Everglide Lightning Silver V3 vs. Haimu Orange Sea

Overview

In the world of mechanical keyboards, switch choice can greatly influence both typing experience and audio feedback. The Everglide Lightning Silver V3 switches stand out with their clacky, high-pitched sound signature, making them an appealing option for users who enjoy a more pronounced auditory response while typing. With a unique light diffuser built into their design, these switches also elevate the visual experience by enhancing RGB illumination, which adds a vibrant flair to any keyboard setup. In contrast, the Haimu Orange Sea switches are known for their impeccably smooth typing feel and neutral sound signature, appealing to those who prefer a quieter, more understated typing experience while still maintaining a lively, invigorating touch. Both switches serve distinct preferences: the Lightning Silver V3 for dynamic audio enthusiasts and the Orange Sea for those who prioritize a seamless, unobtrusive feel. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.

By the numbers

Everglide Lightning Silver V3 Linear

Haimu Orange Sea Linear

$5.55

$4.10 per 10

$2.79 per 10

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Housing materials

The housing materials of the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 and the Haimu Orange Sea provide a fascinating study in contrasts, especially when we consider their top housings. Both switches utilize polycarbonate for their top housing, ensuring that both deliver a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This commonality is largely attributed to polycarbonate's stiffer structure, which promotes a clearer resonance. Aesthetically, the translucence of this material allows for an appealing integration of RGB lighting, enhancing the visual experience. Consequently, users can expect similar results in terms of sound quality and lighting effects from both switches, due to their shared choice of top housing material.

However, the differences in the bottom housing materials set the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 apart from the Haimu Orange Sea. The Lightning Silver V3 employs polycarbonate for its bottom housing as well, an extension of its theme of sharp sound quality. In contrast, the Orange Sea utilizes nylon for its bottom housing, contributing to a deeper and fuller sound profile. This is due to nylon's softer nature, which absorbs sound rather than amplifying it, ultimately leading to a duller, rounder sound. These contrasting materials thus create a divergence in the overall auditory experience of the two switches, with the Lightning Silver V3 maintaining a crispness throughout while the Orange Sea offers a more cushioned typing experience.

When it comes to the impact of these housing materials during operation, each housing's qualities play distinct roles. With both switches sharing the polycarbonate top, the audible nuances when releasing a key will be similar; users will experience a clear, resonant sound upon key release. However, the feel and sound at the bottom-out point will diverge significantly due to the differences in bottom housing materials. The Lightning Silver V3, with its stiffer polycarbonate bottom, will produce a louder impact, while the Orange Sea will elicit a softer, muted sound. Thus, while the top housings unite the two models in terms of sound quality and visual appeal, their bottom housings define a more personalized experience tailored to different user preferences.

Weight

When comparing the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 linear switch and the Haimu Orange Sea linear switch, there are notable differences in both actuation force and bottom out force. The Lightning Silver V3 requires a medium actuation force of 48 grams and a bottom out force of 60 grams, making it a heavier option overall. In contrast, the Haimu Orange Sea is lighter, with a reduced actuation force of 37 grams and a bottom out force of 45 grams. This difference means that the Orange Sea is better suited for users who prefer a lighter touch, making it ideal for long typing sessions or gaming without fatigue. Conversely, the Lightning Silver V3's higher forces provide a more substantial feel, appealing to those who enjoy a stronger push for each keypress. Overall, if you prioritize lighter switches for extended use, the Haimu Orange Sea would be the preferable choice, while the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 is apt for those seeking a firmer keystroke experience.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distances of the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 and the Haimu Orange Sea linear switches, a clear difference emerges. The Lightning Silver V3 features a travel distance of 3.4 mm, while the Orange Sea offers a slightly longer travel distance of 3.6 mm. This makes the Lightning Silver V3 the shorter option, which is beneficial for those who favor quicker response times and a more immediate tactile feedback during keystrokes, especially suited for fast-paced gaming. Conversely, the 3.6 mm travel of the Orange Sea might appeal to users who prefer a more substantial depth, providing a less abrupt feel and perhaps a more satisfying typing experience for those who value a sense of key travel during use. Thus, the choice between these two switches ultimately hinges on one's personal preference for responsiveness versus depth in keystrokes.

Price comparison

Typing experience

The sound profile of the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 is characterized by a clacky and high-pitched signature, providing a bright and percussive sound with each keystroke. This makes it ideal for users who prefer a crisp auditory feedback from their typing experience. In contrast, the Haimu Orange Sea switches feature a neutral sound signature, which suggests a more muted auditory experience when typing. While the Lightning Silver V3's clackiness may be appealing to those who enjoy attention-grabbing acoustics, users seeking a quieter and more subtle typing experience might find satisfaction with the Orange Sea switches. However, it’s important to note that the final sound will ultimately depend on the keyboard build, including factors such as the choice of board and keycaps.

In terms of feel, the Lightning Silver V3 does not have specific descriptors available, making it difficult to provide a direct comparison. However, the Haimu Orange Sea switches are celebrated for their impeccably smooth typing experience. They also possess an invigorating quality, delivering pronounced feedback with a moderate to firm actuation force, resulting in snappy responses that create a more engaged typing sensation. The emphasis on smoothness in the Orange Sea may appeal to users who prioritize a seamless typing experience over pronounced tactile feedback.

In conclusion, the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 and the Haimu Orange Sea switches cater to different preferences in sound and feel. The Lightning Silver V3 excels in providing a lively audio response, while the Orange Sea offers a more muted and smooth typing experience, augmented by invigorating feedback. Ultimately, when selecting between these switches, consider the sound profile and tactile feedback that align most closely with your personal typing style and preferences.

Conclusion

To summarize, when deciding between the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 and the Haimu Orange Sea linear switches, it ultimately comes down to your personal typing preferences and usage scenarios. If you enjoy a more pronounced acoustic experience and prefer a clacky, high-pitched sound, the Lightning Silver V3 is an excellent choice. Its medium actuation force of 60 grams provides a solid feeling that can be satisfying during both typing and gaming sessions. The added benefit of its light diffuser also enhances the RGB illumination of your keyboard, making it visually striking. On the other hand, if you are looking for a switch that offers a smooth typing experience with less force needed to bottom out, the Haimu Orange Sea with its lighter 45-gram actuation force might be more suitable for you. Its neutral sound signature and invigorating feedback make it a great option for prolonged typing without fatigue. Ultimately, your choice should reflect what aspects of a mechanical switch you value most: the auditory and tactile feedback of the Lightning Silver V3 or the smooth, gentle touch of the Orange Sea.

Mentioned in this article

Everglide Lightning Silver V3 Linear

$5.55

$4.10 per 10

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Haimu Orange Sea Linear

$2.79 per 10

Learn more