Gateron Baby Kangaroo (V2) vs. Durock Medium Tactile
An in-depth look at the Gateron Baby Kangaroo (V2) and the Durock Medium Tactile switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
We are super excited to be offering these Baby Kangaroo switches, known for their crisp, light switch-like tactility and unique marbley sound profile. These switches are categorized as 'Clacky,' 'Marbly,' 'High-pitched,' 'Resonant,' 'Snappy,' 'Bouncy,' and 'Polished.' On the other hand, we love this particular flavor of tactile switch Durock has created with their Medium Tactile. Featuring a pronounced yet balanced tactility, these switches have a jelly-like sound signature. They are categorized as 'Accented,' 'Stepped,' 'Mild,' and 'Polished.' Each switch offers its own distinct qualities, providing you with different options based on your preferences. 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
59g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
67g
Bottom-out force
65g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.40 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
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm double-stage gold-plated
Spring
Gold-plated spring
Housing materials
The housing materials used in the Gateron Baby Kangaroo and the Durock Medium Tactile, specifically the polycarbonate top housing, have many similarities. Both switches utilize polycarbonate for their top housing, resulting in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is because polycarbonate is a stiff plastic, which allows for a more clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the use of polycarbonate in the top housing enables the switches to showcase RGB lighting effectively due to its translucency. Therefore, if you are looking for a switch that provides a similar sound profile and supports RGB lighting, both the Baby Kangaroo and the Medium Tactile with their polycarbonate top housing would be suitable options.
In terms of the bottom housing material, the Baby Kangaroo uses a nylon housing, while the Medium Tactile also incorporates nylon for its bottom housing. Nylon is recognized as a classic switch housing material that contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile when typing. This is due to nylon's softness, which enables it to absorb more sound compared to harder plastics. As a result, switches utilizing nylon bottom housing tend to produce a duller and rounder sound. Therefore, both the Baby Kangaroo and the Medium Tactile, with their nylon bottom housings, will deliver similar sound profiles with a deeper and fuller tone.
However, it's important to note that the qualities of the housing materials are distributed differently in each switch. When pressing down on the switch, the qualities of the bottom housing, such as impact and bottom-out sound, will be more noticeable. On the other hand, the top housing will have a greater impact on the sound when releasing the key. So, while both the Baby Kangaroo and the Medium Tactile share similar housing materials, the distribution of these qualities within the switch may vary slightly, resulting in nuanced differences in sound and feel.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Gateron Baby Kangaroo tactile switch and the Durock Medium Tactile tactile switch, there are a few notable differences. The actuation force of the Baby Kangaroo is 59 grams, providing a relatively light and responsive typing experience. On the other hand, the actuation force of the Medium Tactile switch is unavailable, making it difficult to directly compare. In terms of bottom out force, the Baby Kangaroo requires 67 grams of force, which falls into the medium-heavy range. The Medium Tactile switch, on the other hand, has a bottom out force of 65 grams, which is slightly lower. This means that the Baby Kangaroo switch has a slightly heavier feel when fully pressed compared to the Medium Tactile switch. However, since information on the actuation force of the Medium Tactile switch is not available, it is uncertain whether the two switches have a similar actuation force. Overall, for individuals who prefer a lighter typing experience, the Baby Kangaroo switch would be a suitable choice due to its lower actuation force. Conversely, those who prefer a slightly heavier typing experience may lean towards the Medium Tactile switch, although it is important to note that the actuation force information is not known, making it difficult to determine the exact difference in feel between the two switches.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Gateron Baby Kangaroo tactile switch and the Durock Medium Tactile tactile switch, it is clear that the Baby Kangaroo has a shorter travel distance of 3.4 mm, while the Medium Tactile has a longer travel distance of 4 mm. The Baby Kangaroo falls on the shorter end of the spectrum, offering a more responsive experience, which is favored by gamers seeking faster response times. On the other hand, the Medium Tactile provides a deeper press, which some individuals may find more satisfying. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on personal preference - for those who value quick feedback, the Baby Kangaroo is the ideal option, while those who enjoy a more substantial key press may prefer the Medium Tactile. Regardless, both switches offer benefits in their respective travel distances, ensuring that users receive a tactile experience that suits their needs.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Gateron Baby Kangaroo (V2) has an MSRP of $6.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Baby Kangaroo (V2) for $5.50.
