Outemu Ocean vs. Outemu Silent Yellow
An in-depth look at the Outemu Ocean and the Outemu Silent Yellow switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options to consider are the Outemu Ocean, a tactile switch, and the Outemu Silent Yellow, a linear switch. The Ocean switch is well-known for its tactile feedback, and falls under the category of tactile switches. On the other hand, the Silent Yellow switch is renowned for its quiet nature, and is categorized as a linear switch. The Ocean switch provides a satisfying tactile feedback with each keystroke, making it ideal for those who prefer a tactile typing experience. In contrast, the Silent Yellow switch offers a smooth and quiet typing experience, making it perfect for environments where noise may be a concern. 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
55g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
N/A
Bottom-out force
60g
Pre-travel
2.20 mm
Pre-travel
2.20 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
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
Stainless steel
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
Both the Outemu Ocean and the Outemu Silent Yellow switches feature polycarbonate top housings, which create a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to the stiff nature of polycarbonate plastic. This material is known for its translucency, making it ideal for switches that will be used with RGB lighting. On the other hand, while both switches have nylon bottom housings, which produce a deeper and fuller sound profile thanks to the softer nature of nylon plastic. The nylon material absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound compared to polycarbonate.
While the top housings of the Outemu Ocean and Outemu Silent Yellow switches are the same, their distinct nylon bottom housings contribute to different sound profiles. Typing on switches with nylon bottom housings will elicit a deeper and fuller sound, with the material absorbing more sound and creating a rounder tone. In contrast, the top housings, made of polycarbonate, create a crisper and sharper sound due to their stiffer nature. This combination of housing materials allows for a unique typing experience that can vary depending on which part of the switch is being interacted with.
Overall, the choice between the Outemu Ocean and the Outemu Silent Yellow switches may come down to personal preference regarding sound profile. The Ocean switch with its polycarbonate top and nylon bottom housing will offer a sharper and crisper sound, while the Silent Yellow switch with both top and bottom nylon housing will produce a deeper and fuller sound. Both switches utilize the unique qualities of their housing materials to create distinct typing experiences, making them suitable for different preferences and environments.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Outemu Ocean tactile switch and the Outemu Silent Yellow linear switch, it is clear that the Ocean is lighter in both aspects. The Ocean has an actuation force of 55 grams, which is lighter than the Silent Yellow's 65 grams. Additionally, the Ocean has no specified bottom out force, while the Silent Yellow has a bottom out force of 80 grams, making it heavier in this aspect as well. The lighter actuation force of the Ocean makes it more suitable for extended typing sessions or gaming marathons, while the heavier actuation and bottom out force of the Silent Yellow provides a more substantial typing experience. So, for those who prefer a lighter feel, the Ocean would be the better choice, while those seeking a stronger push should opt for the Silent Yellow.
Travel distance
Both the Outemu Ocean tactile switch and the Outemu Silent Yellow linear switch have the same travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when pressing down on a key with either switch, users will experience a similar tactile feedback and keypress distance. The Ocean switch provides a tactile bump during actuation, while the Silent Yellow switch is known for its quiet operation due to the lack of an audible click. While both switches have the same travel distance, they offer different typing experiences based on their tactile and linear characteristics. Despite these differences, users can expect a consistent keypress distance when using either switch.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
In this case, both switches are $3.10. As such, price can't serve as a tiebreaker when choosing between the Ocean and Silent Yellow.
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
The Outemu Ocean tactile switch is best known for its tactile bump and clicky sound, providing a satisfying feedback when typing. On the other hand, the Outemu Silent Yellow linear switch is best known for its smooth keystrokes and silent operation, making it a great choice for those who prefer quiet typing sessions. In terms of sound, the Ocean switch produces a loud click with each keystroke, while the Silent Yellow switch offers a noiseless typing experience. In terms of feel, the Ocean switch has a tactile bump that you can feel when pressing down on the keys, whereas the Silent Yellow switch provides a smooth and consistent keystroke without any tactile feedback. Overall, if you prefer a tactile and clicky typing experience, the Outemu Ocean switch is the way to go, while the Outemu Silent Yellow switch is ideal for those who prioritize a quiet and smooth typing experience. Ultimately, choosing between these two switches will depend on your personal preferences for sound and feel.
Conclusion
To sum up, when choosing between the Outemu Ocean tactile switch and the Outemu Silent Yellow linear switch, consider the following guidelines. If you prefer a switch with a lighter bottom out force and are looking for a tactile typing experience, the Outemu Ocean tactile switch would be a great choice. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch with a heavier bottom out force and are looking for a smooth and quiet typing experience, the Outemu Silent Yellow linear switch would be more suitable for you. Ultimately, the decision should be based on your personal preference for typing feel, sound, and bottom out force. Each switch offers a unique typing experience, so choose the one that best fits your typing style and preferences.
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