Outemu Crystal Brown vs. Outemu Silent Green
An in-depth look at the Outemu Crystal Brown and the Outemu Silent Green switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, two popular options to consider are the Outemu Crystal Brown, a tactile switch, and the Outemu Silent Green, a linear switch. The Crystal Brown switch is known for its tactile bump feedback, providing a satisfying typing experience for those who enjoy a tactile feel. On the other hand, the Silent Green switch is praised for its smooth and quiet operation, making it ideal for offices or shared workspaces where noise may be a concern. Each switch has its own unique characteristics that cater to different preferences and needs. 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
45g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
60g
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
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the Outemu Crystal Brown and Outemu Silent Green switches, it is clear that both switches use polycarbonate for their top housing. This material creates a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile due to its stiffness, resulting in a clear and resonant sound. The use of polycarbonate in the top housing is also beneficial for switches that plan to utilize RGB lighting, as its translucency enhances the visual appeal. However, the Crystal Brown utilizes nylon for its bottom housing, which produces a deeper and fuller sound profile compared to the Silent Green's polycarbonate bottom housing, which absorbs less sound and creates a sharper sound profile.
Furthermore, the difference in bottom housing materials between the Crystal Brown and Silent Green affects the typing experience on these switches. The nylon bottom housing of the Crystal Brown contributes to a more muffled and round sound when pressing down on the keys, providing a distinct typing feel. In contrast, the Silent Green's polycarbonate bottom housing results in a sharper and more resonant sound, impacting the overall typing experience. The split between the qualities each housing material brings to the switch showcases how the bottom housing affects the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing influences the sound when releasing a key.
Overall, while both the Outemu Crystal Brown and Outemu Silent Green switches feature polycarbonate top housing for a sharp and crisp sound profile, their bottom housing materials vary in terms of sound characteristics. The Crystal Brown's nylon bottom housing creates a deeper and fuller sound, while the Silent Green's polycarbonate bottom housing produces a sharper sound. Understanding the impact of housing materials on sound profiles and typing experiences can help users choose the switch that best suits their preferences and needs.
Weight
In comparing the Outemu Crystal Brown tactile switch and the Outemu Silent Green linear switch, the actuation force is the same at 45 grams. However, the bottom out force differs slightly, with the Crystal Brown requiring 55 grams and the Silent Green requiring 60 grams. This makes the Crystal Brown slightly lighter in terms of bottom out force. The Crystal Brown provides a medium-light typing experience, while the Silent Green offers a medium typing experience. Those who prefer lighter switches for longer typing sessions may lean towards the Crystal Brown, while those seeking a more substantial typing experience may opt for the Silent Green due to its slightly heavier bottom out force. Overall, both switches offer a similar actuation force and provide tactile feedback, ensuring a satisfying typing experience for users.
Travel distance
Both the Outemu Crystal Brown tactile switch and the Outemu Silent Green linear switch have the same travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when pressing down on a key using either of these switches, users will experience a consistent travel distance of 4 mm. This similarity ensures that users will get similar results in terms of key press feel and overall typing experience. Despite both switches having the same travel distance, the Crystal Brown offers a tactile experience with feedback, while the Silent Green provides a smoother linear feel without the tactile bump. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for tactile feedback or a smoother key press.
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 Crystal Brown and Silent Green.
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 Outemu Crystal Brown tactile switch is known for its satisfying and audible tactile bump, resulting in a crisp and slightly louder typing experience compared to other switches. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Green linear switch is designed to minimize noise, providing a quieter typing experience for those who prefer a more subtle switch sound. Keep in mind that the sound produced by a switch can be influenced by various factors, including the keyboard chassis and keycaps used.
Moving on to feel, the Outemu Crystal Brown switch is praised for its tactile feedback, giving typists a distinct bump at the actuation point that can enhance typing accuracy and speed. In contrast, the Outemu Silent Green switch offers a smooth and linear keystroke without any tactile feedback, providing a consistent typing experience with each press. Depending on personal preference, some individuals may find the tactile bump of the Crystal Brown more satisfying, while others may prefer the smoothness of the Silent Green for prolonged typing sessions.
In conclusion, both the Outemu Crystal Brown tactile switch and the Outemu Silent Green linear switch offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences in typing experience. If you enjoy a tactile feedback with audible sound, the Crystal Brown may be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prioritize a quieter typing experience with a linear keystroke, the Silent Green switch could be more suitable. Ultimately, the decision between these switches will depend on your personal preference for sound, feel, and typing style.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Outemu Crystal Brown tactile switch and the Outemu Silent Green linear switch, it is important to consider your personal preferences for both typing force and sound. If you prefer a lighter bottom out force, the Crystal Brown with 55 grams may be more comfortable for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a slightly heavier bottom out force, the Silent Green with 60 grams may provide a better typing experience. Additionally, if noise level is a concern for you, the Silent Green's silent operation may be preferred over the audible sound of the Crystal Brown. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your individual typing preferences and whether you prioritize a lighter force or a quieter typing experience.
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