Cherry Nixie vs. Outemu Crystal Brown
An in-depth look at the Cherry Nixie and the Outemu Crystal Brown switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
The Cherry Nixie linear switch is a revered classic in the keyboard community, known for its substantial heft and textured typing experience. With updated materials and springs from Cherry's recent MX2A update, this switch combines tradition with modern innovation. On the other hand, the Outemu Crystal Brown tactile switch offers a different typing experience with its tactile bump providing feedback to the user. While the Nixie is categorized as 'Textured', 'Thocky', 'Low-pitched', the Crystal Brown does not have any specific categorization. If you prefer a smooth and consistent typing experience, the Cherry Nixie may be the way to go. However, if you enjoy the tactile feedback of a bump while typing, the Outemu Crystal Brown could be the better choice. To make the best decision on the ideal switch for your mechanical keyboard, let's dive in deeper beyond these generalities.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
63.5g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
80g
Bottom-out force
55g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 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
Nylon
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
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Cherry Nixie and Outemu Crystal Brown both have unique housing materials that contribute to the overall sound profile of the switches. The Nixie features a nylon top housing, which produces a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer plastic that absorbs more sound. In contrast, the Crystal Brown's polycarbonate top housing creates a sharper, higher-pitched sound that is clear and resonant. The use of polycarbonate is also beneficial for RGB lighting as it is translucent, adding to the aesthetic appeal of the switch.
Both the Nixie and Crystal Brown switches utilize nylon for the bottom housing, resulting in a similar deep and fuller sound profile. The softer nature of nylon absorbs more sound, creating a duller and rounder sound compared to switches with harder plastic bottom housings. This consistency in bottom housing material ensures that both switches provide a consistent typing experience in terms of sound and feel. However, the differences in their top housing materials still play a significant role in shaping the overall sound profile of each switch.
When comparing the impact of the top and bottom housing materials on the switch, it becomes evident that each material contributes differently to the overall typing experience. The qualities of the bottom housing material are felt more prominently during bottom-out sounds and feels, while the top housing material has a greater influence on the sound produced when releasing a key. This division of qualities between the top and bottom housing materials allows for a more nuanced and customizable typing experience, as typists can choose switches based on their preferred sound profile and feel.
Weight
When comparing the actuation and bottom out forces of the Cherry Nixie linear switch and the Outemu Crystal Brown tactile switch, it is evident that there are significant differences between the two. The Nixie switch has a heavier actuation force at 63.5 grams compared to the Crystal Brown's lighter actuation force of 45 grams. Similarly, the Nixie switch requires a bottom out force of 80 grams, indicating a heavier typing experience, while the Crystal Brown switch has a lower bottom out force of 55 grams, resulting in a more medium-light typing feel. The Nixie switch provides a more substantial and tactile typing experience with its heavier forces, catering to those who prefer a stronger push feel, while the Crystal Brown switch offers a lighter touch that may be more suitable for prolonged typing sessions or gaming. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for typing feel and weight.
Travel distance
Both the Cherry Nixie linear switch and the Outemu Crystal Brown tactile switch have the same travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key using either switch, you will experience a similar amount of travel distance from the top to the bottom. This allows for consistent typing experience regardless of which switch you choose. The similarity in travel distance between the two switches highlights their comparable responsiveness and tactile feedback, making them both popular choices among keyboard enthusiasts.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Cherry Nixie has an MSRP of $6.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Nixie for $4.15.
The Outemu Crystal Brown 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 Cherry Nixie linear switch is known for its thocky and low-pitched characteristics, providing a deep and satisfying sound with each key press. On the other hand, the Outemu Crystal Brown tactile switch does not have any specific sound descriptors provided. Both switches will likely produce different sound profiles based on the type of keyboard and keycaps used.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Cherry Nixie is recognized for its textured typing experience, offering a unique tactile feedback with noticeable friction when pressed. In contrast, there is no information available on the feel of the Outemu Crystal Brown switch. Users who prefer a textured typing experience may lean towards the Cherry Nixie for its distinctive feel.
Overall, while the Cherry Nixie linear switch boasts a textured typing experience with thocky and low-pitched sound profiles, the Outemu Crystal Brown tactile switch lacks specific descriptors for both sound and feel. Therefore, it would be difficult to directly compare the two switches in terms of subjective qualities. However, based on available information, users seeking a textured and satisfying typing experience may find the Cherry Nixie to be a suitable choice.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a heavy and textured typing experience with a deep and low-pitched sound profile, the Cherry Nixie linear switch would be a great choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter bottom out force and a tactile typing experience without any additional sound description, the Outemu Crystal Brown tactile switch would be a better fit for your preferences. Consider these factors carefully when choosing between the two switches to ensure that you select the one that best suits your typing style and preferences. Ultimately, the decision between the Cherry Nixie and Outemu Crystal Brown switches will depend on your personal preferences for typing feel, sound, and bottom out force.
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