Outemu Silent Yellow vs. Haimu Viola Tricolor
An in-depth look at the Outemu Silent Yellow and the Haimu Viola Tricolor switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, one may come across the Outemu Silent Yellow, a linear switch, and the Haimu Viola Tricolor, a tactile switch. The Silent Yellow is best known for its silent operation, making it a great choice for those who prefer a quieter typing experience. On the other hand, the Viola Tricolor switches are designed to deliver a thuddy and punchy sound profile, adding character to every keystroke. While the Silent Yellow offers a smooth and consistent feel, the Viola Tricolor provides a pronounced tactility without being overly tactile. The Viola Tricolor strikes a perfect balance with its sharp sensation, offering a satisfying feedback for users. Ultimately, the choice between these switches depends on personal preference and typing style; 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
N/A
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Pre-travel
2.20 mm
Pre-travel
N/A
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
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
The housing materials of the Outemu Silent Yellow and the Haimu Viola Tricolor are quite similar in terms of their polycarbonate top housing. Both switches use polycarbonate for their top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. The stiffness of polycarbonate leads to a more clear and resonant sound, making it ideal for switches with RGB lighting. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate enhances the aesthetic appeal of these switches. This similarity in housing material ensures that users can expect a consistent sound profile and performance when using either switch.
However, the key point of difference between the Silent Yellow and the Viola Tricolor lies in their nylon bottom housing. The Silent Yellow uses nylon for its bottom housing, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile when typing. Nylon's softer nature allows it to absorb more sound than harder plastics, creating a duller and rounder sound. On the other hand, the Viola Tricolor also utilizes nylon for its bottom housing, providing a similar typing experience with a deeper and fuller sound. This commonality in bottom housing material ensures that both switches deliver a satisfying typing experience with a distinct sound profile.
Overall, the housing materials of the Outemu Silent Yellow and the Haimu Viola Tricolor play a crucial role in shaping the sound profile and feel of these switches. While both switches share a polycarbonate top housing for a sharper and crisper sound, they each have a nylon bottom housing for a deeper and fuller typing experience. The combination of these materials results in switches that offer a balanced sound profile with a mix of high-pitched clarity and deep resonance. Whether using the Silent Yellow or the Viola Tricolor, users can expect a unique typing experience with a focus on sound quality and tactile feedback.
Weight
Comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Outemu Silent Yellow linear switch and the Haimu Viola Tricolor tactile switch reveals some distinct differences. The Silent Yellow has a heavier actuation force of 65 grams and a bottom out force of 80 grams, while the Viola Tricolor has a medium-heavy bottom out force of 63.5 grams with an unknown actuation force. This makes the Silent Yellow switch heavier overall compared to the Viola Tricolor. The differences in weight can impact the typing experience, with the lighter Silent Yellow being better for extended typing or gaming sessions, while the heavier Viola Tricolor may appeal to those who prefer a more substantial and tactile typing feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Outemu Silent Yellow linear switch and the Haimu Viola Tricolor tactile switch, it is evident that the Silent Yellow has a slightly longer travel distance of 4 mm compared to the Viola Tricolor's 3.8 mm. Both switches fall within the traditional range of travel distances, with the Silent Yellow being on the longer side and the Viola Tricolor being slightly more shallow. Gamers may prefer the shorter travel distance of the Viola Tricolor for faster response times, while those who prefer a more substantial keypress may opt for the Silent Yellow. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for travel distance and keypress feel.
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 Yellow 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 Yellow switches are known for their quiet operation, making them ideal for those who prefer a more discreet typing experience. On the other hand, the Haimu Viola Tricolor switches offer a unique thuddy and punchy sound profile that adds character to each keystroke. The Viola Tricolor switches provide a bassy and low-pitched sound, which can create a deeper and richer typing experience compared to the more subtle sound of the Silent Yellow switches. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on personal preference and the desired auditory feedback during typing sessions.
In terms of feel, the Outemu Silent Yellow switches are known for their smooth linear action without any tactile feedback. In contrast, the Haimu Viola Tricolor switches offer a pronounced tactility that provides a satisfying feedback without being overly tactile. The Viola Tricolor switches are described as accented and invigorating, offering a tactile typing experience that is not too gentle nor too sharp. This tactile feedback can enhance typing speed and accuracy for users who prefer a more tactile switch compared to the linear feel of the Silent Yellow switches.
Overall, when considering the subjective qualities of the Outemu Silent Yellow linear switch and the Haimu Viola Tricolor tactile switch, it is evident that they cater to different preferences in terms of sound and feel. The Silent Yellow switches offer a quiet and smooth typing experience, while the Viola Tricolor switches provide a unique thuddy sound and a balance of tactile feedback. Both switches have their strengths, and the choice between them will ultimately come down to personal preference and the specific typing experience desired. Ultimately, regardless of the choice, both switches are capable of delivering a satisfying typing experience, albeit with different sound and feel characteristics.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Outemu Silent Yellow linear switch and the Haimu Viola Tricolor tactile switch, consider your preference for bottom out force. If you prefer a heavier switch, the Silent Yellow with 80 grams may be the way to go. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium-heavy switch with 63.5 grams, the Viola Tricolor may be more suitable. If you are looking for a switch that offers a unique sound profile with a touch of character, the Viola Tricolor's thuddy and punchy sound may be appealing to you. Additionally, if you prefer a tactile switch that strikes a balance between satisfying feedback and not being overly tactile, the Viola Tricolor's pronounced tactility could be a good fit for your typing needs. Ultimately, consider your preferences for bottom out force, sound profile, and typing feel when choosing between these two switches to find the one that best suits your typing style and preferences.
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