Outemu Silent Green vs. Haimu Viola Tricolor
An in-depth look at the Outemu Silent Green and the Haimu Viola Tricolor switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Outemu Silent Green linear switch to the Haimu Viola Tricolor tactile switch, it's evident that both offer unique typing experiences. The Silent Green is best known for its silent operation, making it an excellent choice for those who prefer a quieter typing experience. On the other hand, the Viola Tricolor switches are designed to provide a thuddy and punchy sound profile, adding character to your typing while offering a satisfying tactility without being overly tactile. The Viola Tricolor strikes a perfect balance between sharp sensation and user comfort. While these general points can help steer your decision, let's delve deeper into the specifics to determine which switch is the best fit for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
N/A
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
pom
Stem material
POM
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
Dual-staged gold-plated spring
Housing materials
Both the Outemu Silent Green and the Haimu Viola Tricolor feature polycarbonate top housings, which create a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to the stiffness of the plastic. This material is ideal for switches intended for use with RGB lighting, as its translucency allows the light to shine through. In contrast, the Viola Tricolor stands out with its nylon bottom housing, which produces a deeper and fuller sound profile by absorbing more sound than the harder polycarbonate used in the Silent Green. Therefore, while both switches have a clear and resonant sound, the Viola Tricolor offers a rounder and duller sound compared to the sharper tones of the Silent Green.
The differences in housing materials between the Outemu Silent Green and the Haimu Viola Tricolor extend beyond just the sound profile they produce. The stiffer polycarbonate used in the Silent Green creates a more clear and defined sound when pressing down on a key, while the softer nylon in the Viola Tricolor results in a smoother and less impactful bottom-out sound. Additionally, the top housing material has more influence on the sound when releasing a key, with the polycarbonate in the Silent Green likely producing a crisper sound compared to the nylon of the Viola Tricolor. Despite these variations, both switches strive to provide a quality typing experience with distinct sound profiles unique to their housing materials.
Overall, the choice between the Outemu Silent Green and the Haimu Viola Tricolor will depend on personal preference for sound and feel while typing. The polycarbonate top housing in both switches offers a similar sharp and crisp sound profile, making them suitable for users who appreciate a clear and defined typing experience. However, the decision may come down to whether users prefer the deeper and fuller sound of the Viola Tricolor's nylon bottom housing or the more impactful and resonant sound of the Silent Green's polycarbonate bottom housing. Ultimately, both switches excel in providing unique sound profiles based on the materials used in their housings, catering to a variety of typing preferences.
Weight
The Outemu Silent Green linear switch has a lower actuation force of 45 grams compared to the Haimu Viola Tricolor tactile switch, which has an unknown actuation force. However, the Viola Tricolor has a slightly heavier bottom out force of 63.5 grams compared to the 60 grams of the Silent Green. In terms of weight, the Silent Green may be more suitable for those who prefer a lighter typing experience for extended periods, while the Viola Tricolor may be preferred by those who enjoy a more substantial and tactile feel while typing. Both switches provide a medium to medium-heavy typing experience, which means users can expect similar results in terms of performance despite the slight differences in force. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for typing feel and pressure.
Travel distance
In comparing the travel distance of the Outemu Silent Green linear switch and the Haimu Viola Tricolor tactile switch, it is evident that the Viola Tricolor has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.8 mm compared to the Silent Green's 4 mm. While both switches fall within the traditional range of travel distances, the Viola Tricolor offers a slightly quicker response time due to its shorter distance. Gamers who prioritize speed and responsiveness may prefer the Viola Tricolor for this reason. On the other hand, those who appreciate a deeper key press and a more deliberate feel may lean towards the Silent Green with its slightly longer travel distance. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on personal preference for key press depth and speed of response.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Haimu Viola Tricolor has an MSRP of $6.60 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Viola Tricolor for $3.09.
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 switch is known for its quiet operation, lacking the typical audible clicks or clacks associated with mechanical keyboards. This can be beneficial in shared workspaces or environments where noise is a concern. On the other hand, the Haimu Viola Tricolor switch offers a distinctive sound profile characterized by a deep and rich bass tone during key presses. This sound adds a unique touch to the typing experience, enhancing the overall auditory feedback. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will depend on personal preference for sound, with the Silent Green providing a quieter typing experience and the Viola Tricolor offering a more expressive and characterful sound.
In terms of feel, the Outemu Silent Green switch does not have a specific tactile description available. On the other hand, the Haimu Viola Tricolor switch is described as providing an accented tactile feedback, falling somewhere between a light and heavy tactility. This means users can expect a noticeable bump when pressing the key, offering a satisfying feedback without being too overwhelming. The Viola Tricolor switch is also described as invigorating, providing a snappy and reactive feel that creates an engaging typing sensation. For those who prefer a more pronounced tactile experience, the Viola Tricolor switch may be the preferred choice.
In conclusion, the Outemu Silent Green and Haimu Viola Tricolor switches offer unique qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Silent Green switch provides a quiet typing experience, while the Viola Tricolor switch adds a distinct character with its deep and rich sound profile. As for feel, the Silent Green switch remains unspecified in terms of tactile feedback, while the Viola Tricolor switch offers a balanced tactile sensation that is both satisfying and invigorating. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will come down to personal preferences for sound and feel, with both options providing quality performance in their respective categories.
Conclusion
In closing, when choosing between the Outemu Silent Green linear switch and the Haimu Viola Tricolor tactile switch, it ultimately comes down to your preference for sound and feel. If you prefer a quieter typing experience with a medium bottom out force, the Silent Green may be the better choice for you. On the other hand, if you enjoy a thuddy and punchy sound profile with a medium-heavy bottom out force and a balanced level of tactility, the Viola Tricolor switch would be more suitable. Consider your personal typing preferences and whether you value a smoother linear feel or a tactile typing experience with pronounced feedback when making your decision. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches depends on what you prioritize in your mechanical keyboard typing experience.
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