Outemu Cream Pink vs. Durock Silent T1 (Shrimp)
An in-depth look at the Outemu Cream Pink and the Durock Silent T1 (Shrimp) switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Outemu Cream Pink and the Durock Silent T1 (Shrimp) stand out for their unique characteristics. The Cream Pink is a linear switch with none specific standout feature, while the Silent T1 is a tactile switch that offers a medium bump, padded bottom-out feel, and subdued audio feedback, perfect for noise-sensitive environments. The Cream Pink is ideal for those who prefer a smooth keystroke without any tactile feedback, while the Silent T1 is perfect for individuals who enjoy both tactility and silence in their typing experience. 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
50g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
65g
Bottom-out force
67g
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
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
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
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Outemu Cream Pink and the Durock Silent T1 (Shrimp), it is evident that they both feature a nylon bottom housing. Nylon, being a softer plastic, contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile when typing on switches. This characteristic is beneficial for those looking for a quieter and more muted typing experience. However, they differ in terms of their top housing material. The Cream Pink utilizes a nylon top housing, while the Silent T1 (Shrimp) boasts a polycarbonate top housing. Polycarbonate, being a stiffer plastic, produces a sharper and more resonant sound profile. This results in a crisper typing experience with a higher pitch compared to the Cream Pink.
Despite the differences in their top housing materials, both the Outemu Cream Pink and the Durock Silent T1 (Shrimp) feature a nylon bottom housing that provides a similar deep and full sound profile. This consistency in the bottom housing material ensures that users will experience a similar typing sound and feel when pressing down on the switches. However, where they diverge is in the impact of the top housing on the overall sound profile. The Cream Pink's nylon top housing contributes to a duller and rounder sound when compared to the sharper and clearer sound produced by the Silent T1 (Shrimp)'s polycarbonate top housing. This contrast highlights how the choice of top housing material can significantly affect the sound output of a switch.
In essence, the housing materials of the Outemu Cream Pink and the Durock Silent T1 (Shrimp) play a crucial role in shaping the overall typing experience. While both switches benefit from a nylon bottom housing that creates a deep and full sound profile, their top housing materials offer distinct sound characteristics. The Cream Pink's nylon top housing lends itself to a softer, more subdued sound, whereas the Silent T1 (Shrimp)'s polycarbonate top housing produces a sharper and clearer sound. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will come down to personal preference in terms of typing sound and feel.
Weight
The Outemu Cream Pink linear switch and the Durock Silent T1 (Shrimp) tactile switch have differences in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Cream Pink has an actuation force of 50 grams and a bottom out force of 65 grams, making it a medium-heavy switch. In contrast, the Silent T1 (Shrimp) has an unknown actuation force but a bottom out force of 67 grams, also falling into the medium-heavy category. Overall, the Cream Pink is lighter in terms of actuation force but heavier in bottom out force compared to the Silent T1. The Cream Pink provides a more consistent typing experience with its defined actuation force, while the Silent T1 offers a tactile feedback with its heavier bottom out force. Both switches cater to different preferences, with the Cream Pink being ideal for longer typing sessions and the Silent T1 providing a more substantial typing experience. Ultimately, choosing between the two will depend on whether one prefers a lighter or heavier typing feel.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the Outemu Cream Pink linear switch and the Durock Silent T1 (Shrimp) tactile switch is the same, at 4mm each. This means that when pressing down on a key with either of these switches, you will experience the same distance of travel from the top to the bottom. Both switches offer a consistent typing experience in terms of travel distance, making them suitable choices for users who prefer a standard key press feel. It is worth noting that having an equal travel distance can lead to a similar typing experience regardless of the switch being used, ensuring consistent performance for users across different switch types.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Durock Silent T1 (Shrimp) has an MSRP of $7.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Silent T1 (Shrimp) for $5.57.
The Outemu Cream Pink 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
In terms of sound, the Cream Pink linear switch is known for offering a clean and quiet typing experience. On the other hand, the Silent T1 (Shrimp) tactile switch is designed to provide a muted sound profile, ideal for those looking for a quieter typing experience in noise-sensitive environments. Both switches offer different sound profiles, with the Cream Pinks being quieter overall, while the Silent T1 (Shrimp) provides a softer and quieter sound compared to other tactile switches.
When it comes to feel, the Cream Pink linear switch is recognized for its smooth and consistent keystrokes, offering a straightforward typing experience without any tactile feedback. In contrast, the Silent T1 (Shrimp) tactile switch is described as stepped, accented, and polished. This means that the Silent T1 (Shrimp) provides a medium bump in tactility, giving users a more noticeable feedback during typing while still maintaining a smooth key travel experience due to the polished finish. The switch offers a unique tactile feel that can enhance the typing experience for users who prefer a more pronounced tactile feedback without sacrificing smoothness.
Overall, the Outemu Cream Pink linear switch and the Durock Silent T1 (Shrimp) tactile switch offer distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Cream Pink switch provides a quieter and linear typing experience, the Silent T1 (Shrimp) switch offers a more tactile and subdued sound profile, making it suitable for noise-sensitive environments. Depending on personal preferences and typing needs, both switches can provide a satisfying typing experience, whether you prefer a quiet and linear feel with the Cream Pink switch or a more tactile and polished experience with the Silent T1 (Shrimp) switch. It's important to consider these subjective qualities when choosing the right switch for your mechanical keyboard setup.
Conclusion
In closing, if you are looking for a linear switch with a medium-heavy bottom out force, the Outemu Cream Pink may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a tactile switch with a similar bottom out force and are in need of a silent option, the Durock Silent T1 (Shrimp) is a great option. The Cream Pink is best known for its smooth linear feel, while the Silent T1 (Shrimp) offers a unique tactile experience with a muted sound profile ideal for noise-sensitive environments. Ultimately, your decision should be based on whether you prioritize a linear or tactile switch, as well as your preference for sound and feel.
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