Durock Dolphin vs. Bsun Jade Rosales
An in-depth look at the Durock Dolphin and the Bsun Jade Rosales switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the choice between the Durock Dolphin and the Bsun Jade Rosales can significantly influence your typing experience. The Durock Dolphins stand out for their silent operation, making them the ideal option for office environments or shared workspaces where minimizing noise is paramount. Their medium-heavy actuation force of 62g provides a satisfying resistance, giving typists a sense of substance that many users appreciate. Meanwhile, the Bsun Jade Rosales switches, crafted with meticulous attention to detail, promise an exceptionally smooth typing experience thanks to their custom housings, stems, and advanced lubrication techniques developed over a year. While the Dolphin appeals to those seeking a quieter, more pronounced tactile feedback, the Jade Rosales excels in offering a refined and fluid keystroke. However, let’s dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
N/A
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
53g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
Y3X
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Custom Milky Material
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated spring
Spring
20.5mm single-stage nickel-plated spring
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the Durock Dolphin and the Bsun Jade Rosales, both switches utilize polycarbonate for their top housing, which significantly influences their overall sound profile. As noted, polycarbonate contributes to a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. This is due to its stiffer plastic composition that enhances resonance. Additionally, polycarbonate's translucency is beneficial for RGB lighting applications, allowing vibrant colors to shine through. Since both switches share this polycarbonate top housing, users can expect similar sound characteristics when actuating the keys, resulting in an aesthetically pleasing experience that complements backlighting.
Contrasting the bottom housing, the Durock Dolphin uses nylon while the Bsun Jade Rosales features a proprietary Custom Milky Material. Nylon is recognized for its classic application in switch housings and is known for producing a deeper and fuller sound profile, as it absorbs more sound due to its softer nature. In contrast, the proprietary material of the Jade Rosales may introduce unique acoustic properties that are distinct from traditional nylon. The softer, sound-absorbing qualities of nylon provide one auditory experience while the characteristics of the Custom Milky Material could yield a distinct sound profile, potentially impacting the overall experience when bottoming out on the switch.
Given these differences in bottom housing materials, the tactile experience between the two switches may vary. While the top housings will produce a similar sound impact when releasing the key, the bottom housings will contribute differently to the overall sound and feel during a key press. Users of the Durock Dolphin will likely experience a fuller bottom-out sound attributed to the nylon, while the Jade Rosales may have a different tactile feedback and sound profile due to its proprietary blend. Ultimately, the combination of a common polycarbonate top housing paired with differing bottom materials means that while there will be similarities in some aspects, the overall auditory and tactile experience will still be notably distinctive between the two switches.
Weight
When comparing the Durock Dolphin linear switch with the Bsun Jade Rosales linear switch, notable differences emerge in their actuation and bottom out forces. The Dolphin switch has an unspecified actuation force but features a bottom out force of 62 grams, indicating a firmer resistance when keys are fully pressed down. In contrast, the Jade Rosales switch boasts a 45-gram actuation force and a lighter bottom out force of 53 grams. This makes the Jade Rosales lighter overall, benefiting users who prefer a softer touch for extended typing or gaming sessions. The Dolphin, with its heavier bottom out force, may appeal to those who enjoy a more robust typing experience. Thus, while the Dolphin has a stronger tactile response when fully engaged, the Jade Rosales offers a more gentle actuation, catering to different user preferences in typing feel.
Travel distance
The Durock Dolphin linear switch and the Bsun Jade Rosales linear switch differ in their travel distances, with the Dolphin measuring 3.8 mm and the Jade Rosales at 3.5 mm. This makes the Dolphin the longer option, offering a deeper actuation feel, which may appeal to those who favor a more tactile experience when typing or gaming. In contrast, the Jade Rosales, with its shorter travel distance, might provide quicker response times, making it a suitable choice for gamers who prefer rapid key presses. Overall, if you seek a switch with more substantial depth, the Durock Dolphin would be the better option, while the Jade Rosales caters to those who prioritize responsiveness and speed with its shorter travel distance.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Durock Dolphin has an MSRP of $6.87 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Dolphin for $5.41.
The Bsun Jade Rosales has an MSRP of $5.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Jade Rosales for $5.39.
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
The Durock Dolphin linear switch is characterized by its muted sound profile, making it an excellent choice for environments where noise levels are a concern. With a low-pitched thock rather than a higher-pitched click, these switches provide a deeper, bass-heavy tone that is considerably quieter than standard mechanical switches. This sonic signature allows for a more discreet typing experience, which can be particularly appealing in shared office spaces. On the other hand, the BSUN Jade Rosales switches do not have an established sound profile noted, making it unclear how they compare in terms of noise levels. However, it’s important to remember that the overall sound of a switch can also be influenced by the keyboard's construction and the keycaps used.
In terms of feel, the Dolphin switches are noted for their polished construction, which ensures a smooth and refined typing experience. The medium-heavy actuation force of 62g offers a satisfying resistance that many typists find appealing, allowing for more deliberate keystrokes without feeling overly stiff. In contrast, the subjective qualities of the Jade Rosales regarding their feel were not detailed, making it challenging to draw a direct comparison. However, the smoothness attributed to the customization and lubrication techniques used in the Jade Rosales may suggest a level of polish akin to the Dolphins, though specific descriptors are lacking.
In conclusion, the Durock Dolphin linear switches stand out for their muted and low-pitched sound, making them an excellent choice for quieter environments, paired with a polished feel that provides a smooth typing experience. While the sound characteristics of the BSUN Jade Rosales switches remain unknown, their reputed smoothness hints that they may also deliver a pleasant typing experience. Consequently, if you seek a combination of silence and refined feel, the Dolphins are a solid option, while the Jade Rosales may appeal to those looking for exceptional smoothness, though more information would be helpful for a clearer comparison.
Conclusion
To conclude, your choice between the Durock Dolphin and the Bsun Jade Rosales linear switch ultimately depends on your specific needs and preferences when it comes to typing feel and sound profile. If you are working in a shared or quiet space where noise levels are a concern, the Durock Dolphin would be an excellent option due to its muted, low-pitched sound and a medium-heavy actuation force of 62 grams, providing a satisfying, yet subtle typing experience. This switch is particularly suitable for those who appreciate a bit more resistance during key presses, allowing for precise typographical feedback while minimizing distractions for yourself and others. On the other hand, if you desire an exceptionally smooth typing experience with a lighter touch, the Bsun Jade Rosales switch offers a lower actuation force of 53 grams and is designed for those who prioritize fluidity. With meticulous refinements in its construction, the Jade Rosales is perfect for enthusiasts looking for a seamless and enjoyable keystroke experience. Therefore, consider your work environment and typing style carefully to choose the switch that will serve you best.
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