Haimu Viola Tricolor vs. Outemu Yellow Silver
An in-depth look at the Haimu Viola Tricolor and the Outemu Yellow Silver switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, choosing the right one can greatly impact your typing experience. Two popular options to consider are the Haimu Viola Tricolor and the Outemu Yellow Silver switches. The Viola Tricolor is best known for its thuddy and punchy sound profile, adding a touch of character to your typing. With a pronounced tactility, these switches provide satisfying feedback without being overly tactile. A perfect balance is struck, offering a sharp sensation without overwhelming the user. On the other hand, the Yellow Silver switch from Outemu is favored by gamers and typists who prioritize speediness and responsiveness. With a light actuation force and a neutral sound profile, this switch offers a smooth and efficient typing experience. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the ideal switch for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
N/A
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Bottom-out force
55g
Pre-travel
N/A
Pre-travel
1.30 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
No
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
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Dual-staged gold-plated spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Haimu Viola Tricolor and the Outemu Yellow Silver both utilize polycarbonate as their top housing material. This choice results in a similar sound profile for both switches, characterized by a sharp, higher-pitched, and crisp sound. The stiffer nature of polycarbonate lends itself to a more clear and resonant sound, making it ideal for those seeking a distinct and vibrant typing experience. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate enables the use of RGB lighting, adding a visually appealing element to the switches.
On the other hand, when it comes to the bottom housing material, the Viola Tricolor features a nylon construction, while the Yellow Silver also incorporates nylon for the bottom housing. This choice offers a deeper and fuller sound profile when typing. The softer nature of nylon allows it to absorb more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. As a result, users can expect a more mellow and satisfying typing experience with both switches.
It is important to note that the combination of different housing materials in the Viola Tricolor and the Yellow Silver results in a split of their respective qualities. When pressing down on these switches, the characteristics of the bottom housing material become apparent, influencing the bottom-out sound and feel. Conversely, the top housing material has a greater impact on the sound that is produced when releasing a key. Therefore, while the switches may offer comparable sound profiles, the specific nuances brought by the housing materials will vary in each switch.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Haimu Viola Tricolor tactile switch and the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch, it is evident that they have different characteristics. The Viola Tricolor's actuation force is currently unavailable, while the Yellow Silver has an actuation force of 45 grams. This indicates that the Yellow Silver requires a lighter touch to register a keystroke compared to the Viola Tricolor.
Moving on to the bottom out force, the Viola Tricolor has a bottom out force of 63.5 grams, which is considered medium-heavy. On the other hand, the Yellow Silver has a bottom out force of 55 grams, which falls into the medium-light category. This means that the Yellow Silver offers a slightly lighter bottom out force compared to the Viola Tricolor.
Considering the weight factor, those who prefer a lighter typing experience might find the Yellow Silver more suitable, as it requires a lighter actuation force as well as a lighter bottom out force. This can be beneficial for individuals who type for extended periods or engage in long gaming sessions.
However, for those who prefer a more substantial typing experience and a stronger push feel, the Viola Tricolor may be a better choice. Its heavier bottom out force provides a more pronounced tactile feedback, giving a satisfying sensation while typing.
In summary, the Haimu Viola Tricolor tactile switch and the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch have contrasting actuation and bottom out forces. The Viola Tricolor offers a potentially heavier actuation force (exact amount currently unavailable) and a medium-heavy bottom out force of 63.5 grams. Meanwhile, the Yellow Silver requires a lighter actuation force of 45 grams and has a medium-light bottom out force of 55 grams. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preferences for typing experience and the desired level of force required.
Travel distance
The travel distances of the Haimu Viola Tricolor tactile switch and the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch are quite similar, with the Viola Tricolor having a travel distance of 3.8 mm and the Yellow Silver having a slightly longer travel distance of 4 mm. Both of these switches fall within the range of traditional travel distances, with 4 mm being the most common. However, shorter travel distances have also become popular, especially among gamers who value faster response times. If you prefer a more responsive and quick typing experience, the Viola Tricolor with its shorter travel distance may be the better option for you. On the other hand, if you enjoy a deeper and more satisfying key press, the Yellow Silver with its slightly longer travel distance might be the preferred choice. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will depend on individual preference and typing style.
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 Yellow Silver 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
In terms of sound, the Haimu Viola Tricolor switch is best known for its thuddy and punchy sound profile. These switches offer a pronounced tactility that provides satisfying feedback without being overly tactile. The Viola Tricolor strikes a perfect balance, offering a sharp sensation without overwhelming the user. On the other hand, the Outemu Yellow Silver switch is described as having a neutral sound profile. It does not have any specific characteristics mentioned, but it is generally favorable for gamers and typists who prefer speediness and responsiveness. It should be noted that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the choice of keyboard and keycaps.
When it comes to feel, the Viola Tricolor is described as an accented switch. It falls under the category of a medium tactile switch, providing a prominent amount of tactility that is neither overwhelming nor subtle. It is not described as scratchy, which is a common complaint with certain tactile switches. The Viola Tricolor offers an invigorating feel with pronounced feedback, moderate to firm actuation force, and a snappy and reactive sensation that creates an immersive typing experience. Unfortunately, there is no information available about the feel of the Outemu Yellow Silver switch.
In conclusion, the Haimu Viola Tricolor tactile switch and the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch have distinct subjective qualities. The Viola Tricolor offers a thuddy and punchy sound profile with a balanced level of tactility, providing satisfying feedback without being overly tactile. It has an invigorating feel with pronounced feedback and a snappy and reactive sensation. On the other hand, the Yellow Silver switch is described as having a neutral sound profile and its feel is unknown. If you are looking for a switch with a unique sound and an invigorating feel, the Viola Tricolor would be a suitable choice. However, if you prefer a switch with a neutral sound and an unknown feel, the Yellow Silver switch may meet your preferences.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a keyboard switch that offers a thuddy and punchy sound profile without being overly tactile, the Haimu Viola Tricolor tactile switch would be an excellent choice for you. With a bottom out force of 63.5 grams, it provides a satisfying feedback without overwhelming the user. The Viola Tricolor strikes a perfect balance, offering a sharp sensation and an accented, invigorating feel. Additionally, if you prefer a deeper and richer sound profile during key presses, the Viola Tricolor's bassy and low-pitched characteristics would be ideal for you. On the other hand, if you prioritize speediness and responsiveness and prefer a neutral sound profile, the Outemu Yellow Silver linear switch with a bottom out force of 55 grams would be more suitable. It provides a lighter actuation force and a moderate sound profile that is favorable for gamers and typists. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches depends on your personal preferences and typing style.
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