Everglide Lightning Silver V3 vs. Outemu Blue
An in-depth look at the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 and the Outemu Blue switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options to consider are the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 and the Outemu Blue. The Lightning Silver V3 is a linear switch, praised for its clacky and high-pitched sound signature, making typing a satisfying experience. Additionally, these switches offer a silky smooth feel while typing and come with a unique light diffuser feature, perfect for enhancing RGB illumination on your keyboard setup. On the other hand, the Outemu Blue is a clicky switch, known for its tactile feedback and audible click sound with each keystroke. While the Lightning Silver V3 offers a quieter and smoother typing experience, the Outemu Blue provides a more tactile and audible typing feedback. Both switches have their own unique characteristics and advantages, making them suitable for different preferences and typing styles. 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
48g
Actuation force
50g
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
1.50 mm
Pre-travel
2.20 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
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
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Lengthened gold-plated spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 and the Outemu Blue switches, it is evident that both switches feature a polycarbonate top housing. This means that in terms of sound profile, both switches will have a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound due to the stiffness of polycarbonate. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches with RGB lighting. However, where the switches differ is in their bottom housing material. The Lightning Silver V3 features a polycarbonate bottom housing, while the Outemu Blue has a nylon bottom housing. The nylon bottom housing of the Outemu Blue will offer a deeper and fuller sound profile compared to the Lightning Silver V3's polycarbonate bottom housing, which creates a duller and rounder sound.
The use of different bottom housing materials in the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 and the Outemu Blue switches also affects the overall typing experience. The qualities of the bottom housing material will have a more significant impact on the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down on the switch. As such, the nylon bottom housing of the Outemu Blue will provide a softer and more cushioned typing experience compared to the polycarbonate bottom housing of the Lightning Silver V3. On the other hand, the top housing material will influence the sound when letting go of a key, meaning that both switches will produce a sharper and crisper sound when releasing a key due to their polycarbonate top housing.
In conclusion, while both the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 and the Outemu Blue switches share a polycarbonate top housing for a similar sound profile, they differ in their bottom housing materials. The Lightning Silver V3's polycarbonate bottom housing offers a clearer and resonant sound, while the Outemu Blue's nylon bottom housing provides a deeper and fuller sound profile. The choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for typing experience, with the Outemu Blue offering a softer bottom-out feel, and the Lightning Silver V3 providing a sharper release sound.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 linear switch and the Outemu Blue clicky switch, it becomes apparent that the Lightning Silver V3 is lighter in terms of actuation force at 48 grams compared to the Blue switch's 50 grams. However, the bottom out force of the Lightning Silver V3 at 60 grams is higher than the Blue switch's unknown bottom out force. This means that the Lightning Silver V3 offers a slightly lighter typing experience initially, but requires a bit more force to fully press down compared to the Outemu Blue. Ultimately, those who prefer a lighter touch may lean towards the Lightning Silver V3, while those who enjoy a more substantial typing experience may opt for the Outemu Blue. Both switches offer their own unique advantages, and choosing between them would largely depend on personal preference for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
In comparing the travel distance of the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 linear switch and the Outemu Blue clicky switch, we can see that the Lightning Silver V3 has a shorter travel distance of 3.4 mm, while the Outemu Blue has a longer travel distance of 4 mm. The Lightning Silver V3 provides a quicker response time due to its shorter travel distance, making it ideal for gamers looking for fast reactions. On the other hand, the Outemu Blue offers a deeper key press experience with its longer travel distance, which some users may prefer for a more tactile feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for travel distance – whether you prioritize speed with a shorter distance or depth with a longer distance.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Everglide Lightning Silver V3 has an MSRP of $5.55 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Lightning Silver V3 for $4.10.
The Outemu Blue 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 Everglide Lightning Silver V3 linear switch is known for its clacky and high-pitched sound signature, which offers a sharp and snappy sound that can be described as crisp, bright, and percussive. On the other hand, the Outemu Blue clicky switch's sound qualities are unknown. It is important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard's construction and the keycaps used.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 is known for its silky smooth typing experience, offering minimal resistance when pressing and releasing keys. This results in an exceptionally smooth feel while typing. Unfortunately, the specific feel of the Outemu Blue clicky switch is unknown.
Considering the information provided, it is clear that the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 linear switch excels in both sound and feel compared to the Outemu Blue clicky switch, which lacks specific details in these aspects. Therefore, if you are looking for a smooth and clacky typing experience with a high-pitched sound profile, the Lightning Silver V3 would be a great choice. Keep in mind that individual preferences play a significant role in determining the ideal switch for your needs, so trying out different options may be beneficial to find the perfect fit for your typing style.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 linear switch and the Outemu Blue clicky switch, you should consider your preference for typing experience. If you enjoy a clacky and high-pitched sound with a smooth typing feel, the Lightning Silver V3 would be a great choice for you. On the other hand, if you prioritize a clicky sound and tactile feedback without a bottom out force, the Outemu Blue switch may be more suited to your preferences. Ultimately, the decision comes down to personal preference and what type of typing experience you are looking for in your mechanical keyboard.
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