Outemu Phoenix vs. Everglide Tourmaline Blue
An in-depth look at the Outemu Phoenix and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options that stand out are the Outemu Phoenix, a clicky switch, and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue, a linear switch. The Phoenix is renowned for its unique under-skirt click mechanism, making it one of the most distinctive clicky switches available today. With its crunchy and polished feel, it provides a visually and audibly pleasing typing experience. On the other hand, the Tourmaline Blue offers a deep and thocky sound profile, immersing users in a satisfying typing sensation. With a lengthened single-stage spring, it delivers a bouncy feel with each keystroke. Furthermore, the Tourmaline Blue strikes a balance with its standard spring weight, making it enjoyable and easily accessible to a wide range of users. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities, so you can best decide on the switch that suits you best.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
N/A
Actuation force
59g
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
67g
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.30 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
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Outemu Phoenix and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue keyboards are both made of polycarbonate, resulting in similar sound profiles and aesthetic features. The use of polycarbonate in both the top and bottom housings of these keyboards creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to the stiffness of polycarbonate, which enhances the clarity and resonance of the keypress sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate allows for the use of RGB lighting, making it an ideal choice for those who want to add visual effects to their typing experience.
Although both keyboards feature polycarbonate top and bottom housings, the key difference lies in how the qualities of each housing material are utilized. The bottom housing of the switch has a more significant impact on the bottom-out sound and feel when the key is pressed down. Therefore, the ergonomic and tactile aspects of the typing experience are influenced by the polycarbonate bottom housing. On the other hand, the top housing plays a crucial role in the sound produced when you let go of a key. Thus, the acoustics and auditory feedback upon key release are influenced by the polycarbonate top housing.
In summary, the Outemu Phoenix and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue keyboards share the use of polycarbonate as the main housing material, resulting in similar sound profiles and aesthetic benefits. Both keyboards offer a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound due to the stiffness of polycarbonate. The translucency of the material also complements the use of RGB lighting. However, the distinction lies in how the top and bottom housings affect the typing experience. While the bottom housing influences the tactile feedback when pressing keys, the top housing contributes to the auditory feedback when keys are released.
Weight
When comparing the Outemu Phoenix clicky switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch, there are noticeable differences in terms of actuation force and bottom out force. The actuation force of the Phoenix switch is unfortunately unknown, while the Tourmaline Blue requires a force of 59 grams to trigger a keystroke. In terms of bottom out force, the Phoenix has a weight of 62 grams, which can be considered medium, while the Tourmaline Blue comes in at a slightly heavier weight of 67 grams, making it medium-heavy.
Weight plays a crucial role in the typing experience for individuals. Those who prefer a lighter switch may opt for the Phoenix as it allows for comfortable typing over extended periods, making it suitable for office work or long gaming sessions. In contrast, users seeking a more substantial and pronounced typing experience may lean towards switches with heavier forces, making the Tourmaline Blue a suitable choice for them.
It is worth noting that while the actuation force for the Phoenix switch is unknown, it is possible that it may provide a similar result to the Tourmaline Blue. This would mean that both switches offer a similar level of resistance when it comes to triggering keystrokes, making the decision between the two switches more dependent on other factors such as typing feel and sound. Ultimately, the choice between the Outemu Phoenix clicky switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch will depend on individual preferences and typing requirements.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Outemu Phoenix clicky switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch, it is clear that the Phoenix has a shorter travel distance of 3.3 mm, while the Tourmaline Blue has a longer travel distance of 4 mm. The Phoenix falls into the category of shorter travel distances, which are becoming more popular, particularly among gamers who value faster response times. Choosing the Phoenix switch would provide a more responsive typing experience. On the other hand, the Tourmaline Blue switch offers a deeper key press, which may be preferred by individuals who enjoy a more substantial feel while typing. Both switches have their advantages depending on personal preferences, whether it be a desire for speed or a preference for deeper key presses.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Everglide Tourmaline Blue has an MSRP of $6.86 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Tourmaline Blue for $3.89.
The Outemu Phoenix comes in at $4.15 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 Phoenix clicky switch stands out with its unique and distinctive sound profile. It is best described as crunchy, reminiscent of stepping on piles of crisp and crunchy autumn leaves. On the other hand, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch is categorized as having a neutral sound profile. This means that it produces a moderate sound that is suitable for various purposes, whether you are a beginner or advanced user, and whether you plan to use it at home or work. However, it's important to note that the sound of a switch is also influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used, so your choice in these components will further impact the overall sound experience.
When considering the feel of the switches, the Outemu Phoenix is described as having a polished and refined finish, resulting in a sleek typing experience. The switch's smooth and refined surface texture, which could be due to the materials used and/or factory lubing, helps to reduce friction and promotes smooth key travel. On the other hand, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switch is characterized as buttery, offering a smooth and fluid keystroke experience. With these switches, typing feels seamless, effortless, and uniform. Additionally, they are easy-to-press, requiring minimal force to activate the keys. This light actuation force enhances typing comfort and reduces finger fatigue during extended typing sessions. Overall, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switch provides a low-impact and responsive typing feel that is approachable and enjoyable for most users.
Considering all the available information, it is evident that the Outemu Phoenix clicky switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch offer distinct subjective qualities in terms of both sound and feel. While the Phoenix switch provides a unique and crunchy sound profile along with a polished and refined feel, the Tourmaline Blue switch offers a deep thocky sound profile with a smooth and buttery keystroke experience. If you are looking for a clicky switch with a unique sound and a sleek typing feel, the Phoenix would be a suitable choice. On the other hand, if you prefer a linear switch with a deep sound and a smooth typing experience, the Tourmaline Blue would be a great option. Regardless of your preference, both switches deliver enjoyable typing experiences.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a unique and satisfying clicky switch, the Outemu Phoenix is a great choice. With its under-skirt click mechanism, it offers a crystalline and sparkling feel and sound profile. The Phoenix has a medium bottom out force of 62 grams, providing a comfortable typing experience. On the other hand, if you prefer a deep and thocky sound profile, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch is the way to go. These switches feature a lengthened single-stage spring, resulting in a bouncy feel with each keystroke. With a medium-heavy bottom out force of 67 grams, the Tourmaline Blue strikes a balance and appeals to a wide range of users. Both switches offer unique characteristics and enhance the typing experience in their own ways. Ultimately, the choice between the Phoenix and the Tourmaline Blue depends on your personal preferences for clickiness, sound, and feel. Consider your typing style and desired experience to make an informed decision.
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