Aflion Carrot vs. Durock Lupine
An in-depth look at the Aflion Carrot and the Durock Lupine switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options that often come up in discussions are the Aflion Carrot, a tactile switch, and the Durock Lupine, a linear switch. The Carrot switch is best known for its unique tactile experience, thanks to its long, two-stage spring that offers a bouncy feel for users. Furthermore, it produces a mid-pitched and firm sound profile, adding to the overall satisfying typing experience. On the other hand, the Lupine switch stands out for its linear design, providing a consistent weight distribution while typing and a more powerful upward movement on the rebound. The sound produced by the Lupine switch is described as a classic clacky profile. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits your preferences and typing style.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
37g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
45g
Bottom-out force
62g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Factory lubed
No
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
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
20mm two-stage spring
Spring
Two-stage long spring
Housing materials
The Aflion Carrot and the Durock Lupine share similar characteristics when it comes to their housing materials. Both switches utilize polycarbonate for their top housing, which results in a sharper, crisper, and higher-pitched sound profile. The use of polycarbonate also lends itself well to RGB lighting due to its translucency. This means that regardless of whether you choose the Carrot or the Lupine, you can expect a similar audio experience and vibrant lighting effects.
However, the Carrot and the Lupine differ in terms of their bottom housing materials. The Carrot's bottom housing is made of nylon, which creates a deeper and fuller sound when typing. This is because nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound profile. On the other hand, the Lupine also features a nylon bottom housing, which offers the same benefits in terms of a deeper and fuller sound experience.
It's interesting to note how the choice of housing material affects the overall sound and feel of the switches. While the top housing has more influence on the sound when releasing a key, the qualities of the bottom housing play a significant role in the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing a key. Therefore, whether you prefer the Carrot with its nylon bottom housing or the Lupine with its similar nylon bottom housing, you can expect a satisfying typing experience with distinctive auditory feedback.
Weight
When comparing the Aflion Carrot tactile switch and the Durock Lupine linear switch, the difference in their actuation and bottom out forces becomes apparent. The Carrot switch is known for its lighter touch, with an actuation force of 37 grams and a bottom out force of 45 grams. This lighter actuation force allows for a smoother and more effortless keystroke, making it ideal for those who prefer a keyboard with a light and responsive feel. On the other hand, the Lupine switch has an unknown actuation force but a bottom out force of 62 grams, indicating a slightly heavier touch. This heavier bottom out force may provide a more substantial typing experience for those who prefer a stronger push feel. It's worth noting that if the actuation force of the Lupine switch happens to be similar to that of the Carrot switch, users can expect to achieve similar results in terms of typing experience. Overall, the Carrot switch leans towards the lighter end of the spectrum, suitable for long typing sessions or gaming, while the Lupine switch offers a slightly heavier touch for those who enjoy a more substantial keystroke.
Travel distance
The Aflion Carrot tactile switch and the Durock Lupine linear switch have different travel distances. The Carrot has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Lupine has a travel distance of 3.7 mm. The Carrot's 4.0 mm travel distance is considered more traditional, providing a slightly deeper press. On the other hand, the Lupine's 3.7 mm travel distance is slightly shallower, which may appeal to gamers looking for faster response times. The shorter travel distance of the Lupine may result in a more responsive typing experience. However, some individuals may find the shorter travel distance too abrupt and prefer the more substantial feel of the Carrot's longer travel distance. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference and the specific requirements of the user.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Aflion Carrot has an MSRP of $4.60 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Carrot for $3.57.
The Durock Lupine has an MSRP of $5.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Lupine 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 Carrot switch is known for its mid-pitched and firm sound profile. It produces a sharp and snappy sound when pressed, which can be described as crisp, bright, and percussive. On the other hand, the Durock Lupine switch is described as having a classic clacky sound profile. It also produces a sharp and crisp sound when pressed. Both switches fall into the category of high-pitched switches, which means they have a sharper and crisper sound as opposed to richer and bassier sound profiles. It's important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors such as the choice of keyboard board and keycaps. Therefore, if you use the same board and keycaps, you can expect similar results in terms of sound from both switches.
When it comes to feel, the Aflion Carrot switch offers a uniquely bouncy tactile experience. It is described as a bouncy switch, providing a spring-like or elastic feedback sensation. Pressing the keys gives a lively feel with a rebound effect. Additionally, it is also mentioned as being snappy, indicating a super responsive typing experience due to longer or dual-staged springs. The Durock Lupine switch, on the other hand, is described as providing a more mild and gentle typing experience. It falls into the category of mild switches, offering a typing experience with more pronounced characteristics compared to switches with heavier and more pronounced tactile feedback. It is important to mention here that the Lupine switch is also described as polished, which means it has a smooth and refined finish, resulting in a sleek typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel.
In conclusion, the Aflion Carrot switch and the Durock Lupine switch offer different subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Carrot switch provides a bouncy and snappy tactile experience with a mid-pitched and firm sound profile. On the other hand, the Lupine switch offers a mild and polished typing experience with a classic clacky sound profile. If you are looking for a switch with a more unique tactile experience and a sharper sound, the Carrot switch would be a suitable choice. However, if you prefer a more mild and polished typing experience with a classic clacky sound, the Lupine switch would be a better option. It's important to consider both the sound and feel preferences when choosing a keyboard switch to ensure a satisfying typing experience.
Conclusion
In summary, if you're looking for a switch with a lighter bottom out force and a unique tactile experience, the Aflion Carrot tactile switch would be a great choice for you. This switch offers a bouncy and snappy feel, thanks to its long, two-stage spring. Additionally, it provides a mid-pitched and firm sound profile, which can be enjoyable for typing.
On the other hand, if you prefer a medium bottom out force and a consistent weight distribution when typing, the Durock Lupine linear switch would be more suitable for you. With its two-stage long springs, this switch offers a treat to type on and provides a powerful upward movement during the rebound. It also produces a classic clacky sound profile, which may be preferred by some users.
For sound preferences, the Carrot switch offers a clacky, marbly, and high-pitched sound profile, while the Lupine switch provides a neutral and high-pitched sound profile. If you enjoy a sharper and crisper sound, either switch would work well for you.
In terms of feel, the Carrot switch offers a bouncy, snappy, stepped, feathery, and subtle typing experience. If you prefer a switch with a spring-like feedback, responsive feel, or light actuation force, the Carrot switch would be a good fit. On the other hand, the Lupine switch offers a mild and polished typing experience, with a gentle feel and smooth key travel.
Ultimately, the choice between the Aflion Carrot tactile switch and the Durock Lupine linear switch depends on your preferences for bottom out force, tactile or linear feel, sound profile, and typing experience. Consider what attributes are most important to you and make your decision based on that.
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