Outemu Silent Grey vs. Dareu Violet Gold Pro
An in-depth look at the Outemu Silent Grey and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Outemu Silent Grey mechanical keyboard switch, known for its quiet and highly tactile typing experience, and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro switch, valued for its medium tactility and neutral sound signature, it is evident that both offer unique qualities for keyboard enthusiasts. The Silent Grey switch provides a pronounced bump and smooth keystroke, making it an excellent choice for those looking for a satisfying and silent typing experience. On the other hand, the Violet Gold Pro switch offers a lighter touch and balanced tactility, making it a versatile option for users seeking a comfortable typing 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
45g
Bottom-out force
65g
Bottom-out force
N/A
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
Gold-plated spring
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Outemu Silent Grey and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro, it is clear that both switches utilize polycarbonate for their top housing. This material choice results in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile for both switches. Additionally, the use of polycarbonate allows for RGB lighting to shine through, adding an aesthetic appeal to both switches. However, the Silent Grey and Violet Gold Pro differ in their bottom housing material, with the Silent Grey utilizing nylon and the Violet Gold Pro also using nylon. Typing on switches with nylon bottom housings produces a deeper and fuller sound profile, as nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound.
Despite both switches having polycarbonate top housings, the Silent Grey and Violet Gold Pro offer distinct typing experiences due to their differing bottom housing materials. The Silent Grey's nylon bottom housing contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile, while the Violet Gold Pro's nylon bottom housing also enhances the sound by absorbing more sound, resulting in a similar dull and round sound. However, the bottom housing material has more of an impact on the bottom-out sound and feel of the switch, while the top housing material influences the sound when a key is released. Therefore, while both switches may offer a similar sound profile overall, the subtle differences in their housing materials may result in a slightly varied typing experience.
In conclusion, the housing materials of the Outemu Silent Grey and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro play a crucial role in determining the sound profile and typing experience of each switch. Both switches utilize polycarbonate for their top housing, resulting in a sharp and crisp sound profile and allowing for RGB lighting to shine through. The nylon bottom housing of both switches enhances the sound by absorbing more sound and contributing to a deeper and fuller sound profile. While the overall sound profile may be similar between the two switches, the subtle differences in their housing materials, particularly in the bottom housing, may result in a slightly distinct typing experience for users.
Weight
The Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch has a slightly heavier actuation force of 50 grams compared to the Dareu Violet Gold Pro tactile switch with an actuation force of 45 grams. This difference may result in a slightly lighter typing experience with the Violet Gold Pro. Additionally, the Silent Grey has a bottom out force of 65 grams, while the bottom out force of the Violet Gold Pro is unknown. This means that the Silent Grey may provide a more substantial typing experience when fully pressed down compared to the Violet Gold Pro. Overall, those who prefer a lighter actuation force may lean towards the Violet Gold Pro, while those who enjoy a more substantial feel may opt for the Silent Grey. Both switches have their unique strengths, allowing users to choose based on their personal preference for typing or gaming experiences.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro tactile switch, the Silent Grey has a travel distance of 4 mm while the Violet Gold Pro has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.8 mm. Both switches fall within the traditional range of travel distances, with the Silent Grey being slightly longer. Gamers may prefer the shorter travel distance of the Violet Gold Pro for faster response times, while those who prefer a more substantial key press may opt for the longer travel distance of the Silent Grey. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for travel distance and key press feel.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Dareu Violet Gold Pro has an MSRP of $7.73 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Violet Gold Pro for $4.76.
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 comparing the sound of the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch with the Dareu Violet Gold Pro tactile switch, it is important to note that the Silent Grey is specifically designed to be quiet, offering a pleasant and satisfying typing experience without the loud click of traditional mechanical switches. On the other hand, the Violet Gold Pro has a neutral sound profile, making it suitable for various environments and preferences. Both switches offer a different acoustic experience, allowing users to choose based on their preference for a quieter or neutral typing sound.
When it comes to feel, the Outemu Silent Grey switch is known for its pronounced tactile bump and smooth keystroke, providing a highly satisfying typing experience for those who prefer a more tactile switch. In contrast, the Dareu Violet Gold Pro switch offers a medium tactility with a lighter touch, featuring a stepped feel that allows for subtle pre-travel and post-travel sensations. While the Silent Grey provides a more prominent bump, the Violet Gold Pro offers a gentler tactile feedback, catering to individuals who prefer a lighter touch and a more balanced typing feel.
In conclusion, the Outemu Silent Grey switch and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro switch offer unique subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Silent Grey is ideal for users seeking a quieter typing experience with a pronounced tactile bump, while the Violet Gold Pro provides a balanced tactile feedback with a neutral sound profile. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on individual preferences for typing feel and sound, allowing users to customize their mechanical keyboard experience to suit their personal preferences. Both switches offer high-quality tactile feedback, ensuring a satisfying typing experience regardless of the option chosen.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch and the Dareu Violet Gold Pro tactile switch, consider the specific qualities of each switch. If you prioritize a quiet typing experience with a highly tactile feel and medium-heavy bottom out force, the Outemu Silent Grey switch would be a great choice for you. However, if you prefer a switch with a medium tactility, light touch, and neutral sound signature, the Dareu Violet Gold Pro switch may be more suited to your preferences. Ultimately, both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different typing styles and preferences, so it's essential to prioritize what qualities are most important to you when selecting the ideal mechanical keyboard switch.
Mentioned in this article
