Durock Daybreak vs. Outemu Red Panda
An in-depth look at the Durock Daybreak and the Outemu Red Panda switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between the Durock Daybreak and the Outemu Red Panda mechanical keyboard switches, the decision ultimately boils down to your personal typing preferences and needs. The Daybreak offers a solid 67g actuation force, providing a weightier typing experience ideal for those who prefer a more significant touch. With its quiet operation, it is perfect for workspaces or environments where keeping noise levels to a minimum is crucial. On the other hand, the Red Panda switch delivers a light to medium tactility paired with a distinctive bassy bottom-out and clacky top-out sound. This makes it an excellent choice for typists who enjoy a more tactile typing experience. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the best switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
N/A
Actuation force
50g
Bottom-out force
67g
Bottom-out force
60g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Total travel
3.30 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
No
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
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Durock Daybreak and the Outemu Red Panda both utilize polycarbonate for the top housing, providing a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to the stiffness of polycarbonate, which leads to a more clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches that plan to use RGB lighting, as it allows the lighting to shine through. Despite being made of the same material, the top housing of each switch may vary in design and aesthetics, ultimately affecting the overall look and feel of the switch.
In contrast, the nylon bottom housing of the Daybreak and the Red Panda offers a deeper and fuller sound profile when typing. Nylon is known for being a softer plastic that absorbs more sound than harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. This material choice for the bottom housing impacts the bottom-out sound and feel of the switch when the key is pressed down. While both switches use nylon for the bottom housing, the specific design and thickness of the material may differ, leading to variations in typing experience between the two switches.
Overall, the combination of polycarbonate top housing and nylon bottom housing in the Durock Daybreak and the Outemu Red Panda provides a unique typing experience with a balance of sharp, clear sounds from the top housing and deep, full sounds from the bottom housing. Despite using similar materials, the specific design choices and thicknesses of the housings may result in subtle differences in sound and feel between the two switches. Both switches offer a high-quality build with attention to sound profile and aesthetics, making them popular choices among mechanical keyboard enthusiasts.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Daybreak linear switch and the Outemu Red Panda tactile switch, it is clear that the Daybreak has a bottom out force of 67 grams, making it heavier compared to the Red Panda's 60 grams. The actuation force of the Red Panda is 50 grams, while the Daybreak's actuation force is not specified. In terms of weight, the Daybreak would provide a more substantial typing experience with its heavier bottom out force, whereas the Red Panda would be lighter and more suitable for longer typing sessions or gaming. Both switches offer a different typing experience based on their force requirements, with the Daybreak being on the heavier side and the Red Panda offering a medium feel. Depending on personal preference, users can choose between a lighter or heavier force when selecting their ideal switch for typing or gaming.
Travel distance
Comparing the travel distance of the Durock Daybreak linear switch and the Outemu Red Panda tactile switch, the Daybreak has a longer travel distance of 3.8 mm compared to the Red Panda's 3.3 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, which is preferred by gamers for faster response times. The Daybreak, with its slightly longer travel distance, may provide a bit more depth and feedback when pressed compared to the Red Panda. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for the feel and response of the switch during use.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Durock Daybreak has an MSRP of $6.87 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Daybreak for $5.41.
The Outemu Red Panda comes in at $3.40 per 10 switches.
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 Durock Daybreak linear switch provides a muted and low-pitched typing experience, minimizing noise and offering a deeper, more mellow tone compared to higher-pitched switches. On the other hand, the Outemu Red Panda tactile switch offers a thocky sound, producing a deep, rich, and satisfying sound when pressed. Both switches provide different auditory experiences, with the Daybreak focusing on a quieter operation and the Red Panda offering a more tactile and bassy sound.
When it comes to feel, the Durock Daybreak switch is described as polished, providing a smooth and refined typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel. In contrast, the Outemu Red Panda switch offers a mild typing experience, with a more gentle touch compared to switches with more pronounced characteristics. The Daybreak switch focuses on a sleek and polished feel, while the Red Panda switch offers a comfortable and approachable typing experience in the middle ground of tactile feedback.
Overall, choosing between the Durock Daybreak linear switch and the Outemu Red Panda tactile switch ultimately comes down to personal preference in terms of sound and feel. If you prefer a heavier touch with quiet operation and a more muted sound, the Daybreak switch is an excellent choice. On the other hand, if you enjoy a lighter touch with a satisfying thocky sound and a more mild typing experience, the Red Panda switch may be more suited to your preferences. Both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different typing preferences, ensuring that you'll get a comparable typing experience regardless of your choice.
Conclusion
To sum up, when considering whether to choose the Durock Daybreak linear switch or the Outemu Red Panda tactile switch, it ultimately comes down to personal preference and typing style. If you prefer a heavier actuation force and a quieter typing experience, the Daybreak may be the better choice for you. On the other hand, if you enjoy a light-medium tactility, a bassier bottom-out sound, and a clackier top-out sound, the Red Panda could be more to your liking. Additionally, if you prefer a polished and smooth typing experience, the Daybreak might be more suited for you, while the Red Panda offers a mild and approachable typing feel. Consider your typing preferences and the environment in which you'll be using the keyboard to make the best decision for your needs.
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