Durock Ice King Tactile vs. Outemu Crystal Brown
An in-depth look at the Durock Ice King Tactile and the Outemu Crystal Brown switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Durock Ice King Tactile and the Outemu Crystal Brown mechanical keyboard switches, it is evident that both switches offer a tactile typing experience. The Ice King Tactile is renowned for its exceptional smoothness and noticeable tactile bump, providing a satisfying typing experience that merges the best of both worlds seamlessly. On the other hand, the Crystal Brown switch, while lacking specific standout features, still offers a tactile typing experience. The Ice King Tactile is described as 'Silky', 'Frictionless', 'Subdued', 'Stepped', and 'Polished', highlighting its unique qualities. In contrast, the Crystal Brown switch lacks specific descriptors. Choosing between these two switches ultimately depends on personal preference and typing style. 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
45g
Bottom-out force
68g
Bottom-out force
55g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
4.00 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
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated progressive long spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Durock Ice King Tactile and the Outemu Crystal Brown switches, it is evident that they both utilize nylon for their bottom housing. This shared characteristic means that when typing on either switch, users can expect a deeper and fuller sound profile due to the softer nature of nylon. The absorption of sound by nylon creates a duller and rounder sound, providing a unique typing experience that is consistent across both switches. Therefore, whether using the Ice King Tactile or the Crystal Brown, typists can enjoy a satisfying sound profile brought about by the nylon bottom housing.
On the other hand, the difference in top housing materials between the Ice King Tactile's nylon and the Crystal Brown's polycarbonate leads to distinct sound profiles. The Crystal Brown's use of polycarbonate creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile, in contrast to the Ice King Tactile's nylon top housing which elicits a deeper and fuller sound. Additionally, the translucent nature of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches designed to incorporate RGB lighting, enhancing the visual appeal of the keyboard. While the Ice King Tactile offers a softer sound profile with its nylon top housing, the Crystal Brown provides a clearer and resonant sound with its polycarbonate top housing.
Overall, the choice between the Durock Ice King Tactile and the Outemu Crystal Brown ultimately comes down to personal preference in sound and feel. The split between nylon bottom housing common to both switches ensures a consistent typing experience with a deep and full sound profile. However, the contrasting top housing materials of nylon and polycarbonate offer users a choice between a softer, rounder sound with the Ice King Tactile or a sharper, crisper sound with the Crystal Brown. Whether prioritizing aesthetics or sound characteristics, both switches provide unique qualities that cater to individual preferences in mechanical keyboard switches.
Weight
In comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Ice King Tactile tactile switch and the Outemu Crystal Brown tactile switch, we can see that the Ice King Tactile is heavier in both aspects compared to the Crystal Brown. The Ice King Tactile has an actuation force of 58 grams and a bottom out force of 68 grams, making it a medium-heavy switch. On the other hand, the Crystal Brown has an actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 55 grams, categorizing it as a medium-light switch. Those who prefer a more substantial typing experience may lean towards the Ice King Tactile with its heavier forces, while those looking for a lighter touch for longer typing sessions may opt for the Crystal Brown. Both switches provide different tactile experiences based on their actuation and bottom out forces, allowing users to choose according to their personal preferences.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the Durock Ice King Tactile switch is 3.5 mm, while the Outemu Crystal Brown tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm. This means that the Crystal Brown has a slightly longer travel distance compared to the Ice King Tactile. The Ice King Tactile offers a shorter travel distance, which may appeal to those looking for quicker response times, such as gamers. On the other hand, the Crystal Brown provides a slightly deeper travel distance, which can be preferred by those who enjoy a more substantial key press. Overall, both switches offer different travel distances that cater to different preferences, with the Ice King Tactile being on the shorter side and the Crystal Brown on the longer side.
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 Outemu Crystal Brown 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
The Ice King Tactile switch offers a subdued sound profile, which means that it produces a dampened sound when pressed, providing a more subtle sound signature compared to most switches. In contrast, the sound profile of the Outemu Crystal Brown switch is unknown. Moving on to the feel, the Ice King Tactile switch is praised for its silky, frictionless, stepped, and polished characteristics, offering an exceptionally smooth typing experience with minimal resistance and a refined finish. On the other hand, the feel of the Crystal Brown switch is unknown.
Overall, the Durock Ice King Tactile switch stands out for its unique blend of smoothness and a pronounced tactile bump, creating a satisfying tactile experience that merges the best of both worlds. While the specific sound and feel qualities of the Outemu Crystal Brown switch remain unknown, based on the available information, it is likely that the Ice King Tactile switch offers a superior tactile and typing experience. If you are looking for a switch with a smooth and tactile feel accompanied by a subdued sound, the Ice King Tactile switch is a solid choice to consider for your mechanical keyboard setup.
Conclusion
In closing, if you are looking for a tactile switch with a medium-heavy bottom out force and a uniquely satisfying tactile typing experience that blends creamy smoothness with a pronounced bump, then the Durock Ice King Tactile switch would be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter bottom out force and are not as concerned with a specific standout feature in terms of typing feel or sound, the Outemu Crystal Brown switch could be a suitable option for you. Ultimately, your decision should be based on your personal preferences and the specific typing experience you are looking to achieve.
Mentioned in this article
