Outemu Black vs. Outemu Silent Ocean
An in-depth look at the Outemu Black and the Outemu Silent Ocean switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Outemu Black and the Outemu Silent Ocean both offer a linear typing experience. The Outemu Black is known for its smooth keystrokes and consistent actuation, making it ideal for fast typists and gamers who prefer a responsive feel. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Ocean is praised for its quiet operation, perfect for those working in a shared space or late at night. 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
65g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
82g
Bottom-out force
65g
Pre-travel
2.50 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
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Outemu Black and the Outemu Silent Ocean both feature polycarbonate top housings, providing a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to the material's stiffness. This makes them ideal choices for switches intended for RGB lighting, as the translucency of polycarbonate allows for vibrant lighting effects. However, the nylon bottom housing of the Black produces a deeper and fuller sound when typing, thanks to the material's softer nature which absorbs more sound. Similarly, the Silent Ocean's nylon bottom housing offers the same acoustic benefits, contributing to a rounder and duller sound profile.
While both switches share the same polycarbonate top housing properties, the differences in their nylon bottom housings create variations in sound and feel. The split qualities between the top and bottom housings impact how the keys sound and feel when pressed and released. The bottom housing's impact on the bottom-out sound and feel is influenced by the softer nylon material, which absorbs more sound. Conversely, the top housing's effect on the sound when releasing a key is shaped by the stiffness of the polycarbonate, creating a distinct auditory experience for each switch.
Overall, the use of contrasting housing materials in the Outemu Black and the Outemu Silent Ocean highlights the importance of material selection in keyboard switches. While polycarbonate top housings offer a sharp and crisp sound profile ideal for RGB lighting, the nylon bottom housings provide a deeper and fuller sound when typing. The combination of these materials creates a unique tactile and auditory experience for users, showcasing the impact of housing materials on the overall performance of mechanical switches.
Weight
The Outemu Black linear switch has a significantly higher actuation force and bottom out force compared to the Outemu Silent Ocean linear switch. The Black requires 65 grams of force to actuate and 82 grams to bottom out, making it a heavier option. In contrast, the Silent Ocean only needs 45 grams to actuate and 65 grams to bottom out, putting it in the medium-heavy range. For those who prefer a lighter typing experience for extended periods, the Silent Ocean may be the better choice, while those who enjoy a more robust and substantial feel when typing may lean towards the Black. Both switches offer different tactile experiences due to their differing actuation and bottom out forces, so users should consider their preferences before making a decision.
Travel distance
Both the Outemu Black linear switch and the Outemu Silent Ocean linear switch have a travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when pressing down on a key with either of these switches, the distance the switch travels from the top to the bottom is the same. Therefore, users can expect similar results in terms of key feel and responsiveness when using either of these switches. The travel distance of both switches being equal ensures a consistent typing experience. Whether using the Outemu Black or the Outemu Silent Ocean linear switch, users can expect a smooth keystroke with the same travel distance of 4 mm.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
In this case, both switches are $3.10. As such, price can't serve as a tiebreaker when choosing between the Black and Silent Ocean.
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, both the Outemu Black linear switch and the Outemu Silent Ocean linear switch are known for their quiet operation compared to other switch types. The Black switch is often praised for its soft, muted sound signature, making it an ideal choice for those who prefer a quieter typing experience. On the other hand, the Silent Ocean switch is specifically designed to reduce the noise level even further, providing an extremely silent typing experience. However, keep in mind that sound can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard body and keycaps used.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Outemu Black linear switch is characterized by its smooth keystrokes and consistent actuation force throughout the key press. This results in a satisfying typing experience with minimal tactile feedback. Similarly, the Outemu Silent Ocean linear switch offers the same smooth keystrokes and consistent actuation force, providing a comfortable typing experience for users who prefer a linear switch type. Both switches offer a seamless typing experience, perfect for long typing sessions.
In conclusion, both the Outemu Black linear switch and the Outemu Silent Ocean linear switch offer similar qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Silent Ocean switch is specifically designed to provide a quieter typing experience, both switches deliver smooth and consistent keystrokes for users who prefer linear switches. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will come down to personal preference in terms of sound level and typing feel.
Conclusion
To conclude, when choosing between the Outemu Black linear switch and the Outemu Silent Ocean linear switch, you should consider a few key factors. If you prefer a heavier typing experience with a bottom out force of 82 grams, the Outemu Black switch may be the better option for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a slightly lighter typing experience with a bottom out force of 65 grams, the Outemu Silent Ocean switch would be more suitable. Additionally, if you are looking for a quieter typing experience, the Silent Ocean switch may be the way to go. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches will come down to personal preference in terms of typing feel, sound, and bottom out force. Consider these factors carefully to choose the switch that best suits your typing style and preferences.
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