Outemu Silent Grey vs. Outemu Tom
An in-depth look at the Outemu Silent Grey and the Outemu Tom switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Outemu Silent Grey and Outemu Tom mechanical keyboard switches, it becomes apparent that they offer distinct experiences for users. The Outemu Silent Grey is renowned for its quiet operation and highly tactile typing feel, making it ideal for those who value a satisfying yet noise-free typing experience. On the other hand, the Outemu Tom's specific characteristics are not detailed in the information provided. The Silent Grey switch is categorized as a tactile switch, providing users with a pronounced bump and smooth keystroke. 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
55g
Bottom-out force
65g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
1.60 mm
Pre-travel
2.20 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.30 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 Tom, it is evident that both switches utilize polycarbonate for their top housings. This material choice results in a similar sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile for both switches. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate allows for RGB lighting effects to shine through, enhancing the aesthetic appeal of these switches. While the top housings may be identical, the differences lie in the bottom housings of the switches.
The Outemu Silent Grey features a nylon bottom housing, which contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile when typing. The softer nature of nylon absorbs more sound than harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. On the other hand, the Outemu Tom also utilizes a nylon bottom housing, providing a similar typing experience with a deeper and fuller sound profile. This shared bottom housing material ensures that both switches offer a consistent typing experience that prioritizes sound quality and feel.
When considering the impact of different housing materials on a switch, it is important to note that the qualities of each material are divided between the top and bottom housings. The bottom housing influences the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing affects the sound when a key is released. In the case of the Outemu Silent Grey and the Outemu Tom, the combination of polycarbonate top housings and nylon bottom housings results in a well-rounded typing experience that prioritizes both sound profile and tactile feedback. Ultimately, these switches offer similar performance but with slight variations in sound characteristics due to their housing materials.
Weight
When comparing the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch to the Outemu Tom tactile switch, it is evident that the actuation force and bottom out force differ between the two. The Silent Grey has a lighter actuation force of 50 grams compared to the Tom's 55 grams. However, the Silent Grey has a heavier bottom out force of 65 grams, while the Tom's bottom out force is unknown. This means that the Silent Grey requires less force to trigger a keystroke but provides a more substantial typing experience when fully pressed. In contrast, the Tom may offer a smoother typing feel due to the unknown bottom out force. Overall, individuals who prefer a lighter actuation force may opt for the Silent Grey, while those who enjoy a stronger push feel may lean towards the Tom for a more substantial typing experience.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch is 4 mm, while the travel distance of the Outemu Tom tactile switch is 3.3 mm. In this case, the Tom switch has a shorter travel distance compared to the Silent Grey switch. The 4.0mm travel distance of the Silent Grey is more traditional, offering a slightly deeper keystroke feel, while the 3.3mm travel distance of the Tom switch provides a shallower feel, favored by gamers for faster response times. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on whether you prefer a deeper, more traditional keystroke or a shallower, quicker response.
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 Tom.
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 Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch to the Outemu Tom tactile switch, the Silent Grey is renowned for its quiet and highly tactile typing experience, providing a pronounced bump and smooth keystroke for a satisfying and silent operation. In contrast, the Outemu Tom switch does not have a clearly defined reputation for any specific quality at this time.
In terms of sound, the Silent Grey switch is favored for its quiet operation, making it a suitable choice for those who prefer a more discreet typing experience. On the other hand, the sound profile of the Outemu Tom switch remains unknown as there is limited information available regarding its auditory characteristics. It's important to note that the sound produced by a switch can also be influenced by various external factors such as the keyboard housing and keycaps used.
When it comes to the feel of the switches, the Outemu Silent Grey is acclaimed for its highly tactile nature, offering users a noticeable feedback with each keystroke. Conversely, details on the tactile feel of the Outemu Tom switch are currently unavailable, making it difficult to make a direct comparison.
In conclusion, while the Outemu Silent Grey switch is highly regarded for its quiet and tactile typing experience, the subjective qualities of the Outemu Tom switch are not as clearly defined. If both switches exhibit similar characteristics in terms of sound and feel, users can expect comparable results in their typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences and requirements for a mechanical keyboard switch.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch and the Outemu Tom tactile switch, you should choose the Silent Grey if you value a quiet and tactile typing experience with a medium-heavy bottom out force of 65 grams. This switch is best suited for those who want a satisfying key press without the loud sound. On the other hand, if you prefer a different feel or bottom out force, the Tom switch may be a better choice for you. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches will come down to your personal preferences in terms of sound, feel, and typing experience.
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