Durock Dolphin vs. Durock Light Tactile
An in-depth look at the Durock Dolphin and the Durock Light Tactile switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering two popular mechanical keyboard switches from Durock, the Dolphin and the Light Tactile, one must weigh their individual characteristics to determine which best suits their typing preferences. The Durock Dolphins are linear switches known for their silence, making them a suitable choice for office environments or any setting where noise levels are a concern. With a medium-heavy actuation force of 62g, they provide a balanced feel that combines precision with a satisfying press - appealing to those who prefer switches with more resistance. On the other hand, the Durock Light Tactile switch offers a gentle tactility that stands out from the sharper tactile switches commonly found in the market. Typing on these switches elicits a smooth and subtle tactile feedback, accompanied by a soft sound signature. While the Dolphin is categorized as polished, muted, low-pitched, the Light Tactile falls under neutral, mild, polished. 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
N/A
Actuation force
52g
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
67g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
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
Gold-plated spring
Spring
Gold-plated spring
Housing materials
The Durock Dolphin and the Durock Light Tactile both feature polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is because polycarbonate is a relatively stiffer plastic, resulting in a clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate is useful for switches that plan to use RGB lighting. However, the bottom housing of the Dolphin is made of nylon, creating a deeper and fuller sound profile due to the softer nature of nylon that absorbs more sound. On the other hand, the Light Tactile also features a nylon bottom housing, offering a similar typing experience with a duller and rounder sound profile compared to the sharper sound of the polycarbonate top housing.
While both switches share similarities in their polycarbonate top housing, the differences in their bottom housing materials provide distinct typing experiences. The split qualities between the top and bottom housing impact the overall sound and feel of each switch. Pressing down on the Durock Dolphin will emphasize the qualities of the nylon bottom housing, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound upon bottoming out. Conversely, with the Durock Light Tactile, the impact of the softer nylon bottom housing will be more noticeable when typing, creating a rounder sound profile. The choice between these two switches will depend on the desired sound and feel preferences of the user.
In conclusion, while the polycarbonate top housing of both switches offers a sharp and crisp sound profile, the differences in their bottom housing materials provide unique typing experiences. The nylon bottom housing of the Durock Dolphin and the Durock Light Tactile contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile, absorbing more sound and creating a duller sound compared to the top housing. Ultimately, the combination of top and bottom housing materials play a significant role in determining the overall typing experience, offering users a variety of options to choose from based on their sound and feel preferences.
Weight
The Durock Dolphin linear switch and the Durock Light Tactile tactile switch both offer a medium actuation force. The Dolphin has an actuation force of None grams, while the Light Tactile has an actuation force of 52 grams. When it comes to bottom out force, the Dolphin requires 62 grams, making it lighter compared to the Light Tactile, which bottoms out at 67 grams, making it a bit heavier. Those who prefer a lighter touch for extended typing sessions or gaming may prefer the Dolphin switch, while those looking for a more substantial typing experience may lean towards the Light Tactile switch. Overall, both switches provide a solid typing experience, with the Dolphin offering a lighter touch and the Light Tactile providing a slightly heavier push.
Travel distance
The Durock Dolphin linear switch has a travel distance of 3.8 mm, while the Durock Light Tactile tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm. The Dolphin switch has a slightly shorter travel distance compared to the Light Tactile switch. In general, a shorter travel distance is preferred by gamers for faster response times, while a longer travel distance may provide a more satisfying typing experience for some users. Both switches offer a different feel due to their slight variance in travel distance, so it ultimately depends on personal preference when deciding which one to use. Ultimately, both switches will provide a similar typing experience, but with subtle differences in feel due to the slight variance in 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 Durock Light Tactile has an MSRP of $5.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Light Tactile 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
The Durock Dolphin linear switch is well-regarded for its muted and low-pitched sound profile, making it an ideal choice for those seeking a quieter typing experience, especially in shared environments. The Durock Light Tactile switch, on the other hand, offers a more neutral sound signature that is suitable for a wide range of users, whether beginners or advanced typists. When it comes to feel, the Dolphin is praised for its polished finish, providing a smooth and refined typing experience with reduced friction. The Light Tactile, on the other hand, offers a mild tactility that is gentle on the fingers, along with a polished finish for a sleek typing feel. Both switches provide a satisfying typing experience, with the Dolphin catering to those who prefer a bit more resistance and the Light Tactile offering a softer and angelic tactility. Overall, enthusiasts can expect similar premium quality from both switches, with the Dolphin excelling in precision and quiet operation, while the Light Tactile focuses on gentle tactility and a jelly-like sound signature.
Conclusion
In closing, if you are looking for a silent switch with medium actuation force and a satisfying press, the Durock Dolphin linear switch would be a great choice, especially for office environments or quiet workspaces. On the other hand, if you prefer a gentle tactile switch with angelic tactility and a jelly-like sound signature, the Durock Light Tactile switch would be more suitable for you. Ultimately, the decision between the two comes down to your preference for a linear or tactile switch, as well as your workspace requirements for noise levels and typing experience.
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