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Outemu Ocean vs. Dareu Sky POM

An in-depth look at the Outemu Ocean and the Dareu Sky POM switches—which one is the best fit for you?

Overview

When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Outemu Ocean and Dareu Sky POM offer unique experiences for users. The Outemu Ocean is a tactile switch that is best known for its None feature. On the other hand, the Dareu Sky POM is a linear switch crafted entirely from POM material, offering premium quality at an accessible price point. The Sky POM stands out for its clacky sound, exceptional smoothness, and gentle actuation force, making it categorized as 'Buttery', 'Low-pitched', 'Creamy', and 'Silky'. If you're looking for a tactile typing experience, the Ocean may be the way to go, while the Sky POM is ideal for those who prefer a smooth and quiet linear switch. 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

55g

Actuation force

40g

Bottom-out force

N/A

Bottom-out force

N/A

Pre-travel

2.20 mm

Pre-travel

2.00 mm

Total travel

4.00 mm

Total travel

3.80 mm

Factory lubed

Yes

Factory lubed

Yes

Stem construction

Partial box

Stem construction

Partial box

Stem material

POM

Stem material

POM

Top housing material

Polycarbonate

Top housing material

POM

Bottom housing material

Nylon

Bottom housing material

Nylon

Mount type

PCB (5-pin)

Mount type

PCB (5-pin)

Spring

Stainless steel

Spring

Gold-plated spring

Housing materials

The Outemu Ocean and Dareu Sky POM both have unique characteristics when it comes to their housing materials. The Ocean features a polycarbonate top housing, known for creating a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile due to its stiffness. On the other hand, the Sky POM's POM top housing produces a deeper and more muted sound, offering a different auditory experience. However, despite the differences in sound profile, both materials are translucent and ideal for use with RGB lighting, providing a visually appealing aspect to the switches.

In terms of bottom housing materials, the Ocean utilizes nylon which creates a deeper and fuller sound profile by absorbing more sound due to its softness. Similarly, the Sky POM also uses a nylon bottom housing, resulting in a similar duller and rounder sound profile. While the top housing may have more impact on the sound when pressing a key, the qualities of the bottom housing play a significant role in the bottom-out sound and feel of the switches. Therefore, despite the differences in the top housing materials, the bottom housing materials provide a consistent typing experience in both the Ocean and Sky POM switches.

Overall, the choice between the Outemu Ocean and Dareu Sky POM will come down to personal preference regarding sound profile. The Ocean offers a sharper and crisper sound with its polycarbonate top housing, while the Sky POM provides a deeper and more muted sound with its POM top housing. Both switches have nylon bottom housings that contribute to a fuller sound profile, ensuring a satisfying typing experience. Ultimately, whether you prefer a higher-pitched sound or a deeper sound, both switches offer quality housing materials that enhance the overall typing experience.

Weight

The Outemu Ocean tactile switch has a higher actuation force of 55 grams compared to the Dareu Sky POM linear switch, which has an actuation force of 40 grams. This means that the Ocean switch requires more force to trigger a keystroke, providing a more substantial typing experience for those who prefer a stronger push feel. However, both switches have an unknown bottom out force, so it is unclear which one requires more force to press all the way down. When considering weight, lighter switches like the Dareu Sky POM may be preferred for longer typing sessions or gaming sessions, while heavier switches like the Outemu Ocean may be chosen for a more substantial typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for actuation and bottom out forces.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distance of the Outemu Ocean tactile switch and the Dareu Sky POM linear switch, we can see that the Ocean has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Sky POM has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.8 mm. The Ocean offers a more traditional travel distance, while the Sky POM falls on the shorter end of the spectrum. Gamers who prioritize fast response times may prefer the shorter travel distance of the Sky POM, while those who prefer a more substantial keypress may opt for the Ocean. Both switches offer a different tactile experience based on their travel distance, catering to different preferences among keyboard enthusiasts. Ultimately, whether you choose the shorter or longer travel distance will depend on your personal typing style and preference for keypress depth.

Price comparison

Which switch is more bang for your buck?

The Dareu Sky POM has an MSRP of $7.78 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Sky POM for $4.98.

The Outemu Ocean 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 Ocean switch does not have a specific reputation, whereas the Dareu Sky POM switch is known for its low-pitched and clacky sound profile. The Ocean switch's sound characteristics are not well-documented, so it may be difficult to predict how it will sound compared to the Sky POM switch. However, both switches can produce different sound profiles depending on the keyboard and keycaps used, so experimentation may be necessary to achieve the desired sound.

Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Outemu Ocean switch does not have a recognized feel, while the Dareu Sky POM switch is described as buttery, creamy, and silky. The Sky POM switch is known for its smooth and fluid keystroke experience, providing a seamless and effortless typing sensation. In contrast, the Ocean switch's tactile feel is not specified, so it is uncertain how it compares to the silky smoothness of the Sky POM switch. If a user is seeking a typing experience characterized by smoothness and minimal resistance, the Dareu Sky POM switch may be the preferred choice.

In conclusion, the Outemu Ocean and Dareu Sky POM switches offer different subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Ocean switch does not have a well-defined sound or feel profile, the Sky POM switch is praised for its low-pitched and clacky sound, as well as its buttery, creamy, and silky typing experience. Depending on personal preferences for sound and feel, users may gravitate towards the Ocean switch for its unknown qualities or the Sky POM switch for its documented smoothness and unique sound profile. Experimentation with different keyboards and keycaps may also help users achieve the desired sound and feel with either switch.

Conclusion

In closing, when deciding between the Outemu Ocean tactile switch and the Dareu Sky POM linear switch, it ultimately comes down to your personal preferences and typing style. If you value a tactile typing experience with a lighter actuation force, the Ocean switch may be the better choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a smooth and clacky linear switch with a low-pitched sound, the Sky POM switch could be more suited to your liking. Consider the key characteristics of each switch, such as sound, feel, and actuation force, to determine which one aligns best with your typing needs. Ultimately, both switches offer unique qualities that can enhance your typing experience, so choosing the one that resonates with you the most will ensure a satisfying typing experience.

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