HMX Lotus vs. Outemu Ocean
An in-depth look at the HMX Lotus and the Outemu Ocean switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the HMX Lotus and the Outemu Ocean stand out as popular choices for enthusiasts seeking a premium typing experience. The HMX Lotus is a linear switch, offering a smooth keystroke with a medium weight of 50g bottom out and a bright, resonant sound. This switch provides a super bouncy feeling that can turn every keystroke into a delightful experience. On the other hand, the Outemu Ocean is a tactile switch, offering a different typing experience with its tactile bump that provides feedback to the user. While the Lotus switch emphasizes a smooth and consistent keystroke, the Ocean switch focuses on providing tactile feedback for improved accuracy and typing speed. 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
45g
Actuation force
55g
Bottom-out force
50g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.20 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm single-staged spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The housing materials of the HMX Lotus and Outemu Ocean switches differ significantly in terms of sound profiles. The Lotus's nylon top housing creates a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer plastic that absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. In contrast, the Ocean's polycarbonate top housing produces a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile because of its stiffer plastic composition, leading to a more clear and resonant sound. The translucent nature of polycarbonate also makes it ideal for RGB lighting effects, providing a visually appealing aspect to the switch.
Both the Lotus and Ocean switches feature nylon bottom housings, which contribute to a deeper and fuller sound profile as a result of the softer plastic's sound-absorbing properties. This similarity in bottom housing material ensures that both switches offer a consistent typing experience in terms of sound. However, the differences in the top housing materials between the two switches make for a distinct auditory experience when pressing and releasing keys. The split of housing materials between the top and bottom of the switch allows for a balanced distribution of qualities that affect both the bottom-out sound and feel as well as the sound when letting go of a key.
In conclusion, while the Lotus and Ocean switches share a common material in their bottom housing, the differences in their top housing materials significantly impact the sound profiles they produce. The Lotus's nylon top housing creates a softer and rounder sound, while the Ocean's polycarbonate top housing results in a sharper and crisper sound. Both switches offer a unique typing experience based on the combination of their housing materials, making them suitable for users seeking specific sound characteristics in their mechanical keyboards.
Weight
The HMX Lotus linear switch has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams compared to the Outemu Ocean tactile switch, which has a heavier actuation force of 55 grams. Similarly, the Lotus has a lighter bottom out force of 50 grams, while the bottom out force for the Ocean is unknown. The lighter actuation and bottom out forces of the Lotus make it ideal for those who prefer a gentler typing experience for longer periods of time, such as during work or gaming sessions. On the other hand, the heavier actuation force of the Ocean provides a more substantial typing feel, appealing to those who prefer a stronger push sensation when typing. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on individual preferences for typing experience and force required for keystrokes.
Travel distance
The HMX Lotus linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, making it slightly shorter than the Outemu Ocean tactile switch, which has a travel distance of 4 mm. The Lotus offers a quicker response time due to its shorter travel distance, making it a popular choice among gamers who prioritize speed. On the other hand, the Ocean provides a deeper key press experience with its longer travel distance, appealing to those who prefer a more substantial feel when typing. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches comes down to personal preference - whether you prioritize speed and responsiveness or enjoy a more tactile and deliberate typing experience. Both switches offer unique advantages, so selecting the one that best suits your typing style will result in a satisfying keyboarding experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The HMX Lotus has an MSRP of $3.49 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Lotus for $2.99.
The Outemu Ocean 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 HMX Lotus linear switch is known for its satisfyingly clicky and bright sound with a medium weight of 50g bottom out, giving a bouncy feeling to each keystroke. On the other hand, the Outemu Ocean tactile switch does not have any specific information available regarding its sound profile. When it comes to the feel, the Lotus switch is known for its smooth linear action, offering consistent keystrokes with a medium weight actuation force. Unfortunately, there is no information provided for the feel of the Outemu Ocean tactile switch.
Overall, if you are looking for a switch with a bright and resonant sound along with a smooth linear feel, the HMX Lotus switch would be a great choice. However, if you prefer a tactile switch, you may need to explore other options as the information on the Outemu Ocean switch is limited. Ultimately, the sound and feel of a switch are highly subjective, so it is recommended to try out different switches to find the one that best suits your preferences.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a smooth and consistent typing experience with a light bottom out force, you may want to choose the HMX Lotus linear switch. The Lotus switches provide a bouncy feeling and a bright sound that can enhance your typing experience. On the other hand, if you prefer a tactile feedback and a heavier actuation force, the Outemu Ocean tactile switch may be more suitable for you. The Ocean switches offer a different typing experience with a tactile bump that can help with typing accuracy. Ultimately, your choice between the HMX Lotus linear switch and the Outemu Ocean tactile switch will depend on your personal preferences in terms of typing feel, sound, and actuation force.
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