Outemu Gold vs. HMX Vintage Citrus
An in-depth look at the Outemu Gold and the HMX Vintage Citrus switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When choosing a mechanical keyboard, the type of switch can significantly impact your typing experience, particularly when comparing the Outemu Gold, a clicky switch, and the HMX Vintage Citrus, a linear switch designed specifically for gamers. The Outemu Gold is celebrated for its tactile feedback and crisp audio response, making it ideal for typists who enjoy an audible click with each keystroke, enhancing both the typing experience and satisfaction. In contrast, the HMX Vintage Citrus prioritizes speed and responsiveness, featuring a remarkably low actuation force of just 1mm, which is perfect for gamers seeking rapid-fire inputs and responsiveness. While the Vintage Citrus delivers a smooth push feel and a bright, clacky sound profile, the Outemu Gold offers satisfying tactile feedback suited for those who appreciate the auditory and physical sensations of typing. 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
48g
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
53g
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Pre-travel
1.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
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 single-staged spring
Housing materials
The Outemu Gold and the HMX Vintage Citrus switches exhibit a striking contrast in their top housing materials, which significantly influences the auditory characteristics and user experience each switch offers. The Outemu Gold utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, renowned for delivering a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is attributed to polycarbonate's stiffer nature, which enhances sound resonance and clarity. Additionally, its translucent quality allows RGB lighting to shine through effectively, highlighting aesthetic aspects alongside performance. In contrast, the HMX Vintage Citrus employs a nylon top housing that is softer and absorbs more sound, resulting in a deeper and fuller auditory experience. While both switches aim for high-quality sound, their distinct material choices lead to divergent acoustic profiles that cater to differing user preferences.
Examining the bottom housings of both switches reveals an interesting point of similarity. Both the Outemu Gold and the Vintage Citrus feature nylon as their bottom housing material. This shared component contributes to a fuller and deeper sound profile, as nylon's softness permits it to absorb sound more effectively compared to harder plastics. Consequently, users of either switch will experience a muted bottom-out sound that is satisfying and rounded, creating a pleasant tactile experience during typing. Although the top housing differences play a crucial role in their sound signature, the shared nylon material in the bottoms indicates that the overall typing experience will also carry some common threads.
Taken together, the combination of polycarbonate and nylon in the Outemu Gold results in a sound that is defined by its clarity from the top housing and robustness from the bottom. In contrast, the HMX Vintage Citrus offers a complete nylon composition that leans towards a softer auditory profile. However, users will see similarities in the deep, full sound stemming from the nylon bottoms in both switches. Ultimately, while the Gold may cater to those who appreciate a crisper sound, the Vintage Citrus appeals to those who favor a more rounded auditory experience, showcasing how nuanced housing materials can shape the switch's performance and user experience.
Weight
When comparing the Outemu Gold clicky switch and the HMX Vintage Citrus linear switch, there are notable differences in their actuation and bottom out forces that cater to different user preferences. The Outemu Gold features an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 60 grams, making it a medium-force option for typists who enjoy a balanced tactile experience. In contrast, the HMX Vintage Citrus requires a slightly heavier actuation force of 48 grams, but has a lighter bottom out force of 53 grams. This means that while the Vintage Citrus requires a bit more effort to initiate a keystroke, it offers a softer landing when fully pressed down. As a result, the Outemu Gold can be considered the lighter option overall, providing users with a comfortable typing experience ideal for long sessions, whereas the HMX Vintage Citrus, being heavier on actuation but lighter on bottoming out, offers a more nuanced feel that some may find appealing. Users will want to choose based on whether they prefer a lighter touch or a more substantial feel during typing.
Travel distance
The Outemu Gold clicky switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the HMX Vintage Citrus linear switch features a shorter travel distance of 3 mm. This means that the Gold switch provides a more traditional and hearty feel when pressed, which some may prefer for its satisfying depth. On the other hand, the Vintage Citrus switch, with its 3 mm distance, appeals to those seeking quicker response times, such as gamers, who often favor the more abrupt action of shorter travel distances. Consequently, if you’re looking for a switch that offers a deeper tactile experience, the Outemu Gold is the clear choice, whereas the HMX Vintage Citrus would be better suited for those who prioritize performance and speed in their keystrokes.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The HMX Vintage Citrus has an MSRP of $3.49 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Vintage Citrus for $2.79.
The Outemu Gold 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 Gold clicky switch lacks a specific characterization, which means its auditory feedback is relatively neutral and may not stand out in a crowded market. On the other hand, the HMX Vintage Citrus linear switch is celebrated for its bright and clacky sound profile, making it particularly engaging for users who enjoy auditory feedback while typing or gaming. The lively sound of the Vintage Citrus adds an extra layer of excitement to keyboard interactions, especially during rapid-fire inputs.
Regarding feel, the Outemu Gold offers no definitive description, leaving its tactile experiences open to interpretation. In contrast, the HMX Vintage Citrus switch is designed to provide a remarkably smooth push feel, which enhances the overall typing experience, especially for gamers who require quick and fluid keystrokes. The combination of low actuation force and smoothness allows for effortless interaction with the keyboard, making it a favorite for those who prioritize speed.
In summary, while the Outemu Gold clicky switch is less defined in terms of its sound and feel qualities, the HMX Vintage Citrus shines with its bright auditory feedback and smooth pressing experience. If you're keen on a lively and rapid keyboard performance, the Vintage Citrus could be the ideal choice. However, if you appreciate a more subdued and versatile switch, the Gold may still serve adequately, though it lacks specific standout characteristics.
Conclusion
To summarize, when choosing between the Outemu Gold clicky switch and the HMX Vintage Citrus linear switch, you need to consider your specific preferences and usage scenarios. If you are a soft typist or someone who values a tactile feedback with a distinct click sound, the Outemu Gold is a solid option due to its medium bottom-out force of 60 grams, providing a balance between comfortable typing and sufficient resistance. However, if you are a gamer looking for ultra-fast actuation with a focus on speed and a smooth keystroke, the Vintage Citrus is your ideal choice. With its exceptionally low actuation force of just 53 grams and a rapid actuation distance of 1mm, this switch will excel in fast-paced gaming environments where quick reflexes are essential. Additionally, its bright, clacky sound profile will provide an engaging auditory experience. Ultimately, your decision should hinge on whether you prioritize tactile feedback for typing versus speed and smoothness for gaming.
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