Durock Ice King Linear vs. Bsun Tuzi (Bunny)
An in-depth look at the Durock Ice King Linear and the Bsun Tuzi (Bunny) switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, the Durock Ice King Linear and the Bsun Tuzi (Bunny) both offer unique characteristics that cater to different preferences. The Ice King Linear is praised for its silky smooth typing experience, thanks to its full nylon construction and factory lube, giving it a subdued and creamy feel. On the other hand, the Tuzi (Bunny) stands out for its refined typing experience, featuring a modified LY stem for a satisfying clacky sound paired with smoothness. While the Ice King Linear leans towards a polished and frictionless feel, the Tuzi (Bunny) offers a high-pitched and silky sensation. Both switches have their own strengths depending on the type of typing experience you prefer. 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
37g
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
42g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.60 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
Nylon
Stem material
UPE
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
The main difference between the Durock Ice King Linear and the Bsun Tuzi (Bunny) lies in their choice of housing materials. 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 that absorbs more sound. On the other hand, the Tuzi (Bunny) opts for a polycarbonate top housing, resulting in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. While both materials have their unique qualities, the nylon top housing of the Ice King Linear offers a duller and rounder sound, while the polycarbonate top housing of the Tuzi (Bunny) provides a more clear and resonant sound.
In terms of the bottom housing, both the Ice King Linear and the Tuzi (Bunny) utilize nylon, a classic switch housing material known for creating a deeper and fuller sound profile. This similarity in bottom housing material means that both switches will offer a similar typing experience in terms of sound and feel. The impact of the bottom housing on the bottom-out sound and feel will be consistent across both switches, as the softer nylon plastic absorbs more sound compared to harder plastics. Therefore, users can expect a duller and rounder sound when typing on either the Ice King Linear or the Tuzi (Bunny) due to their shared nylon bottom housing.
While the top and bottom housings of a switch play different roles in determining sound and feel, the choice of material for each housing can significantly impact the overall typing experience. The split between nylon and polycarbonate in the top housing of the Ice King Linear and the Tuzi (Bunny) respectively means that the qualities of these materials are divided between the top and bottom of the switches. This results in a unique feel when pressing down on the switch, as the bottom housing's impact on the bottom-out sound and feel is complemented by the top housing's influence on the sound when releasing a key. Whether it's the deeper and fuller sound of nylon in the bottom housing or the sharper and crisper sound of polycarbonate in the top housing, both materials contribute to the overall typing experience of the switches.
Weight
The Durock Ice King Linear switch has a higher actuation force of 52 grams compared to the Bsun Tuzi (Bunny) switch with an actuation force of 37 grams, making the Ice King switch heavier. The Ice King switch also requires a higher bottom out force of 62 grams, while the Tuzi switch has a lower bottom out force of 42 grams, indicating that the Ice King switch provides a more substantial typing experience. The difference in actuation and bottom out forces between the two switches caters to different preferences - the Ice King switch is better suited for those who prefer a stronger push feel, while the Tuzi switch is ideal for users who prefer a lighter touch for extended typing sessions. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on the individual's preference for actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
The Durock Ice King Linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Bsun Tuzi (Bunny) linear switch has a slightly longer travel distance of 3.6 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, making them suitable for those who value quick response times, such as gamers. The difference of 0.1 mm between the two may not be noticeable to all users, but for those who prefer a slightly deeper press, the Tuzi switch might provide a more satisfying typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for travel distance and the specific feel that each user prefers when typing or gaming.
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 Tuzi (Bunny) has an MSRP of $4.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Tuzi (Bunny) for $3.49.
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 Ice King Linear switch provides a subdued typing experience, producing a dampened sound when pressed, offering a more subtle sound signature compared to most switches. On the other hand, the Bsun Tuzi (Bunny) switch delivers a clacky and high-pitched sound, with a sharp and snappy tone that can be described as crisp, bright, and percussive. The choice of board and keycaps will also play a role in the overall sound profile you experience with these switches.
Moving on to the feel, both the Ice King Linear and the Tuzi (Bunny) switches are described as delivering a silky typing experience. The Ice King Linear switch is further characterized as frictionless, creamy, and polished, offering an exceptionally smooth and effortless typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel. Similarly, the Tuzi (Bunny) switch shares the silky smooth feel, enhancing the overall smoothness of the typing experience and minimizing resistance when pressing and releasing keys.
In conclusion, both the Durock Ice King Linear and the Bsun Tuzi (Bunny) linear switches offer a smooth and refined typing experience with a focus on silky smoothness. While the Ice King Linear provides a more subdued sound profile and additional descriptors such as frictionless, creamy, and polished, the Tuzi (Bunny) switch stands out with its clacky and high-pitched sound characteristics. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on your personal preference for sound and feel, alongside other factors such as your choice of keyboard and keycaps.
Conclusion
In summary, when choosing between the Durock Ice King Linear and the Bsun Tuzi (Bunny) linear switches, consider your preference for bottom out force, typing experience, sound profile, and overall feel. If you prefer a medium bottom out force and a silky smooth typing experience with a subdued sound, then the Ice King Linear may be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter bottom out force and a refined typing experience with a clacky, high-pitched sound, then the Tuzi (Bunny) switch could be more suited to your preferences. Ultimately, the decision comes down to personal preference and the typing experience you are looking for.
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