Outemu Maple Leaf vs. Outemu Silent Green
An in-depth look at the Outemu Maple Leaf and the Outemu Silent Green switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When navigating the world of mechanical keyboards, the choice of switch can greatly influence your typing experience. The Outemu Maple Leaf, recognized for its tactile feedback, provides a satisfying bump at actuation that many users appreciate for its enhanced typing accuracy and responsiveness, ideal for those who enjoy a more traditional typing feel. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Green, a linear switch, boasts a smooth keystroke without any tactile bumps or audible clicks, making it a great choice for those who prefer a quieter typing environment or are looking to minimize distraction in shared spaces. While the Maple Leaf caters to typists who thrive on feedback during their key presses, the Silent Green appeals to users seeking a seamless and tranquil experience. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the right switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
55g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
65g
Bottom-out force
60g
Pre-travel
2.30 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.30 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
pom
Stem material
pom
Top housing material
Nylon
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 Outemu Maple Leaf and the Outemu Silent Green, the differences in their housing materials become evident, showcasing the impact these materials have on sound profiles and performance. The Maple Leaf features a top housing made of nylon, a well-regarded classic switch material known for producing a deeper, fuller sound. This is attributed to nylon's softer plastic qualities, which allow it to absorb sound more effectively than harder materials. As a result, users can expect a rounded, muted auditory feedback, promoting a more subdued typing experience. In contrast, the Silent Green opts for polycarbonate in its top housing. This stiffer material cultivates a sharper, crisper sound, leading to a higher-pitched auditory response. For those who favor a pronounced sound profile, the polycarbonate offers a clear resonance, enhancing the overall typing experience with its more defined auditory characteristics.
The bottom housings of both switches reflect a similar divergence in material choice, contributing further to their overall sound profiles. The Maple Leaf, paired with a nylon bottom housing, continues to deliver the same deeper and fuller sound quality as observed in its top counterpart. This consistency across the nylon housing ensures the rounded and muted sound remains prominent even during the keystroke's bottoming out phase. Conversely, the Silent Green's polycarbonate bottom housing complements its top structure, providing a distinctly higher-pitched and crisper sound upon bottoming out. This synergy between the top and bottom housing materials reinforces the clear and resonant sound profile favored by those who lean towards a more vibrant typing experience.
While the Maple Leaf and Silent Green differ in their housing materials, their disparate sound profiles offer users a choice based on personal preferences. The characteristics of each housing material significantly influence the acoustic response during typing, creating distinct auditory experiences. However, if one were to mix and match these housings, the outcome will also be a blend of the respective sound profiles. For instance, if the Maple Leaf's nylon top were paired with the Silent Green's polycarbonate bottom, the result would be a unique sound that still captures the deeper and fuller qualities from the nylon while introducing a sharper clarity from the polycarbonate. Thus, switching between different housing materials can lead to a variety of auditory nuances, offering further customization in keyboard experience.
Weight
The Outemu Maple Leaf tactile switch and the Outemu Silent Green linear switch offer distinct actuation and bottom out forces that cater to different preferences among users. The Maple Leaf features an actuation force of 55 grams and a bottom out force of 65 grams, making it a medium-heavy option well-suited for those who appreciate a more substantial typing experience. In contrast, the Silent Green has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 60 grams, which falls into the medium category, making it ideal for users who prefer less resistance and longer typing sessions. Overall, while the Maple Leaf is heavier than the Silent Green, providing a firmer tactile feedback, the Silent Green's lighter touch allows for quicker typing with less effort. Therefore, for those seeking a sturdier feel, the Maple Leaf would be a better choice, while the Silent Green is perfect for users who value a lighter switch for extended use.
Travel distance
The Outemu Maple Leaf tactile switch features a travel distance of 3.3 mm, while the Outemu Silent Green linear switch has a longer travel distance of 4 mm. This distinction means that if you're looking for a quicker response time, the Maple Leaf switch may be the better choice due to its shorter travel distance, which can cater to gamers looking for faster actuation. In contrast, the Silent Green switch, with its deeper travel distance of 4 mm, offers a more substantial feel that some users may prefer for typing or other applications where a more pronounced action provides comfort and feedback. Ultimately, those who prioritize responsiveness will lean towards the Maple Leaf, while those seeking a more traditional and hearty typing experience might gravitate towards the Silent Green switch.
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 Maple Leaf 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 comparing the sound characteristics of the Outemu Maple Leaf tactile switch and the Outemu Silent Green linear switch, there is a notable difference that can influence your typing experience. The Maple Leaf switch generally produces an audible clicking sound typical of tactile switches, which adds a satisfying auditory feedback with each keystroke. In contrast, the Silent Green switch is designed with discretion in mind, focusing on a subdued, quieter actuation that minimizes disruptive noise. This makes the Silent Green more suitable for quieter environments, such as shared workspaces or late-night typing sessions, where loud sounds might be distracting.
In terms of feel, the Maple Leaf switch offers a pronounced tactile bump that provides a clear indication of actuation, allowing typists to enjoy a responsive and engaging experience. This tactile feedback is favored by users who appreciate the sensation of each keypress and prefer a more traditional typing feel. On the other hand, the Silent Green switch emphasizes smoothness with its linear design, resulting in consistent resistance throughout the key travel without the tactile feedback. This makes it appealing for users who value fluid key presses for gaming or extended typing sessions, as it reduces finger fatigue.
In conclusion, while both the Outemu Maple Leaf tactile switch and the Outemu Silent Green linear switch cater to different preferences in sound and feel, your ultimate choice will depend on your typing environment and personal taste. If you seek tactile feedback with an audible click, the Maple Leaf will satisfy that need, whereas the Silent Green will provide a quieter, smoother experience for those who prefer stealth in their keystrokes. Your decision will hinge on whether you prioritize auditory feedback or a muted sound, and that will shape your overall typing experience.
Conclusion
To conclude, choosing between the Outemu Maple Leaf tactile switch and the Outemu Silent Green linear switch ultimately depends on your typing preferences and environment. If you prefer a more noticeable tactile feedback while typing and enjoy a medium-heavy actuation force of 65 grams, the Maple Leaf is an excellent choice for you. Its tactile nature is ideal for those who appreciate a more pronounced response that can enhance your typing accuracy and overall experience, especially for typing tasks where you need that extra assurance with each keystroke. On the other hand, if you favor a smoother, quieter typing experience, the Silent Green linear switch with its 60 grams of actuation force may be more suitable. It's perfect for environments where noise can be distracting, such as shared workspaces or late-night gaming sessions, offering a softer touch without compromising on performance. Ultimately, consider both the tactile feedback and noise level based on your specific needs to select the switch that aligns best with your typing style and environment.
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