Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) vs. Outemu Red Panda
An in-depth look at the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) and the Outemu Red Panda switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options to consider are the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) and the Outemu Red Panda. The Moyu Black is known for its sharp tactile feel and premium typing experience, thanks to its unique blend of PBT top and bottom housing. These switches offer a strong downstroke tactile bump and an even sharper and stronger upstroke bump, creating a hypertactile sensation. Typing on the Moyu Blacks produces a satisfyingly sharp, short, snappy, and punchy sound, with a medium-heavy feel and an accentuated bottom-out. On the other hand, the Red Panda offers a light-medium amount of tactility and features a bassier, raindrop-like bottom-out sound and a clackier, higher-pitched top-out sound. It is categorized as 'Thocky' and 'Mild'. Both switches have their own unique characteristics and deciding between them ultimately comes down to personal preference. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits your typing style and preferences.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
50g
Actuation force
50g
Bottom-out force
67g
Bottom-out force
60g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.30 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
No
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
PBT
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
PBT
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) and the Outemu Red Panda differ in their housing materials, specifically in their top and bottom housings. The Moyu Black (Dark Jade) features a PBT top housing, while the Red Panda has a polycarbonate top housing. PBT is known for offering a neutral sound profile, neither crisp nor dull. On the other hand, polycarbonate creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound due to its translucency. Additionally, if RGB lighting is desired, the polycarbonate top housing of the Red Panda is especially useful. Overall, the top housing of the Moyu Black and the Red Panda will result in different sound profiles and aesthetics.
Moving on to the bottom housing, the Moyu Black (Dark Jade) and the Outemu Red Panda also differ. The Moyu Black (Dark Jade) features a PBT bottom housing, while the Red Panda has a nylon bottom housing. Both PBT and nylon contribute to a neutral sound profile. However, typing on switches with nylon bottom housings elicits a deeper and fuller sound due to the softer nature of nylon, which absorbs more sound than harder plastics. In contrast, PBT does not contribute as much to the crispness or dullness of the sound. Therefore, the bottom housing of the Red Panda will provide a duller and rounder sound compared to the Moyu Black.
When comparing the two switches, it is important to note that the different housing materials are split between the top and bottom housings. The bottom housing has a greater impact on the bottom-out sound and feel when the switch is pressed down, while the top housing affects the sound when a key is released. Therefore, the sound profiles of the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) and the Outemu Red Panda will be influenced differently depending on whether you are pressing down on a key or releasing it.
In summary, the housing materials of the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) and the Outemu Red Panda contribute to different sound profiles. The PBT top housing of the Moyu Black offers a neutral sound, while the polycarbonate top housing of the Red Panda creates a sharper and crisper sound. Additionally, the nylon bottom housing of the Red Panda produces a deeper and fuller sound compared to the PBT bottom housing of the Moyu Black. The split between top and bottom housings also influences the sound when pressing down or releasing a key.
Weight
When considering the actuation force and bottom out force of the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) tactile switch and the Outemu Red Panda tactile switch, there are some notable similarities and differences. In terms of actuation force, both switches require 50 grams of force to trigger a keystroke, resulting in a similar and relatively light typing experience. Additionally, both switches have an actuation force that falls within the medium range. However, when it comes to bottom out force, there is a distinction between the two. The Moyu Black (Dark Jade) switch has a bottom out force of 67 grams, making it slightly heavier than the Red Panda switch, which has a bottom out force of 60 grams. This means that the Moyu Black switch provides a more substantial typing experience with a stronger push feel, while the Red Panda switch offers a slightly lighter touch. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference and whether the user prefers a lighter or heavier typing experience. Both switches, however, provide a comfortable and responsive feel, ensuring an enjoyable typing or gaming session.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) tactile switch with the Outemu Red Panda tactile switch, it is clear that the Moyu Black has a longer travel distance of 4 mm, while the Red Panda has a shorter travel distance of 3.3 mm. The Moyu Black falls into the category of a more traditional travel distance, providing a deeper feel when pressing down on a key. On the other hand, the Red Panda offers a shallower travel distance, which is often favored by gamers seeking faster response times. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on personal preference and the desired level of responsiveness.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) has an MSRP of $12.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Moyu Black (Dark Jade) for $7.59.
The Outemu Red Panda comes in at $3.40 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 Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) provides a resonant typing experience. This means that when typing on these switches, you can expect a clean and sharp sound profile with a higher-pitched tone. The downstroke bump produces a satisfyingly sharp, short, snappy, and punchy sound. On the other hand, the Outemu Red Panda offers a thocky sound. This means that when pressing and releasing the keys, you will experience a deep, rich, and satisfying sound, similar to a deep "thud" or a soft "knock". It's important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used. Nevertheless, both switches offer unique sound profiles that cater to different preferences.
In terms of feel, the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) is described as having an accented and sharp tactile feel. Accented switches typically provide a medium amount of tactility without being overwhelming or subtle. The Moyu Blacks have a prominent tactile bump that can be felt distinctly with each keypress. It offers a high feedback intensity, giving a satisfying typing experience. On the other hand, the Outemu Red Panda is described as having a mild feel. This means that these switches offer a gentler typing experience compared to switches with more pronounced characteristics. The Red Panda switches offer a safe middle-ground zone in terms of feel, ensuring a comfortable and approachable typing experience for most users. The Moyu Blacks and Red Pandas provide different levels of tactility to cater to varying preferences.
In conclusion, the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) and the Outemu Red Panda offer distinct subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Moyu Blacks provide a resonant typing experience with a sharp, short, and punchy sound profile. They also offer an accented and sharp tactile feel, providing a high feedback intensity. On the other hand, the Red Pandas offer a thocky sound with a bassier bottom-out and clackier top-out. They have a mild feel that ensures a comfortable typing experience. Both switches have their own unique characteristics and cater to different preferences. It's important to consider personal preferences and typing preferences when choosing between these switches to ensure the best typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) tactile switch is a great choice for those seeking a distinctive and impactful typing experience. With a medium-heavy bottom-out force and a unique blend of PBT top and bottom housing, these switches offer a rare and premium typing experience. The sharp and strong tactile bumps, both on the downstroke and upstroke, create a hypertactile sensation. The bottom-out is abrupt and accentuated, resulting in a satisfyingly sharp and punchy sound. On the other hand, the Outemu Red Panda tactile switch is a good option for those looking for a more gentle typing experience. With a lighter bottom-out force and a light-medium amount of tactility, these switches provide a comfortable and approachable feel. The bottom-out sound is bassy and raindrop-like, while the top-out sound is clackier and higher-pitched. Overall, if you prefer a more intense and pronounced typing experience, the Moyu Black (Dark Jade) is the way to go. However, if you prefer a more mild and versatile typing experience, the Red Panda is a solid choice.
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