Alright, let’s talk about these Outemu switches. I’ve tinkered with my fair share, so I figure I can lay out what my journey’s been like with them.
Getting Started with Outemu
It all started when I wanted to dive into the whole mechanical keyboard thing, you know? But man, looking at prices for some of those fancy brands, my wallet just screamed. Then I kept seeing Outemu pop up. Cheap. That was the main word. So, I thought, “What the heck, let’s give ’em a go.” I wasn’t expecting miracles, just something to get my feet wet.
My first move was to grab a hot-swappable keyboard. Figured that was the smartest way. If these Outemu switches turned out to be trash, I could just yank ’em out without a soldering iron, which, believe me, I was trying to avoid at first. Less fuss, you know?
My First Batch: The Clicky Blues
So, I ordered my first set. Went with Outemu Blues. Yeah, the infamous clicky ones. I wanted that loud, satisfying typewriter sound I’d heard so much about. They arrived, and I got to work.
Popping them into the board was mostly straightforward. Mostly. A few of ’em had slightly bent pins. Not a huge deal, just had to be careful and straighten ’em out with some tweezers. A bit annoying, but for the price, I kinda shrugged it off. Once they were all in, I fired it up. Click, clack, click! It was loud, alright. My family definitely noticed. But typing on them? Honestly, it felt pretty good for what I paid. That tactile bump was there, distinct. For a first mechanical experience, it wasn’t bad at all.
Exploring Other Flavors
After a while, though, the constant clicking of the Blues started to, uh, let’s just say “wear on the household.” So, I decided to explore other Outemu options. My little experimental phase went something like this:
- Outemu Reds: These were next. Smooth, linear, no click, no bump. Much quieter! Typing felt completely different. Fast, almost like the keys were just gliding down. Took some getting used to after the Blues.
- Outemu Browns: Then I tried Browns. Supposed to be the middle ground, right? A tactile bump but without the loud click. And yeah, that’s pretty much what I got. A bit of feedback, but quiet enough not to drive everyone nuts.
I even got a small switch tester with a few others like Blacks, which are just heavier Reds, basically. It was a cheap way to feel out what I liked without buying a full set of everything.
The Good and The Not-So-Good
So, after all this fiddling, what’s my take? Well, Outemu switches are fantastic for the budget-conscious. If you’re just starting, or you want to try out different switch types without spending a fortune, they’re a solid choice. They get the job done. And there’s a decent variety available now, beyond just the basic red, blue, brown.
But, let’s be real. They’re not perfect. You’re not getting top-tier, premium quality. Consistency can be a bit of a thing. Sometimes one switch in a batch might feel a tiny bit scratchier or different than its neighbors. It’s usually not a deal-breaker, but it’s there. The sound profile is also very… Outemu. It’s not always the most refined or “thocky” sound people chase, but again, price point.
Durability-wise, the ones I’ve been using in my main cheap board (currently with Browns) have held up surprisingly well. I type a lot, and none have died or started acting weird yet. So that’s a plus.
Final Thoughts on My Outemu Journey
Look, I’ve built a couple of super budget-friendly keyboards for friends using Outemu switches, and they’re perfectly happy. It got them into the mechanical world without much investment. For me, they were a great learning tool. I figured out I prefer tactile switches, but not super loud ones, thanks to trying out different Outemus.
So yeah, if you’re thinking about Outemu, I’d say go for it, especially if you’re on a tight budget or just curious. Just manage your expectations. They’re workhorse switches that offer good value. They won’t feel like a $200 custom keyboard’s switches, but they’ll definitely be a step up from any old rubber dome you’ve been using. I still keep a bag of spares around, just in case the tinkering mood strikes again!