Cherry Nixie vs. Outemu Silent Ocean
An in-depth look at the Cherry Nixie and the Outemu Silent Ocean switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to comparing the Cherry Nixie and the Outemu Silent Ocean mechanical keyboard switches, one of the key differences lies in their typing experience. The Cherry Nixie is a linear switch that is best known for its substantial heft and textured typing experience, making it a popular choice for users who seek a satisfying tactile feedback while typing. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Ocean is also a linear switch, but it is characterized by its silent operation, making it ideal for those who prefer a quieter typing experience. While the Cherry Nixie offers a thocky and low-pitched typing experience, the Outemu Silent Ocean is designed to be virtually silent. 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
63.5g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
80g
Bottom-out force
65g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.60 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
When comparing the housing materials of the Cherry Nixie and the Outemu Silent Ocean, it's clear that they each offer distinct sound profiles and characteristics. The Nixie's nylon top housing provides a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softness and ability to absorb sound, creating a duller and rounder sound. In contrast, the Silent Ocean's polycarbonate top housing produces a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to its stiffness, resulting in a more clear and resonant sound. While the Nixie's nylon bottom housing offers a similar deep and full sound profile, the Silent Ocean's nylon bottom housing also contributes to this effect, showcasing the similarities between the two switches in this aspect.
The difference in top housing materials between the Cherry Nixie and the Outemu Silent Ocean also extends to their aesthetic qualities. The Nixie's nylon top housing provides a more classic and traditional look, while the Silent Ocean's polycarbonate top housing offers a modern and sleek appearance, especially when paired with RGB lighting due to its translucency. This contrast in visual appeal adds another dimension to the comparison between these two switches, showcasing how housing materials can impact not only sound but also the overall look and feel of a mechanical keyboard.
Overall, the choice between the Cherry Nixie and the Outemu Silent Ocean ultimately comes down to personal preference in sound profile, feel, and aesthetics. While both switches utilize nylon for their bottom housing, the distinct characteristics of their top housing materials - nylon for the Nixie and polycarbonate for the Silent Ocean - create noticeable differences in sound and appearance. Whether you prefer a deeper, fuller sound profile with a classic look or a sharper, crisper sound profile with a modern aesthetic, these housing materials play a significant role in shaping the overall typing experience on these switches.
Weight
When comparing the Cherry Nixie linear switch and the Outemu Silent Ocean linear switch, we can see a clear difference in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Nixie has a heavier actuation force of 63.5 grams compared to the Silent Ocean's lighter 45 grams. In terms of bottom out force, the Nixie requires 80 grams of force, while the Silent Ocean comes in at 65 grams. This means that the Nixie is heavier overall, making it more suitable for those who prefer a stronger push feel and a more substantial typing experience. On the other hand, the Silent Ocean is lighter, making it ideal for users who prefer a lighter typing experience for longer typing sessions. Both switches offer similar results in terms of actuation and bottom out forces, but the Nixie provides a heavier touch, while the Silent Ocean offers a lighter touch. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference and typing style.
Travel distance
Both the Cherry Nixie linear switch and the Outemu Silent Ocean linear switch have a travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key with either of these switches, you will feel the same distance of travel. The Cherry Nixie and Outemu Silent Ocean switches are equal in terms of travel distance, providing a consistent typing experience for users who prefer linear switches. Both switches offer a smooth keystroke with a moderate travel distance, making them suitable for those who enjoy a shorter actuation distance. Overall, whether you choose the Cherry Nixie or the Outemu Silent Ocean, you can expect a similar typing experience in terms of travel distance.
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 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
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 when pressed. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Ocean linear switch does not have any specific sound descriptions available, making it difficult to directly compare the two in this aspect. Keep in mind that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by the keyboard's build and keycaps used.
Moving on to feel, the Cherry Nixie switch is recognized for its textured typing experience, offering a tactile feedback that some users appreciate for its added friction. In contrast, details on the feel of the Outemu Silent Ocean switch are not provided. Thus, it is challenging to make a direct comparison in terms of feel between these two switches.
Overall, while the Cherry Nixie linear switch is praised for its heft, textured typing experience, thocky sound, and low-pitched tones, the Outemu Silent Ocean linear switch lacks specific descriptions in both sound and feel. As a result, if you are seeking a similar tactile and auditory experience as the Cherry Nixie, choosing the Outemu Silent Ocean may not guarantee identical results. Ultimately, personal preference and typing style play a significant role in determining which switch would be the best fit for you.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you prefer a heavier bottom out force and enjoy the tactile typing experience that Cherry Nixie linear switches provide, then these switches would be a great choice for you. On the other hand, if you're looking for a more medium-heavy bottom out force and a quieter typing experience, the Outemu Silent Ocean linear switches would be a better fit. Ultimately, your choice between the two switches will depend on your personal preferences for typing feel and sound. Consider what factors are most important to you in a keyboard switch and make your decision based on that. Regardless of which switch you ultimately choose, both the Cherry Nixie and Outemu Silent Ocean switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different user preferences.
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