Durock Dolphin vs. Everglide Tourmaline Blue
An in-depth look at the Durock Dolphin and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Durock Dolphin and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue mechanical keyboard switches, it's evident that both offer unique features that cater to different preferences. The Dolphin stands out for its silent operation, making it an ideal choice for quiet workspaces or office environments. With a medium-heavy actuation force of 62g, it provides a satisfying press and precision while offering a bit more resistance. On the other hand, the Tourmaline Blue boasts a deep and thocky sound profile, providing a delightful typing experience with its lengthened single-stage spring. Its standard spring weight strikes a balance that makes it enjoyable and accessible to a wide range of users. 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
59g
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
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated spring
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Durock Dolphin and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches share similarities in their polycarbonate top housing. Both switches utilize polycarbonate in their top housing, which results in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. The stiffness of polycarbonate contributes to a clear and resonant sound, making it ideal for switches with RGB lighting. However, the Dolphin features a nylon bottom housing, which provides a deeper and fuller sound profile due to nylon's softer nature that absorbs more sound than harder plastics. On the other hand, the Tourmaline Blue incorporates a polycarbonate bottom housing, aligning with its top housing to produce a consistent and sharp sound profile.
Despite their differences in bottom housing material, the Durock Dolphin and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches both offer unique sound profiles that showcase the qualities of their respective housing materials. The nylon bottom housing of the Dolphin contributes to a duller and rounder sound, enhancing the overall typing experience with a deeper tone. In contrast, the polycarbonate bottom housing of the Tourmaline Blue complements its top housing, resulting in a more uniform sound profile with a sharper and crisper quality. Both switches provide distinct tactile and audible feedback, allowing users to tailor their typing experience to their preferences based on the housing materials used in each switch.
Ultimately, the choice between the Durock Dolphin and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switches may come down to personal preference in sound and feel. While both switches utilize polycarbonate in their top housing for a sharp and clear sound profile, the different bottom housing materials offer varying tonal qualities that can impact typing feel and sound. Whether you prefer a deeper and fuller sound with the nylon bottom housing of the Dolphin or a consistent and sharp sound with the polycarbonate bottom housing of the Tourmaline Blue, both switches provide a range of options for mechanical keyboard enthusiasts seeking a customized typing experience.
Weight
Comparing the actuation and bottom out forces of the Durock Dolphin linear switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch, it is clear that the Dolphin has a lower actuation force of None grams compared to the Tourmaline Blue's 59 grams. This means that the Dolphin will require less force to trigger a keystroke. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Dolphin has a lower force of 62 grams compared to the Tourmaline Blue's 67 grams. This indicates that the Tourmaline Blue will provide a slightly heavier typing experience when fully pressed down. Overall, the Dolphin is lighter in terms of actuation force, while the Tourmaline Blue is heavier in terms of bottom out force. Depending on personal preference, some may prefer the lighter actuation force of the Dolphin for longer typing sessions, while others may opt for the heavier bottom out force of the Tourmaline Blue for a more substantial typing experience.
Travel distance
The Durock Dolphin linear switch has a travel distance of 3.8 mm, which is slightly shorter than the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch with a travel distance of 4 mm. Both switches fall within the range of traditional travel distances, with the Dolphin being on the shallower side while the Tourmaline Blue is slightly deeper. Gamers may prefer the Dolphin for its faster response time due to the shorter travel distance, whereas those who enjoy a more substantial key press may opt for the Tourmaline Blue. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will come down to personal preference in terms of key feel 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 Tourmaline Blue has an MSRP of $6.86 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Tourmaline Blue for $3.89.
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 offers a muted and low-pitched sound profile, perfect for those looking for a quieter typing experience. On the other hand, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch provides a more neutral sound, suitable for a wide range of users. The choice between the two switches will ultimately come down to personal preference, with the Dolphin being ideal for those who prefer a softer sound and the Tourmaline Blue appealing to users looking for a more standard sound profile.
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 comparison, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue switch is described as buttery, providing a seamless and effortless keystroke experience with easy-to-press keys and a mild typing sensation. Both switches offer a comfortable typing experience, but the Dolphin may appeal more to those who prefer a sleek feel, while the Tourmaline Blue may be preferred by those who enjoy a more fluid typing sensation.
Overall, both the Durock Dolphin and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switches offer unique qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Dolphin excels in providing a quieter typing experience with a medium-heavy actuation force, the Tourmaline Blue stands out with its thocky sound profile and bouncy feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for sound, feel, and actuation force. If these qualities are of equal importance to a newcomer, both switches are excellent options that will deliver a satisfying typing experience.
Conclusion
In conclusion, when deciding between the Durock Dolphin linear switch and the Everglide Tourmaline Blue linear switch, you should consider the environment in which you'll be using your keyboard and your personal preference for switch characteristics. If you value a silent typing experience and medium actuation force, the Durock Dolphin may be the optimal choice for office settings or those seeking a switch with a bit more resistance. On the other hand, if you enjoy a deep and thocky sound profile with a bouncy feel, the Everglide Tourmaline Blue might be more fitting, especially if you prefer a standard spring weight for an enjoyable typing experience. Ultimately, your decision should be based on the sound, feel, and actuation force that align with your typing style and environment.
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