TTC Flaming Purple vs. Durock Ice King Tactile
An in-depth look at the TTC Flaming Purple and the Durock Ice King Tactile switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options stand out: the TTC Flaming Purple and the Durock Ice King Tactile. The Flaming Purple is a linear switch that is praised for its resonant and bassy sound profile, making each keystroke engaging and unique. It is also easy to press with a feathery touch, appealing to both enthusiasts and daily typists. On the other hand, the Ice King Tactile is a tactile switch known for its smoothness and pronounced tactile bump, providing a satisfying typing experience with a blend of smoothness and tactility. While both switches offer their own set of unique features and characteristics, such as the Flaming Purple's low pitch and the Ice King Tactile's polished feel, the choice ultimately depends on personal preference and typing style. 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
42g
Actuation force
58g
Bottom-out force
47g
Bottom-out force
68g
Pre-travel
1.60 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POK
Stem material
Nylon
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
23mm single-stage spring
Spring
Gold-plated progressive long spring
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the TTC Flaming Purple and the Durock Ice King Tactile, one key difference is in their top housing materials. The Flaming Purple features a polycarbonate top housing, known for creating a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to its stiff nature. On the other hand, the Ice King Tactile utilizes a nylon top housing, which elicits a deeper and fuller sound profile by absorbing more sound with its softer plastic composition. This contrast in sound profiles highlights the importance of the top housing material in determining the overall auditory experience of a switch.
In terms of their bottom housing materials, both the Flaming Purple and the Ice King Tactile utilize nylon, a classic switch housing material known for creating a deeper and fuller sound profile. This similarity in bottom housing material indicates that both switches prioritize achieving a specific sound profile through the use of nylon. While the bottom housing may not have as much of an impact on the sound when letting go of a key compared to the top housing, the choice of nylon for both switches suggests a preference for a duller and rounder sound profile overall.
Overall, the choice of housing materials in switches like the TTC Flaming Purple and the Durock Ice King Tactile plays a significant role in determining the sound profile and tactile experience of the keys. While the Flaming Purple's polycarbonate top housing offers a sharper and crisper sound profile, the Ice King Tactile's nylon top housing provides a deeper and fuller sound. Both switches share a common ground in their use of nylon for the bottom housing, emphasizing a desire for a specific sound profile that is achieved through the absorption qualities of this material. Ultimately, the housing materials of a switch are crucial in shaping the overall typing experience and sound profile for users to enjoy.
Weight
The TTC Flaming Purple linear switch has a lighter actuation force of 42 grams and a bottom out force of 47 grams, while the Durock Ice King Tactile tactile switch has a heavier actuation force of 58 grams and a bottom out force of 68 grams. The Flaming Purple offers a lighter typing experience, making it ideal for extended typing or gaming sessions. In contrast, the Ice King Tactile provides a more substantial push feel, appealing to those who prefer a heavier typing experience. Both switches offer a different feel based on their actuation and bottom out forces, catering to varying preferences in typing feedback.
Travel distance
The TTC Flaming Purple linear switch has a travel distance of 3.6 mm, slightly longer than the Durock Ice King Tactile switch, which has a travel distance of 3.5 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, making them ideal for those looking for quicker response times, such as gamers. The difference of 0.1 mm between the two switches may not be significant to some users, but for those who prefer a slightly longer travel distance, the Flaming Purple switch would be the better option. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches comes down to personal preference in terms of how much travel distance one prefers when typing or gaming.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The TTC Flaming Purple has an MSRP of $8.30 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Flaming Purple for $4.30.
The Durock Ice King Tactile has an MSRP of $5.80 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Ice King Tactile for $4.20.
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
When it comes to sound, the TTC Flaming Purple linear switch offers a bassier and low-pitched sound profile with a resonant quality that adds a poppy undertone to each keystroke. On the other hand, the Durock Ice King Tactile tactile switch produces a more subdued and dampened sound when pressed, providing a quieter typing experience overall. Both switches offer distinct sound profiles that cater to different preferences, with the Flaming Purple leaning towards a livelier auditory experience compared to the Ice King Tactile's more understated sound.
In terms of feel, the TTC Flaming Purple linear switch is characterized by its feathery and easy-to-press nature, offering a light actuation force that minimizes finger fatigue and enhances the typing experience with swift and effortless key presses. In contrast, the Durock Ice King Tactile tactile switch provides a silky and frictionless typing experience, with a stepped tactile feel that offers a smooth and refined key travel. Both switches excel in providing a comfortable typing experience, but the Flaming Purple focuses on lightness and ease of typing, while the Ice King Tactile prioritizes smoothness and tactility.
In conclusion, the TTC Flaming Purple linear switch and the Durock Ice King Tactile tactile switch offer unique qualities in terms of sound and feel that cater to different preferences. The Flaming Purple provides a bassier sound profile and feathery typing experience, while the Ice King Tactile offers a subdued sound and silky smooth tactility. Both switches excel in their respective areas, providing enthusiasts and typists with compelling options for their mechanical keyboard setups. Ultimately, choosing between the two switches will depend on individual preferences for sound, feel, and typing experience.
Conclusion
Ultimately, when deciding between the TTC Flaming Purple linear switch and the Durock Ice King Tactile tactile switch, you need to consider your preference for key feel and sound profile. If you prefer a light and effortless typing experience with a slightly bassier and resonant sound, the Flaming Purple switch would be a great choice for you. On the other hand, if you enjoy a smooth and tactile typing experience with a pronounced tactile bump and a subdued sound profile, the Ice King Tactile switch would be more suitable for your needs. Both switches offer unique characteristics that can enhance your typing experience, so it ultimately comes down to personal preference and what feels best for you.
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