Everglide Lightning Silver V3 vs. Outemu Red
An in-depth look at the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 and the Outemu Red switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 and the Outemu Red both offer a linear typing experience. The Lightning Silver V3 is best known for its clacky and high-pitched sound signature, along with its silky and seamless typing experience. Additionally, its light diffuser enhances RGB illumination, making it a visually striking choice for any keyboard setup. On the other hand, the Outemu Red switch doesn't have a specific standout feature but is valued for its reliability and smooth keystrokes. Overall, if you prioritize a unique sound signature and vibrant RGB lighting, the Lightning Silver V3 may be the switch for you. 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
48g
Actuation force
46g
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
62g
Pre-travel
1.50 mm
Pre-travel
2.10 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Lengthened gold-plated spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Everglide Lightning Silver V3 and the Outemu Red both feature polycarbonate top housings, which create a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to the stiffness of the material. This makes them ideal for switches that will be used with RGB lighting, as the translucency of polycarbonate enhances the visual appeal of the lighting effects. However, while both switches share this common feature, the Lightning Silver V3's polycarbonate bottom housing further enhances the sound profile, creating a clear and resonant typing experience. On the other hand, the Outemu Red's nylon bottom housing offers a deeper and fuller sound profile, as nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder tone.
Despite the differences in their bottom housings, both the Lightning Silver V3 and the Outemu Red ultimately provide a unique typing experience based on the combination of their housing materials. The split in qualities between the top and bottom housings means that each switch will have a distinct sound and feel depending on whether the key is being pressed or released. The impact of the bottom housing material will be more noticeable during the keypress, influencing the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing material will have a greater effect on the sound when the key is released. This division of qualities allows for a more nuanced and dynamic typing experience with each switch.
In conclusion, while the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 and the Outemu Red share some similarities in their housing materials, such as the polycarbonate top housing, they also offer unique characteristics based on their bottom housing materials. The distinct sound profiles created by the stiffness of polycarbonate in the Lightning Silver V3's bottom housing and the softness of nylon in the Outemu Red's bottom housing showcase the impact that housing materials can have on the overall typing experience. Whether you prefer a sharper, crisper sound profile or a deeper, fuller tone, both switches provide options for customizing your typing experience to suit your preferences.
Weight
The Everglide Lightning Silver V3 linear switch has a slightly lighter actuation force of 48 grams compared to the Outemu Red linear switch, which requires 46 grams of force to actuate. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Lightning Silver V3 requires 60 grams while the Red requires 62 grams. Both switches fall within the medium range in terms of actuation and bottom out force, providing a balanced typing experience. The weight of the switch is an important factor to consider depending on personal preference. Those who prefer a lighter touch may lean towards the Lightning Silver V3 for longer typing sessions, while those who prefer a more substantial typing experience may opt for the slightly heavier Outemu Red switch. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will come down to individual typing preferences and needs.
Travel distance
The Everglide Lightning Silver V3 linear switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm, making it shorter than the Outemu Red linear switch, which has a travel distance of 4 mm. The Lightning Silver V3 provides a quicker and more responsive typing experience, which can be favored by gamers seeking faster response times. On the other hand, the Outemu Red linear switch offers a slightly deeper keypress, which may be preferred by those who enjoy more tactile feedback. Both switches offer a different typing experience, with the Lightning Silver V3 being shorter and the Outemu Red being longer, catering to different preferences. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on personal preference for travel distance.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Everglide Lightning Silver V3 has an MSRP of $5.55 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Lightning Silver V3 for $4.10.
The Outemu Red 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
When it comes to sound, the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 linear switch stands out for its clacky and high-pitched characteristics, providing a sharp and snappy sound that can be described as crisp and bright. On the other hand, the Outemu Red linear switch's sound profile is unknown. It should be noted that the sound produced by a switch is also influenced by other factors such as the keyboard's construction and the keycaps used.
Moving on to feel, the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 linear switch is lauded for its silky smooth typing experience, offering minimal resistance when pressing and releasing keys. This results in an exceptionally smooth typing feel that enhances overall comfort and typing efficiency. Unfortunately, there is no information available on the tactile feel of the Outemu Red linear switch.
In conclusion, the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 linear switch shines in both sound and feel aspects, providing a clacky, high-pitched sound profile and a silky smooth typing experience. While the Outemu Red linear switch's qualities remain unknown, if its sound and feel characteristics are similar to the Lightning Silver V3, users can expect to achieve comparable results in terms of auditory feedback and typing comfort. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches will depend on individual preferences for sound and feel in a mechanical keyboard setup.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 linear switch and the Outemu Red linear switch, consider the following factors. If you prioritize a clacky and high-pitched sound signature, along with a smooth and seamless typing experience, the Lightning Silver V3 may be the ideal choice for you. Additionally, the light diffuser feature enhances RGB illumination, adding a unique touch to your keyboard setup. On the other hand, if you are looking for a linear switch with medium bottom out force and are indifferent to sound and feel descriptions, the Outemu Red may be a more budget-friendly option. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preferences for sound, feel, and any additional features that each switch offers.
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