Outemu Silent Grey vs. Durock T1
An in-depth look at the Outemu Silent Grey and the Durock T1 switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Outemu Silent Grey and the Durock T1 mechanical keyboard switches, both offer a tactile typing experience but with distinct characteristics. The Outemu Silent Grey switch is renowned for its quiet and highly tactile feel, providing a pronounced bump and smooth keystroke for a satisfying typing experience. On the other hand, the Durock T1 switch is known for being super comfortable to type on, offering a medium bump with a sound reminiscent of rain falling on a window. While both switches offer tactile feedback, the Silent Grey is more focused on quiet operation, whereas the T1 provides a unique auditory experience. 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
N/A
Bottom-out force
65g
Bottom-out force
67g
Pre-travel
1.60 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
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
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Outemu Silent Grey and the Durock T1 switches, both switches utilize polycarbonate for their top housings. This material is known for creating a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to its stiffness. Additionally, polycarbonate is ideal for switches with clear housings, as it allows for better RGB lighting diffusion. While both switches share this housing material, they may have slight variations in sound based on other factors such as stem design or bottom housing material.
On the other hand, the Silent Grey and the T1 both use nylon for their bottom housings. Nylon is favored for its ability to absorb sound, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile. The softer nature of nylon allows for a more muted and rounded sound compared to harder plastics. Despite the differences in their top housings, the utilization of nylon for the bottom housings of both switches ensures a similar typing experience in terms of sound profile. This similarity highlights the importance of considering the overall construction of a switch when comparing housing materials.
When considering the impact of housing materials on switch performance, it's important to note that the qualities of each material are distributed between the top and bottom housings. The bottom housing influences the bottom-out sound and feel when a key is pressed, while the top housing affects the sound when a key is released. This division means that the choice of housing material for each part of the switch can significantly impact the overall typing experience. As such, the selection of housing materials for switches like the Outemu Silent Grey and the Durock T1 plays a crucial role in determining the sound and feel of the switches during daily use.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch and the Durock T1 tactile switch, the Silent Grey has a lighter actuation force at 50 grams compared to the T1, which has an unknown actuation force. However, both switches have a similar bottom out force, with the Silent Grey at 65 grams and the T1 at 67 grams, both falling into the medium-heavy range. When it comes to weight, some may prefer the lighter actuation force of the Silent Grey for longer typing sessions or gaming, while others may prefer the slightly heavier bottom out force of the T1 for a more substantial typing experience. Overall, both switches offer a tactile typing experience with slightly different force requirements.
Travel distance
Both the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch and the Durock T1 tactile switch have the same travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when pressing down on a key with either of these switches, you will experience the same level of travel distance. The consistency in travel distance between the two switches makes them equally reliable in terms of key press feel and performance. You can expect similar results when using either the Outemu Silent Grey or the Durock T1 switches due to their identical travel distances.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Durock T1 has an MSRP of $5.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the T1 for $4.90.
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
When it comes to sound, the Outemu Silent Grey switch is known for its quiet operation, making it ideal for shared workspaces or environments where noise is a concern. On the other hand, the Durock T1 switch has a low-pitched and neutral sound profile, offering a more calming auditory experience compared to higher-pitched switches. However, both switches can produce a satisfying typing sound, and the actual noise level may vary depending on the keyboard setup and keycaps used.
In terms of feel, the Outemu Silent Grey switch offers a highly tactile typing experience with a pronounced bump and smooth keystroke. This provides a satisfying tactile feedback without being overly harsh. On the other hand, the Durock T1 switch is described as having a stepped, accented, and polished feel, offering a more subtle tactile experience compared to the Outemu switch. This can result in a typing sensation that is comfortable and smooth, with a moderate amount of tactility that is not overwhelming.
Overall, both the Outemu Silent Grey and Durock T1 switches offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences. The Silent Grey switch excels in providing a quiet and tactile typing experience, while the T1 switch offers a more subdued sound profile and a polished feel. Ultimately, choosing between these switches would depend on whether you prioritize noise level, tactility, or typing comfort. However, given their distinct characteristics, you can expect to achieve a similar level of typing satisfaction with either switch option.
Conclusion
To wrap up, when deciding between the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch and the Durock T1 tactile switch, you should consider the typing experience you are looking for. If you prioritize a silent and highly tactile typing experience with a smooth keystroke, then the Outemu Silent Grey switch would be a great choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a comfortable typing experience with a medium bump and a sound reminiscent of rain falling on a window, then the Durock T1 switch would be more suitable for your needs. Ultimately, your decision should be based on whether you value a quieter typing experience or a more comfortable feel while typing.
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