Outemu Silent Ocean vs. HMX Poro
An in-depth look at the Outemu Silent Ocean and the HMX Poro switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing mechanical keyboard switches, the Outemu Silent Ocean and HMX Poro both offer linear designs that cater to different preferences and typing styles. The Silent Ocean is often favored for its smooth and quiet operation, making it an excellent choice for those who seek a subtle typing experience, especially in shared workspaces or during late-night gaming sessions. On the other hand, the HMX Poro stands out with its silky smooth keystrokes, enhanced by meticulous lubrication that ensures an effortless glide; it also boasts a satisfyingly poppy and clacky sound profile due to its ultra-light actuation force, appealing to users who enjoy a more pronounced auditory feedback while typing. While both switches aim to deliver a linear experience, their distinct characteristics cater to different user needs and environments. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the ideal switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
45g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
65g
Bottom-out force
50g
Pre-travel
1.60 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
Ly
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
22mm single-stage spring
Housing materials
The Outemu Silent Ocean and the HMX Poro utilize different materials for their top housings, which significantly influences their sound profiles and tactile experiences. The Silent Ocean features a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is largely attributable to polycarbonate's rigidity, allowing it to resonate more clearly and effectively transmit sound. Moreover, the translucence of polycarbonate lends itself favorably to RGB lighting, enhancing the aesthetic appeal of the switches. In contrast, the HMX Poro employs a nylon top housing, known for producing a deeper and fuller sound profile. As nylon is a softer plastic, it tends to absorb sound waves, resulting in a duller and rounder auditory experience compared to polycarbonate. Therefore, these contrasting top materials create divergent sound characteristics that cater to different user preferences.
When examining the bottom housings, both the Outemu Silent Ocean and the HMX Poro utilize nylon for this component, which establishes a more consistent quality in terms of sound absorption and tactile feedback. This similarity means that both switches will provide a deeper and fuller sound profile when bottoming out due to the nylon’s inherent properties. The softness of the nylon bottom housing in both switches works to mute sharp sounds, leading to a more subdued experience when typing. Although the Silent Ocean has a harder polycarbonate top that creates a distinct sound when releasing the key, the nylon bottom modulates this by softening the impact of the press. As a result, the overall typing experience remains nuanced, rich, and enjoyable across different materials.
Ultimately, the distinctive materials used in the top housings of the Outemu Silent Ocean and the HMX Poro result in varied auditory feedback, while their shared nylon bottom housings harmonize the typing experience by providing consistent softness and sound absorption. Users who prefer a sharper and more pronounced sound may gravitate towards the Silent Ocean, whereas those seeking a warmer, rounder auditory experience may favor the Poro. Nonetheless, both switches offer a well-rounded performance due to their nylon bottom housings, ensuring that users can enjoy a pleasant typing experience irrespective of the top housing material's sonic characteristics. In this way, despite their differences, both switches can deliver a satisfying tactile experience that appeals to a range of preferences within the mechanical keyboard community.
Weight
When comparing the Outemu Silent Ocean linear switch and the HMX Poro linear switch, there are notable differences in their bottom out forces despite sharing the same actuation force of 45 grams. The Silent Ocean's bottom out force is 65 grams, making it a medium-heavy option, while the Poro's bottom out force is significantly lighter at 50 grams. This difference means that while both switches require the same amount of force to register a keystroke, the Silent Ocean provides a heftier feel when fully pressed down, which some users might appreciate for a more substantial typing experience. Conversely, the Poro's lighter bottom out force is more conducive for extended use, making it a favorable choice for long typing sessions or gaming marathons. Therefore, those who prefer a heavier feel will likely lean towards the Outemu Silent Ocean, while those seeking a lighter switch for sustained comfort should opt for the HMX Poro.
Travel distance
The Outemu Silent Ocean linear switch features a travel distance of 4 mm, while the HMX Poro linear switch has a shorter travel distance of 3.7 mm. This means that the Silent Ocean provides a more traditional feel, which some users may prefer for its hearty depth, while the Poro's shorter travel distance caters to gamers looking for quicker response times. With a difference of 0.3 mm, those who opt for the Poro switch can expect a more abrupt activation, potentially enhancing their gaming performance. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches may come down to whether one favors a longer, more substantial keystroke or a shorter, snappier one.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The HMX Poro has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Poro for $2.99.
The Outemu Silent Ocean 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
The Outemu Silent Ocean linear switch is known for its muted sound profile, making it an excellent choice for users who value a quieter typing experience. While specific sound characteristics are not attributed to the Silent Ocean, its design prioritizes a more subdued auditory output compared to other switches. In contrast, the HMX Poro linear switch is characterized by its poppy and clacky sound profile, thanks to its ultra-light actuation force. This lively sound quality can provide an engaging feedback loop for users who enjoy a bit more auditory response during typing. It's important to note that the sound of any switch can be influenced by the choice of keyboard and keycaps, but the Poro is deliberately designed to offer a more pronounced sound.
In terms of feel, the Silent Ocean switch does not have any specific attributes noted, but it can be inferred that its linear design is intended to provide a smooth experience without tactile bumps or clicks. This aligns with the general characteristics of linear switches that prioritize a seamless keystroke. On the other hand, the HMX Poro promises an ultra-smooth typing experience due to its meticulously lubricated mechanism, which is designed to minimize friction and enhance the glide of each keypress. The combination of a smooth actuation and the lightweight feedback can make the Poro switch feel effortless during regular use.
Overall, when comparing the Outemu Silent Ocean and HMX Poro linear switches, you'll find that they cater to different preferences in terms of sound and feel. The Silent Ocean is for those seeking a quieter, more subdued experience, while the Poro offers a lively and satisfying auditory response with its silky smooth keypresses. Depending on your priorities—whether you lean towards a silent typing experience or enjoy a more engaging sound—the choice between these switches will ultimately reflect your personal preferences in keyboard usage.
Conclusion
To conclude, your choice between the Outemu Silent Ocean linear switch and the HMX Poro linear switch ultimately hinges on your specific preferences and typing needs. If you prefer a switch that provides a medium-heavy feel with a bottom out force of 65 grams, the Silent Ocean might be your go-to option, especially if you value a certain level of resistance and feedback while typing. This makes it ideal for typists who want a more deliberate keypress without the risk of accidental actuations. On the other hand, if you’re looking for a lighter switch that allows for faster, effortless keystrokes, the HMX Poro with its 50-gram bottom out force could be your best bet. The Poro is also renowned for its silky smoothness and satisfying sound profile, making it great for gamers and typists who enjoy auditory feedback without being overly loud. In essence, choose the Silent Ocean for a more substantial typing experience and the Poro for an ultra-smooth, lightweight option that enhances speed and efficiency.
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