Outemu Silent Yellow Jade vs. Durock Sea Glass
An in-depth look at the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade and the Durock Sea Glass switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade and the Durock Sea Glass offer distinct typing experiences. The Outemu Silent Yellow Jade switch provides a quiet and tactile typing experience with a unique translucent jade yellow housing and a satisfying "thocky" sound. On the other hand, the Durock Sea Glass switch series stands out with its captivating pastel colors and a smooth, linear feel that emanates a distinct dryness and airiness. While the Silent Yellow Jade switch is tactile and quiet, the Sea Glass switch is smooth and frictionless. Both switches have their own unique characteristics that appeal to different preferences. 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
62g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.30 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
pom
Stem material
P3+
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade and the Durock Sea Glass, both switches utilize nylon in their top housing components. While the Silent Yellow Jade's nylon top housing is said to create a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer plastic properties, the Sea Glass's Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend top housing offers a unique sound profile that leans towards the brighter side. Despite both switches using nylon in their top housing, the Sea Glass's blend sets it apart from the Silent Yellow Jade in terms of sound characteristics.
On the other hand, when looking at the bottom housing materials of the Silent Yellow Jade and the Durock Sea Glass, nylon is also utilized in both switches. Similar to the top housing, the Silent Yellow Jade's nylon bottom housing contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile. In contrast, the Sea Glass's Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend bottom housing offers a sound profile that is pleasant and slightly brighter in comparison. The differences in the bottom housing materials of these switches play a role in the overall sound and feel of typing on them.
Overall, while the Silent Yellow Jade and the Durock Sea Glass both utilize nylon in their housing materials, the unique blends in the Sea Glass set it apart from the Silent Yellow Jade in terms of sound characteristics. The combination of Polymer nylon and UHMWPE in the Sea Glass creates a sound profile that is described as pleasant and brighter, offering a different typing experience compared to the deeper and fuller sound of the Silent Yellow Jade. Despite these differences, both switches showcase the impact that housing materials can have on the overall sound and feel of mechanical keyboards.
Weight
When comparing the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade tactile switch to the Durock Sea Glass linear switch, it's clear that the actuation force and bottom out force differ slightly between the two. The Silent Yellow Jade has a slightly higher actuation force of 50 grams compared to the Sea Glass's 45 grams, making it slightly heavier to trigger a keystroke. In terms of bottom out force, the Silent Yellow Jade requires 65 grams compared to the Sea Glass's 62 grams. Overall, the Silent Yellow Jade is slightly heavier in both actuation and bottom out forces, providing a more substantial typing experience. On the other hand, the Sea Glass offers a lighter actuation and bottom out force, which may be preferred by those looking for a softer typing feel. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will depend on individual preference for a lighter or heavier typing experience.
Travel distance
The Outemu Silent Yellow Jade tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.3 mm, making it shorter than the Durock Sea Glass linear switch with a travel distance of 3.8 mm. The shorter travel distance of the Silent Yellow Jade may appeal to gamers looking for faster response times, while the longer travel distance of the Sea Glass may provide a more satisfying key press for those who prefer deeper key travel. 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 Durock Sea Glass has an MSRP of $5.80 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Sea Glass for $4.87.
The Outemu Silent Yellow Jade 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 Silent Yellow Jade switch offers a quiet and satisfying "thocky" sound, while the Sea Glass switch produces a uniquely hollow sound signature. Both switches provide a distinct auditory experience, with the Silent Yellow Jade having a more tactile sound and the Sea Glass offering a lighter and airier typing sound. However, it's important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard and keycaps used.
When it comes to feel, the Silent Yellow Jade switch is known for its tactile typing experience with a punchy tactile bump. On the other hand, the Sea Glass switch is noted for its frictionless and smooth typing experience, offering a mild and feathery keypress that requires minimal force to activate. Both switches provide a comfortable typing feel, with the Silent Yellow Jade emphasizing tactility and the Sea Glass focusing on a smooth and effortless typing experience.
Overall, both the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade and Durock Sea Glass switches offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences in mechanical keyboard switches. If you enjoy a quiet and tactile typing experience with a satisfying "thocky" sound, the Silent Yellow Jade may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a smooth and frictionless typing experience with a unique hollow sound signature, the Sea Glass switch may be more appealing. Ultimately, both switches provide high-quality performance and a comfortable typing feel, ensuring that you'll get a satisfying typing experience regardless of your choice.
Conclusion
In conclusion, when deciding between the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade tactile switch and the Durock Sea Glass linear switch, consider the type of typing experience you prefer. If you value a quiet, tactile typing experience with a satisfying sound, the Outemu Silent Yellow Jade switch with its medium-heavy bottom out force of 65 grams would be a great choice. On the other hand, if you prefer a smooth and effortless typing experience with a weightless feel and a distinct sound signature, the Durock Sea Glass switch with its medium bottom out force of 62 grams would be more suitable for you. Ultimately, the decision comes down to your personal preferences in terms of sound, feel, and typing style.
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