Outemu x XCJZ Butterfly Silent Linear Switches

The Outemu XCJZ Butterfly Silent Linear 8 is a quiet, smooth linear switch designed for users who want reduced noise during typing or gaming. It suits office workers or gamers seeking a silent experience with a shorter total travel distance. Its unique silencing mechanism lowers sound on both key press and release without adding tactile feedback.

Feel & Sound

• Linear and smooth with no tactile bump, offering consistent keypresses.
• Silent operation achieved through TPU soft plastic on the stem railings, reducing noise on both downstroke and upstroke.
• Shorter total travel of 3.7mm, which may feel faster but less forgiving for users who prefer longer key travel.
• Bottom-out is a rail type, which can feel slightly different from traditional bottoming out on the housing.

Actuation Characteristics

• Actuation force around 37g provides a light to moderate resistance suitable for quick key presses.
• Pre-travel of 2.0mm helps balance responsiveness with accidental keypress prevention.
• Bottom-out force at 42g offers a soft landing, complementing the silent design.

Build Quality

• Top and bottom housings made of hardened polycarbonate, contributing to durability and consistent feel.
• Stem combines POM and TPU soft plastic, enabling the integrated silencing without external dampeners.
• Single 20mm spring supports the linear force curve without additional tactile elements.
• Factory lubed, which reduces initial scratchiness and improves smoothness out of the box.

Compatibility & Modification

• 5-pin PCB mount design compatible with most MX-style keyboards.
• Unknown LED compatibility and hot-swap friendliness.
• Lubed from factory, but additional lubing or filming may further reduce noise and smoothness, though effects are unknown.

Trade-offs

• Shortened travel may feel less comfortable for users who prefer longer key movement.
• Rail bottom-out can produce a different tactile sensation that some may find less satisfying.
• Unknown long-term durability and wobble characteristics due to new design and materials.
• Less ideal if tactile feedback or clicky sound is desired.