Durock Dolphin vs. Everglide Sunset Yellow
An in-depth look at the Durock Dolphin and the Everglide Sunset Yellow switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between the Durock Dolphin and Everglide Sunset Yellow mechanical keyboard switches, both linear switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different preferences. The Dolphin, known for its silent operation and medium-heavy actuation force of 62g, is a great option for those in need of a quiet typing experience in office settings. On the other hand, the Sunset Yellow switches provide a rich and indulgent typing experience with their Creamsicle color and captivating sound profile, thanks to the unique Ly stem and proprietary factory lube method. While the Dolphin leans towards a polished, muted, and low-pitched feel, the Sunset Yellow offers a bassy, creamy, frictionless, polished, and thocky 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
N/A
Actuation force
43g
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
51g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Total travel
3.20 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
Ly
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated spring
Spring
Single-staged lengthened 20mm spring
Housing materials
The Durock Dolphin and Everglide Sunset Yellow both feature unique housing materials that contribute to their distinct sound profiles. The Dolphin utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, which offers a sharper, crisper sound with a higher pitch due to its stiffness. In contrast, the Sunset Yellow features a POM top housing that creates a deeper and more muted sound. While the Dolphin's polycarbonate top housing is ideal for those looking to use RGB lighting due to its translucency, the Sunset Yellow's POM top housing provides a unique sound experience that is on the deeper side.
In terms of bottom housings, the Durock Dolphin incorporates a nylon material that produces a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon is known for absorbing more sound than harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. Similarly, the Everglide Sunset Yellow utilizes a POM bottom housing that also contributes to a pleasing and unique sound experience on the deeper side. Both switches offer a different tactile and auditory experience based on the materials used in their bottom housings.
When considering the overall typing experience, the combination of top and bottom housing materials in a switch plays a crucial role. The qualities of the bottom housing material impact the bottom-out sound and feel when pressing down on a key, while the top housing material influences the sound when releasing the key. While the Durock Dolphin and Everglide Sunset Yellow may have different housing materials for their top and bottom, each offers a unique typing experience with distinct sound profiles that cater to individual preferences.
Weight
The Durock Dolphin linear switch has a bottom out force of 62 grams, while the Everglide Sunset Yellow linear switch has a bottom out force of 51 grams, making the Sunset Yellow slightly lighter in this aspect. The actuation force of the Dolphin is not specified, whereas the Sunset Yellow has an actuation force of 43 grams. This means that the Dolphin switch may require a lighter touch to trigger a keystroke compared to the Sunset Yellow. In terms of weight, some users may prefer the lighter actuation force of the Sunset Yellow for extended typing or gaming sessions, while others may lean towards the Dolphin for a more substantial typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for actuation force and bottom out force.
Travel distance
The Durock Dolphin linear switch has a travel distance of 3.8 mm, while the Everglide Sunset Yellow linear switch has a travel distance of 3.2 mm. Both switches fall within the realm of shorter travel distances, making them popular choices for gamers seeking faster response times. However, the Sunset Yellow switch has a slightly shorter travel distance compared to the Dolphin switch. This means that if you prioritize a quicker key press, the Sunset Yellow switch may be the better option for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a slightly deeper press, the Dolphin switch with its 3.8 mm travel distance might provide a more satisfying feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on your personal preference for key press depth and responsiveness.
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 Everglide Sunset Yellow comes in at $3.09 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 Dolphin linear switch is known for its muted and low-pitched profile, providing a softer and quieter typing experience. On the other hand, the Everglide Sunset Yellow switch offers a bassy and thocky sound, creating a rich and indulgent auditory experience reminiscent of mahjong tiles colliding. Depending on personal preference, the Dolphin switch would be better suited for those who prefer a more subtle and understated sound, while the Sunset Yellow switch would appeal to those who enjoy a deeper and more resonant typing sound.
When it comes to feel, the Durock Dolphin switch is described as polished, offering a smooth and refined typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel. In contrast, the Everglide Sunset Yellow switch is known for its creamy and frictionless feel, providing a buttery and effortless typing experience where fingers effortlessly glide across the keys with ease. Both switches offer a premium tactile feel, but the choice between them would depend on whether one prefers a more polished typing experience or a creamier, frictionless sensation.
Overall, the Durock Dolphin linear switch and the Everglide Sunset Yellow linear switch each have their own unique characteristics in terms of sound and feel. The Dolphin switch excels in providing a muted and low-pitched sound with a polished typing feel, ideal for those who prefer a quieter and refined typing experience. On the other hand, the Sunset Yellow switch offers a bassy and thocky sound with a creamy and frictionless feel, catering to users who enjoy a richer and smoother typing sensation. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches would come down to personal preferences in sound profile and typing feel, ensuring that both options provide a premium mechanical keyboard experience.
Conclusion
In conclusion, when deciding between the Durock Dolphin linear switch and the Everglide Sunset Yellow linear switch, it ultimately comes down to your personal preferences and priorities. If you value a silent typing experience and prefer a switch with a medium-heavy actuation force, the Durock Dolphin switch may be the better choice for you. On the other hand, if you enjoy a rich and bassy sound profile, along with a smooth and frictionless typing experience, the Everglide Sunset Yellow switch could be the perfect fit. Consider your workspace environment, desired sound profile, and typing preferences when making your decision. Both switches offer unique qualities that can enhance your typing experience, so choose the one that aligns best with your needs and preferences.
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