Outemu Lime (V3) vs. KTT Wine Red
An in-depth look at the Outemu Lime (V3) and the KTT Wine Red switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing the perfect mechanical keyboard switch, two popular options are the Outemu Lime, a tactile switch, and the KTT Wine Red, a linear switch. The Lime switches are known for their lightweight nature, approachable tactility, and silence, making them a great choice for fans of tactile switches who enjoy a feathery light typing experience with just a touch of tactility. On the other hand, the Wine Red switches offer a pillowy light type feel and a satisfyingly deep and rich sound profile, making them perfect for those who prefer a linear switch with a bassy, low-pitched sound. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the ideal switch for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
35g
Actuation force
44g
Bottom-out force
45g
Bottom-out force
55g
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
No
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
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Progressive spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Outemu Lime and the KTT Wine Red switches greatly differ in terms of their composition and sound profiles. The Lime utilizes a nylon top and bottom housing, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound. The softer nature of nylon allows it to absorb more sound, creating a duller and rounder tone. Conversely, the Wine Red incorporates a polycarbonate top and bottom housing, which produces a sharper and higher-pitched sound. As polycarbonate is a stiffer plastic, it enhances the clarity and resonance of the switch's sound profile. Additionally, the translucent property of polycarbonate makes it an excellent choice if RGB lighting is desired. While both switches offer unique auditory experiences, their housing materials create distinct sound characteristics.
Despite their differences, both the Outemu Lime and the KTT Wine Red share some similarities in terms of their housing materials. Both switches utilize nylon and polycarbonate in either the top or bottom housing, respectively. Consequently, they both offer enhanced sound experiences compared to harder plastics. Nylon's softness allows for greater sound absorption, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile. Meanwhile, polycarbonate's stiffness lends itself to a clearer and more resonant sound. Therefore, those seeking switches with superior auditory feedback can achieve similar results with either the Lime or the Wine Red.
When examining the impact of the top and bottom housing materials on the overall switch performance, a clear distinction can be observed between the Lime and the Wine Red. The qualities of the bottom housing have a more significant influence on the bottom-out sound and feel of the switch. Therefore, when pressing down on these switches, users will primarily experience the characteristics associated with the bottom housing material. On the other hand, the sound quality when releasing a key is shaped predominantly by the top housing material. Thus, the contrasting housing materials of the Lime and the Wine Red play a crucial role in delivering distinct auditory experiences when using these switches.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Outemu Lime tactile switch and the KTT Wine Red linear switch, there are noticeable differences. The Lime has a lighter actuation force of 35 grams, while the Wine Red requires a slightly heavier force of 44 grams to actuate. Both switches have a relatively light bottom out force, with the Lime requiring 45 grams and the Wine Red slightly heavier at 55 grams. This means that typing with the Lime switch will have a lighter and more responsive feel, allowing for longer typing periods, while the Wine Red offers a slightly more substantial typing experience with a stronger push feel. However, it is important to note that the differences between the actuation and bottom out forces are relatively minimal, so in practice, users can still achieve similar results with both switches. Overall, the Lime is lighter in terms of actuation force, while the Wine Red can be considered slightly heavier.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Outemu Lime tactile switch and the KTT Wine Red linear switch, there is a notable difference. The Lime has a travel distance of 3.3 mm, while the Wine Red has a longer travel distance of 4 mm. If you prefer a more traditional travel distance, the Wine Red would be the preferred choice as it falls within the most common range. On the other hand, if you are looking for a shorter travel distance for faster response times, the Lime would be the better option as it offers a slightly shallower press. It is important to consider personal preferences and desired level of responsiveness when choosing between these switches.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
For 10 switches, the Outemu Lime (V3) comes in at $3.40, whereas the KTT Wine Red comes in at $2.71.
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
In terms of sound, the Outemu Lime switch is best described as having a neutral and muted sound profile. The neutral nature of the switch means that it has a moderate actuation force requirement and a moderate sound profile, making it suitable for a variety of purposes, whether you are a beginner or advanced user, and whether you plan to use the switch at home or work. Additionally, the switch is classified as muted, which means it produces a softer and quieter sound compared to a regular or clacky switch. This makes it ideal for those who prefer a more discreet typing experience, minimizing the noise typically associated with mechanical keyboards.
On the other hand, the KTT Wine Red switch offers a bassy and low-pitched sound profile. Bassy switches provide a deeper and richer sound during key presses, resembling the depth and richness associated with bass tones. Additionally, the low-pitched characteristic of these switches adds to their bass-heavy and mellow tone. This makes the Wine Red switch appealing to those who enjoy a more pronounced and satisfying sound profile when typing.
Moving on to feel, the Outemu Lime switch offers a range of qualities that contribute to a mild, feathery, subtle, and polished typing experience. Being a mild switch means it provides a more gentle typing experience compared to switches with more pronounced characteristics. This makes it approachable to most users, as its qualities all stand in a safe, middle-ground zone. The feathery attribute of the switch indicates that it requires little exertion from your fingers, making it exceptionally light to press and reducing finger fatigue. The subtle resistance of the switch adds to its light typing feel, while the lack of a resonant sound signature makes it suitable for shared spaces. Lastly, the polished quality of the switch means it has a smooth and refined finish, resulting in a sleek typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel.
Unfortunately, the available information does not provide any descriptors for the feel of the KTT Wine Red switch. However, based on the provided information, it can be presumed that the Wine Red switch offers a pillowy light type feel, which suggests a softer and more cushioned typing experience.
In conclusion, the Outemu Lime switch stands out for its unique combination of lightweight feel, approachable tactility, and silenced characteristics. Its sound profile is neutral and muted, offering a softer and quieter typing experience. On the other hand, the KTT Wine Red switch provides a pillowy light type feel and a satisfyingly deep and rich sound profile characterized by bassy and low-pitched tones. While more information is needed to fully compare the feel of the two switches, it can be inferred that both switches will provide similar results in terms of their light and comfortable typing experiences, with the Lime switch being more suited for those who prefer a quieter sound and the Wine Red switch appealing to those who enjoy a more pronounced and satisfying sound profile.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you're looking for a unique and lightweight typing experience with a touch of tactility, the Outemu Lime tactile switch is the way to go. With a bottom out force of 45 grams, these switches provide a feathery light typing experience that is perfect for tactile fans. Additionally, the Lime switches are silenced, minimizing the noise associated with mechanical keyboards. On the other hand, if you prefer a pillowy light typing feel with a deep and rich sound profile, the KTT Wine Red linear switch is a great choice. With a bottom out force of 55 grams, these switches offer a satisfyingly deep and bassy sound. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preferences for typing experience and sound profile.
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