Outemu Silent Green vs. HMX Sunset Gleam
An in-depth look at the Outemu Silent Green and the HMX Sunset Gleam switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, enthusiasts often find themselves comparing options to find the perfect fit for their typing style and preferences. The Outemu Silent Green switch stands out for its linear design, providing a smooth and unimpeded keypress experience, making it favorable for those who prefer silent operation due to its lack of a tactile bump and subdued noise level. On the other hand, the HMX Sunset Gleam, also a linear switch, offers a unique appeal with its well-balanced materials that create a subtle top-out and satisfying clack—a delightful auditory experience often desired by gamers and typists alike. Additionally, the factory lubrication associated with HMX ensures a consistent and pleasant keystroke each time. While both switches present excellent choices depending on one’s needs—silence versus a satisfying sound—each has its distinctive qualities worth exploring further. 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
60g
Bottom-out force
48g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
pom
Stem material
Ly
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
22mm single-stage spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Outemu Silent Green and HMX Sunset Gleam switches highlight both similarities and contrasts that significantly influence their acoustic profiles and user experiences. Both switches utilize polycarbonate for their top housings, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. The inherent stiffness of polycarbonate allows for a clear and resonant sound that enhances the overall auditory feedback during typing. Moreover, their translucency makes them ideal for gaming enthusiasts who intend to maximize the visual effects of RGB lighting. This shared material choice for the top housing indicates that users will likely experience similar sound characteristics during key release, emphasizing a bright and vibrant auditory response.
In contrast, the material used in the bottom housing diverges between the two switches, producing distinct differences in feel and sound during key activation. The Silent Green employs a polycarbonate bottom housing like its top, contributing to a consistent crisp sound throughout the switch when pressed. Meanwhile, the Sunset Gleam utilizes nylon for its bottom housing, which is known for generating a deeper, fuller sound profile. The softer nature of nylon absorbs more sound and results in a rounder acoustic quality that can create a more muted bottom-out sound. This variance illustrates how different housing materials can shape the typing experience, with the nylon in the Sunset Gleam providing a distinct tactile feedback compared to the more uniform sound generated by the polycarbonate in the Silent Green.
Ultimately, while the top housings of both switches may lend a similar bright quality to the sound profile, the contrasting bottom housings ensure a varied user experience when it comes to the keypress itself. The Silent Green's dual polycarbonate construction fosters a clear and focused sound throughout the entire switch, making it ideal for users who prefer a consistent auditory signature. Conversely, the HMX Sunset Gleam’s combination of polycarbonate on top and nylon on the bottom introduces a nuanced acoustic landscape, providing depth in sound alongside the top's crispness. This difference means that while both switches deliver sharp auditory responses when keys are released, the overall typing experience will feel different due to the distinct characteristics imparted by their selected bottom housing materials.
Weight
When comparing the Outemu Silent Green linear switch and the HMX Sunset Gleam linear switch, notable differences in actuation and bottom out forces emerge. The Silent Green has an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 60 grams, classifying it as a medium-weight switch, while the Sunset Gleam has a lighter actuation force of 42 grams and a bottom out force of 48 grams. This means that the Sunset Gleam is easier to press down initially and requires less force to bottom out, making it ideal for those who prefer a lighter feel for extended typing or gaming sessions. In contrast, the Silent Green's heavier forces provide a more substantial feel, which some users may appreciate for a more tactile typing experience. Therefore, while the Sunset Gleam offers a lighter option overall, the Silent Green caters to those who favor a stronger push feel.
Travel distance
The Outemu Silent Green linear switch features a travel distance of 4 mm, making it the longer option when compared to the HMX Sunset Gleam linear switch, which has a travel distance of 3.5 mm. This difference highlights a distinction in feel and responsiveness; the shorter travel distance of the Sunset Gleam may appeal to gamers who prioritize quick response times, while the Silent Green's 4 mm travel distance offers a more substantial feel, which may be preferred by those who enjoy a deeper, more pronounced keypress. Although both switches provide a linear feedback without tactile bumps, the longer travel of the Silent Green allows for a more cushioned experience, whereas the Sunset Gleam's shorter distance can contribute to swifter actions. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will depend on personal preferences for depth versus responsiveness.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The HMX Sunset Gleam has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Sunset Gleam for $2.99.
The Outemu Silent Green 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 Silent Green linear switch doesn't have a well-defined acoustic character to note, suggesting it may prioritize quiet operation, making it ideal for environments where noise reduction is essential. On the other hand, the HMX Sunset Gleam is celebrated for its satisfying clack, providing a more engaging auditory experience thanks to its tailored combination of materials. While both switches will sound different, your choice of keyboard and keycaps will also play a significant role in the final sound profile you achieve.
Regarding feel, the Silent Green switch lacks specific details, leaving its tactile qualities somewhat ambiguous. In contrast, the Sunset Gleam is designed to offer a more satisfying experience, marked by a smooth actuation complemented by excellent factory lubrication, which is a feature that enhances overall performance and reduces friction during key presses. This makes the Sunset Gleam not only enjoyable for typists but also suitable for gamers seeking reliable responsiveness.
In conclusion, while the Outemu Silent Green may excel in discreet operation, which is beneficial in quiet settings, the HMX Sunset Gleam stands out with its engaging tactile feedback and pleasing sound profile, attributing to its factory lube and material composition. If a balance of sound and feel is what you seek, the Sunset Gleam is likely to provide a more satisfying typing experience, whereas the Silent Green caters to those who prioritize a quieter keyboard. Ultimately, both switches can deliver a rewarding typing experience, but they cater to different preferences and environments.
Conclusion
To conclude, when deciding between the Outemu Silent Green and the HMX Sunset Gleam linear switches, consider your typing preferences and intended usage. If you prefer a medium bottom-out force of 60 grams and want a switch that provides a more controlled feel, the Silent Green would be a suitable choice, especially in quieter environments where you’d want minimal noise distraction. However, if you're looking for a lighter feel with a bottom-out force of just 48 grams, the Sunset Gleam might be more your style, especially if you enjoy the satisfying acoustics and superior smoothness it offers thanks to HMX’s excellent factory lubing. Additionally, the Sunset Gleam is ideal if you want a switch that provides both a subtle top-out and a crisp sound, making it perfect for a typist who also values audible feedback while remaining relatively subdued. Ultimately, go for the Silent Green if you need stability and control, but choose the Sunset Gleam for a delightful combination of lightness and auditory feedback.
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