Durock Ice King Tactile vs. Everglide Lightning Silver V3
An in-depth look at the Durock Ice King Tactile and the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, the Durock Ice King Tactile and the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 offer distinct typing experiences. The Ice King Tactile is praised for its smoothness and pronounced tactile bump, providing a satisfying tactile experience that blends seamlessly with a symphony of touch. On the other hand, the Lightning Silver V3 stands out for its clacky and high-pitched sound signature, offering a silky and seamless typing experience with added RGB illumination enhancement. While the Ice King Tactile is described as 'silky', 'frictionless', and 'subdued', the Lightning Silver V3 is characterized as 'clacky', 'high-pitched', and 'silky'. Each switch has its own unique qualities that cater to different preferences and needs. 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
58g
Actuation force
48g
Bottom-out force
68g
Bottom-out force
60g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.50 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem material
Nylon
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Nylon
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated progressive long spring
Spring
Lengthened gold-plated spring
Housing materials
The Durock Ice King Tactile utilizes nylon for both its top and bottom housing, providing a deeper and fuller sound profile due to the softer nature of nylon. On the other hand, the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 features polycarbonate top and bottom housing, resulting in a sharper and crisper sound profile. While both materials offer distinct sound characteristics, nylon absorbs more sound, creating a duller and rounder sound, while polycarbonate's stiffness leads to a more clear and resonant sound. In terms of aesthetics, polycarbonate's translucency makes it ideal for switches with RGB lighting, giving a visually appealing touch to the Lightning Silver V3.
Despite the differences in material, the Ice King Tactile and the Lightning Silver V3 both offer unique sound profiles based on their top and bottom housing materials. The split qualities of each housing material allow for a combination of characteristics in the typing experience - the bottom housing impacts the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing has more influence on the sound when releasing a key. Whether it's the softer nylon of the Ice King Tactile for a deeper sound or the stiffer polycarbonate of the Lightning Silver V3 for a crisper sound, users will experience a tactile and auditory contrast based on the specific housing material used in these switches.
In summary, the choice between the Ice King Tactile and the Lightning Silver V3 ultimately boils down to personal preference in typing experience. The nylon housing of the Ice King Tactile offers a deeper and fuller sound, while the polycarbonate housing of the Lightning Silver V3 delivers a sharper and crisper sound. Both materials have their distinct advantages, with nylon providing a softer typing experience and polycarbonate offering a more clear and resonant sound. In the end, users can expect similar results in terms of housing material impact on sound and feel, with the main differences lying in the specific characteristics each material brings to the table.
Weight
The Durock Ice King Tactile tactile switch has a slightly heavier actuation force of 58 grams compared to the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 linear switch, which has an actuation force of 48 grams. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Ice King Tactile requires 68 grams, while the Lightning Silver V3 requires 60 grams. This means that the Ice King Tactile is overall the heavier switch in terms of both actuation and bottom out force. For those looking for a lighter typing experience, the Lightning Silver V3 may be the better option, as it requires less force to activate. On the other hand, those who prefer a more substantial typing feel may prefer the Ice King Tactile for its slightly heavier actuation and bottom out forces. Ultimately, the choice between these switches will depend on individual preference for typing feel and force requirements.
Travel distance
The Durock Ice King Tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, slightly longer than the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 switch with a travel distance of 3.4 mm. Both switches fall within the shorter range of travel distances, which are popular among gamers for their quick response times. While the difference between the two distances may seem minimal, it could impact the feel and feedback of the switches when typing or gaming. If you prefer a slightly deeper press, the Ice King Tactile may be the better option for you. On the other hand, if you prioritize a faster response, the Lightning Silver V3 could be the more suitable choice. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will come down to personal preference and the typing experience you are looking to achieve.
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 Everglide Lightning Silver V3 has an MSRP of $5.55 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Lightning Silver V3 for $4.10.
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 offers a subdued and dampened sound when pressed, providing a more subtle and refined auditory experience. In contrast, the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 switch is known for its clacky and high-pitched sound signature, delivering a sharp and percussive sound that adds an element of excitement to typing. Both switches offer unique sound profiles that can enhance the overall typing experience, with the Ice King Tactile offering a more subdued sound compared to the lively and crisp sound of the Lightning Silver V3.
In terms of feel, the Durock Ice King Tactile switch is celebrated for its silky, frictionless, stepped, and polished qualities, offering an exceptionally smooth and refined typing experience with minimal resistance and a fluid key travel. On the other hand, the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 switch shares the silky smoothness factor, providing a seamless typing experience that prioritizes comfort and ease of use. Both switches excel in offering a smooth and effortless typing experience, with the Ice King Tactile providing additional nuances such as stepped tactile feedback and polished finishes.
Overall, the Durock Ice King Tactile switch stands out for its unique blend of smoothness and a pronounced tactile bump, offering a satisfying and refined tactile typing experience. On the other hand, the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 switch impresses with its clacky sound signature and silky smooth feel, creating a vibrant and engaging typing experience. While both switches excel in different aspects, they offer similar levels of smoothness and comfort, ensuring that users will enjoy a high-quality typing experience regardless of their preferred switch choice.
Conclusion
In closing, when deciding between the Durock Ice King Tactile switch and the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 switch, consider your preferences for bottom out force, sound, and feel. If you prefer a medium-heavy bottom out force and a tactile typing experience with a pronounced bump, the Ice King Tactile switch is the way to go. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium bottom out force and a linear typing experience with a clacky and high-pitched sound, the Lightning Silver V3 switch is the better choice. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal typing style and what features matter most to you in a mechanical keyboard switch.
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