Outemu Dustproof Green vs. TKC Tangerine
An in-depth look at the Outemu Dustproof Green and the TKC Tangerine switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, the Outemu Dustproof Green and the TKC Tangerine offer distinct characteristics to enhance your typing experience. The Dustproof Green switch is a clicky switch that is best known for its durability and resistance to dust. On the other hand, the TKC Tangerine switch is a linear switch that boasts a smooth feel and high-quality UHWMPE housings for a premium typing experience. While the Dustproof Green provides a satisfying click with each keystroke, the Tangerine offers a buttery smooth feel with a high-pitched clack. 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
N/A
Bottom-out force
80g
Bottom-out force
62g
Pre-travel
2.20 mm
Pre-travel
N/A
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
UHWMPE
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
UHWMPE
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Gold coated spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Outemu Dustproof Green and the TKC Tangerine switches offer distinct characteristics that contribute to their overall sound profiles. The Dustproof Green's polycarbonate top housing provides a sharper and crisper sound, thanks to its stiffness that allows for clearer resonance. In comparison, the Tangerine's UHWMPE top housing creates a very bright sound signature, producing resonant clacks while typing. Both materials excel in allowing RGB lighting to shine through due to their translucency, providing aesthetics that enhance the overall look of the keyboard setup.
On the other hand, when it comes to the bottom housing materials, the differences between the two switches become more prominent. The Dustproof Green utilizes a nylon bottom housing, which offers a deeper and fuller sound profile by absorbing more sound with its softer plastic composition. In contrast, the Tangerine's UHWMPE bottom housing contributes to a bright sound signature that enhances the overall typing experience with resonant clacks. These distinct housing materials impact the bottom-out sound and feel of the switches, showcasing the importance of both top and bottom housing materials in determining the overall sound profile of a switch.
While the Outemu Dustproof Green and TKC Tangerine switches feature different housing materials for their top and bottom, their overall sound profiles provide unique typing experiences. The split between the qualities of the top and bottom housings allows for a balance between impact and resonance in the sound produced by each switch. Whether it's the sharp and clear sound of the Dustproof Green's polycarbonate top housing, or the bright and resonant clacks of the Tangerine's UHWMPE top housing, each switch offers a distinct typing experience that caters to different preferences. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on the user's preference for sound profile and typing feel.
Weight
The Outemu Dustproof Green clicky switch has a heavier actuation force and bottom out force compared to the TKC Tangerine linear switch. The Dustproof Green requires 65 grams of force to actuate and 80 grams to bottom out, providing a more substantial typing experience. In comparison, the Tangerine has a lighter bottom out force of 62 grams, but its actuation force is unknown. Those who prefer a lighter typing experience may lean towards the Tangerine switch, as it allows for longer typing sessions without fatigue. Meanwhile, the heavier actuation and bottom out forces of the Dustproof Green may appeal to users who prefer a stronger push feel for a more tactile typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on personal preference and typing style.
Travel distance
The Outemu Dustproof Green clicky switch and the TKC Tangerine linear switch both have a travel distance of 4mm, making them equal in this aspect. This means that when you press down on a key using either of these switches, you will experience the same distance in terms of key travel. This similarity in travel distance can provide a consistent typing experience for users who prefer either clicky or linear switches. While other factors may differentiate these switches, such as actuation force or tactile feedback, their travel distance remains the same.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
For 10 switches, the Outemu Dustproof Green comes in at $3.10, whereas the TKC Tangerine comes in at $6.30.
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 Outemu Dustproof Green clicky switch is known for its lack of specific qualities mentioned. On the other hand, the TKC Tangerine linear switch is best known for producing a high-pitched clack when typing on them. If you prefer a sharper and crisper sound profile over richer and bassier tones, the Tangerine switches would be the ideal choice for you.
When it comes to feel, the Outemu Dustproof Green switch does not have any specific descriptors provided. In contrast, the TKC Tangerine linear switch is described as frictionless, buttery, and polished. This indicates that Tangerine switches offer an extremely smooth and effortless typing experience with minimal resistance, resulting in a uniform and sleek typing sensation. The use of UHWMPE housings further contributes to the overall smoothness of each keystroke.
Taking all the available information into account, it is evident that the Outemu Dustproof Green clicky switch and the TKC Tangerine linear switch present distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Dustproof Green offers a clicky experience without specific sound or feel descriptors mentioned, while the Tangerine provides a high-pitched clack sound and a frictionless, buttery, and polished feel. Depending on your preference for sound and typing experience, you can tailor your choice accordingly to achieve similar results with either switch. Ultimately, choosing between these two switches will come down to your personal preferences in sound profile and typing feel.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Outemu Dustproof Green clicky switch and the TKC Tangerine linear switch, consider your preference for bottom out force and sound profile. If you prefer a heavier bottom out force of 80 grams and a sharp clicky sound, the Dustproof Green may be the better choice for you. However, if you prefer a smoother typing experience with a medium bottom out force of 62 grams and a high-pitched sound, the Tangerine switch might be more suited to your preferences. Ultimately, your decision should be based on how you prioritize typing feel and sound when choosing between these two switches.
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