Durock Ice King Tactile vs. Bsun Jade Rosales
An in-depth look at the Durock Ice King Tactile and the Bsun Jade Rosales switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Durock Ice King Tactile and the Bsun Jade Rosales offer distinct experiences for enthusiasts and casual users alike. The Ice King Tactile is celebrated for its unique blend of creamy smoothness and a pronounced tactile bump, creating a typing experience that feels both refined and satisfying. Its polished and subdued characteristics make it an excellent choice for those who enjoy tactile feedback without overwhelming resistance, enhancing both typing accuracy and comfort. In contrast, the Bsun Jade Rosales switches provide a linear experience meticulously crafted over a year, featuring custom housings, stems, and lubrication techniques that yield an exceptionally smooth performance. This makes them ideal for typists or gamers who prefer an uninterrupted keypress without the tactile bump. Both switches cater to different preferences—one for tactile enthusiasts craving feedback and the other for lovers of smooth, linear motion. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the switch that suits your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
58g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
68g
Bottom-out force
53g
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
Y3X
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Custom Milky Material
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated progressive long spring
Spring
20.5mm single-stage nickel-plated spring
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the Durock Ice King Tactile and the Bsun Jade Rosales switches, a noticeable distinction arises between their top housings. The Ice King Tactile employs nylon for its top housing, which is known for creating a deeper and fuller sound profile due to its softer texture. This softness allows nylon to absorb sound more effectively, leading to a duller and rounder audio output. In contrast, the Bsun Jade Rosales utilizes polycarbonate for its top housing. This material is characterized by a stiffer composition, which results in a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile. Polycarbonate’s qualities also contribute to a more resonant sound, making it particularly conducive for switches intended for RGB lighting scenarios, where the translucency of the material enhances the visual aesthetic while supporting clarity in sound.
Examining the bottom housings of these switches reveals a further divergence in materials. The Ice King Tactile's bottom housing is also made of nylon, mirroring its top housing and reinforcing the deeper sound profile. Conversely, the Jade Rosales features a Custom Milky Material for its bottom housing, a proprietary blend that likely aims to achieve a specific tactile and auditory experience. While both switches’ designs showcase unique characteristics in their top and bottom housings, the nylon in the Ice King Tactile plays a crucial role in contributing to its sound personality throughout the switch, while the proprietary material of the Jade Rosales adds a layer of complexity and differentiation.
Ultimately, the differences in housing materials of the Ice King Tactile and Jade Rosales lead to distinct auditory experiences, but there is the potential for similarities in overall performance if carefully designed. While the Ice King Tactile may present a deeper sound due to its consistent use of nylon, those who favor a sharper sound profile may still appreciate the diversity offered by the Jade Rosales thanks to its polycarbonate top. Regardless of their differing materials, if the bottom housing of the Jade Rosales mimics some acoustic properties of nylon, users could still reach comparable sound results by leveraging the strengths of each housing type. The tactile feedback and bottom-out acoustics will ultimately rely on the interaction between the unique bottom materials and how they complement the top housings’ contributions, creating an intricate balance in the overall typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the Durock Ice King Tactile and the Bsun Jade Rosales switches, distinct differences in actuation and bottom out forces emerge. The Ice King Tactile switch requires a heavier actuation force of 58 grams and a bottom out force of 68 grams, making it a medium-heavy option that provides a more substantial typing experience. In contrast, the Jade Rosales switch features a lighter actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 53 grams, categorizing it as medium-light. This means that while the Ice King Tactile is better suited for users who prefer a firmer push, the Jade Rosales is ideal for those seeking a lighter touch for longer typing sessions, thus reducing fatigue during extensive use. Overall, if you favor a heavier feel, the Ice King Tactile would be the preferred choice, whereas the Jade Rosales is designed for those who prioritize comfort and ease of actuation.
Travel distance
The Durock Ice King Tactile switch and the Bsun Jade Rosales linear switch both feature a travel distance of 3.5 mm, indicating that they provide the same tactile feedback when pressed. This equal travel distance means that users can expect a similar experience in terms of key feel and actuation force, resulting in comparable responsiveness in typing or gaming scenarios. Since both switches have identical travel lengths, users can switch between them without adjusting to different keypress depths, making them interchangeable in terms of travel distance performance.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
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.
The Bsun Jade Rosales has an MSRP of $5.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Jade Rosales for $5.39.
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 Tactile switch is characterized by its subdued acoustic profile, producing a dampened sound upon actuation. This gives it a more discreet presence compared to many louder mechanical switches, making it suitable for environments where noise levels need to be kept in check. The Bsun Jade Rosales switch, on the other hand, lacks specific sound attributes in the provided information, but generally, linear switches tend to be quieter than tactile ones. Thus, while the Ice King offers a subtle tonal experience, the Jade Rosales is likely to provide a similarly quiet typing environment, although without detailed specifications, the exact acoustic qualities remain unclear.
In terms of feel, the Ice King Tactile excels with its notably silky and frictionless characteristics, offering an exceptionally smooth typing experience with minimal resistance during keystrokes. The stepped tactile bump allows for a distinct but gentle sensation during each press, which enhances user feedback without being overwhelming. It is also polished, further contributing to a refined typing surface. Meanwhile, the feel of the Jade Rosales switches is not specified here, making direct comparisons challenging. However, linear switches are typically known for their smoothness throughout the entire travel, suggesting that if the Jade Rosales share similar design philosophies, they may deliver a smooth experience as well.
Overall, the Durock Ice King Tactile switch presents a blend of subdued sound and remarkable tactile feel, achieving a high level of user satisfaction through both its acoustic and tactile characteristics. While specifics about the sound and feel of the Bsun Jade Rosales switch remain vague, it is likely to provide a smooth experience typical of linear switches, creating an alternative typing experience that's distinct yet enjoyable. Ultimately, both switches could lead to similar satisfactory typing results, tailored to individual preferences in sound and tactile feedback.
Conclusion
To conclude, your choice between the Durock Ice King Tactile and the Bsun Jade Rosales linear switch should ultimately hinge on your typing preferences and intended use. If you appreciate tactile feedback and enjoy a more pronounced sensation as you type, the Ice King Tactile, with its medium-heavy bottom out force of 68 grams and silky, frictionless feel, would likely serve you well, especially for tasks that require precise keystrokes, such as coding or writing. The subtle, subdued sound profile adds to its appeal, making it a great option for both office and home environments where noise levels matter. On the other hand, if you favor a smoother, lighter typing experience and want to minimize finger fatigue during long sessions, the Jade Rosales linear switch, with its medium-light 53 grams of force, would be a better fit. Its focus on delivering an exceptionally smooth experience without tactile bumps can enhance the speed and fluidity of your typing, making it ideal for gaming or rapid-text input. Ultimately, consider what aspects of typing you value most—tactile feedback or fluidity—with each switch offering a unique experience tailored to different needs.
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