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 Gateron Baby Kangaroo switch provides a crisp, light switch-like tactility along with a marbley sound profile. The sound produced by these switches can be described as clacky, marbly, high-pitched, and resonant. The clacky sound is sharp and snappy, while the marbly sound is resonant, high-pitched, and clean. The higher-pitched sound of the Baby Kangaroo switch can appeal to those who prefer a more crisp and bright sound profile.
On the other hand, the Durock Medium Tactile switch offers a jelly-like sound signature. However, specific information about the sound qualities of the Medium Tactile switch is not given. Therefore, it is difficult to make a direct comparison between the sound of the Gateron Baby Kangaroo and the Durock Medium Tactile switches.
Moving on to the feel, the Gateron Baby Kangaroo switch is described as snappy, bouncy, and polished. The snappy feel of these switches can be attributed to longer or dual-staged springs, making the typing experience more lively. Additionally, the bouncy nature of the Baby Kangaroo switch provides a spring-like or elastic feedback sensation, giving the keys a lively feel. The polished switch finish ensures reduced friction and smooth key travel, resulting in a sleek typing experience.
On the other hand, the Durock Medium Tactile switch is described as accented, stepped, mild, and polished. The accented tactile sensation offers a prominent amount of tactility without being overwhelming or subtle. Stepped switches have a two-stage feel, with some pre-travel and/or post-travel. The mild nature of the Medium Tactile switch provides a gentle typing experience, suitable for most users. Like the Baby Kangaroo switch, the Durock Medium Tactile switch also features a polished finish, ensuring reduced friction and smooth key travel.
In conclusion, the Gateron Baby Kangaroo and Durock Medium Tactile switches differ in their subjective qualities. The Baby Kangaroo switch has a marbley sound profile, while the Medium Tactile switch has a jelly-like sound signature, although specific details about the sound are not provided for the Durock switch. The Baby Kangaroo switch offers a snappy and bouncy feel, whereas the Medium Tactile switch is accented, stepped, and mild. Both switches share the characteristic of having a polished finish, resulting in reduced friction and smooth key travel. Overall, while the sound and feel qualities of these switches may vary, both can provide a satisfactory typing experience.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a medium-heavy switch with a crisp and light switch-like tactility, along with a marbley sound profile, then the Gateron Baby Kangaroo tactile switch would be a great choice for you. These switches offer a clacky and marbly sound, which is sharp, bright, and percussive. In terms of feel, the Baby Kangaroo switches are snappy, bouncy, and polished, providing a super responsive and lively typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel.
On the other hand, if you prefer a pronounced yet balanced tactility and a jelly-like sound signature, then the Durock Medium Tactile tactile switch would be a suitable option. Although the sound profile for these switches is not explicitly described, it can be inferred that they have a clean, sharp, and resonant sound. In terms of feel, the Medium Tactile switches are accented, stepped, mild, and polished. This means they provide a noticeable amount of tactility without being overwhelming, a mild typing experience, and a smooth and refined finish.
Ultimately, the decision between the Gateron Baby Kangaroo and Durock Medium Tactile switches comes down to personal preference. If you prioritize a specific sound profile with a crisp and bright sound, along with a snappy and bouncy typing experience, go for the Baby Kangaroo switches. On the other hand, if you prefer a balanced tactility and a mild typing experience, along with a smooth and refined keyboard feel, the Medium Tactile switches would be a suitable choice. Consider your preferred sound and feel characteristics to make the best decision for your mechanical keyboard setup.
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