Invyr Holy Panda vs. Outemu Silent Grey
An in-depth look at the Invyr Holy Panda and the Outemu Silent Grey switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, the Invyr Holy Panda and the Outemu Silent Grey are two great options to consider. The Holy Panda is revered for its sharp tactility, providing a satisfyingly bright "clack" with each keystroke. This switch is perfect for those who enjoy a pronounced feedback and acoustic resonance in their typing experience. On the other hand, the Silent Grey offers a quiet and highly tactile typing experience with a pronounced bump and smooth keystroke. If you prefer a silent yet satisfying switch, the Silent Grey is a great choice. 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
N/A
Actuation force
50g
Bottom-out force
67g
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
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Invyr Holy Panda and Outemu Silent Grey switches both utilize polycarbonate for the top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This attribute is due to polycarbonate's stiff nature, resulting in a clear and resonant sound. Aesthetically, polycarbonate's translucency makes it ideal for switches with RGB lighting, allowing the light to shine through. In terms of sound and feel, the top housing plays a significant role in the sound when a key is released, influencing the overall typing experience.
While both switches share polycarbonate top housings, the Holy Panda and Silent Grey diverge in their bottom housing material, with the Holy Panda featuring a nylon bottom housing and the Silent Grey opting for nylon as well. Nylon is known for producing a deeper and fuller sound profile when typing on switches, as it is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound than harder plastics. As a result, the nylon bottom housing influences the bottom-out sound and feel of the switches, contributing to the overall typing experience and tactile feedback.
Overall, the differences in housing materials between the Invyr Holy Panda and Outemu Silent Grey switches result in distinct typing experiences. While both switches share the benefits of polycarbonate top housings, the choice of nylon for the bottom housing in both switches provides unique qualities in terms of sound and feel. Whether it's the sharper sound profile of polycarbonate or the deeper sound of nylon, each housing material brings its own characteristics to the typing experience, making both switches suitable choices for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts looking for a specific sound and feel.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Invyr Holy Panda tactile switch and the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch, it is clear that the Holy Panda has a lighter actuation force with an unknown amount of grams required, while the Silent Grey has a heavier actuation force of 50 grams. However, both switches have a similar bottom out force, with the Holy Panda requiring 67 grams and the Silent Grey requiring 65 grams. This means that while the Holy Panda may offer a lighter initial keypress, both switches provide a similar typing experience when fully pressed down. Some users may prefer the lighter actuation force of the Holy Panda for longer typing sessions, while others may prefer the heavier actuation force of the Silent Grey for a more substantial typing feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for typing comfort and keypress feedback.
Travel distance
Both the Invyr Holy Panda tactile switch and the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch have a travel distance of 4 mm, making them equal in this aspect. This means that when you press down on a key using either of these switches, you will get a similar feeling of travel distance. While both switches offer the same travel distance, the experience of typing on each switch may still vary due to other factors such as actuation force, tactile feedback, and sound level. In conclusion, whether you choose the Holy Panda or the Silent Grey, you can expect a consistent travel distance of 4 mm.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Invyr Holy Panda has an MSRP of $12.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Holy Panda for $7.17.
The Outemu Silent Grey 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 Holy Panda is described as providing a satisfyingly bright "clack" with each keystroke, known for its pronounced feedback and acoustic resonance. On the other hand, the Silent Grey is known for offering a quiet typing experience, catering to those who prefer a silent environment during use. The sound produced by each switch will also be influenced by additional factors such as the keyboard and keycaps being used, so individual preferences may vary.
When it comes to feel, the Holy Panda is described as having an accented, invigorating, sharp, and snappy tactile feedback. This means that users can expect a medium tactile experience with a prominent amount of tactility that is neither overwhelming nor subtle, providing a snappy and reactive typing sensation. Conversely, the Silent Grey is not described in the provided information, but generally, Outemu switches are known for their smooth keystrokes with a pronounced bump, offering a satisfying typing experience.
Taking all available information into account, it can be concluded that the Holy Panda and the Outemu Silent Grey switches offer distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Holy Panda is praised for its bright "clack" and sharp tactility, making it a popular choice among tactile switch enthusiasts who enjoy a pronounced feedback experience. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Grey provides a quieter typing experience with a smooth keystroke and pronounced bump, catering to those seeking a tactile switch that is satisfying yet silent. While the two switches may provide different characteristics, users can expect to receive a similar level of satisfaction based on their preferences for sound and feel.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Invyr Holy Panda tactile switch and the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch, you should consider a few key factors. If you are looking for a switch with a unique and pronounced tactile feedback, along with a satisfyingly bright sound, the Holy Panda would be the way to go. On the other hand, if you prefer a quieter typing experience with a prominent tactile bump and smooth keystrokes, the Silent Grey might be better suited for you. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will come down to personal preference and what type of typing experience you are looking for. Consider the sound, feel, and overall typing experience you desire when making your decision.
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