HMX Gravel vs. Outemu Silent Yellow Jade
An in-depth look at the HMX Gravel and the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to selecting the perfect mechanical keyboard switch, both the HMX Gravel and the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade offer distinct advantages tailored to different typing preferences. The Gravel switch shines with its smooth, linear action, allowing for a light and responsive typing experience that is ideal for those who prioritize speed and fluidity, making it a favorite choice among gamers and typists alike. In contrast, the Silent Yellow Jade offers a tactile feedback that enhances typing accuracy with a pronounced "thock" sound while remaining whisper-quiet, making it perfect for office environments or late-night work without disturbing others. While each switch caters to different needs—speed and smoothness versus tactile feedback and quiet operation—choosing between them ultimately depends on your personal preferences and typing style. 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
45g
Actuation force
50g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
65g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.30 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
pom
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm single-stage spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the HMX Gravel and the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade switches, distinct differences emerge, particularly in their top housings. The Gravel utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, which is known for delivering a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. The rigidity of polycarbonate enhances sound clarity, making it an excellent choice for users who prioritize a more pronounced auditory feedback while typing. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate allows for effective RGB lighting effects, creating not only an engaging aesthetic but also an interactive experience for users who enjoy illuminated key switches.
In contrast, the Silent Yellow Jade features a nylon top housing, which brings a fundamentally different acoustic quality to the table. Nylon, being a softer plastic, yields a deeper and fuller sound profile as it absorbs more sound than its stiffer counterpart. This results in a sound that is rounder and less piercing, appealing to users who prefer a more subdued typing experience. The choice of nylon in the top housing affects the auditory feedback when releasing a key, a critical aspect for those who appreciate a quieter environment, especially in shared or professional settings.
Interestingly, both switches utilize nylon for their bottom housings, emphasizing a common characteristic that influences the overall typing experience. The nylon bottom housing in both the Gravel and Silent Yellow Jade contributes to a deeper sound profile, enhancing the bottom-out feel of each switch. While the top housings may diverge in materials—and thus in their sound characteristics—the synergy of both nylon housings ensures that users can still achieve a satisfying and harmonious acoustic experience, striking a balance between the crispness of the Gravel's polycarbonate top and the warmth of the Silent Yellow Jade's nylon construction. Ultimately, even with the differing top housing materials, users can expect a blend of sound profiles that cater to diverse preferences, whether they lean towards sharper sounds or a fuller auditory feedback.
Weight
The HMX Gravel linear switch and the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade tactile switch offer different actuation and bottom out forces, catering to various user preferences. The Gravel has a relatively light actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 50 grams, making it ideal for users who prefer a lighter touch for extended typing or gaming sessions. In contrast, the Silent Yellow Jade presents a medium-heavy actuation force of 50 grams and a bottom out force of 65 grams, appealing to those who enjoy a more substantial typing experience with a stronger push feel. Consequently, the Gravel switch is the lighter option, while the Silent Yellow Jade is heavier, providing clearer differentiation for users looking to align their choice with their typing style and comfort preferences.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the HMX Gravel linear switch and the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade tactile switch, a notable difference emerges. The HMX Gravel features a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.3 mm. This means that the HMX Gravel may provide a more pronounced feedback feel due to its longer travel distance, which some users prefer for a more tactile experience. Conversely, the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade, with its shorter travel distance, may cater better to gamers looking for quicker response times. Ultimately, your choice between these switches should be influenced by your personal preferences—whether you favor a more traditional, deeper feel or a snappier, more responsive keypress.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The HMX Gravel has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Gravel for $2.99.
The Outemu Silent Yellow Jade 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
When it comes to sound, the HMX Gravel switch is characterized by its smooth operation, though specifics regarding its acoustic profile are not mentioned. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade switch is recognized for producing a quiet, yet pronounced "thocky" sound, an auditory cue that many typists enjoy. Given that sound can also be influenced by the keyboard structure and keycap material, users can expect a difference in auditory feedback even when both switches are used on the same board.
Regarding feel, the HMX Gravel switch is notable for its exceptional smoothness and refined typing experience, which comes from its medium-light actuation force that allows for easy keystrokes. Meanwhile, the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade excels in delivering a tactile feel with its distinct tactile bump, adding a layer of feedback that many typists appreciate. While both switches offer engaging tactile experiences, the Gravel focuses more on smoothness, whereas the Silent Yellow Jade emphasizes a satisfying tactile response.
In conclusion, both the HMX Gravel and Outemu Silent Yellow Jade switches cater to different preferences in the mechanical keyboard landscape. The Gravel is ideal for those seeking a smooth, effortless typing experience, while the Silent Yellow Jade appeals to those who favor tactile feedback in a quieter setting. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on whether one prioritizes smoothness or a tactile bump, and both switches can deliver rewarding typing experiences tailored to user preference.
Conclusion
To conclude, when choosing between the HMX Gravel linear switch and the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade tactile switch, it ultimately depends on your typing preferences and environment. If you prefer a lighter, smoother typing experience with minimal resistance, the Gravel switch is the way to go. Its low actuation force of 50 grams allows for a responsive feel that’s particularly well-suited for long typing sessions, making it ideal for both productivity and gaming without tiring your fingers. On the other hand, if you value a tactile feel combined with a bit more heft in your keystrokes, the Silent Yellow Jade, with its 65 grams force, provides a satisfying "thocky" sound and a pronounced tactile bump that can enhance your typing experience, especially in a quieter office setting where sound may be a concern. Additionally, if you find yourself in an environment where noise is a factor, the Silent Yellow Jade’s design ensures that your keystrokes are quieter while still providing the tactile feedback many typists crave. Ultimately, your choice will hinge on whether you prioritize smoothness and lightness with the Gravel or the tactile feedback and muted sound profile of the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade.
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