switch and the Outemu Ocean tactile switch, it’s clear that they differ significantly. The Gravel has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Ocean features a longer travel distance of 4 mm. This means that the Gravel switch offers a shorter distance, which can be beneficial for gamers seeking quicker response times. On the other hand, the Ocean, with its greater distance, provides a more pronounced keypress, which some users may find enhances their typing experience by offering a more substantial feel. Ultimately, if you prioritize responsiveness, the Gravel is the better choice, while the Ocean caters to those who prefer a deeper engagement with their keystrokes.

Price comparison

Typing experience

The HMX Gravel linear switch is characterized by its smooth operation, leading to a quieter typing experience. While its sound profile is not specifically outlined, linear switches like the Gravel generally fall on the softer side of the audio spectrum compared to their tactile or clicky counterparts. On the other hand, the Outemu Ocean tactile switch does not have a defined sound signature either, but as a tactile switch, it might produce a slightly more pronounced sound upon actuation due to the tactile bump, though any actual differences would heavily rely on the keyboard build, including the materials used for the board and keycaps.

When it comes to the feel of these switches, the HMX Gravel offers an exceptionally smooth and refined typing experience, attributed to its medium-light actuation force that creates a lighweight pressing motion, which many users find effortless for extended typing sessions. Conversely, the Outemu Ocean does not have a specific feel described, making it difficult to draw a direct comparison; however, the tactile nature of Ocean switches usually implies a noticeable bump that creates a different feedback sensation compared to the smooth linear action of the Gravel.

In conclusion, the HMX Gravel linear switch provides a smooth, lighter typing experience and a quiet sound profile typical of linear switches, while the Outemu Ocean tactile switch lacks detailed information about its sound and feel, but is likely to offer a tactile bump that can influence the typing experience. For those seeking a refined and effortless feedback, the Gravel is likely to be a strong contender, while the Ocean may be more suited for users who prefer a tactile element. Ultimately, your choice between these switches will depend largely on your preferences for sound and feel, and both have the potential to deliver an enjoyable typing experience with careful consideration of the keyboard setup.

Conclusion

To conclude, when deciding between the HMX Gravel linear switch and the Outemu Ocean tactile switch, consider your typing preferences and use cases. If you value a smooth, seamless typing experience and prefer a light actuation force, the HMX Gravel is an excellent choice. Its 50-gram bottom-out force makes it well-suited for extended typing sessions or gaming, providing comfort and reducing finger fatigue. On the other hand, if you appreciate tactile feedback that lets you feel each key press without having to bottom out the switch, you might lean towards the Outemu Ocean. Although we don't have specific details on the Ocean’s bottom-out force and it may not be as polished in feel, the tactile bump can enhance your typing precision and satisfaction. Ultimately, your choice should align with whether you prioritize a silky-smooth typing experience or a distinctly tactile one that provides more feedback and engagement with each keystroke.

Mentioned in this article

HMX Gravel Linear

$3.50

$2.99 per 10

Learn more

Outemu Ocean Tactile

$3.10 per 10

Learn more