Bsun Light Sakura vs. Outemu Ocean
An in-depth look at the Bsun Light Sakura and the Outemu Ocean switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Bsun Light Sakura and Outemu Ocean offer distinct experiences tailored to different user preferences. The Bsun Light Sakura is a linear switch renowned for its ultra-light feel and silent operation, making it the ideal choice for those who prioritize comfort and discretion during long typing sessions. Its gentle actuation minimizes finger fatigue and ensures a quieter environment, making it especially suited for office spaces or shared work areas. In contrast, the Outemu Ocean is a tactile switch that provides a noticeable feedback bump upon actuation, catering to users who enjoy a more pronounced typing experience. This tactile response can enhance typing accuracy and satisfaction for those who appreciate a more engaged feel while typing. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the ideal switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
37g
Actuation force
55g
Bottom-out force
43g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.20 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
Ly
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm extended spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Bsun Light Sakura and the Outemu Ocean keyboards feature polycarbonate for their top housing, which plays a significant role in defining the auditory characteristics of each switch. Polycarbonate's inherent stiffness allows for a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile, which is consistently noted in both keyboards. The transparency of polycarbonate enhances the RGB lighting effects, making it a visually appealing choice for those who favor illuminated keyboards. As a result, both the Light Sakura and the Ocean can produce a rich and resonant sound, providing a satisfying auditory feedback to the user. Therefore, users will experience a vibrant sound profile when utilizing either switch, highlighting the strengths of polycarbonate design.
However, the composition of the bottom housing marks a clear distinction between the Bsun Light Sakura and Outemu Ocean keyboards. The Light Sakura employs a polycarbonate bottom housing, giving it a cohesive sound profile that mirrors the top. This consistency reinforces the clear and resonant acoustics that polycarbonate is known for. In contrast, the Outemu Ocean utilizes nylon for its bottom housing, which creates a different sound texture. Nylon tends to absorb sound more effectively due to its softer nature, resulting in a deeper, fuller sound profile. Consequently, while both keyboards benefit from the polycarbonate top for clarity, their bottom housings contribute distinctly different auditory qualities, with the Light Sakura focusing on brightness and the Ocean delivering more muted bass tones.
In summary, both the Bsun Light Sakura and Outemu Ocean keyboards capitalize on polycarbonate for their tops, ensuring a similar high-pitched and crisp sound signature. The differentiation arises in their bottom materials, with the Sakura maintaining this brightness through polycarbonate, while the Ocean evokes a warmer, rounder sound via its nylon base. This interplay between the materials means that when users press down on the switches, they encounter unique tactile and auditory experiences influenced by the contrasting bottom housings. Ultimately, these differences and similarities allow both keyboards to cater to varying preferences—whether one seeks clarity or depth of sound—while still benefiting from the aesthetic and functional advantages of polycarbonate tops.
Weight
When comparing the Bsun Light Sakura linear switch and the Outemu Ocean tactile switch, there are notable differences in actuation force. The Light Sakura features a relatively light actuation force of 37 grams, making it well-suited for prolonged typing and gaming sessions without fatigue. In contrast, the Outemu Ocean requires a heftier actuation force of 55 grams, which provides a more substantial feel that some users prefer for a tactile typing experience. While the bottom out force for the Light Sakura is measured at 43 grams, the bottom out force for the Ocean switch is not available, leaving that aspect of the comparison unknown. Overall, the Light Sakura is the lighter switch, appealing to those who value a softer touch, while the Ocean offers more resistance, catering to typists who favor a firmer feedback.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Bsun Light Sakura linear switch and the Outemu Ocean tactile switch, it's clear that the two are distinct in their specifications. The Light Sakura has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Ocean offers a slightly longer travel distance of 4 mm. This means that if you prefer a more responsive typing experience, the Light Sakura would be the better choice due to its shorter travel distance which can facilitate quicker actuation. On the other hand, if you appreciate a more tactile and deeper feel while typing, the Outemu Ocean, with its longer travel distance, might be more satisfying. Overall, the choice between these switches hinges on personal preference for responsiveness versus depth in the keystroke.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Bsun Light Sakura has an MSRP of $4.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Light Sakura for $3.49.
The Outemu Ocean 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
The sound profile of the Bsun Light Sakura linear switch is characterized by its quiet operation, making it a suitable choice for users who prefer a discreet typing experience, especially in office environments or shared spaces. This silent nature supports a more focused atmosphere, preventing distractions that can arise from audible key presses. On the other hand, information regarding the sound characteristics of the Outemu Ocean tactile switch is not specified, leaving its acoustic qualities uncertain. It’s important to remember that the sound produced by any switch can vary significantly depending on the keyboard construction and keycap materials used, so one might achieve a similar level of quietness with the Ocean switch if paired with compatible components.
When it comes to feel, the Bsun Light Sakura offers an ultra-light touch that promotes comfort and reduces fatigue during long typing sessions. This lightweight response allows for quick and effortless key presses, which can be particularly valuable for those who type for extended periods. In contrast, detailed descriptions of the tactile feedback provided by the Outemu Ocean switch are not available, making it difficult to draw comparisons regarding the overall typing experience. However, if the Ocean switch features a tactile bump, it could potentially provide a different typing sensation that caters to those who prefer more pronounced feedback with their keypresses.
In summary, the Bsun Light Sakura linear switch is an excellent option for users seeking a silent and comfortable typing experience, particularly in noise-sensitive environments. Its ultra-light action contributes to prolonged typing comfort. The Outemu Ocean tactile switch, while lacking detailed sound and feel descriptions, may offer an alternative experience depending on its tactile properties. Ultimately, choosing between these switches will depend on personal preferences for sound levels and typing feel, but it’s clear that the Light Sakura excels in delivering a quiet and fatigue-reducing functionality.
Conclusion
To sum up, choosing between the Bsun Light Sakura linear switch and the Outemu Ocean tactile switch ultimately depends on your personal preferences and specific use cases. If you prioritize a soft, quiet typing experience, particularly for long hours of use, then the Light Sakura is an excellent choice. Its ultra-light actuation force of 43 grams makes it a breeze to type on, reducing fatigue and allowing for a seamless flow of keystrokes, which is ideal for writers, programmers, or anyone who types extensively in shared or noise-sensitive environments. On the other hand, if you enjoy a tactile feedback in your typing, although the Outemu Ocean lacks specific details regarding its tactile response, tactile switches generally provide a noticeable bump at the actuation point that can enhance typing accuracy and satisfaction. Therefore, if you often type for extended periods and appreciate that extra tactile feedback, the Outemu Ocean might be worth considering, assuming its characteristics align with what you're looking for. In the end, your choice hinges on whether you value silence and lightweight action in your typing experience or if you prefer a tactile sensation that adds depth to each keystroke.
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