Outemu Red Panda vs. Gateron Silent Ink Black
An in-depth look at the Outemu Red Panda and the Gateron Silent Ink Black switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options that offer unique typing experiences are the Outemu Red Panda and the Gateron Silent Ink Black. The Red Panda is a tactile switch, known for its light-medium amount of tactility and its distinct bassier bottom-out sound and clackier top-out sound. On the other hand, the Silent Ink Black is a linear switch that is ideal for those who require quieter typing. It provides a cushy and pillow-like bottom-out feel with minimal audio feedback. Both switches have their merits, with the Red Panda offering a thocky and mild typing experience, while the Silent Ink Black provides a smooth and muted typing experience. However, let's delve deeper beyond these generalities to help you decide which switch is the best fit for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
50g
Actuation force
60g
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
70g
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.30 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
No
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Color coated
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Outemu Red Panda and the Gateron Silent Ink Black switches offer different characteristics in terms of sound profile and feel. The Red Panda features a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to the stiffness of polycarbonate, which results in a clear and resonant sound. In contrast, the Silent Ink Black utilizes Gateron's proprietary INK blend top housing, which produces a pointed and relatively high-pitched sound without being overly sharp. This unique blend offers a satisfying thin and clacky sound.
As for the bottom housing, the Red Panda incorporates a nylon material, which elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon, being a softer plastic, absorbs more sound than harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. On the other hand, the Gateron Silent Ink Black utilizes Gateron's proprietary INK blend bottom housing, which shares similar qualities to its top housing. This blend offers a pointed and relatively high-pitched sound that is described as clacky.
While the top and bottom housings of the Red Panda and the Silent Ink Black differ in material, they still contribute to the overall sound and feel of the switches. Pressing down on the switches allows you to feel the impact of the bottom housing, which influences the bottom-out sound and feel. Conversely, the top housing has a greater impact on the sound when you release a key. Despite these differences in housing materials, both switches aim to create an enjoyable typing experience with their unique sound profiles.
Weight
The actuation force and bottom out force of the Outemu Red Panda tactile switch and the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch differ in terms of weight. The Red Panda has a lighter actuation force of 50 grams compared to the Silent Ink Black's 60 grams. Similarly, the Red Panda has a lighter bottom out force of 60 grams compared to the Silent Ink Black's 70 grams. Both switches fall within the medium range in terms of actuation force, but the Silent Ink Black leans towards medium-heavy in terms of bottom out force.
Consideration of weight is important as it can impact typing comfort and endurance. Those who prefer a lighter feel may find the Red Panda more suitable, allowing for longer typing periods and making it ideal for work or extended gaming sessions. Conversely, individuals who prefer a more substantial typing experience may opt for a switch with heavier forces, such as the Silent Ink Black.
In terms of actuation force, the Red Panda provides a lighter trigger for keystrokes, while the Silent Ink Black requires a slightly stronger push. While both switches fall within the medium range, the difference in force may lead to slightly different typing experiences. However, for those seeking similar results, both switches can provide a comparable medium-weight typing feel.
Travel distance
The Outemu Red Panda tactile switch and the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch have distinct differences in their travel distances. The Red Panda has a travel distance of 3.3 mm, which falls on the shorter end of the spectrum. On the other hand, the Silent Ink Black has a longer travel distance of 4 mm. The Red Panda's shorter travel distance makes it a preferred choice for gamers who prioritize faster response times. Its quick and snappy feel allows for rapid keystrokes, enhancing gaming performance. In contrast, the Silent Ink Black's longer travel distance provides a more substantial and deep key press, which some individuals may find more satisfying. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on personal preference - those seeking responsiveness may opt for the Red Panda, while those desiring a more substantial feel may lean towards the Silent Ink Black.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Gateron Silent Ink Black has an MSRP of $8.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Silent Ink Black for $8.35.
The Outemu Red Panda comes in at $3.40 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 Red Panda tactile switch offers a unique experience. It produces a bassier, raindrop-like bottom-out sound, which creates a deep and satisfying thocky sound when pressed. On the other hand, the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch is known for its muted sound. This means it produces a softer and quieter sound compared to regular or clacky switches, making it perfect for environments that require a more silent typing experience. 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.
In terms of feel, the Outemu Red Panda tactile switch provides a light-medium amount of tactility, offering a mild typing experience. This means that it offers a gentle and approachable feel that most people will find comfortable. The Silent Ink Black linear switch, on the other hand, is described as silky and polished. This means it offers an exceptionally smooth typing experience, enhancing the overall smoothness of the feel and minimizing resistance when pressing and releasing keys. The switch's polished finish, either due to materials used or factory lubing, ensures reduced friction and smooth key travel.
Taking into consideration the information provided, the Outemu Red Panda tactile switch and the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switch offer distinct subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Red Panda provides a deep, thocky sound and a mild typing experience, while the Silent Ink Black offers a muted sound and a silky, polished feel. These differences cater to different preferences and environments. However, it's important to understand that individual results may vary based on the keyboard board and keycaps used. If you're aiming for similar results, the Silent Ink Black switch can provide a quieter experience with its muted sound, while the polished finish contributes to a smoother typing feel similar to the Red Panda.
Conclusion
To conclude, if you're looking for a tactile switch with a medium bottom out force and a light-medium amount of tactility, along with a satisfying and clacky sound, the Outemu Red Panda switches are an excellent choice. These switches offer a thocky sound when pressed and released, giving you a deep and rich typing experience. The Red Panda switches also provide a mild feel, making them approachable to most users as they fall within a safe middle-ground zone.
On the other hand, if you prioritize a quieter typing experience, then the Gateron Silent Ink Black switches are the way to go. With a medium-heavy bottom out force, these linear switches produce a muted sound compared to regular or clacky switches. The Silent Ink Black switches offer a cushion-like bottom-out feel with minimal audio feedback, making them suitable for environments that require reduced noise levels.
Moreover, the Silent Ink Black switches are also described as silky and polished, providing an exceptionally smooth and refined typing experience. These switches minimize resistance when pressing and releasing keys, resulting in reduced friction and smooth key travel.
In the end, the choice comes down to personal preference and the specific requirements of your typing environment. Both the Outemu Red Panda tactile switches and the Gateron Silent Ink Black linear switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different needs. Whether you prioritize tactility and an immersive typing sound, or a silent and smooth typing experience, there is a switch out there that's perfect for you.
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