HMX Cloud - 63.5g vs. Durock Lupine
An in-depth look at the HMX Cloud - 63.5g and the Durock Lupine switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the HMX Cloud - 63.5g and the Durock Lupine both offer impressive features but cater to slightly different preferences. The HMX Cloud - 63.5g is a linear switch that stands out for its clacky sound profile and heavier weight, providing enthusiasts with a bright typing experience and a silky smooth feel. On the other hand, the Durock Lupine, also a linear switch, boasts two-stage long springs that offer a unique typing experience with consistent weight distribution and a powerful upward movement on the rebound, accompanied by a classic clacky sound profile. While the HMX Cloud - 63.5g excels in providing a creamy and bouncy feel, the Durock Lupine offers a polished and mild typing experience. 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
56g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
63.5g
Bottom-out force
62g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.90 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
Ly
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
22mm single-staged spring
Spring
Two-stage long spring
Housing materials
The HMX Cloud - 63.5g and the Durock Lupine differ in their housing materials, with the Cloud featuring a nylon top housing while the Lupine boasts a polycarbonate top housing. Nylon is known for creating a deeper and fuller sound profile, absorbing more sound due to its softer plastic composition. On the other hand, polycarbonate is a stiffer plastic that produces a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This contrast in material composition results in distinct auditory experiences for typists using these switches, with the Cloud providing a duller and rounder sound compared to the Lupine's clear and resonant sound.
In terms of the bottom housing, both the Cloud - 63.5g and the Durock Lupine utilize nylon material. This classic switch housing material offers a deeper and fuller sound profile, absorbing sound more effectively than harder plastics. As a result, both switches produce a duller and rounder sound upon bottoming out keys. While the top and bottom housing materials are the same for the Lupine, the Cloud's contrasting top and bottom housing materials split the qualities each material brings to the switch between the top and bottom of the key. Typists will experience a mix of sound profiles when typing on the Cloud, with the impact of the bottom housing felt during bottom-out and the impact of the top housing heard upon key release.
Despite their differences in housing materials, the HMX Cloud - 63.5g and the Durock Lupine offer unique sound profiles that cater to different preferences. While the Cloud's nylon top housing creates a deeper and fuller sound, the Lupine's polycarbonate top housing produces a sharper and crisper sound. Both switches offer a classic typing experience with their nylon bottom housing, absorbing sound effectively for a dull and round sound profile. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will come down to personal preference for sound aesthetics and typing feel.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the HMX Cloud - 63.5g linear switch and the Durock Lupine linear switch, it is evident that the Cloud - 63.5g is the lighter option with an actuation force of 56 grams and a bottom out force of 63.5 grams, making it a medium-heavy switch. On the other hand, the Lupine switch has an unknown actuation force but a bottom out force of 62 grams, which is considered medium. While both switches fall within the medium range, the Cloud - 63.5g offers a slightly lighter typing experience. For those who prefer a lighter touch for extended typing or gaming sessions, the Cloud - 63.5g may be the better choice. However, those looking for a more substantial typing experience may lean towards the Lupine switch with its slightly higher bottom out force. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The HMX Cloud - 63.5g linear switch has a travel distance of 3.9 mm, while the Durock Lupine linear switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.7 mm. Both switches offer a shorter travel distance compared to the traditional 4.0 mm, making them ideal for those seeking quicker response times, such as gamers. The Cloud - 63.5g switch may provide a slightly deeper press due to its longer travel distance, appealing to users who prefer a more substantial keypress. On the other hand, the Lupine switch offers a slightly faster actuation with its shorter travel distance, making it a popular choice among users who prioritize speed and responsiveness in their typing or gaming experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for keypress depth and response time.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The HMX Cloud - 63.5g has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Cloud - 63.5g for $2.99.
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 HMX Cloud - 63.5g offers a clacky and high-pitched sound profile, providing a sharp and percussive typing experience. On the other hand, the Durock Lupine also presents a high-pitched sound profile, but with a more neutral tone that is suitable for various purposes. Both switches offer a satisfying auditory feedback, with the Cloud switch leaning towards a brighter and crisper sound, while the Lupine switch provides a more balanced and versatile sound output.
Moving on to feel, the HMX Cloud - 63.5g switch is known for its bouncy and creamy tactile feedback, offering a lively sensation with smooth keystrokes. Conversely, the Durock Lupine switch presents a milder and polished typing experience, with a more gentle and refined feel that is approachable to most users. While both switches deliver a pleasant typing feel, the Cloud switch leans towards a more elastic and buttery feedback, whereas the Lupine switch provides a smoother and more polished key travel.
In conclusion, the HMX Cloud - 63.5g and the Durock Lupine linear switches offer distinct sound and feel characteristics that cater to different preferences. The Cloud switch excels in providing a bright and clacky sound with a bouncy and creamy feel, perfect for enthusiasts seeking a lively typing experience. On the other hand, the Lupine switch offers a more neutral and high-pitched sound with a mild and polished feel, suitable for a wider range of users looking for a balanced and refined typing sensation. Ultimately, both switches guarantee a satisfying typing experience, although the choice between them will depend on individual preferences for sound and feel profiles.
Conclusion
Overall, when choosing between the HMX Cloud - 63.5g linear switch and the Durock Lupine linear switch, it really comes down to personal preference. If you enjoy a bright and clacky typing experience with a medium-heavy bottom out force, then the HMX Cloud - 63.5g switch is the one for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a more neutral sound profile with a slightly lighter bottom out force and a two-stage long spring for a unique typing experience, then the Durock Lupine switch would be a better fit. Consider your typing style, sound preferences, and desired feel when making your decision. Ultimately, both switches offer high-quality performance, so you can't go wrong with either choice.
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