Durock Light Tactile vs. Outemu Silent Yellow Jade
An in-depth look at the Durock Light Tactile and the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When looking for a mechanical keyboard switch that offers a gentle tactility, the Durock Light Tactile stands out with its angelic feel and jelly-like sound signature. In contrast, the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade switch provides a quiet, tactile typing experience with a satisfying thocky sound. While the Light Tactile is categorized as neutral, mild, and polished, the Silent Yellow Jade's categorization is not specified. When choosing between these two switches, one may opt for the Light Tactile for its unique soft tactility, or the Silent Yellow Jade for its quiet typing experience. However, let's dive a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the right switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
52g
Actuation force
50g
Bottom-out force
67g
Bottom-out force
65g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 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
Gold-plated spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Durock Light Tactile and the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade, we can see that both switches use nylon for their bottom housing. This means that users can expect a deeper and fuller sound profile when typing on either switch. The relatively softer nature of nylon allows it to absorb more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. This similarity in housing materials suggests that typing experience in terms of sound will be quite comparable between the two switches, with the nylon bottom housing playing a significant role in how the switches sound when pressed.
On the other hand, a notable difference lies in the top housing material used for each switch. The Light Tactile utilizes polycarbonate for its top housing, which leads to a sharper, crisper, and higher-pitched sound profile. The stiffness of polycarbonate contributes to a clear and resonant sound, making it ideal for switches with RGB lighting. In contrast, the Silent Yellow Jade features a nylon top housing, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile. The softer nature of nylon allows for a more muffled sound, creating a different typing experience compared to the Light Tactile.
Overall, the choice between the Durock Light Tactile and the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade will come down to personal preference in terms of sound profile. While both switches share a similar nylon bottom housing for a deeper sound, the use of polycarbonate in the Light Tactile's top housing produces a sharper sound profile compared to the duller sound of the Silent Yellow Jade's nylon top housing. Whether you prefer a crisper sound with RGB lighting compatibility or a deeper, fuller sound, both switches offer unique typing experiences based on their housing materials.
Weight
The Durock Light Tactile switch has a slightly higher actuation force of 52 grams compared to the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade switch with 50 grams, making the Light Tactile slightly heavier in this aspect. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Light Tactile requires 67 grams, while the Silent Yellow Jade requires 65 grams, making the Silent Yellow Jade switch slightly heavier in this category. Overall, both switches fall into the medium-heavy category in terms of actuation and bottom out force. Those who prefer a lighter touch for longer typing sessions may lean towards the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade, while those who prefer a more substantial typing experience may prefer the Durock Light Tactile. Ultimately, both switches offer similar results in terms of actuation and bottom out force, so the choice between the two will depend on personal preference for typing feel.
Travel distance
In comparing the travel distance of the Durock Light Tactile tactile switch and the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade tactile switch, we find that the Light Tactile has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Silent Yellow Jade has a travel distance of 3.3 mm. This makes the Light Tactile the longer option of the two. A 4.0mm travel distance is considered more traditional, while a 3.0mm travel distance is shallower. Gamers often prefer shorter travel distances for quicker response times, while those who enjoy a deeper keypress may opt for a longer travel distance. Ultimately, choosing between the two switches depends on personal preference and the type of typing or gaming experience you are looking for.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Durock Light Tactile has an MSRP of $5.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Light Tactile for $4.25.
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 Durock Light Tactile switch offers a more neutral profile with a gentle tactility that produces a jelly-like sound, making it suitable for various typing environments. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade switch is known for its quiet and satisfying "thocky" sound, providing a different auditory experience while typing. Ultimately, both switches can deliver a pleasant typing sound depending on the keycaps and keyboard used.
In terms of feel, the Durock Light Tactile switch offers a mild and polished typing experience, characterized by a gentle tactility and smooth key travel. This allows for a comfortable typing session for most users, whether they are beginners or advanced typists. As for the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade switch, the specific feel is not known, but given its silent and tactile nature, it can be expected to provide a smooth and satisfying keypress experience.
Overall, the Durock Light Tactile and Outemu Silent Yellow Jade switches offer distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Light Tactile switch excels in providing a gentle tactility and neutral sound profile, the Silent Yellow Jade switch stands out for its quiet and tactile typing experience. Choosing between these switches ultimately comes down to personal preference in terms of sound, feel, and overall typing experience. Both switches are capable of delivering exceptional results, providing users with a satisfying mechanical keyboard experience.
Conclusion
In summary, when considering whether to choose the Durock Light Tactile or the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade tactile switch, you should take into account your preference for tactility and sound. If you prefer a softer, more gentle tactile feel with a jelly-like sound signature, the Durock Light Tactile switch would be the better option for you. On the other hand, if you are looking for a quiet, thocky sound with a punchy tactile bump, then the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade switch would be more suitable for your needs. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches comes down to your personal typing preferences and desired sound profile.
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