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Everglide Bamboo Green vs. Durock Light Tactile

An in-depth look at the Everglide Bamboo Green and the Durock Light Tactile switches—which one is the best fit for you?

Overview

When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options to consider are the Everglide Bamboo Green and the Durock Light Tactile. The Bamboo Green switches are renowned for their clacky sound signature and a crisp, sparkling tactility. They fall under the categories of being stepped, high-pitched, accented, sharp, resonant, and polished. On the other hand, the Light Tactile switches from Durock offer a gentle and angelic tactility, which is a refreshing departure from the sharper tactile switches commonly found in the market. These switches produce a jelly-like sound signature and are categorized as neutral, mild, and polished. Both switches have their unique qualities, providing different typing experiences. However, let's delve deeper into the nuances of each switch so that you can make an informed decision regarding the best switch for your needs.

By the numbers

Technical specifications

Actuation force

43g

Actuation force

52g

Bottom-out force

62g

Bottom-out force

67g

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

PBT

Top housing material

Polycarbonate

Bottom housing material

PBT

Bottom housing material

Nylon

Mount type

PCB (5-pin)

Mount type

PCB (5-pin)

Spring

Gold-plated

Spring

Gold-plated spring

Housing materials

The Everglide Bamboo Green and the Durock Light Tactile differ significantly in terms of their housing materials. The Bamboo Green features a PBT top housing, which offers a neutral sound profile. While it may not be exceptionally crisp, it also avoids sounding dull. On the other hand, the Light Tactile is equipped with a polycarbonate top housing. The use of polycarbonate lends it a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This stiffer plastic contributes to a more clear and resonant sound, making it an ideal choice if RGB lighting is a priority. Thus, the two switches diverge in terms of the sound they produce due to the variance in their top housing materials.

Moving on to the bottom housing, both the Bamboo Green and the Light Tactile take different routes. The Bamboo Green utilizes PBT, resulting in a similar neutral sound profile as observed with its top housing. Similarly, the Light Tactile employs a nylon bottom housing, known for producing a deeper and fuller sound profile. This softer plastic material absorbs more sound and creates a rounder and duller sound. Consequently, the choice between these two switches will again be determined by the desired audio experience, with the nylon bottom housing of the Light Tactile offering a distinct sound compared to the more neutral sound of the Bamboo Green.

Considering the impact of the top and bottom housings on the overall typing experience, it's important to note that their distinct qualities are split between the two switches. When pressing down on either switch, the bottom housing material comes into play, influencing the bottom-out sound and feel. In contrast, the let-off sound is more influenced by the top housing material. Therefore, those seeking a specific sound profile upon key release should consider the top housing material, while the bottom housing material will have a more noticeable effect during key presses. In this respect, both the Bamboo Green and Light Tactile offer unique characteristics and individualists will appreciate the nuanced audio feedback provided by their respective housing materials.

Weight

When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch and the Durock Light Tactile tactile switch, there are noticeable similarities and differences. In terms of weight, the Bamboo Green is lighter with an actuation force of 43 grams and a bottom out force of 62 grams, while the Light Tactile is slightly heavier with an actuation force of 52 grams and a bottom out force of 67 grams.

For those who prefer a lighter feel, the Bamboo Green would be a suitable choice, allowing for longer typing sessions and comfortable gaming. However, if a stronger push and more substantial typing experience is desired, the Light Tactile would be a better option with its slightly heavier forces. Both switches fall within the medium to medium-heavy range, offering a satisfying tactile feedback.

It is worth mentioning that even though the forces differ between the Bamboo Green and the Light Tactile, both switches provide a comparable experience in terms of actuation and bottom out. The actuation force represents the force required to trigger a keystroke, while the bottom out force measures the force exerted when fully pressing a key. Both switches offer a tactile feel, but the Light Tactile provides a slightly firmer response due to its heavier forces.

Ultimately, the choice between the Everglide Bamboo Green and the Durock Light Tactile comes down to personal preference. Those seeking a lighter switch for extended typing or gaming sessions may favor the Bamboo Green, while those desiring a stronger push and more pronounced feedback may opt for the Light Tactile. Regardless, both switches offer a satisfying tactile experience, allowing for precise typing and enhanced enjoyment during prolonged computer use.

Travel distance

The Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch and the Durock Light Tactile tactile switch both have a travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key equipped with either of these switches, you will feel the same distance of travel. Therefore, in terms of travel distance, both switches will provide similar results.

Price comparison

Which switch is more bang for your buck?

The Everglide Bamboo Green has an MSRP of $9.67 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Bamboo Green for $7.19.

The Durock Light 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 Light 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

When it comes to sound, the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch has a high-pitched and resonant sound profile. This means that when pressed, these switches produce a sharp and crisp sound that can be quite immersive. On the other hand, the Durock Light Tactile switch has a more neutral sound profile. This means that it has a moderate sound profile, neither too loud nor too quiet. The sound of a switch is also influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used, so it is important to consider these as well. Overall, if you prefer a higher-pitched and resonant sound, the Bamboo Green switch would be a better choice, while the Light Tactile switch offers a more neutral sound experience.

In terms of feel, the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch has a stepped, accented, and sharp tactile feel. This means that it has a two-stage tactile feedback, providing a more mild experience compared to hypertactile switches. It offers a prominent amount of tactility without being overwhelming or subtle. Additionally, the sharp tactile bump is strong and crisp, providing a distinctive feel with each keypress. The switch also has a polished finish, resulting in a smooth and refined typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel. On the other hand, the Durock Light Tactile switch offers a mild and polished tactile feel. It provides a more gentle typing experience with a safe middle-ground feel. Similar to the Bamboo Green switch, the Light Tactile switch also has a polished finish for reduced friction and smooth key travel. If you prefer a more stepped, accented, and sharp tactile feel, the Bamboo Green switch would be a better choice, while the Light Tactile switch offers a milder and more approachable typing experience.

Based on the available information, the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch and the Durock Light Tactile switch offer different sound and feel qualities. The Bamboo Green switch has a high-pitched and resonant sound profile, providing a clacky and crisp sound experience. Its feel is characterized by a stepped, accented, and sharp tactile feedback, with a polished finish for a smooth typing experience. On the other hand, the Light Tactile switch has a more neutral sound profile, offering a gentle and jelly-like sound. Its feel is described as mild and polished, providing a safe and approachable typing experience. Both switches have a polished finish, resulting in reduced friction and smooth key travel. Depending on your preferences, you can choose the Bamboo Green switch for a sharper sound and more distinct tactile feel, or the Light Tactile switch for a more neutral sound and a milder tactile experience.

Conclusion

To sum up, if you are looking for a medium-bottom out force switch with a clacky sound and crisp tactility, the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch is a solid choice for you. However, if you prefer a slightly heavier bottom out force and a gentler tactility with a jelly-like sound, the Durock Light Tactile switch would be more suitable. In terms of sound, the Bamboo Green offers a high-pitched and resonant profile, while the Light Tactile provides a more neutral sound. When it comes to feel, the Bamboo Green has a stepped, accented, sharp, and polished sensation, while the Light Tactile offers a mild and polished typing experience. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches boils down to personal preference in terms of bottom out force, sound profile, and tactile feel.

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