Durock Ice King Linear vs. Bsun Olive
An in-depth look at the Durock Ice King Linear and the Bsun Olive switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between the Durock Ice King Linear and the Bsun Olive mechanical keyboard switches, you'll be faced with deciding between a smooth linear switch and a tactile switch with pronounced feedback. The Ice King Linear is highly praised for its silky and frictionless typing experience, thanks to its full nylon construction and generous factory lube, making it a great choice for those who prefer a subdued and polished feel while typing. On the other hand, the Bsun Olive offers a unique tactile feedback, coupled with a resonant and deep sound due to its all-POM housings. With its medium-weight feel and sharp bottom-out, the Olive switch provides an invigorating and satisfying typing 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
52g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
65g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
Nylon
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated progressive long spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
The Durock Ice King Linear and the Bsun Olive both utilize different materials for their top and bottom housing components. The Ice King Linear features a nylon top housing, which is known for creating a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer plastic construction that absorbs more sound. In contrast, the Olive comes with a POM top housing that produces a unique and pleasing sound with deeper tones and a more muted overall profile. While both offer a distinct sound experience, the Nylon top housing of the Ice King Linear may result in a slightly rounder sound compared to the POM top housing of the Olive.
Moving on to the bottom housing, the Ice King Linear once again uses nylon, providing a similar deeper and fuller sound profile as seen in the top housing. The Bsun Olive, on the other hand, utilizes a POM bottom housing that also contributes to the switch's overall sound profile by adding a deeper and more muted tone. With both switches incorporating different materials for their top and bottom components, users can expect a well-balanced sound experience with unique characteristics depending on the housing material used.
In terms of overall performance, the choice between the Durock Ice King Linear and the Bsun Olive will ultimately come down to personal preference in sound aesthetics. While the Nylon housing of the Ice King Linear offers a slightly rounder sound with fuller tones, the POM housing of the Olive delivers a more unique and pleasing sound profile with deeper tones and a more muted overall sound. Despite these differences, both switches provide a high-quality typing experience, highlighting the importance of housing materials in creating distinct sound profiles in mechanical keyboards.
Weight
In comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Ice King Linear linear switch and the Bsun Olive tactile switch, it is clear that both switches fall within the medium to medium-heavy range. The Ice King Linear requires an actuation force of 52 grams and a bottom out force of 62 grams, while the Bsun Olive has an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 65 grams. This makes the Bsun Olive slightly lighter in terms of actuation force, but heavier when it comes to bottoming out compared to the Ice King Linear. Those who prefer a lighter typing experience may lean towards the Bsun Olive, while those seeking a more substantial push feel may opt for the Ice King Linear. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preference and typing style.
Travel distance
The Durock Ice King Linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Bsun Olive tactile switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.4 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, which are becoming more popular, especially among gamers looking for faster response times. The difference of 0.1 mm between the two may not be significant to most users, as they will provide a similar typing experience. However, for those who may prefer a slightly deeper key press, the Ice King Linear switch would offer a slightly longer travel distance. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches comes down to personal preference for how much depth and responsiveness you prefer in a key press.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Durock Ice King Linear 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 Linear for $4.20.
The Bsun Olive has an MSRP of $5.80 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Olive for $4.70.
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 Ice King Linear switch is known for its subdued sound, which provides a dampened and subtle sound signature when compared to most switches. On the other hand, the Bsun Olive switch is described as delivering a resonant, deep sound that sets it apart from other switches. The sound of a switch can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard and keycaps being used.
When it comes to feel, the Ice King Linear switch offers a silky, frictionless, creamy, and polished typing experience. These descriptors indicate a smooth and effortless feel while typing, with reduced friction and a refined finish. In contrast, the Bsun Olive switch is characterized by being accented, invigorating, sharp, and snappy. This means that users can expect a tactile switch with a prominent amount of feedback and a distinct tactile bump with each keypress.
Considering the available information, the Ice King Linear switch is likely to provide a smoother and more polished typing experience with a subdued sound profile. In contrast, the Bsun Olive switch is expected to offer a more tactile and invigorating feel with a resonant and deep sound. Both switches have unique qualities that cater to different preferences, so choosing between them would depend on whether the user prefers a linear or tactile switch and the specific typing experience they are looking for. Ultimately, both switches offer a satisfying typing experience, but users can expect different nuances in sound and feel based on their individual preferences.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Durock Ice King Linear and the Bsun Olive switches, consider the type of typing experience you prefer. If you prioritize a silky and frictionless typing experience with a subdued sound, the Ice King Linear switches may be the better choice for you. On the other hand, if you enjoy a pronounced tactile feedback with an invigorating and sharp feel, the Bsun Olive tactile switches could be more suitable for your preferences. Ultimately, the decision should be based on your personal typing preferences and the kind of typing experience you find most enjoyable. Both switches offer unique qualities that cater to different typing styles, so consider what factors are most important to you when making your selection.
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