Outemu Silent Grey vs. Durock Silent T1 (Shrimp)
An in-depth look at the Outemu Silent Grey and the Durock Silent T1 (Shrimp) switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Outemu Silent Grey and the Durock Silent T1 (Shrimp) mechanical keyboard switches, both offer a tactile typing experience while minimizing noise. The Outemu Silent Grey is renowned for its quiet and highly tactile feel, featuring a pronounced bump and smooth keystroke, making it a popular choice for users seeking a satisfying yet silent typing experience. On the other hand, the Durock Silent T1 (Shrimp) excels in providing a medium bump, padded bottom-out feel, and subdued audio feedback, catering to those who value both tactility and noise reduction in their keyboards. While the Outemu Silent Grey offers a more pronounced tactile bump, the Durock Silent T1 (Shrimp) provides a softer bottom-out feel. 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
50g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
65g
Bottom-out force
67g
Pre-travel
1.60 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 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
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
Both the Outemu Silent Grey and the Durock Silent T1 (Shrimp) switches feature polycarbonate top housings, which create a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to the stiffness of the material. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate allows for RGB lighting to shine through, making it an ideal choice for those looking to customize their keyboard aesthetics. However, since the top housings are the same for both switches, users can expect similar sound profiles and visual effects when using either switch with RGB lighting.
As for the bottom housings, the Silent Grey utilizes a nylon material that produces a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon is known for absorbing more sound than harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound when typing on switches. Similarly, the Silent T1 (Shrimp) also features a nylon bottom housing, offering users a consistent typing experience with a focus on producing a more muffled sound. The qualities of the bottom housing will impact the bottom-out sound and feel of the switch when pressed, ensuring a comfortable and quiet typing experience.
In conclusion, while both the Outemu Silent Grey and Durock Silent T1 (Shrimp) switches have differences in their housing materials, users can expect similar results in terms of sound profiles and typing experience due to the shared polycarbonate top housing. Whether it's the sharper and crisper sound of the polycarbonate top housing or the deeper and fuller sound of the nylon bottom housing, both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences in keyboard customization. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will boil down to personal preference in sound profile and typing experience.
Weight
In comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch and the Durock Silent T1 (Shrimp) tactile switch, it is evident that the Silent Grey has a lighter actuation force of 50 grams compared to the Silent T1's unknown actuation force. However, both switches have a similar bottom out force of 65 grams for the Silent Grey and 67 grams for the Silent T1, making them both medium-heavy in this aspect. The difference in actuation force could result in a slightly lighter typing experience with the Outemu Silent Grey, while the heavier bottom out force of the Silent T1 may provide a more substantial feel with each keystroke. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches would depend on personal preference for a lighter or heavier typing experience.
Travel distance
Both the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch and the Durock Silent T1 (Shrimp) tactile switch have a travel distance of 4 mm, making them equal in this aspect. When pressing down on a key with either of these switches, users can expect to feel the same amount of travel distance. This means that whether you choose the Outemu or the Durock switch, you will get a similar typing experience in terms of how far the switch travels when activated. This can provide consistency for users who prefer a particular travel distance when typing or gaming.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Durock Silent T1 (Shrimp) has an MSRP of $7.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Silent T1 (Shrimp) for $5.57.
The Outemu Silent Grey 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 Outemu Silent Grey switch is known for being quiet and providing a satisfying typing experience. On the other hand, the Durock Silent T1 (Shrimp) switch is labeled as muted due to its softer and quieter sound compared to regular switches. Both switches aim to minimize the noise typically associated with mechanical keyboards, making them suitable for noise-sensitive environments. However, the actual sound produced by a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard layout and keycaps used.
In terms of feel, the Outemu Silent Grey switch is praised for its highly tactile typing experience with a pronounced bump and smooth keystroke. In comparison, the Durock Silent T1 (Shrimp) switch is described as having a stepped and accented tactile feel, providing a medium amount of tactility that is not overwhelming but still prominent. Additionally, the Durock switch is said to have a polished finish, resulting in reduced friction and smooth key travel. These differences in feel might appeal to different preferences in tactile feedback for typing.
Overall, the Outemu Silent Grey and Durock Silent T1 (Shrimp) switches both offer a silent typing experience with tactile feedback. The Silent Grey switch provides a more pronounced bump and smooth keystroke, while the Silent T1 switch offers a stepped, accented tactile feel with a polished finish. Choosing between the two switches would ultimately depend on personal preference for the specific type of tactile feedback and sound level desired during typing sessions. However, both switches are designed to provide a satisfying and silent typing experience for users seeking a quieter mechanical keyboard option.
Conclusion
In closing, when choosing between the Outemu Silent Grey tactile switch and the Durock Silent T1 (Shrimp) tactile switch, consider the typing experience you are looking for. If you prioritize a highly tactile typing experience with a pronounced bump and smooth keystroke while also wanting a quiet switch, the Outemu Silent Grey would be the better choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch that offers both tactile feedback and a quiet typing experience in a noise-sensitive environment, the Durock Silent T1 (Shrimp) would be more suitable. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your preference for key feel and sound output to enhance your overall typing experience.
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