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On the mechanical keyboard forums, Outemu Black switches are frequently mentioned whenever someone asks for a suitable switch to play games. As a dupe of Cherry MX Black, the Outemu Black remains most features of the Black line, but of course, at a much lower price. This makes it become a popular option for gamers who are on a tight budget without trading much of the quality.
Then, what makes this switch a good option for playing games? And, does it suit me if I am not a gamer? All the answers are inside this ultimate guide, and you could also find reliable places to buy after making the purchase decision.
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Outemu Black Specifications |
|
|
Switch Type |
Linear |
|
Mount Type |
Plate Mount |
|
Travel Distance |
2.5mm - 4mm |
| Actuation Force |
65g |
| Operating Force |
80 ± 10g |
| Sound |
Lower than the Blue switch |
| Longevity |
50 million cycles |
As these are the technical terms, consider below our attempt at ‘decoding’ those so you can follow the article much easier:
Well, that’s much we need to know about the mechanical aspects of the switch. In the next part, we will learn in detail how those features contribute to your user experience. But, if you also want to know more about the Outemu switches in general so you can have more options, feel free to read this article for a full understanding.
As the Outemu Black switch belongs to the linear type, the smoothness is far better than the other switches of the brand. It is remarkably consistent and does not wobble. That results in a very awesome typing experience for users. It is something like ‘feeling your fingers dance on the keys.’
However, like any other product of Outemu, the Black switch has some scratches between the keystrokes. This could be a minus point for people who are looking for an ultimate smooth experience.
The actuation force of this switch is on the heavy side. Compared to Cherry MX Black, it is a little bit heavier. As the Black version targets people who prefer heavy typing or have big hands, the design requires about 65g for actuating at 2.5 mm.
Talking about the merit, heavy typing increases the accuracy level. The disadvantage is for those who are not familiar with heavy typing or are quite weak in their finger strength, they can easily feel tired after typing for so long.
The switches are marketed as low noise for people who dislike the noise from a mechanical keyboard. It releases a metal, low, and deep sound. Some agree that its sound is quite similar to the Outemu Red switch and much lower than the Outemu Blue ones. The low sound when typing definitely makes the Outemu Black switch enjoyable for office workers, and those whose houses do not soundproof nicely.
A tip for keyboard enthusiasts who want to make it as quiet as possible or virtually silent is that you could use the lube to fix the switches. This also allows you to type faster, more smoothly than usual. Worth trying!
Wanna check out the sound of the Outemu Black switches? Watch this video for a sound test.
And this is a video of someone who lubed the switches.
Users feedback that the feeling is somewhat similar to the Outemu Brown switch, but of course, there is none of the tactile response. Even though there is still some scratchiness when bouncing back, the overall feeling is smooth enough.
Since the Outemu Black switch is heavy actuation, there would be fewer typing errors. That makes it perfect for desk job workers who have to type in a mountain of data every day or send numerous emails. That is, of course, when they are used to heavy typing.
Now is the time to answer why the Outemu Black is perfect for gamers. Its linear design is nice and smooth, check. Its sound is not loud and noisy, check. It has a high response rate, also check.
Above on, it is because the switch has a precise heavy actuation force and wobble reduction. Therefore, the experience of moving your fingers around the keyboard is enhanced to be accurate and trouble-free. Thanks to that, you could immerse yourself in your gaming time without being annoyed by technical issues.
In general, The Black switches are a heavy-force linear type with a quick response time and low sound. It performs consistently even with some minor scratches. You can reduce the noise and gritty feeling by lubing it. For both typing experience and gaming experience, this Outemu receives quite positive feedback. And its main selling point in the market, a heavy linear switch, could be pros and cons based on people’s preferences.
To save your searching time, we would suggest some websites where you can buy the Outemu Black switches.
You can find it on Amazon and eBay (for people living in the UK only). Or, you can visit mechanical and keyboards, qwerty-key.com or drop.com. If you are living in China, it will be easy to purchase on Alibaba. For people who are from Southeast Asia, you can shop them on e-commerce such as Lazada or Shopee.
Besides that, your local mechanical stores are likely to have the Black switches in their storage so don’t forget to check them out, in case waiting for shipping is not your cup of tea.
To sum up, Outemu Black switches are suitable for people looking for a heavy-weight feeling combined with linear smooth typing. Although they are more scratchy and less durable than the original Cherry MX dupe, given the decent price it offers, and the hard-to-deny accuracy and comfort while playing games, they are still worth a go.
Yes, you should. It performs smoothly and is soundless. Moreover, the short travel distance helps reduce registering response time. And, there is also feedback that its weight force increases the accuracy when typing, however, due to that, it is not recommended for first users or who do not enjoy feeling heavy.
Definitely! The Outemu Black switch is frequently recommended by gamers in the forums. The overall performance is smooth, a little bit scratchy but hard to notice, and accurate. On top of that, the weight force is perfect for moving your fingers around without being disturbed so the gaming experience is enjoyable.
This is a heavy, linear switch, with no tactile feedback.
This should be based on your preference. The Outemu Brown is tactile and normal-to-light actuation force, while the Outemu Black is a linear and heavy-press type. If you like heavy feeling and gaming most of the time, you should consider the Black switch. If you are a fast-pressing typer, you may enjoy the Brown ones.
The manufacturer claimed that it could be up to 50 million clicks but some users responded that there are some signs of problems after a few years. Considering it is a heavy switch, which means requiring more force to press, and its low price, this is acceptable.
Outemu switches are products of Dongguan Gaote Electronics company, whose root is in China. You can visit their website dggaote.com for more information about the company.
On the mechanical keyboard forums, Outemu Black switches are frequently mentioned whenever someone asks for a suitable switch to play games. As a dupe of Cherry MX Black, the Outemu Black remains most features of the Black line, but of course, at a much lower price. This makes it become a popular option for gamers […]
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