Outemu Lime vs. KTT Pine
An in-depth look at the Outemu Lime and the KTT Pine switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options are the Outemu Lime and the KTT Pine. While both switches offer their own unique features, they have distinct differences that cater to different user preferences. The Outemu Lime is a tactile switch that is best known for its lightweight construction, approachable tactility, and silenced design. It provides a feathery light typing experience with just a touch of tactility, making it perfect for tactile fans looking for a gentle and muted feel. On the other hand, the KTT Pine is a linear switch that stands out with its translucent, forest green appearance and medium-heavy weighting. This switch is buttery smooth and built for an effortless typing experience, thanks to its polished, factory-lubed finish that minimizes friction. Its low-pitched and creamy characteristics make it an attractive choice for those who prefer a smoother and more bassy typing experience. 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
35g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
45g
Bottom-out force
58g
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Total travel
3.30 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
Nylon
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
15.5mm gold-plated spring
Housing materials
The Outemu Lime and the KTT Pine differ in their housing materials, with the Lime featuring a nylon top and bottom housing, while the Pine utilizes a polycarbonate top and bottom housing. The choice of housing material greatly affects the sound profile of the switches. The nylon top housing of the Lime creates a deeper and fuller sound, as the softer plastic absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. On the other hand, the polycarbonate top housing of the Pine produces a sharper and crisper sound, as the stiffer plastic allows for a clearer and more resonant sound profile. Aesthetically, the Pine's clear polycarbonate housing is especially advantageous for those planning to use RGB lighting.
When it comes to the bottom housing, both the Lime and the Pine share the common feature of being made from nylon and polycarbonate, respectively. This means that they both give a deeper and fuller sound profile due to the softer nature of nylon and the stiffer nature of polycarbonate. However, the impact of the bottom housing on the bottom-out sound and feel will differ slightly between the two switches. The nylon bottom housing of the Lime may provide a slightly duller and rounder bottom-out sound, while the polycarbonate bottom housing of the Pine may offer a slightly clearer and crisper bottom-out sound.
Although the Lime and Pine differ in their housing materials, they do share similarities in terms of their impact on the overall sound profile of the switches. Both the nylon and polycarbonate housings contribute to the sound profile by absorbing and resonating sound, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound. Additionally, both switches offer the choice of a clear housing for those interested in RGB lighting, with the Pine's polycarbonate housing being particularly advantageous due to its translucency. However, it should be noted that the sound when letting go of a key may be more influenced by the top housing, making the choice between nylon and polycarbonate crucial for those seeking specific sound characteristics.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Outemu Lime tactile switch and the KTT Pine linear switch, there are noticeable differences. The Lime has a lighter actuation force of 35 grams compared to the Pine's 45 grams, making it easier to trigger keystrokes. Similarly, the Lime has a lighter bottom out force of 45 grams compared to the Pine's 58 grams. Therefore, the Lime switch provides a lighter and more effortless typing experience overall. However, both switches offer a relatively light actuation force, which is ideal for extended typing sessions and gaming. So, if a user is seeking a lighter switch option for increased typing endurance, both the Lime and Pine switches can provide similar results.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Outemu Lime tactile switch and the KTT Pine linear switch, we can see that there is a difference. The Lime has a travel distance of 3.3 mm, while the Pine has a travel distance of 4 mm. The Lime's travel distance is shorter, making it a good choice for those who prioritize a quicker response time. Gamers, in particular, often prefer shorter travel distances to enhance their gaming performance. On the other hand, the Pine switch offers a longer travel distance, which may be more suited for individuals who prefer a deeper keystroke feel. Both options have their advantages, and the decision ultimately depends on personal preference. However, it is worth noting that shorter travel distances have been gaining popularity in recent years.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The KTT Pine has an MSRP of $4.60 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Pine for $4.15.
The Outemu Lime comes in at $3.40 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 Outemu Lime tactile switch offers a neutral sound profile with a softer and quieter sound compared to regular mechanical switches. This makes it suitable for both beginners and advanced users, as well as for use in both home and work environments. On the other hand, the KTT Pine linear switch provides a bassy and low-pitched sound, offering a deeper and richer tone during key presses. This gives it a distinct sound profile compared to the Lime switch. However, it's important to note that the sound of a switch is also influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
In terms of feel, the Outemu Lime tactile switch provides a mild and feathery typing experience. It falls in the safe middle-ground zone, offering a gentle resistance and a light actuation force. This makes it comfortable for extended typing sessions, reducing finger fatigue. The polished finish of the Lime switch adds to the smooth and refined typing experience, with reduced friction and smooth key travel. On the other hand, the KTT Pine linear switch offers a buttery and creamy typing experience. It provides a smooth and fluid keystroke, with a seamless and effortless typing sensation. Similar to the Lime switch, the Pine switch offers a polished and factory-lubed finish, ensuring a sleek typing experience.
Based on the available information, the Outemu Lime tactile switch and the KTT Pine linear switch offer different subjective qualities. The Lime switch provides an approachable tactility, a lightweight feel, and a silenced sound, making it suitable for tactile fans who prefer a light typing experience. On the other hand, the Pine switch offers a medium-heavy feel, a buttery smooth typing experience, and a bassy sound, providing an effortless typing experience. It's important to consider personal preferences when choosing between these switches, as they cater to different typing preferences. However, it's worth noting that both switches offer smooth key travel and reduced friction due to their polished finishes.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a lightweight switch with a touch of tactile feedback and a feathery typing experience, the Outemu Lime tactile switch would be the perfect choice for you. With a bottom out force of 45 grams, these switches provide a light actuation force that reduces finger strain and fatigue, making them comfortable for extended typing sessions. Additionally, these switches are silenced, minimizing the noise typically associated with mechanical keyboards. The Lime switches offer a mild and subtle feel, with a polished and refined finish that results in smooth key travel. They are suitable for shared spaces and provide a gentle typing experience.
On the other hand, if you prefer a medium-heavy switch that offers a buttery smooth and effortless typing experience, the KTT Pine linear switch would be the ideal option. With a bottom out force of 58 grams, these switches provide a slightly higher actuation force compared to the Lime switches. The Pine switches have a polished, factory-lubed finish that minimizes friction and ensures smooth key travel. They offer a creamy and buttery feel, resembling a silky sensation when typing. These switches also produce a rich and bassy sound profile, which can be characterized by lower frequency tones.
Ultimately, the choice between the Lime and Pine switches depends on your preference for actuation force, typing experience, and sound profile. If you prioritize a light and tactile typing experience with a muted sound profile, the Lime switches would be the best fit for you. However, if you prefer a medium-heavy switch with a smooth and effortless typing experience, along with a bassy sound profile, the Pine switches would be more suitable. It's important to consider your personal preferences and typing needs when selecting the right switch for your mechanical keyboard.
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