Haimu Orange Sea vs. Everglide Tourmaline Blue

Overview

When it comes to choosing the right mechanical keyboard switch, the Haimu Orange Sea and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue offer distinct experiences that cater to different preferences. The Haimu Orange Sea is celebrated for its impeccably smooth typing feel and neutral sound signature, making it an excellent choice for those who seek a seamless and quiet typing experience, ideal for both work and gaming. On the other hand, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches are characterized by a deep, thocky sound profile that delivers a satisfying auditory feedback, paired with a bouncy feel from their lengthened single-stage spring. They strike a balance with their standard spring weight, making them enjoyable and accessible for a wide range of users who appreciate a tactile response while typing. While both switches belong to the linear category and can enhance your typing efficiency, they cater to different tactile preferences and sound profiles. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.

By the numbers

Haimu Orange Sea Linear

Everglide Tourmaline Blue Linear

$2.79 per 10

$6.86

$3.89 per 10

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Housing materials

When comparing the housing materials of the Haimu Orange Sea and Everglide Tourmaline Blue, it is notable that both share a polycarbonate top housing. The use of polycarbonate in this position contributes to a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile for both switches. This similarity in material choice results in an acoustically resonant quality, regardless of the specific switch it is housed in. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate enhances the aesthetic aspect, allowing for vibrant RGB lighting effects. For both switches, the combination of a polycarbonate top housing guarantees that they will produce a clear and pronounced sound signature, making them suitable for users who prioritize auditory feedback and visual flair.

Contrastingly, the bottom housing materials of the two switches diverge significantly. The Orange Sea features a nylon bottom housing, which generally elicits deeper and fuller sound characteristics due to its softer plastic composition. This material absorbs more sound, resulting in a more muted and rounded sound profile. In contrast, the Tourmaline Blue incorporates a polycarbonate bottom housing, directly mirroring the properties of its top housing. This choice maintains the sharper and clearer sound characteristics throughout the entire switch, though it may lack the warmth and fullness expected from a switch with a nylon bottom. Therefore, users can expect fundamentally different auditory experiences based on the type of plastic used in the bottom housing, despite the shared top housing material.

The interaction of these materials leads to distinctive user experiences when pressing down on the keys. For the Haimu Orange Sea, the nylon bottom housing will provide a deeper bottom-out sound, contrasting with the Everglide Tourmaline Blue’s sharper sound signature from its dual polycarbonate housings. Consequently, users who value a fuller and warmer sound might lean towards the Orange Sea, while those who prefer a crisper and more resonant typing experience might opt for the Tourmaline Blue. Ultimately, the incorporation of different materials in the bottom housing creates a significant differentiation in sound and feel, thus influencing the overall typing experience offered by each switch.

Weight

When comparing the Haimu Orange Sea linear switch with the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch, notable differences in actuation and bottom out forces emerge. The Orange Sea features a lighter actuation force of 37 grams and a bottom out force of 45 grams, making it more suitable for extended typing sessions due to its lower resistance. In contrast, the Tourmaline Blue requires a heavier actuation force of 59 grams and a bottom out force of 67 grams, appealing to users who prefer a more substantial feel when typing. This means that if you're looking for a switch that allows for longer periods of use without fatigue, the Orange Sea would be the better choice. Conversely, for those who appreciate a more pronounced keystroke, the Tourmaline Blue offers a stronger push feel. Overall, while both switches provide unique tactile experiences, the Orange Sea stands out as the lighter option, while the Tourmaline Blue is distinctly heavier.

Travel distance

The travel distance of the Haimu Orange Sea linear switch is 3.6 mm, while the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch boasts a travel distance of 4 mm. This makes the Orange Sea the shorter option, appealing to those who prefer a more responsive experience during gameplay due to its lesser travel distance. On the other hand, the Tourmaline Blue, with its longer travel distance of 4 mm, provides a heftier feel, which some users may appreciate for its more deliberate actuation. Therefore, for users seeking quick response times, the Orange Sea would be the preferred choice, whereas those who enjoy a more pronounced keystroke may prefer the Tourmaline Blue. Ultimately, the variances in travel distance cater to different preferences in typing and gaming experiences.

Price comparison

Typing experience

The Haimu Orange Sea linear switch is characterized by its neutral sound signature, making it suitable for various environments, whether at home or in an office. This neutrality means that it operates quietly without drawing much attention, which is often appreciated in situations where excessive noise could be disruptive. In contrast, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue's deep and thocky sound profile offers a more immersive auditory experience. This switch produces a satisfying sound that many enthusiasts find gratifying, although it may not be as understated as the Orange Sea's neutral presence. Ultimately, while the Orange Sea focuses on subtlety, the Tourmaline Blue engages users with a more profound auditory feedback, catering to those who enjoy a pronounced typographic sound.

When it comes to feel, the Haimu Orange Sea boasts an impeccably smooth typing experience, offering a seamless transition between key presses. This smoothness is vital for users who prioritize a fluid and effortless keystroke, essential for both typing and gaming. Conversely, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches are described as buttery with a bouncy sensation. The lengthened single-stage spring provides a light and responsive feedback with each keystroke, making it easy to press and reducing finger fatigue. While both switches provide enjoyable typing experiences, the Orange Sea prioritizes smoothness, while the Tourmaline Blues deliver a more dynamic, lively feel.

Taking into consideration both sound and feel, it's clear that the Haimu Orange Sea switches cater to those who prefer a neutral auditory profile and an exceptionally smooth keystroke. On the other hand, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches appeal to those who enjoy a deeper sound and a tactile, bouncy typing experience. Choosing between them will depend on personal preference, as both offer unique qualities that cater to different typing styles and environments. If you're after a mild and easy-going experience, both switches will meet your needs, but you may find that the Orange Sea is more discreet, while the Tourmaline Blue provides an engaging soundscape and responsive feel.

Conclusion

To conclude, when deciding between the Haimu Orange Sea linear switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch, it ultimately comes down to your typing preferences and the context in which you’ll be using your keyboard. The Orange Sea is an excellent choice if you favor a lighter touch, as its 45-gram bottom out force means less effort with each keystroke, making it ideal for extensive typing sessions where comfort and smoothness are paramount. If you appreciate a neutral sound signature coupled with an impeccably smooth typing feel, the Orange Sea will serve you well, especially in settings where noise might be a concern, such as in a quieter work environment or during prolonged writing sessions. On the other hand, if you prefer a heftier feel and a satisfying thocky sound, you’ll want to lean towards the Everglide Tourmaline Blue. With a medium-heavy 67-gram bottom out force, these switches provide a bouncy experience and a deep auditory satisfaction that many find rewarding. The buttery smoothness and easy-to-press nature of the Tourmaline Blues make them accessible to users who enjoy a tactile experience without feeling overburdened. Ultimately, your choice should reflect your stylistic preferences, whether it be the light, smooth characteristics of the Orange Sea or the bouncy, resonant profile of the Tourmaline Blue.

Mentioned in this article

Haimu Orange Sea Linear

$2.79 per 10

Learn more

Everglide Tourmaline Blue Linear

$6.86

$3.89 per 10

Learn more