Outemu Silent Grey vs. Dareu Sky POM
An in-depth look at the Outemu Silent Grey and the Dareu Sky POM switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, the Outemu Silent Grey and Dareu Sky POM offer distinct features that cater to different preferences. The Outemu Silent Grey switch is renowned for its quiet and highly tactile typing experience, making it perfect for those who enjoy a satisfying yet silent keystroke. On the other hand, the Dareu Sky POM switch stands out for its premium quality crafted from POM material, offering a smooth and clacky sound along with a gentle actuation force. While the Silent Grey provides a pronounced bump and smooth keystroke, the Sky POM is characterized by its buttery, low-pitched, creamy, and silky feel. 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
40g
Bottom-out force
65g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Pre-travel
1.60 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
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
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Gold-plated spring
Housing materials
The Outemu Silent Grey and Dareu Sky POM both feature polycarbonate top housings, which create a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile. However, the Silent Grey's polycarbonate housing is described as producing a more resonant sound due to its stiffness, while the Sky POM's POM housing creates a deeper and more muted sound. The use of polycarbonate in the top housing allows for RGB lighting to shine through, making it visually appealing. In contrast, the POM top housing of the Sky POM offers a unique sound experience that may be more appealing to those looking for a deeper tone.
In terms of the bottom housing material, both switches utilize nylon for its ability to produce a fuller and deeper sound profile. Nylon is known for absorbing more sound than harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. This means that typing on switches with nylon bottom housings will offer a different tactile and auditory experience compared to switches with other materials. The Silent Grey and Sky POM both prioritize sound quality with their choice of nylon for the bottom housing, ensuring users can enjoy a satisfying typing experience.
Overall, while the housing materials of the Outemu Silent Grey and Dareu Sky POM are similar in that they both utilize polycarbonate for the top housing and nylon for the bottom housing, they offer distinct sound profiles. The Silent Grey provides a sharper and more resonant sound due to its stiff polycarbonate top housing, while the Sky POM offers a deeper and more muted sound with its POM top housing. The nylon bottom housings of both switches contribute to a fuller sound experience, making them both appealing options for those who prioritize sound quality in their mechanical keyboards.
Weight
In comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch and the Dareu Sky POM linear switch, we see that the Silent Grey is the heavier option. The Silent Grey has an actuation force of 50 grams and a bottom out force of 65 grams, making it a medium-heavy switch. In contrast, the Sky POM has a lighter actuation force of 40 grams, but the bottom out force is unknown. The actuation force of a switch determines how much force is needed to trigger a keystroke, while the bottom out force measures how much force is needed to press the key all the way down. For those who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Sky POM may be the better choice, as it requires less force to actuate. On the other hand, for those who enjoy a more substantial typing feel, the Silent Grey with its heavier actuation and bottom out force may be preferable. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for typing experience.
Travel distance
The Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, making it slightly longer than the Dareu Sky POM linear switch with a travel distance of 3.8 mm. Both switches fall within the standard range of travel distances, but the slight difference may be noticeable to some users. Gamers looking for a faster response time may prefer the shorter travel distance of the Sky POM switch, while those who enjoy a more tactile experience may opt for the slightly longer travel distance of the Silent Grey switch. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on personal preference and typing style.
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 Silent Grey 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
In terms of sound, the Silent Grey switch is known for providing a quiet typing experience, while the Sky POM switch is characterized by a low-pitched, clacky sound. The Silent Grey switch is ideal for those who prefer a subtle and muted typing noise, while the Sky POM switch offers a deeper and more resonant sound profile. It is important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard chassis and keycap material used.
When it comes to feel, the Silent Grey switch offers a highly tactile typing experience with a pronounced bump and smooth keystroke. On the other hand, the Sky POM switch is described as buttery, creamy, and silky, providing a smooth and fluid typing sensation. The Sky POM switch's unique material composition contributes to its exceptional smoothness and gentle actuation force, making it a popular choice among keyboard enthusiasts who prioritize a comfortable typing experience.
Considering all the information available, the Outemu Silent Grey and Dareu Sky POM switches offer distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Silent Grey switch excels in providing a quiet and tactile typing experience, while the Sky POM switch stands out for its low-pitched, clacky sound and buttery, creamy, and silky smoothness. Depending on personal preferences for typing noise and tactile feedback, both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different needs. Ultimately, users can expect satisfying results with either switch option, tailored to their specific preferences and typing style.
Conclusion
In conclusion, when deciding between the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch and the Dareu Sky POM linear switch, you should consider the type of typing experience you are seeking. If you value a quiet and highly tactile typing experience with a medium-heavy bottom out force, then the Outemu Silent Grey switch is the way to go. On the other hand, if you prefer a clacky sound, exceptional smoothness, and a gentle actuation force with no specified bottom out force, then the Dareu Sky POM switch would be the better choice for you. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preferences and typing style to ensure you have the best mechanical keyboard switch for your needs. Enjoy your typing experience with either of these high-quality switches!
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