Aflion Panda vs. Durock Medium Tactile
An in-depth look at the Aflion Panda and the Durock Medium Tactile switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, there are a plethora of options available, each offering its own unique characteristics and benefits. Two popular tactile switches that are worth considering are the Aflion Panda and the Durock Medium Tactile. The Aflion Panda is best known for its unparalleled hyper-tactile sensation and deep "thocky" sound profile, making it a favorite among keyboard enthusiasts who value a super responsive tactile force and a rich, sonorous audio feedback. On the other hand, the Durock Medium Tactile stands out with its pronounced yet balanced tactility and jelly-like sound signature. It offers a unique combination of a satisfying tactile experience and a smooth auditory feedback. While these general pointers give you an initial idea, it's important to dive deeper into the intricacies of each switch to determine which one is the perfect fit for your typing preferences and needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
50g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
65g
Pre-travel
2.00 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
Single-stage 15mm long spring
Spring
Gold-plated spring
Housing materials
Both the Aflion Panda and the Durock Medium Tactile switches utilize polycarbonate for their top housings. This material choice leads to a similar experience in terms of sound profile, as polycarbonate is known to create a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. The translucency of polycarbonate is also advantageous if RGB lighting is desired. However, it is important to note that the specific design and construction of each switch may result in slight variations in sound and feel.
Moving on to the bottom housing, both the Panda and the Medium Tactile switches utilize nylon. Nylon is a classic switch housing material that enhances the typing experience by producing a deeper and fuller sound profile. Due to its relatively softer nature, nylon absorbs more sound compared to harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. This absorption of sound contributes to a more satisfying typing experience.
One key distinction between the two switches is how the qualities of the housing materials are distributed. In switches with different top and bottom housings, the characteristics of each material affect different aspects of the typing experience. When pressing down on the switch, the bottom housing has a greater impact on the bottom-out sound and feel. Conversely, the top housing plays a more significant role in the sound produced when releasing a key. Consequently, while both switches offer similar sound profiles due to the consistent use of polycarbonate and nylon, the specific arrangement of these materials may lead to nuanced differences in the overall typing feel.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Aflion Panda tactile switch and the Durock Medium Tactile switch, the Panda has a lighter actuation force of 50 grams compared to the unknown actuation force of the Medium Tactile switch. This means that the Panda requires less force to trigger a keystroke, potentially providing a smoother and lighter typing experience. In terms of the bottom out force, the Panda has a slightly lighter force of 60 grams compared to the 65 grams of the Medium Tactile switch. This indicates that the Panda switch may result in a slightly softer and less firm bottoming out sensation.
Considering weight, those who prefer a lighter typing experience may lean towards the Aflion Panda switch due to its lower actuation and bottom out forces. This lighter touch can be beneficial for prolonged typing sessions, making it suitable for work or extended gaming sessions. On the other hand, for individuals who prefer a more substantial typing experience with a stronger push feel, the Durock Medium Tactile switch may be a better choice. Its heavier bottom out force would provide a more pronounced sensation upon pressing all the way down. Therefore, it is important for users to consider their preference for typing feel and choose between the two switches accordingly. Overall, in terms of actuation and bottom out forces, the Aflion Panda switch offers a lighter touch, while the Durock Medium Tactile switch provides a slightly heavier and more robust typing experience.
Travel distance
The Aflion Panda tactile switch and the Durock Medium Tactile tactile switch have the same travel distance of 4 mm. Therefore, pressing down on the keys of both switches will result in a similar experience in terms of the distance traveled. Both switches offer a comfortable keypress with a consistent travel distance, giving users a reliable typing experience. Whether you choose the Aflion Panda or the Durock Medium Tactile, you can expect the same tactile feedback and travel distance when pressing down on the keys.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Aflion Panda has an MSRP of $5.20 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Panda for $3.56.
The Durock Medium Tactile has an MSRP of $5.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Medium Tactile for $4.25.
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
In terms of sound, the Aflion Panda switch is best known for its resonant sound profile. When typing on these switches, you can expect a higher-pitched sound that is clean and sharp. It offers an immersive auditory experience with a deep thocky echo. On the other hand, the sound signature of the Durock Medium Tactile switch is not explicitly mentioned in the provided information. However, it is important to note that the sound of a switch is also influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used. Therefore, it is difficult to provide a direct comparison between the two in terms of sound.
Moving on to feel, both the Aflion Panda and Durock Medium Tactile switches are described as "accented." This implies that they both offer a prominent amount of tactility that is neither overwhelming nor subtle. The Panda switch is further described as invigorating, providing pronounced feedback, moderate to firm actuation force, and a snappy and reactive feel. This creates an immersive typing sensation. On the other hand, the Medium Tactile switch is also described as stepped, indicating that it has a two-stage feel with some pre-travel and/or post-travel. Additionally, it is mentioned that the Medium Tactile switch provides a mild and polished typing experience, with a gentle feel and reduced friction for smooth key travel.
In conclusion, the Aflion Panda switch offers a hyper-tactile sensation and a thocky sound profile. It provides an invigorating typing experience with its pronounced feedback and reactive feel. The Durock Medium Tactile switch, on the other hand, offers a balanced tactility and a jelly-like sound signature, although specific sound details are not provided. Both switches are described as "accented," providing a prominent amount of tactility that is not overwhelming. While the Panda switch is more focused on hypertactility, the Medium Tactile switch offers a stepped feel with mild characteristics. Overall, both switches can offer satisfying typing experiences, although with slightly different qualities.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a medium-force tactile switch with an unparalleled level of tactility and a deep thocky sound profile, the Aflion Panda switch would be the ideal choice for you. This switch offers a super responsive tactile force paired with a sonorous audio feedback, providing a hyper-tactile sensation that sets a new gold standard. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch with a pronounced yet balanced tactility and a jelly-like sound signature, the Durock Medium Tactile switch would be a great option. It provides a prominent amount of tactility without being overwhelming, and it has a unique sound profile that adds to the overall typing experience. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches will depend on your preferences for tactility and sound.
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