Outemu Silent Grey vs. Outemu Silent Ocean
An in-depth look at the Outemu Silent Grey and the Outemu Silent Ocean switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, the Outemu Silent Grey and Outemu Silent Ocean offer distinct qualities to consider. The Outemu Silent Grey is a tactile switch that is renowned for its quiet yet highly tactile typing experience. Featuring a pronounced bump and smooth keystroke, this switch is ideal for individuals looking for a satisfying and silent typing experience. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Ocean is a linear switch that provides a different typing feel compared to the Silent Grey. While the Silent Ocean's specific qualities are not mentioned, linear switches are known for their consistent resistance throughout the keystroke, making them preferred by some users for fast-paced typing or gaming. 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
50g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
65g
Bottom-out force
65g
Pre-travel
1.60 mm
Pre-travel
1.60 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 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
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Outemu Silent Grey and the Outemu Silent Ocean, both switches feature a polycarbonate top housing, which results in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to the stiffness of polycarbonate, which leads to a more clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches with RGB lighting. However, where they differ is in their nylon bottom housing. The Silent Grey's nylon bottom housing creates a deeper and fuller sound profile, while the Silent Ocean's nylon bottom housing absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound.
While the top housings of both the Outemu Silent Grey and the Outemu Silent Ocean are composed of polycarbonate, providing similar sound profiles, it is their nylon bottom housings that set them apart. The Silent Grey's nylon bottom housing offers a deeper and fuller sound, contrasting with the Silent Ocean's nylon bottom housing, which absorbs more sound and creates a duller tone. This demonstrates how different materials in the bottom housing can significantly impact the overall sound produced by a switch, providing users with a variety of options based on their sound preferences.
In practical terms, the choice between the Outemu Silent Grey and Outemu Silent Ocean comes down to personal sound preferences. If you prefer a sharper, higher-pitched sound with more resonance, the Silent Grey with its polycarbonate top housing may be the better choice. On the other hand, if you lean towards a deeper, fuller sound profile that is slightly more muted, the Silent Ocean with its nylon bottom housing may be more to your liking. Ultimately, it is the combination of the top and bottom housing materials in a switch that determines the overall sound and feel when typing, making it essential to consider both elements when selecting a switch for your keyboard.
Weight
The actuation force of the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch is 50 grams, while the actuation force of the Outemu Silent Ocean linear switch sits at 45 grams. Both switches share a bottom out force of 65 grams, making them similar in that regard. The Silent Grey is heavier in terms of actuation force, providing a more substantial typing experience, while the Silent Ocean is lighter, allowing for longer typing sessions without fatigue. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will come down to personal preference, with some preferring a lighter touch and others opting for a heavier push feel. Both switches offer a medium-heavy bottom out force, ensuring a satisfying typing experience for users.
Travel distance
The Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch and the Outemu Silent Ocean linear switch both have a travel distance of 4 mm, making them equal in this aspect. When comparing their travel distances, both switches offer a similar typing experience in terms of the distance the switch travels from the top to the bottom. This means that regardless of which switch you choose, you can expect a consistent tactile or linear feedback with a 4 mm travel distance. Overall, the Outemu Silent Grey and Outemu Silent Ocean switches provide a comfortable and responsive typing experience with their equal travel distances.
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 Silent Grey and Silent Ocean.
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
The Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch is known for its quiet operation and pronounced tactile bump, providing a satisfying typing experience without the loud clicking noise often associated with mechanical keyboards. On the other hand, not much information is available about the Outemu Silent Ocean linear switch in terms of sound and feel. However, linear switches typically offer a smooth keystroke without the tactile feedback of a bump.
Overall, if you are looking for a quiet and tactile typing experience, the Outemu Silent Grey switch would be a great choice. If you prefer a smooth and silent keystroke without the tactile bump, the Outemu Silent Ocean switch may be more suitable for you. Keep in mind that personal preference plays a significant role in selecting the right switch for your mechanical keyboard setup. Experimenting with different switches on various boards and keycaps will ultimately help you find the perfect match for your typing style and preferences.
Conclusion
To sum up, when choosing between the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch and the Outemu Silent Ocean linear switch, consider your preference for typing experience. If you are looking for a quiet and tactile typing experience with a pronounced bump and smooth keystroke, the Silent Grey switch is the way to go. On the other hand, if you prefer a silent and linear typing experience without the tactile bump, the Silent Ocean switch would be more suitable for you. Ultimately, your decision should be based on whether you prioritize tactility or linearity in your typing experience.
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