Outemu Silent Grey vs. Haimu Viola Tricolor
An in-depth look at the Outemu Silent Grey and the Haimu Viola Tricolor switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When deciding between mechanical keyboard switches, the Outemu Silent Grey and the Haimu Viola Tricolor stand out as excellent choices for tactile switch enthusiasts. The Outemu Silent Grey switches are renowned for their quiet yet highly tactile typing experience, featuring a pronounced bump and smooth keystroke that appeals to those seeking satisfaction without the noise. In contrast, the Haimu Viola Tricolor switches offer a thuddy and punchy sound profile, adding character to your typing experience with a balanced tactility that provides satisfying feedback without being overly tactile. While the Silent Grey switch excels in silent tactility, the Viola Tricolor strike a perfect balance between sharp sensation and user-friendly design. 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
63.5g
Pre-travel
1.60 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
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Dual-staged gold-plated spring
Housing materials
Both the Outemu Silent Grey and Haimu Viola Tricolor feature polycarbonate top housings, which create a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to the material's stiffness. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches with RGB lighting, enhancing the overall aesthetic appeal. However, while both switches have the same material for their top housings, they may differ in terms of the design and color options available, allowing for customization based on personal preferences.
On the other hand, the nylon bottom housings of the Silent Grey and Viola Tricolor contribute to a deeper and fuller sound profile, as nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound compared to harder plastics. This results in a duller and rounder sound when typing on these switches, adding a different tactile experience for users. Despite having different bottom housing materials, the switches may offer a similar typing experience due to the shared characteristic of nylon's sound-absorbing properties, providing consistent sound and feel across different components of the switches.
Overall, the choice of housing materials for mechanical keyboard switches plays a significant role in determining the sound profile, tactile feedback, and overall typing experience. While both the Outemu Silent Grey and Haimu Viola Tricolor utilize a combination of polycarbonate and nylon for their top and bottom housings, respectively, they may offer distinct characteristics based on the specific qualities of each material. Whether it be the sharper sound of polycarbonate or the fuller sound of nylon, users can choose a switch that best suits their preferences in terms of typing feel and sound quality.
Weight
Comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch and the Haimu Viola Tricolor tactile switch reveals some key differences. The Silent Grey has a lighter actuation force of 50 grams compared to the Viola Tricolor, which has an unknown actuation force. However, both switches have a similar bottom out force, with the Silent Grey at 65 grams and the Viola Tricolor at 63.5 grams. This means that while the Silent Grey offers a lighter initial push for typing, both switches provide a similar amount of resistance when fully pressed. Some users may prefer the Silent Grey for its lighter actuation force, suitable for longer typing or gaming sessions, while others may prefer the Viola Tricolor for a slightly heavier bottom out force, providing a more substantial typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for typing feel and weight preferences.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch is 4 mm, while the Haimu Viola Tricolor tactile switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.8 mm. Both switches are within the traditional range of travel distances, with the Silent Grey being slightly longer than the Viola Tricolor. Gamers who prioritize fast response times may prefer the shorter travel distance of the Viola Tricolor, while those who enjoy a more substantial key press may opt for the Silent Grey. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for travel distance and the desired typing or gaming experience.
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 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 offers a quiet typing experience, while the Haimu Viola Tricolor switch provides a thuddy and punchy sound profile. The Silent Grey switch maintains a low sound profile compared to the bass-heavy and mellow tones of the Viola Tricolor switch. Both switches offer unique auditory experiences, catering to different preferences in keyboard sound aesthetics.
In terms of feel, the Outemu Silent Grey switch boasts a highly tactile typing experience with a pronounced bump and smooth keystroke. On the other hand, the Haimu Viola Tricolor switch provides a satisfying feedback without being too overwhelming in terms of tactility. The Viola Tricolor switch strikes a balance between accentuated tactile feedback and a smooth typing feel. Both switches deliver an engaging typing sensation, suited for users who appreciate tactile switches but prefer different levels of feedback intensity.
Overall, the Outemu Silent Grey switch and the Haimu Viola Tricolor switch each offer distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel. Depending on personal preferences for keyboard sound and tactile feedback, users can choose between the quiet and highly tactile experience of the Silent Grey switch or the thuddy, punchy sound profile and balanced tactile feedback of the Viola Tricolor switch. However, it's worth noting that both switches provide a satisfying typing experience, ensuring that users will enjoy similar results in terms of overall typing performance.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch and the Haimu Viola Tricolor tactile switch, consider the type of typing experience you prefer. If you value a quiet and highly tactile typing experience with a smooth keystroke, the Silent Grey may be the better choice for you. On the other hand, if you enjoy a thuddy and punchy sound profile with a pronounced tactility that strikes a perfect balance, the Viola Tricolor could be the optimal option. Ultimately, both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different preferences, so choosing between them comes down to personal preference in terms of sound and feel.
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