Everglide Bamboo Green vs. Durock Silent T1 (Shrimp)
An in-depth look at the Everglide Bamboo Green and the Durock Silent T1 (Shrimp) switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Everglide Bamboo Green and the Durock Silent T1 (Shrimp) are two popular options with distinct characteristics. The Bamboo Green is well-known for its clacky sound signature and crisp, sparkling tactility. Categorized as 'Stepped', 'High-pitched', 'Accented', 'Sharp', 'Resonant', and 'Polished', this switch offers a unique typing experience. On the other hand, the Silent T1 (Shrimp) is perfect for those who desire both a tactile response and a silenced switch, making it ideal for noise-sensitive environments. It provides a medium bump, a padded bottom-out feel, and subdued audio feedback. Categorized as 'Stepped', 'Accented', 'Muted', and 'Polished', this switch offers a more subtle typing experience. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits your preferences.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
43g
Actuation force
N/A
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
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Everglide Bamboo Green and the Durock Silent T1 (Shrimp) differ significantly. The Bamboo Green features a PBT top housing, while the Silent T1 utilizes a polycarbonate top housing. The PBT top housing of the Bamboo Green offers a neutral sound profile, lacking both crispness and dullness. In contrast, the polycarbonate top housing of the Silent T1 produces a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to the stiffness of polycarbonate, which contributes to a more clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for incorporating RGB lighting.
Moving on to the bottom housing, the Bamboo Green has a PBT bottom housing, similar to its top housing. This results in a consistent neutral sound profile throughout the switch. Conversely, the Silent T1 features a nylon bottom housing. Nylon is known for creating a deeper and fuller sound profile, as its relatively softer plastic absorbs more sound compared to harder plastics. Thus, the nylon bottom housing of the Silent T1 contributes to a duller and rounder sound when typing on the switch.
It's important to note that the top and bottom housing materials have a significant impact on the sound profile and feel of the switch. When pressing down on the switch, the qualities of the bottom housing are more noticeable, influencing the bottom-out sound and feel. On the other hand, the top housing plays a greater role in the sound when releasing a key. Therefore, while the Bamboo Green and Silent T1 have distinct housing materials, understanding the qualities of each housing material helps users anticipate the resulting sound profiles and typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch and the Durock Silent T1 (Shrimp) tactile switch, there are some notable differences. The Bamboo Green has an actuation force of 43 grams, providing a medium level of resistance needed to trigger a keystroke. In contrast, the actuation force of the Silent T1 (Shrimp) switch is currently unavailable. Moving on to the bottom out force, the Bamboo Green requires 62 grams of force to fully press the key, while the Silent T1 (Shrimp) demands a heavier 67 grams, making it medium-heavy.
Considering weight as an important factor, those who prefer a lighter typing experience may lean towards the Everglide Bamboo Green switch. Its lower actuation and bottom out forces of 43 grams and 62 grams, respectively, allow for extended typing sessions without excessive strain. This makes it ideal for work environments or long gaming sessions. On the other hand, those seeking a more substantial typing experience may opt for the Durock Silent T1 (Shrimp) switch, which has an actuation force that is currently unknown but likely heavier than the Bamboo Green. With a bottom out force of 67 grams, this switch provides a stronger push feel during keystrokes.
For those looking for similar results, both switches fall within the medium range in terms of actuation force and bottom out force. However, it is important to note that the Silent T1's actuation force is currently unavailable, so an exact comparison cannot be made. Ultimately, the choice between the Everglide Bamboo Green and the Durock Silent T1 (Shrimp) switches will depend on personal preference, with the Bamboo Green being the lighter option and the Silent T1 (Shrimp) offering a slightly heavier typing experience.
Travel distance
The Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch and the Durock Silent T1 (Shrimp) tactile switch have the same travel distance of 4 mm. As a result, pressing down on a key with either of these switches will yield similar results in terms of the distance you feel. Both switches offer a consistent and responsive typing experience with their 4 mm travel distance, making them suitable options for those who prefer a tactile switch.
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 Silent T1 (Shrimp) has an MSRP of $7.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Silent T1 (Shrimp) for $5.57.
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 is known for its high-pitched and resonant characteristics. Typing on these switches will produce a sharp and crisp sound, providing an immersive auditory experience. On the other hand, the Durock Silent T1 (Shrimp) tactile switch is described as muted. It produces a softer and quieter sound compared to regular switches, making it ideal for noise-sensitive environments. The Silent T1 offers a subdued audio feedback, minimizing the noise typically associated with mechanical keyboards. It's important to note that the sound of a switch is also influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps chosen. Overall, if you prefer a sharper and more resonant sound, the Bamboo Green would be a suitable choice, while the Silent T1 provides a more muted and quieter typing experience.
In terms of feel, both the Everglide Bamboo Green and the Durock Silent T1 (Shrimp) tactile switches share similar characteristics. They are both described as stepped and accented switches. Stepped switches provide a two-stage tactile feel, where there is a noticeable pre-travel and/or post-travel sensation. This offers a more mild tactile experience compared to hypertactile switches, which have a larger and more pronounced tactile bump. Accented switches, in the context of these tactile switches, describe a medium tactile feel that is neither overwhelming nor subtle. It provides a prominent amount of tactility without being overly scratchy. Both switches are also described as polished, meaning they have a smooth and refined finish. This results in a sleek typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel. Therefore, both the Bamboo Green and the Silent T1 would offer a similar feel, providing a satisfying tactile feedback without being too intense or too subtle.
Taking into consideration the available information, the Everglide Bamboo Green and the Durock Silent T1 (Shrimp) tactile switches have their own distinct qualities. The Bamboo Green offers a clacky sound signature with a crisp and sparkling tactility. It provides a high-pitched and resonant sound, along with a sharp and intense tactile feedback. On the other hand, the Silent T1 is designed for noise-sensitive environments, offering a muted sound profile with a medium bump and padded bottom-out feel. Both switches share similarities in terms of feel, being stepped, accented, and polished switches, providing a satisfying tactile experience without being too overwhelming. Therefore, if sound is the main criterion, the Bamboo Green would be a suitable choice for those who prefer a clacky and resonant sound. If a quieter typing experience is desired, the Silent T1 would be the better option. However, if the focus is on feel, both switches offer a similar result with their stepped, accented, and polished qualities.
Conclusion
In closing, if you prioritize a clacky sound signature and a crisp and sparkling tactility, the Everglide Bamboo Green tactile switch is the way to go. These switches have a medium bottom out force of 62 grams and offer a high-pitched and resonant sound profile. The Bamboo Green switches are known for their stepped, accented, sharp, and polished feel, providing a tactile experience that is neither overwhelming nor subtle.
On the other hand, if you're looking for a tactile and silenced switch, particularly for noise-sensitive environments, the Durock Silent T1 (Shrimp) tactile switch is the ideal choice. With a slightly higher bottom out force of 67 grams, these switches produce a muted sound, minimizing the noise typically associated with mechanical keyboards. The Silent T1 switches also offer a stepped, accented, and polished feel, resulting in reduced friction and smooth key travel.
Ultimately, the decision between the Everglide Bamboo Green and the Durock Silent T1 hinges on your preferences for sound and feel. If you value a clacky sound and pronounced tactility, the Bamboo Green is worth considering. However, if a muted sound and silenced experience are your priorities, the Silent T1 is the better option.
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