Durock Ice King Linear vs. HMX Sunset Gleam
An in-depth look at the Durock Ice King Linear and the HMX Sunset Gleam switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing the right mechanical keyboard switch for a personalized typing experience, the Durock Ice King Linear and the HMX Sunset Gleam offer distinct features that cater to different preferences. The Ice King Linear excels with its silky smooth, frictionless feel, thanks to its full nylon construction and generous factory lubrication. Users seeking a more subdued, creamy, and polished typing experience may gravitate toward this switch, as it enhances overall comfort during extended use. In contrast, the HMX Sunset Gleam, also known for its superb factory lube, stands out with its unique blend of materials that delivers a subtle top-out and a satisfying clack, adding a tactile dimension that some typists might prefer. Both switches showcase excellent manufacturing quality and thoughtful design, appealing to those who value performance and feel in their keyboard 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
42g
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
48g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
Nylon
Stem material
Ly
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated progressive long spring
Spring
22mm single-stage spring
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the Durock Ice King Linear and the HMX Sunset Gleam, a distinct contrast emerges in their top housing compositions. The Ice King Linear utilizes a nylon top housing, known for delivering a deeper and fuller sound profile due to nylon's softer nature. This characteristic allows it to absorb sound more effectively, producing a duller and rounder auditory experience. In contrast, the Sunset Gleam features a polycarbonate top housing, renowned for its stiffer composition, which results in a sharper and crisper sound. The translucency of the polycarbonate also plays a key role, making it particularly appealing for RGB lighting aesthetics, as it allows for greater light diffusion and visual effects. Thus, while both switches can provide satisfying auditory feedback, their sound profiles differ significantly based on the materials used in their top housings.
Despite the marked differences in their top housings, both switches share a commonality in their bottom housing material—nylon. This shared attribute allows the Ice King Linear and Sunset Gleam to produce a similar foundational sound experience. Specifically, both switch designs leverage the softer texture of nylon in the bottom housing, which contributes to a deeper, fuller sound profile. This aspect means that when the switches bottom out, players will experience a comparable sensation and auditory feedback, regardless of the differences found in the top housings. Thus, while the two switches might project different tonal characteristics during key release, they converge in delivering a satisfying and harmonious bottom-out sound and feel.
Ultimately, the combination of materials used in both the Ice King Linear and Sunset Gleam contributes to a unique user experience influenced by the interplay of sound profiles. The Ice King Linear’s nylon top offers a muted acoustic performance that resonates with those who prefer softer and deeper tones, while the Sunset Gleam’s polycarbonate grants a lively and sharp auditory response that can enhance RGB lighting effects. The nylon bottom housing present in both switches ensures that the deeper sound quality remains consistent, allowing users to enjoy a reliable tactile and auditory feedback during gameplay or typing. In this way, despite their distinct sound styles stemming from the top housing materials, both switches can cater to a variety of preferences while providing exceptionally similar bottom-out experiences.
Weight
When comparing the actuation and bottom out forces of the Durock Ice King Linear switch and the HMX Sunset Gleam linear switch, there are notable differences that cater to varying user preferences. The Ice King boasts an actuation force of 52 grams and a bottom out force of 62 grams, categorizing it as a medium-weight switch. In contrast, the Sunset Gleam switch features a lighter actuation force of 42 grams and a bottom out force of 48 grams. This means that the Sunset Gleam is better suited for users who favor a lighter typing experience, allowing for longer typing sessions without fatigue. On the other hand, the Ice King provides a more substantial feel, making it ideal for those who prefer a heavier push. Overall, the Ice King Linear is the heavier option while the Sunset Gleam is the lighter one, with the differing forces potentially influencing the preferences of typists and gamers alike.
Travel distance
Both the Durock Ice King Linear switch and the HMX Sunset Gleam Linear switch exhibit a travel distance of 3.5 mm, making them equal in this respect. This shared measurement indicates that users will experience similar keypress responses when using either switch, as both require the same amount of travel from top to bottom for actuation. Consequently, those seeking a consistent typing experience in terms of travel distance will find no notable difference between these two options.
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 HMX Sunset Gleam has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Sunset Gleam for $2.99.
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 is recognized for its subdued auditory feedback, delivering a muted sound upon actuation. This results in a typing experience that is quieter compared to many other switches, making it suitable for environments where noise reduction is preferred. In contrast, the sound profile of the HMX Sunset Gleam is currently unknown, leaving it open to interpretation how it would compare to the Ice King in real-world usage. The overall sound experience, however, will also be significantly influenced by the choice of keyboard and keycaps used with either switch.
In terms of feel, the Ice King Linear presents a host of desirable tactile qualities. It is celebrated for its silky, frictionless typing experience, which minimizes any sense of resistance, allowing for fluid keystrokes. The creamy texture further enhances this sensation, providing a buttery smooth transition with each press. Additionally, the polished finish contributes to a refined typing experience, reducing friction and ensuring smooth key travel. On the other hand, the characteristics of the Sunset Gleam's feel remain unspecified, so a direct comparison in this area cannot be established.
In conclusion, if you're in search of a smooth and quiet typing switch, the Durock Ice King Linear is a solid choice with its subdued sound and exceptional feel. While the Sunset Gleam's auditory and tactile qualities are not yet detailed, it is worth noting that both switches benefit from excellent factory lube, which can significantly enhance overall performance. Ultimately, while the Ice King Linear sets high expectations in sound and feel, the unknown attributes of the Sunset Gleam leave room for potential discovery in the realm of linear switches.
Conclusion
To wrap up, your choice between the Durock Ice King Linear and the HMX Sunset Gleam Linear switch ultimately hinges on your preferences for typing feel, sound, and actuation force. If you appreciate a medium bottom-out force and crave a silky, frictionless typing experience with a more subdued sound profile, the Ice King Linear is likely your best bet. Its creamy and polished texture enhances each keystroke, making it ideal for long typing sessions and a quieter environment. On the other hand, if you favor a lighter actuation force that allows for quicker typing and a more pronounced auditory feedback without being overly loud, the Sunset Gleam would suit you better. Its unique blend of materials brings a satisfying clack and a subtle floating sensation that many typists find appealing. Thus, consider the type of environment you’ll be using your keyboard in, as well as your typing style—whether you prefer a smooth, refined feel or a lively, engaging response—when making your decision.
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