Bsun Pine vs. Durock Piano
An in-depth look at the Bsun Pine and the Durock Piano switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Bsun Pine and the Durock Piano offer distinct typing experiences that cater to different preferences. The Bsun Pine is a tactile switch known for its sharp tactile bump and quick bottom-out, providing clear-cut feedback and fast action for those who appreciate direct tactility. On the other hand, the Durock Piano is a linear switch that stands out for its proprietary material blend, offering a smooth gliding push feel and deep, creamy sound signature. The Pine switch is categorized as 'Accented', 'Invigorating', 'Sharp', 'Snappy', while the Piano switch is categorized as 'Bassy', 'Frictionless', and 'Silky'. Each switch has its own unique qualities that make it appealing to different users. 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
45g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
65g
Bottom-out force
63.5g
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
No
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
Mystery material
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Proprietary POM blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Proprietary POM blend
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Stainless steel
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
The Bsun Pine and Durock Piano both feature unique housing materials that contribute to their distinct sound profiles. The Pine utilizes polycarbonate for its top housing, which results in a sharper and crisper sound compared to the Piano's proprietary POM blend top housing that offers a deep and satisfying sound profile. Both materials have their advantages, with polycarbonate being known for its stiffness that enhances resonance, while the POM blend provides a unique sound experience without revealing its exact composition.
In terms of the bottom housing, the Pine features a nylon material that creates a deeper and fuller sound profile, thanks to its softer plastic that absorbs more sound. This contrasts with the Piano's proprietary POM blend bottom housing, which also offers a deep and satisfying sound profile like its top housing. While the exact details of the POM blend are unknown, it is clear that both the Pine and Piano prioritize the sound profile through their choice of materials.
Despite the differences in housing materials between the Bsun Pine and Durock Piano, both switches offer unique sound experiences that cater to different preferences. The top and bottom housings play a crucial role in shaping the sound profile of each switch, with the bottom housing influencing the bottom-out sound and feel while the top housing impacts the sound when releasing a key. Whether it be the stiffer polycarbonate of the Pine or the POM blend of the Piano, both switches provide a satisfying typing experience that showcases the importance of housing materials in mechanical keyboards.
Weight
The Bsun Pine tactile switch has an actuation force of 45 grams, while the Durock Piano linear switch does not specify an actuation force. In terms of bottom out force, the Pine requires 65 grams, whereas the Piano has a bottom out force of 63.5 grams. Both switches fall into the medium-heavy category in terms of force required. The Pine is lighter in terms of actuation force compared to the Piano, but when it comes to bottoming out, the difference is minimal. This means that while typing on the Pine switch might feel slightly lighter, the overall typing experience in terms of bottoming out force will be quite similar between the two switches. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on individual preference for actuation force and bottom out force.
Travel distance
The Bsun Pine tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.4 mm, while the Durock Piano linear switch has a travel distance of 4 mm. In this case, the Piano has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Pine. The Pine's 3.4 mm travel distance falls on the shorter end of the spectrum, allowing for a quicker response time that may be favored by gamers. On the other hand, the Piano's 4 mm travel distance offers a bit more depth, which could feel more satisfying for some users. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for travel distance and desired typing or gaming experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Bsun Pine has an MSRP of $4.70 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Pine for $3.70.
The Durock Piano has an MSRP of $6.70 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Piano 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
In terms of sound, the Bsun Pine tactile switch provides a sharp and distinct sound signature that accompanies each keypress. On the other hand, the Durock Piano linear switch offers a deep and creamy sound profile that enhances the overall typing experience with a more subtle and smooth auditory feedback.
Moving on to feel, the Bsun Pine tactile switch is known for its sharp, invigorating, and snappy tactile feedback, providing a pronounced and lively typing sensation. In contrast, the Durock Piano linear switch offers a frictionless and silky feel, ensuring an exceptionally smooth and effortless typing experience that minimizes any sense of resistance or friction during key presses.
Considering all available information, the Bsun Pine tactile switch and the Durock Piano linear switch each offer unique qualities that cater to different preferences in typing experiences. While the Pine switch excels in sharp tactility and direct feedback, the Piano switch excels in smoothness and a creamy sound profile. Choosing between the two ultimately depends on whether you prefer a more tactile and sharp typing experience or a smoother and more fluid one. Regardless of choice, both switches are sure to deliver satisfactory performance for your mechanical keyboard needs.
Conclusion
In conclusion, when deciding between the BSUN Pine tactile switch and the Durock Piano linear switch, you will want to choose the Pine if you prefer a sharp tactile bump, fast action, and direct tactility in your typing experience. The Pine offers an invigorating and snappy feel with a medium-heavy bottom out force of 65 grams. On the other hand, if you prefer a smooth gliding push feel and a deep, creamy sound profile, the Durock Piano linear switch would be the better choice for you. The Piano has a bottom out force of 63.5 grams and is known for its bassy and silky characteristics. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your preferred typing experience and sound preferences.
Mentioned in this article
