Everglide Lightning Silver V3 vs. Outemu Blue Jade
An in-depth look at the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 and the Outemu Blue Jade switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 and the Outemu Blue Jade offer distinct experiences to suit different preferences. The Lightning Silver V3 is a linear switch that stands out for its clacky and high-pitched sound signature, making it a popular choice for those who enjoy a tactile typing experience. With a silky smooth feel and enhanced RGB illumination thanks to its light diffuser, this switch adds a vibrant touch to any keyboard setup. On the other hand, the Outemu Blue Jade is a clicky switch known for its crisp and satisfying tactile feedback. While it may not have as unique a feature as the Lightning Silver V3, its distinct click sound appeals to those who crave auditory feedback while typing. 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
65g
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
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Nylon
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
The Everglide Lightning Silver V3 and the Outemu Blue Jade switches both offer unique housing materials that contribute to their distinct sound profiles. The Lightning Silver V3 features a polycarbonate top and bottom housing, known for creating a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This stiffness of polycarbonate results in a clear and resonant sound, making it ideal for switches with RGB lighting. In contrast, the Blue Jade utilizes nylon for both the top and bottom housing, which produces a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer nature that absorbs more sound. While both materials offer different sound characteristics, they each enhance the overall typing experience in their own way.
Despite the differences in housing materials, both the Lightning Silver V3 and the Blue Jade switches aim to provide an optimal typing experience through their unique sound profiles. The polycarbonate top housing of the Lightning Silver V3 creates a sharp and clear sound when pressing down on keys, while the nylon top housing of the Blue Jade offers a deeper and fuller sound profile. On the other hand, the polycarbonate bottom housing of the Lightning Silver V3 impacts the sound when keys are released, while the nylon bottom housing of the Blue Jade influences the bottom-out sound and feel. While their sound profiles may vary, both switches are designed to enhance the overall typing experience for users seeking a specific sound and feel in their mechanical keyboards.
In conclusion, the choice between the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 and the Outemu Blue Jade switches ultimately comes down to personal preference in sound profile. The polycarbonate housing of the Lightning Silver V3 provides a sharper and crisper sound, ideal for those who prefer a more precise typing experience. On the other hand, the nylon housing of the Blue Jade creates a deeper and fuller sound, perfect for users looking for a more rounded typing experience. Regardless of the choice, both switches offer high-quality housing materials that cater to different sound preferences, ensuring a customized typing experience for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 linear switch and the Outemu Blue Jade clicky switch, it is evident that the Lightning Silver V3 is lighter in both aspects. The Lightning Silver V3 has an actuation force of 48 grams and a bottom out force of 60 grams, while the Blue Jade features an actuation force of 50 grams and a bottom out force of 65 grams. Both switches fall within the medium range, with the Blue Jade leaning towards being medium-heavy. Those who prefer a lighter typing experience may opt for the Lightning Silver V3, which allows for longer typing sessions without fatigue. In contrast, individuals seeking a more substantial typing feel may gravitate towards the Outemu Blue Jade for its slightly heavier force requirements. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will 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 Jade clicky switch, it is evident that the Lightning Silver V3 has a shorter travel distance of 3.4 mm, while the Blue Jade has a longer travel distance of 4 mm. The Lightning Silver V3 offers a quicker response time due to its shorter travel distance, making it a preferred choice for gamers looking for fast keystrokes. On the other hand, the Blue Jade provides a more substantial depth feel when pressed down, which may be preferred by those who like a more pronounced key press. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for travel distance and the intended use of the keyboard.
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 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
The Everglide Lightning Silver V3 linear switch is characterized by a clacky and high-pitched sound signature, providing a crisp and sharp sound when typing. This particular switch is best known for its smooth and seamless typing experience, with a unique light diffuser feature that enhances RGB illumination. On the other hand, the Outemu Blue Jade clicky switch's sound qualities are unknown, making it difficult to compare to the Lightning Silver V3 in terms of sound.
When it comes to feel, the Lightning Silver V3 is described as offering a silky smooth typing experience, minimizing resistance when pressing and releasing keys. This smoothness enhances the overall feel of typing on a keyboard equipped with these switches. The feel of the Outemu Blue Jade switches is unknown, so it is challenging to make a direct comparison in terms of feel between the two.
Overall, based on the available information, the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 linear switch stands out for its clacky sound, high-pitched sound profile, and smooth typing experience. On the other hand, the Outemu Blue Jade clicky switch lacks specific information about its sound and feel qualities, making it unclear how it directly compares to the Lightning Silver V3. If you are looking for a switch with a clacky sound and smooth feel, the Lightning Silver V3 would be a solid choice based on the provided details.
Conclusion
To sum up, when choosing between the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 linear switch and the Outemu Blue Jade clicky switch, consider the following guidelines. If you enjoy a clacky and high-pitched sound with a silky typing experience, the Lightning Silver V3 would be a great choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a clicky switch with a medium-heavy bottom out force and do not mind sacrificing some of the sound and feel descriptors, the Outemu Blue Jade may be more to your liking. Ultimately, the decision comes down to your personal preferences for sound, feel, and typing experience. Choose the switch that aligns with what you value most in a mechanical keyboard switch.
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