Durock Medium Tactile vs. Outemu Silent Yellow
An in-depth look at the Durock Medium Tactile and the Outemu Silent Yellow switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, the Durock Medium Tactile and the Outemu Silent Yellow offer distinctive experiences to users. The Durock Medium Tactile is praised for its pronounced yet balanced tactility, making typing a satisfying and tactile experience. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Yellow is known for its smooth and quiet linear action, perfect for those who prefer a quieter typing experience. While the Medium Tactile is categorized as 'Accented', 'Stepped', 'Mild', 'Polished', the Silent Yellow does not fall into any specific category. These general characteristics can give you an idea of what to expect from each switch; 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
65g
Bottom-out force
60g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.20 mm
Total travel
4.00 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
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Medium Tactile and the Outemu Silent Yellow both feature polycarbonate top housings, which create a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to the material's stiffness. This results in a more clear and resonant sound when typing on switches with polycarbonate top housings. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches intended for use with RGB lighting. However, while both switches share this common material for their top housing, the rest of their housing materials differ.
The Medium Tactile utilizes a nylon bottom housing, known for creating a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer nature that absorbs more sound than harder plastics. This results in a duller and rounder sound when pressing down on switches with nylon bottom housings. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Yellow also features a nylon bottom housing, providing similar qualities in terms of sound profile and feel when pressing down on the switch.
Overall, the choice of housing materials for switches plays a crucial role in the sound and feel experienced when typing. While both the Medium Tactile and the Outemu Silent Yellow share similar polycarbonate top housings, their differences lie in their choice of nylon for the bottom housing. This distinction affects the overall typing experience, with the bottom housing having more impact on the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing influences the sound when releasing a key. Ultimately, understanding the properties of different housing materials can help users select switches that best suit their typing preferences.
Weight
The Durock Medium Tactile tactile switch and the Outemu Silent Yellow linear switch have different actuation and bottom out forces. The Durock Medium Tactile has no specific actuation force listed, while the Outemu Silent Yellow has an actuation force of 65 grams. Both switches have a bottom out force of 65 grams for the Durock Medium Tactile and 80 grams for the Outemu Silent Yellow. This means that the Outemu Silent Yellow is heavier than the Durock Medium Tactile when it comes to actuation force, providing a more substantial typing experience. However, if you prefer a lighter touch for longer typing sessions or gaming, the Durock Medium Tactile may be the better option for you. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on whether you prefer a lighter or heavier actuation and bottom out force for your typing needs.
Travel distance
The Durock Medium Tactile tactile switch and the Outemu Silent Yellow linear switch both have a travel distance of 4 mm, making them equal in this aspect. This means that both switches will provide a similar typing experience in terms of the distance you feel when pressing down on a key. It is worth noting that a shorter travel distance can result in quicker keystrokes, while a longer travel distance can provide a more satisfying tactile feedback. In this case, both switches offer the same travel distance, so users can expect similar performance in terms of typing speed and feedback.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Durock Medium Tactile has an MSRP of $5.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Medium Tactile 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
In terms of sound, the Durock Medium Tactile switch is known for its jelly-like sound signature, providing a unique auditory experience. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Yellow switch's sound profile is not widely described, so it is difficult to make a direct comparison. Keep in mind that the sound produced by a switch can be influenced by various factors, including the keyboard housing and keycaps used.
Moving on to the feel, the Durock Medium Tactile switch offers an accented tactile experience that strikes a balance between being pronounced and smooth. This switch is also described as stepped, providing a two-stage feel that enhances the typing experience. Additionally, the Medium Tactile switch is labeled as mild and polished, further emphasizing its gentle and refined characteristics. On the other hand, information about the tactile feel of the Outemu Silent Yellow switch is not available, making it challenging to contrast with the Medium Tactile in terms of feel.
In conclusion, the Durock Medium Tactile switch stands out for its unique jelly-like sound signature, accented and stepped tactile feel, mild typing experience, and polished finish. While the specific qualities of the Outemu Silent Yellow switch remain unknown, it is essential to consider personal preferences and typing style when choosing between these two switches. Ultimately, both switches offer distinct characteristics that can enhance your typing experience, so experimenting with different options may be the best way to determine which switch suits your preferences.
Conclusion
In closing, when choosing between the Durock Medium Tactile and the Outemu Silent Yellow switches, consider the factors that matter most to you. If you prefer a medium-heavy bottom out force with a balanced and pronounced tactile feedback, along with a unique jelly-like sound signature, the Durock Medium Tactile may be the better option for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a heavier bottom out force and a silent switch without any specific tactile characteristics, the Outemu Silent Yellow could be the switch for you. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal typing preferences and the overall typing experience you are looking for in your mechanical keyboard.
Mentioned in this article
