Outemu Lime (V3) vs. Everglide Tourmaline Blue
An in-depth look at the Outemu Lime (V3) and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, there are a plethora of options, each with its own unique characteristics. Two switches that stand out are the Outemu Lime, a tactile switch, and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue, a linear switch. Both switches offer distinct advantages, but ultimately, the choice depends on your personal preferences and typing style. The Lime switches are renowned for their feather-lightness, approachable tactility, and silent experience. If you enjoy a subtle, polished typing experience with a touch of tactility, the Lime switches are the perfect choice for you. On the other hand, the Tourmaline Blues boast a deep and thocky sound profile that immerses you in a truly satisfying typing experience. With their bouncy feel and standard spring weight, these switches strike a balance that appeals to a wide range of users. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so that you can make the best decision based on your individual preferences.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
35g
Actuation force
59g
Bottom-out force
45g
Bottom-out force
67g
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 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
Gold-plated
Housing materials
The Outemu Lime and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue exhibit notable differences in their housing materials. The Lime's nylon top housing provides a deeper and fuller sound profile due to the relatively softer nature of nylon, which absorbs more sound compared to harder plastics. This results in a duller and rounder sound when typing on the switches. In contrast, the Tourmaline Blue's polycarbonate top housing creates a sharper and crisper sound profile. The stiffness of polycarbonate leads to a more clear and resonant sound, making it ideal for users who prioritize clarity in their typing experience. Furthermore, the Tourmaline Blue's polycarbonate top housing is particularly advantageous for individuals planning to utilize RGB lighting, as its translucency enhances the visual effects.
Moving to the bottom housing, the differences between the Lime and the Tourmaline Blue become apparent. The nylon bottom housing of the Lime contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile, similar to its nylon top housing counterpart. The relatively softer nature of nylon allows it to absorb more sound, resulting in a dull and round sound during bottom-out. Conversely, the Tourmaline Blue features a polycarbonate bottom housing that creates a sharper and higher-pitched sound profile. The stiffness of polycarbonate enhances the clarity of bottom-out sounds, providing a more precise and distinct auditory feedback. Additionally, the polycarbonate bottom housing aligns aesthetically with the clear housing of the Tourmaline Blue, making it a more visually appealing choice for those considering the use of RGB lighting.
When comparing the top and bottom housings of the Lime and the Tourmaline Blue, it becomes evident that each material brings distinct qualities to the overall typing experience. In the Lime, the bottom housing's impact primarily affects the bottom-out sound and feel, contributing to a deeper and fuller sound due to nylon's sound-absorbent properties. Conversely, the Tourmaline Blue's polycarbonate bottom housing contributes to a sharper and crisper bottom-out sound, emphasizing clarity. On the other hand, the top housing's impact is more pronounced when releasing a key. The Lime's nylon top housing creates a duller and rounder sound when the key is released, while the Tourmaline Blue's polycarbonate top housing enhances the sharpness and clarity of the key release sound. As such, users can expect varying levels of sound profile and feel depending on the housing materials used in these switches.
Weight
When comparing the Outemu Lime tactile switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch, it is evident that there are notable differences in their actuation force and bottom out force. The Lime has a relatively light actuation force of 35 grams, making it easier to trigger a keystroke with a gentle touch. In contrast, the Tourmaline Blue requires a heavier actuation force of 59 grams, which provides a more substantial typing experience that some users may prefer. As for the bottom out force, the Lime requires 45 grams to fully press down the key, while the Tourmaline Blue demands 67 grams, which indicates a medium-heavy bottoming out sensation. Considering weight, those who prefer a lighter switch, suitable for extended typing periods or long gaming sessions, may opt for the Lime. Conversely, individuals seeking a stronger push feel and a more substantial typing experience may find the heavier actuation and bottom out forces of the Tourmaline Blue more suitable for their needs.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Outemu Lime tactile switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch, it is evident that the Lime has a shorter travel distance of 3.3 mm, while the Tourmaline Blue has a longer travel distance of 4 mm. The Lime falls on the more shallow end of the spectrum, while the Tourmaline Blue aligns with the traditional travel distance. Gamers who prioritize faster response times often lean towards switches with shorter travel distances, making the Lime a favorable option for them. On the other hand, those who prefer a more satisfying key press experience may find the longer travel distance of the Tourmaline Blue more suitable. Ultimately, the choice between the two will come down to personal preference regarding the desired level of responsiveness and depth.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Everglide Tourmaline Blue has an MSRP of $6.86 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Tourmaline Blue for $3.89.
The Outemu Lime (V3) 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
The Outemu Lime tactile switch is best known for its lightweight and approachable tactility. It provides a feathery light typing experience with just a touch of tactility. In terms of sound, the Lime switch has a neutral sound profile with muted characteristics. This means that it produces a softer and quieter sound compared to regular mechanical switches. The Lime switch is suitable for most users, whether beginners or advanced, and can be used in both home and work settings.
On the other hand, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch is known for its deep and thocky sound profile. It offers an immersive typing experience with a bouncy feel due to its lengthened single-stage spring. The Tourmaline Blue switch strikes a balance with its standard spring weight, making it enjoyable and accessible to a wide range of users. In terms of feel, it is described as buttery and easy-to-press. These switches provide a smooth and fluid keystroke experience, requiring minimal force to activate. They enhance the typing experience by offering a responsive and low-impact typing feel.
Based on the available information, the Lime and Tourmaline Blue switches have different subjective qualities. The Lime switch provides a lightweight and slightly tactile typing experience with a neutral and muted sound profile. On the other hand, the Tourmaline Blue switch offers a deep and thocky sound profile with a buttery and easy-to-press feel. The Lime switch is suitable for tactile fans who want a lighter typing experience, while the Tourmaline Blue switch is ideal for those who prefer a more immersive and bouncy typing experience. Overall, both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences. Depending on the user's preference for sound and feel, they can choose the switch that best suits their typing style.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are a tactile fan who prefers a lightweight typing experience with a touch of tactility, the Outemu Lime tactile switch would be the ideal choice for you. These switches are known for their feathery lightness and approachable tactility, making them perfect for those who want a gentle typing experience. Additionally, the Lime switches are silenced, minimizing the noise typically associated with mechanical keyboards. On the other hand, if you value a deep and thocky sound profile along with a bouncy feel, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch would be more suitable for you. These switches offer a satisfying typing experience with a standard spring weight, making them enjoyable and accessible to a wide range of users. In terms of sound, both switches have a moderate sound profile, making them suitable for most intents and purposes. As for feel, the Lime switch is mild, feathery, subtle, and polished, while the Tourmaline Blue switch is buttery, easy-to-press, and mild. Ultimately, your choice between these switches depends on your preference for typing experience, sound, and feel.
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