Outemu Tom vs. HMX Twilight

Overview

When it comes to mechanical keyboards, the choice of switches can significantly influence your typing experience and overall satisfaction. The Outemu Tom switch, known for its tactile feedback, caters to those who appreciate a pronounced bump during key presses, offering both a sensory and auditory response that many typists and gamers find satisfying. On the other hand, the HMX Twilight, classified as a linear switch, excels in providing a smooth keystroke without tactile feedback, boasting an extended 3.85mm travel distance. This design allows for a quieter, more fluid typing experience, making it ideal for environments where noise is a concern while still retaining the signature clacky sound characteristics typical of HMX switches. Choosing between these two options ultimately depends on your personal preference: whether you lean towards the tactile engagement of the Tom or the silky linearity of the Twilight. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.

By the numbers

Outemu Tom Tactile

HMX Twilight Linear

$3.10 per 10

$3.50

$3.29 per 10

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Housing materials

When comparing the housing materials of the Outemu Tom and the HMX Twilight switches, a distinctive contrast emerges primarily from the choice of the top housing materials. The Outemu Tom features a polycarbonate top housing, which is known for its rigidity and transparency. This choice results in a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile, creating a crisper auditory experience. The translucency of the polycarbonate also makes it an aesthetically favorable option for those using RGB lighting, effectively showcasing the illumination benefits. In contrast, the HMX Twilight opts for a nylon top housing, which offers a deeper and fuller sound profile. The softer nature of nylon absorbs more sound, leading to a rounder auditory experience. This fundamental difference between the materials of the top housings ultimately creates a divergence in the audible characteristics and overall user experience of the two switches.

However, both switches share similarities in their bottom housing materials, as both utilize nylon. This shared characteristic means that when it comes to the bottom-out sound and feel while typing, both switches will generate a similar auditory experience. The softer nylon effectively contributes to a duller and rounder sound, providing a rich, velvety sensation when the keys are fully depressed. Given that the bottom housing has a greater influence on the tactile feedback during key presses, the similarity in material ensures a consistent feel between the two switches, despite their differing top housings.

When evaluating the overall experience from pressing the keys on both switches, one must consider how the combination of the materials affects sound profiles and tactile feedback. The polycarbonate top housing of the Outemu Tom works in conjunction with its nylon bottom housing to yield both brightness and depth in sound. Conversely, the HMX Twilight's nylon top housing softens the sound profile but maintains the same roundness from the nylon bottom. Thus, while distributing responsibilities between the stiffness of polycarbonate and the softness of nylon results in contrasting sound characteristics, the shared bottom housing material ensures a similar foundational typing experience, potentially making either switch a suitable choice depending on the desired sound and feel.

Weight

When comparing the Outemu Tom tactile switch and the HMX Twilight linear switch, there are notable differences in both actuation force and bottom out force. The Tom features an actuation force of 55 grams, which is heavier than the HMX Twilight's actuation force of 42 grams. This makes the Tom more suitable for those who prefer a stronger push feel, providing a more substantial typing experience. However, the bottom out force of the Tom is unavailable, while the Twilight has a bottom out force of 50 grams, which is quite light. This means that the Twilight not only requires less force to actuate but also offers a more forgiving bottoming out experience, making it potentially more suitable for extensive typing sessions. For users who favor lighter switches to reduce fatigue, the HMX Twilight would be the better option, while those who appreciate a heftier feel may prefer the Tom despite its unlisted bottom out force.

Travel distance

The Outemu Tom tactile switch features a travel distance of 3.3 mm, while the HMX Twilight linear switch has a longer travel distance of 3.85 mm. This difference in travel distance indicates that the Tom switch is shorter, making it more suitable for gamers seeking quicker response times, as the shallower actuation can facilitate faster key presses. In contrast, the Twilight switch, with its greater travel distance, offers a more pronounced feedback experience that some users may find more comfortable and satisfying for general typing or prolonged use. Ultimately, choosing between these two switches boils down to personal preference: opt for the Outemu Tom for a snappier feel or the HMX Twilight for a deeper, more deliberate keystroke.

Price comparison

Typing experience

The Outemu Tom tactile switch does not have a specified sound characteristic, making it challenging to determine how it will compare to the HMX Twilight linear switch. However, the Twilight switch has an extended travel distance of 3.85mm, which lends itself to a slightly quieter sound profile while still maintaining the signature clacky characteristics of HMX switches. This means that while the Tom's auditory profile remains unknown, users of the Twilight will appreciate a sound that is less pronounced but can still evoke a satisfying response, especially depending on the choice of board and keycaps.

When considering the feel of each switch, the Tom is not specified in terms of its tactile response, leaving its overall tactile experience open to subjective interpretation. In contrast, the HMX Twilight linear switch offers a smooth and untextured feel due to its linear design, which can facilitate rapid key presses without any tactile bump. This provides users with a consistent, uninterrupted experience as their fingers glide effortlessly from key to key, contrasting significantly with the unknown tactile qualities of the Tom.

In summary, while the Outemu Tom tactile switch lacks specified details regarding both its sound and feel, the HMX Twilight linear switch offers a quieter sound profile with pronounced clacky characteristics and a smooth typing experience due to its linear design. If you are drawn to the clacky sound and extended travel of the Twilight, it would be advisable to test various switches in person to determine your personal preference, particularly considering the Tom’s unspecified qualities.

Conclusion

To conclude, when deciding between the Outemu Tom tactile switch and the HMX Twilight linear switch, it's essential to consider your specific needs and preferences. If you favor a quieter typing experience with a slightly longer travel distance, the Twilight switch's 50 grams bottom-out force makes it an excellent choice; it's particularly suitable for those who appreciate smooth keystrokes without the distractions of audible feedback. This switch is ideal for gaming or extensive typing sessions where noise levels may be a concern. On the other hand, if you prefer a more tactile feel and enjoy the feedback from your keystrokes, the Outemu Tom might be your go-to option. While specific details about the Tom's characteristics are less defined, tactile switches like these generally provide a distinctive bump on actuation, enhancing the typing experience for those who enjoy that sensation. Ultimately, your choice should reflect your typing style, sound sensitivity, and overall preferences for tactile feedback versus linear smoothness.

Mentioned in this article

Outemu Tom Tactile

$3.10 per 10

Learn more

HMX Twilight Linear

$3.50

$3.29 per 10

Learn more