Gateron Luciola vs. Outemu Silent Ocean
An in-depth look at the Gateron Luciola and the Outemu Silent Ocean switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the Gateron Luciola and Outemu Silent Ocean linear switches stand out for their unique features. The Gateron Luciola is renowned for its eye-catching glow-in-the-dark design, medium heft, smooth and bouncy typing feel, and distinctive hollow sound profile reminiscent of a can of spray paint being shaken. This switch falls under categories such as 'Snappy', 'Clacky', 'Chirpy', and more. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Ocean is known for its quiet operation, making it ideal for those who prefer a more subtle typing experience. While the Luciola offers a vibrant and tactile typing experience, the Silent Ocean provides a silent and smooth keystroke. 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
55g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
65g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.60 mm
Total travel
3.60 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
Proprietary INK blend
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
22mm double-staged long spring; black-plated
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Gateron Luciola features a proprietary INK blend top housing that creates a pointed and relatively high-pitched sound profile, described as clacky. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Ocean utilizes a polycarbonate top housing that produces a sharper and crisper sound profile. While both materials offer a higher-pitched sound, the polycarbonate of the Silent Ocean is stiffer, leading to a more clear and resonant sound. The translucency of polycarbonate also makes it ideal for those who want to use RGB lighting, giving it an edge in terms of aesthetics compared to the Luciola's opaque blend.
In terms of bottom housing materials, the Gateron Luciola employs its INK blend which results in a thin and higher-pitched sound profile. In contrast, the Outemu Silent Ocean utilizes a nylon bottom housing, known for eliciting a deeper and fuller sound. The softer nature of nylon absorbs more sound than harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound compared to the sharper sound produced by the Luciola's bottom housing. This contrast highlights the different acoustic profiles that can be achieved through varying housing materials in mechanical switches.
Overall, while both switches offer unique sound profiles due to their respective housing materials, the choice between the Gateron Luciola and the Outemu Silent Ocean ultimately comes down to personal preference. The Luciola's blend housing provides a satisfying clacky sound, while the Silent Ocean's polycarbonate and nylon housing offer sharper and fuller tones respectively. Both switches showcase how different housing materials can impact the overall sound and feel of a mechanical keyboard, catering to the diverse preferences of keyboard enthusiasts.
Weight
In comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron Luciola linear switch and the Outemu Silent Ocean linear switch, it is evident that the Luciola has a slightly heavier actuation force of 55 grams, compared to the Silent Ocean's lighter 45 grams. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Luciola requires 60 grams, whereas the Silent Ocean needs 65 grams, making the Silent Ocean the heavier option in this aspect. Both switches fall under the medium category in terms of actuation force, but the Silent Ocean leans towards the medium-heavy side when it comes to bottom out force. Choosing between the two would depend on personal preference for typing experience, with the Luciola offering a slightly heavier actuation for those who prefer a more substantial push feel, while the Silent Ocean provides a lighter actuation force for longer typing sessions. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches would come down to individual preference for typing feel and weight considerations.
Travel distance
The Gateron Luciola linear switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, while the Outemu Silent Ocean linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm. This means that the Silent Ocean has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Luciola. A shorter travel distance like that of the Luciola may be preferred by gamers looking for faster response times, while a longer travel distance like that of the Silent Ocean may provide a more satisfying feeling of depth when typing. Both switches offer solid options depending on individual preferences, with the Luciola providing a shorter distance and the Silent Ocean offering a slightly longer one. Ultimately, the choice between the two will come down to personal preference in terms of how the travel distance feels during use.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Gateron Luciola has an MSRP of $7.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Luciola for $6.50.
The Outemu Silent 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
In terms of sound, the Gateron Luciola linear switch is known for its clacky, chirpy, marbly, and high-pitched sound profile, which can be described as sharp, bright, and percussive. Meanwhile, the Outemu Silent Ocean linear switch's sound profile is unknown, but it is essential to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used. When it comes to feel, the Luciola switch is known for its snappy, buttery, and polished typing experience, providing a responsive and smooth keystroke. However, the exact typing feel of the Silent Ocean switch is not described. Overall, based on the information provided, the Gateron Luciola linear switch offers a unique and vibrant typing experience with a distinctive sound profile, while the Outemu Silent Ocean switch remains a mystery in terms of its subjective qualities. If a newcomer prefers a switch with known qualities, the Gateron Luciola would be a more suitable choice for them.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Gateron Luciola linear switch and the Outemu Silent Ocean linear switch, you should consider a few key factors. If you are looking for a switch with medium bottom out force, a unique glowing feature, and a bouncy typing feel with a clacky or chirpy sound profile, then the Gateron Luciola would be a good choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a slightly heavier bottom out force, a silent typing experience, and do not mind the lack of glowing feature, then the Outemu Silent Ocean linear switch may be more suitable for your needs. Ultimately, the decision will come down to your personal preferences in terms of typing feel, sound profile, and any additional features that are important to you.
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