Outemu Silent Ocean vs. Durock White Lotus
An in-depth look at the Outemu Silent Ocean and the Durock White Lotus switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options to consider are the Outemu Silent Ocean and the Durock White Lotus. The Outemu Silent Ocean is a linear switch that is best known for its silent typing experience. On the other hand, the Durock White Lotus is a tactile switch that offers a delicate tactility perfect for those who enjoy a more tactile typing experience. While the Silent Ocean is easy-to-press and low-pitched, the White Lotus provides a more subtle and neutral typing experience. Both switches have their own unique features and benefits, making them suitable for different preferences and needs. 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
45g
Actuation force
46g
Bottom-out force
65g
Bottom-out force
56g
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
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Modified PC & UPE Blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Gold-plated long spring
Housing materials
A key difference between the Outemu Silent Ocean and the Durock White Lotus is the materials used in their top housings. The Silent Ocean features a polycarbonate top housing, known for creating a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile due to its stiffness. On the other hand, the White Lotus utilizes a modified PC & UPE Blend top housing, which offers a unique and premium feel. While both materials are known for their clarity in sound production, the Silent Ocean's polycarbonate housing may provide a more resonant sound compared to the White Lotus's blend housing.
On the other hand, when it comes to the bottom housing, both the Silent Ocean and White Lotus switches utilize nylon material. Nylon is known for creating a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer plastic composition, which absorbs more sound than harder plastics. Therefore, the typing experience on both switches will likely elicit a duller and rounder sound compared to switches using harder plastic materials for their bottom housings. In this aspect, the Silent Ocean and White Lotus switches may provide a similar typing experience due to their shared use of nylon for the bottom housing.
Overall, the choice between the Outemu Silent Ocean and the Durock White Lotus will come down to personal preference in sound and feel. The Silent Ocean's combination of a polycarbonate top housing for a sharper sound profile and a nylon bottom housing for a deeper sound may appeal to those looking for a dynamic typing experience. On the other hand, the White Lotus's unique modified PC & UPE Blend top housing may offer a more premium feel, in addition to the similar deep sound produced by the nylon bottom housing. Both switches offer their own set of qualities that cater to different preferences in sound and typing sensation.
Weight
The actuation force and bottom out force of the Outemu Silent Ocean linear switch and the Durock White Lotus tactile switch differ in terms of weight. The Silent Ocean has a slightly lighter actuation force of 45 grams compared to the White Lotus's 46 grams, making it a bit easier to trigger keystrokes. However, the Silent Ocean has a heavier bottom out force of 65 grams, whereas the White Lotus has a lighter bottom out force of 56 grams. This means that while the White Lotus may feel lighter to type on overall, the Silent Ocean provides a more substantial typing experience when fully pressed down. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches comes down to personal preference regarding typing feel and force requirements for extended typing or gaming sessions.
Travel distance
Both the Outemu Silent Ocean linear switch and the Durock White Lotus tactile switch have a travel distance of 4 mm, making them equal in terms of the distance the switch travels from the top to the bottom. This means that users can expect a similar tactile experience regardless of which switch they choose. The travel distance of 4 mm ensures that both switches offer a satisfying key press with enough travel to provide feedback to the user. Overall, both switches provide a consistent typing experience with a standard travel distance, making them suitable choices for those looking for a reliable switch option.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Durock White Lotus has an MSRP of $5.60 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the White Lotus for $4.57.
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
In terms of sound, the Durock White Lotus tactile switch is known for its low-pitched and neutral sound profile. This means that the switches produce a more mellow and bass-heavy tone, making them suitable for different environments and preferences. On the other hand, the sound characteristics of the Outemu Silent Ocean switch are unknown. However, it is important to remember that the sound a switch produces is also influenced by factors such as the keyboard's construction and keycaps used.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the White Lotus tactile switch is described as easy-to-press, mild, and subtle. These qualities suggest that the White Lotus offers a gentle resistance during key presses, requiring minimal force to activate, leading to reduced finger fatigue during long typing sessions. The subtle nature of the switch's feel also means that it provides a comfortable and low-impact typing experience. Conversely, the feel of the Outemu Silent Ocean linear switch remains undisclosed, leaving us without direct comparison in this aspect.
In conclusion, the Durock White Lotus tactile switch stands out for its light and tactile typing experience, providing a delicate tactility and comfortable feel for extended typing sessions. Additionally, the White Lotus switch features a removable light column, allowing for customizable RGB lighting effects to enhance the overall typing experience. Although the sound and feel of the Outemu Silent Ocean linear switch are unknown, by considering the provided information, we can infer that the White Lotus switch offers a more tactile and light typing experience compared to the Silent Ocean switch. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will depend on the individual's preference for sound, feel, and lighting customization.
Conclusion
In closing, when choosing between the Outemu Silent Ocean linear switch and the Durock White Lotus tactile switch, consider your preference for bottom out force. If you prefer a medium-heavy bottom out force, the Silent Ocean may be the better option for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium-light bottom out force, the White Lotus could be the ideal choice. Additionally, if you're looking for a delicate tactility and vibrant RGB lighting effects, the White Lotus switches may suit your needs. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your typing preferences and the overall typing experience you desire.
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