Outemu Spring Breeze vs. Durock Silent T1 (Shrimp)
An in-depth look at the Outemu Spring Breeze and the Durock Silent T1 (Shrimp) switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular choices are the Outemu Spring Breeze, a clicky switch, and the Durock Silent T1 (Shrimp), a tactile switch. The Spring Breeze is best known for its clicky feedback, while the Silent T1 is perfect for those who want a tactile and silenced switch, making it ideal for noise-sensitive environments. The Spring Breeze offers a satisfying click with each press, perfect for those who enjoy auditory feedback while typing. On the other hand, the Silent T1 provides a medium bump and a padded bottom-out feel, along with subdued audio feedback for a quieter typing experience. Each switch falls into different categories with the Spring Breeze being more traditional, and the Silent T1 being stepped, accented, muted, and polished. These general pointers can help you determine which switch may be best suited for your typing 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
40g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
55g
Bottom-out force
67g
Pre-travel
1.50 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
pom
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Nylon
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
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Outemu Spring Breeze and the Durock Silent T1 (Shrimp), it is clear that they both use nylon for the bottom housing. This means that both switches will elicit a deeper and fuller sound profile due to the relatively softer nature of nylon that absorbs more sound than harder plastics. The use of nylon in the bottom housing ultimately creates a duller and rounder sound for both switches, providing a similar typing experience in terms of sound and feel.
However, when it comes to the top housing material, the Spring Breeze utilizes nylon while the Silent T1 (Shrimp) opts for polycarbonate. The difference in materials leads to a contrast in sound profiles between the two switches. The nylon top housing of the Spring Breeze produces a deeper and fuller sound, while the polycarbonate top housing of the Silent T1 (Shrimp) creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. This variation in top housing material results in a distinct typing experience for each switch, with the Spring Breeze offering a rounder sound and the Silent T1 (Shrimp) providing a clearer and resonant sound.
In summary, while the Outemu Spring Breeze and the Durock Silent T1 (Shrimp) share the use of nylon for the bottom housing, their choice of top housing material sets them apart in terms of sound profile. The Spring Breeze's nylon top housing produces a deeper and fuller sound, whereas the Silent T1 (Shrimp)'s polycarbonate top housing creates a sharper and crisper sound. These differences highlight how varying housing materials can impact the overall typing experience and sound of mechanical switches.
Weight
Comparing the Outemu Spring Breeze clicky switch and the Durock Silent T1 (Shrimp) tactile switch, we see differences in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Spring Breeze has a lighter actuation force of 40 grams compared to the Silent T1's unknown actuation force. On the other hand, the Silent T1 has a heavier bottom out force of 67 grams, while the Spring Breeze has a bottom out force of 55 grams. These differences in force result in the Spring Breeze providing a medium-light typing experience, suitable for longer typing sessions, while the Silent T1 offers a medium-heavy feel, ideal for those who prefer a more substantial typing experience. Ultimately, individuals looking for a lighter touch may lean towards the Spring Breeze, while those seeking a heavier push may opt for the Silent T1. Both switches offer unique typing experiences that cater to different preferences.
Travel distance
The Outemu Spring Breeze clicky switch and the Durock Silent T1 (Shrimp) tactile switch both have a travel distance of 4 mm, making them equal in this aspect. The travel distance is the distance the switch travels from the top to the bottom, providing a tactile and audible response when pressed. This means that regardless of which switch you choose, you can expect to get similar results in terms of the distance the switch travels. Both switches offer a satisfying key press experience with a consistent travel distance, allowing for a smooth and responsive typing or gaming experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Durock Silent T1 (Shrimp) has an MSRP of $7.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Silent T1 (Shrimp) for $5.57.
The Outemu Spring Breeze 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 Outemu Spring Breeze clicky switch is known for its loud and crisp click sound, which is typical of clicky switches. On the other hand, the Durock Silent T1 (Shrimp) tactile switch is described as producing a muted sound. This means that it gives off a softer and quieter noise compared to regular mechanical switches, making it a great choice for noise-sensitive environments. The sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard's construction and choice of keycaps.
Moving on to the feel of the switches, the Spring Breeze clicky switch offers None as its defining feature. Meanwhile, the Durock Silent T1 (Shrimp) tactile switch provides a stepped, accented, and polished feel. The stepped feature gives a two-stage tactile feel, allowing you to feel some pre-travel and post-travel during each key press. The accented characteristic means that this switch offers a medium amount of tactility, striking a balance between subtle and overwhelming feedback. The polished attribute indicates that the switch has a smooth and refined finish, resulting in reduced friction and a sleek typing experience.
In conclusion, the Outemu Spring Breeze clicky switch and the Durock Silent T1 (Shrimp) tactile switch offer different subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Spring Breeze provides a loud and crisp click sound, while the Silent T1 produces a muted noise. Additionally, the Spring Breeze lacks information on specific tactile features, whereas the Silent T1 offers a stepped, accented, and polished feel. Depending on your preference for sound, tactile feedback, and typing experience, you can choose between these two switches to achieve your desired keyboard feel and sound profile.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Outemu Spring Breeze clicky switch and the Durock Silent T1 (Shrimp) tactile switch, it ultimately comes down to your personal preference and needs. If you are looking for a clicky switch with a medium-light bottom out force and enjoy a tactile and clicky typing experience, the Spring Breeze may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a more silent typing experience with a medium-heavy bottom out force and want a switch that combines tactility with noise reduction, the Silent T1 (Shrimp) is the way to go. Consider factors like sound, feel, and your environment when making your decision to ensure you end up with the perfect mechanical keyboard switch for your needs.
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