Outemu Crystal Brown vs. HMX Swift
An in-depth look at the Outemu Crystal Brown and the HMX Swift switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options to consider are the Outemu Crystal Brown, a tactile switch, and the HMX Swift, a linear switch. The Crystal Brown is best known for its tactile feedback, providing users with a satisfying typing experience. On the other hand, the Swift stands out for its unique sound profile and smooth actuation force. While HMX switches are typically known for their bright sound signature, the Swifts offer a deeper sound profile thanks to their full nylon housings. Additionally, the Swifts boast a silky smoothness and delicate 42g actuation force, making them easy to press and bouncy. The Crystal Brown and the HMX Swift each have their own strengths and characteristics, making them suitable for 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
42g
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
50g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.90 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
Ly
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
22mm extended spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Outemu Crystal Brown and the HMX Swift differ in that the Crystal Brown features a polycarbonate top housing while the Swift has a nylon top housing. Polycarbonate is known for creating a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to its stiffness, while nylon elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile as a softer plastic that absorbs more sound. The choice between these two materials can greatly impact the overall sound and feel of the switch.
When it comes to the bottom housing, both the Crystal Brown and the Swift utilize nylon. Typing on switches with nylon bottom housings will result in a deeper and fuller sound profile, as the softer plastic absorbs more sound. This similarity in housing material between the two switches means that they will likely provide a similar typing experience in terms of sound and feel from the bottom housing perspective.
While the top and bottom housings of the Crystal Brown and the Swift differ in material, the impact of each housing material on the switch's sound profile and feel will be split between the top and bottom of the switch. The bottom housing will have more of an impact on the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing will influence the sound when a key is released. This split can offer a unique typing experience for users of both switches, as they will experience a combination of the characteristics of both housing materials.
Weight
The Outemu Crystal Brown tactile switch and the HMX Swift linear switch differ in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Crystal Brown has a slightly heavier actuation force of 45 grams compared to the Swift's 42 grams, making the Crystal Brown require a slightly stronger push to register a keystroke. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Crystal Brown requires 55 grams while the Swift requires 50 grams, making the Swift slightly heavier when fully pressed. The Crystal Brown falls into the medium-light category, offering a balance between typing comfort and tactile feedback, while the Swift is considered lighter, allowing for smoother and quicker keystrokes. These differences in force can cater to different preferences, with the Crystal Brown providing a more substantial typing experience and the Swift offering a lighter touch for longer typing sessions or gaming. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The Outemu Crystal Brown tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the HMX Swift linear switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.9 mm. Both switches fall within the range of traditional travel distances, with the Crystal Brown offering a slightly deeper press compared to the Swift. Gamers who prioritize faster response times may prefer the Swift with its shorter travel distance. On the other hand, those who enjoy a more substantial keypress may opt for the Crystal Brown. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will come down to individual preference for travel distance and the desired typing experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The HMX Swift has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Swift for $2.99.
The Outemu Crystal Brown 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 Outemu Crystal Brown switch is known for its quiet and smooth operation, making it ideal for those who prefer a more subtle typing experience. On the other hand, the HMX Swift switch is described as having a clacky sound profile, which produces a sharp and snappy sound when pressed. This can add a sense of precision and urgency to your typing experience, especially for those who enjoy a more tactile auditory feedback.
In terms of feel, the Crystal Brown switch offers a tactile bump during actuation, providing a satisfying feedback to the typist's fingers. The Swift switch, on the other hand, is known for its easy-to-press nature, requiring minimal force to activate. With a feathery and bouncy feel, typing on the Swift switches can be effortless and comfortable, reducing finger fatigue during long typing sessions. Additionally, the creamy sensation of the Swift switch provides a smooth and buttery typing experience, allowing your fingers to glide effortlessly across the keys.
In conclusion, the Outemu Crystal Brown and HMX Swift switches offer distinct advantages in both sound and feel. While the Crystal Brown provides a quiet and tactile typing experience, the Swift switch excels in its clacky sound profile and easy-to-press nature. Depending on your preferences for sound and feel, both switches offer unique qualities that can enhance your overall typing experience. Ultimately, choosing between the two will depend on your personal preference for auditory and tactile feedback during typing sessions.
Conclusion
In closing, when choosing between the Outemu Crystal Brown tactile switch and the HMX Swift linear switch, consider your preference for bottom out force. If you prefer a slightly firmer touch with a 55g bottom out force, the Crystal Brown may be the better option for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter touch with a 50g bottom out force and enjoy a deeper sound profile and silky smoothness, the Swift switch might be more suitable. Additionally, if you prioritize a quieter typing experience, the Swift switch's 'clacky' sound profile may be a better fit for you. Ultimately, it boils down to your personal typing preferences and whether you prioritize force, sound, or feel in your mechanical keyboard switch selection.
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