Durock Lupine vs. Outemu Silent Yellow
An in-depth look at the Durock Lupine and the Outemu Silent Yellow switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Durock Lupine and the Outemu Silent Yellow mechanical keyboard switches, the choice ultimately comes down to personal preference and specific needs. The Lupine is praised for its linear design with two-stage long springs, providing a satisfying typing experience with consistent weight distribution and a powerful rebound. Additionally, users can enjoy the classic clacky sound profile that accompanies this switch. On the other hand, the Silent Yellow offers a silent typing experience without any specific standout features. Those looking for a neutral, mild switch with a high-pitched and polished sound profile may gravitate towards the Lupine, while the Silent Yellow may be preferred by individuals who prioritize a quiet 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
N/A
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
60g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.20 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
pom
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Two-stage long spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Durock Lupine and the Outemu Silent Yellow both feature polycarbonate top housings, which create a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to polycarbonate's stiffness, which produces a clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the translucent nature of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches designed with RGB lighting in mind. Both switches will provide a similar sound experience due to the shared polycarbonate top housing material, emphasizing clarity and sharpness in sound production.
In terms of the bottom housing material, the Lupine utilizes nylon, offering a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon is known for its softer composition, which absorbs more sound compared to harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. Similarly, the Silent Yellow incorporates a nylon bottom housing, ensuring a similar typing experience with a focus on creating a deeper and more resonant sound profile. The differences in top and bottom housing materials in these switches showcase how the combination of different plastics can affect the overall sound and feel of typing.
While the Durock Lupine and the Outemu Silent Yellow share similarities in their top and bottom housing materials, the impact of each material on the typing experience varies. The bottom housing plays a significant role in the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down on a key, while the top housing influences the sound when releasing a key. By understanding how each housing material contributes to the overall sound profile, users can make informed decisions when choosing between switches based on their preferences for sound quality and typing feel.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Lupine linear switch and the Outemu Silent Yellow linear switch, it is evident that the Lupine has a lighter actuation force compared to the Silent Yellow, as the Lupine has None grams and the Silent Yellow has 65 grams. However, when it comes to the bottom out force, the Lupine requires 62 grams, which is lighter than the Silent Yellow's 80 grams. The difference in forces between the two switches means that the Lupine provides a lighter typing experience overall, making it ideal for those who prefer a softer touch. On the other hand, the Silent Yellow offers a more substantial typing experience with its heavier forces, which may appeal to those who prefer a stronger push feel. In summary, the Durock Lupine linear switch is lighter in terms of both actuation and bottom out force compared to the Outemu Silent Yellow linear switch, providing a different typing experience for users.
Travel distance
The Durock Lupine linear switch has a travel distance of 3.7mm, while the Outemu Silent Yellow linear switch has a travel distance of 4mm. In this case, the Lupine has a slightly shorter travel distance compared to the Silent Yellow. The Lupine's 3.7mm provides a quicker response time that may be preferred by gamers seeking faster input. On the other hand, the 4mm travel distance of the Silent Yellow offers a slightly deeper keypress for those who prefer a more substantial feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two comes down to personal preference regarding travel distance and keypress experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Durock Lupine has an MSRP of $5.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Lupine for $4.25.
The Outemu Silent Yellow 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
When it comes to sound, the Durock Lupine linear switch offers a neutral sound profile with a classic clacky sound, making it suitable for most users whether they are beginners or advanced typists. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Yellow switch's sound profile remains unknown, so it's difficult to compare the two in this aspect. However, it is important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard it is mounted on and the keycaps used.
In terms of feel, the Durock Lupine switch provides a mild and polished typing experience, with a consistent weight distribution and a powerful upward movement on the rebound thanks to its two-stage long springs. This results in smooth key travel and reduced friction, enhancing the overall typing experience. As for the Outemu Silent Yellow switch, information on its feel is currently unavailable, making it challenging to contrast the feel of the two switches.
Considering the available information, the Durock Lupine linear switch showcases a neutral sound profile and a mild, polished feel that offers a comfortable typing experience for a wide range of users. In contrast, details regarding the sound and feel of the Outemu Silent Yellow linear switch are unknown, making it challenging to provide a direct comparison. However, if the Outemu Silent Yellow switch offers similar qualities to the Durock Lupine switch, users can expect a pleasant typing experience with a neutral sound profile and a gentle feel. Ultimately, choosing between the two switches would depend on personal preferences in terms of sound, feel, and typing experience.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Durock Lupine linear switch and the Outemu Silent Yellow linear switch, consider your preference for bottom out force. If you prefer a lighter touch, the Lupine with a bottom out force of 62 grams may be more suitable for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a heavier touch, the Silent Yellow with a bottom out force of 80 grams may be the better option. Additionally, consider sound and feel preferences, with the Lupine offering a classic clacky sound profile and a mild and polished typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will come down to your personal typing preferences and needs.
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