Durock Ice King Linear vs. Outemu Maple Leaf
An in-depth look at the Durock Ice King Linear and the Outemu Maple Leaf switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
If you're in the market for a new mechanical keyboard switch, you may find yourself torn between the Durock Ice King Linear and the Outemu Maple Leaf. The Ice King Linear is renowned for its silky smooth typing experience, thanks to its full nylon construction and generous factory lube. It is described as 'Silky', 'Frictionless', 'Subdued', 'Creamy', and 'Polished'. On the other hand, the Maple Leaf offers a tactile typing experience but lacks specific standout features. As a tactile switch, it may provide a more satisfying feedback while typing. 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
55g
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
65g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.30 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.30 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
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
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 Outemu Maple Leaf both utilize nylon as the material for their top and bottom housing components. This choice of material leads to a deeper and fuller sound profile when typing on switches using nylon. The softer nature of nylon also helps in absorbing more sound compared to harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. This similarity in housing material between the two switches ensures that users can expect a consistent typing experience in terms of sound.
However, while both switches share the same nylon material for their housing components, it is essential to note that the qualities brought by each housing component may differ. The bottom housing of a switch typically has a more significant impact on the bottom-out sound and feel. On the other hand, the top housing is more prominent in influencing the sound when releasing a key. This difference in impact between the top and bottom housing components can potentially lead to variations in the overall typing experience between the Durock Ice King Linear and the Outemu Maple Leaf.
In conclusion, the choice of nylon as the housing material for both the Durock Ice King Linear and the Outemu Maple Leaf switches ensures a similar deep and full sound profile when typing. However, the specific qualities and impact of the top and bottom housing components may vary between the two switches. Users looking for a consistent feel in both the sound and tactile feedback of their keyboard switches may find similarities in the overall typing experience of these two switches due to their shared use of nylon housing materials.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Ice King Linear linear switch and the Outemu Maple Leaf tactile switch, we can see that the Ice King has a lighter actuation force of 52 grams compared to the Maple Leaf's 55 grams. However, the bottom out force of the Ice King at 62 grams is lighter than the Maple Leaf's 65 grams. Both switches fall within the medium to medium-heavy range, providing a balance between typing comfort and tactile feedback. Those who prefer a lighter typing experience may opt for the Ice King, while the Maple Leaf offers a slightly heavier push feel. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preference for actuation and bottom out force.
Travel distance
The Durock Ice King Linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Outemu Maple Leaf tactile switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.3 mm. Both switches fall within the range of common travel distances for mechanical switches, which can vary from 3.0 mm to 4.0 mm. Gamers tend to prefer shorter travel distances for quicker response times, making the Ice King Linear a good choice for gaming. However, those who prefer a more pronounced key press may lean towards the slightly longer travel distance of the Maple Leaf switch. Ultimately, both switches offer a similar experience in terms of travel distance, so either option would provide comparable results depending on individual preferences.
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 Outemu Maple Leaf comes in at $3.10 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
When it comes to sound, the Durock Ice King Linear switch offers a subdued typing experience, producing a dampened sound when pressed. This results in a more subtle sound signature compared to most switches. On the other hand, information on the Outemu Maple Leaf tactile switch's sound profile is not available, so it's difficult to provide a direct comparison. Keep in mind that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard and keycaps used.
Moving on to the feel of these switches, the Ice King Linear is praised for its silky, frictionless, creamy, and polished typing experience. These descriptors indicate an exceptionally smooth and effortless typing feel, with minimized resistance and friction when pressing the keys. The keys glide with ease, offering a luxurious typing sensation. Unfortunately, details on the tactile feel of the Outemu Maple Leaf switch are not provided, making it challenging to contrast the two switches directly.
In conclusion, if you opt for the Durock Ice King Linear switch, you can expect a smooth and quiet typing experience with a silky feel. While the tactile qualities of the Outemu Maple Leaf switch remain unknown, it is crucial to consider personal preferences and typing habits when selecting a switch for your mechanical keyboard setup. Ultimately, both switches may offer a satisfying typing experience, with the Ice King Linear known for its exceptional smoothness and subdued sound, whereas the Maple Leaf's tactile characteristics remain a mystery.
Conclusion
In closing, when considering whether to choose the Durock Ice King Linear switch or the Outemu Maple Leaf tactile switch, it ultimately comes down to your personal preference. If you are looking for a smooth and frictionless typing experience with a medium bottom out force, the Ice King Linear may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a slightly heavier bottom out force and are not particularly concerned with sound or specific feel descriptors, the Maple Leaf switch could be a suitable option. Ultimately, both switches have their unique features and benefits, so it is important to consider what factors are most important to you in selecting the ideal mechanical keyboard switch for your typing needs.
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