Durock Ice King Tactile vs. Dareu Sky V4
An in-depth look at the Durock Ice King Tactile and the Dareu Sky V4 switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When considering mechanical keyboard switches, the Durock Ice King Tactile and the Dareu Sky V4 stand out as distinguished options. The Ice King Tactile offers a unique blend of creamy smoothness and a pronounced tactile bump, resulting in a satisfying typing experience that merges the best of both worlds with finesse. On the other hand, the Sky V4 switch uses innovative POK material in its top housing to produce a deeper sound signature that complements its smooth linear action, creating a rich and satisfying typing experience. While the Ice King Tactile is praised for its silky and subdued qualities, the Sky V4 is known for its thocky and bouncy characteristics. Understanding these general differences can help guide your decision on which switch may suit your typing preferences; 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
3.60 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
POK
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
Gold-plated spring
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Durock Ice King Tactile and the Dareu Sky V4, the most apparent difference lies in the materials used for the top housings. The Ice King Tactile utilizes a nylon top housing, known for its softer plastic composition that absorbs sound, resulting in a deeper and rounder sound profile. On the other hand, the Sky V4 features a POK top housing, renowned for its smooth texture and exceptional durability. While both materials contribute to the overall sound of the switch, the POK material in the Sky V4 offers a smoother and clackier typing experience compared to the deeper sound profile produced by the nylon top housing of the Ice King Tactile.
Moving on to the bottom housings, both the Ice King Tactile and the Sky V4 use nylon for this component. This classic switch housing material is prized for its ability to create a deep and full sound profile due to its softer plastic nature that absorbs more sound than harder plastics. As a result, typing on switches that utilize nylon bottom housings will generally produce a duller and rounder sound. In this aspect, both switches offer a similar typing experience, as the housing material for the bottom component remains consistent between the two models.
When considering the impact of housing materials on overall switch performance, it is important to note that the qualities of the top and bottom housings are distributed differently in a switch. While the bottom housing influences the bottom-out sound and feel when a key is pressed, the top housing affects the sound produced when releasing a key. Therefore, the choice between a nylon top housing in the Ice King Tactile and a POK top housing in the Sky V4 will result in noticeable differences in typing experience, with the Sky V4 offering a smoother and clackier sound profile compared to the deeper and rounder sound produced by the Ice King Tactile.
Weight
The Durock Ice King Tactile tactile switch has a slightly heavier actuation force and bottom out force compared to the Dareu Sky V4 linear switch. The Ice King Tactile requires 58 grams of force to actuate and 68 grams to bottom out, making it a medium-heavy switch. In contrast, the Sky V4 only needs 45 grams to actuate and 55 grams to bottom out, classifying it as medium-light. Those who prefer a lighter typing experience may opt for the Sky V4, as it requires less force for both actuation and bottoming out. However, individuals who enjoy a more substantial typing feel may lean towards the Ice King Tactile for its heavier actuation and bottom out forces. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for typing pressure.
Travel distance
The Durock Ice King Tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, which is slightly shorter than the Dareu Sky V4 switch with a travel distance of 3.6 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances that are popular among gamers for quicker response times. However, the slight difference in travel distance may be noticeable to some users. Choosing between the two switches would depend on personal preference - those who prefer a shorter travel distance may opt for the Ice King Tactile, while those who prefer a slightly deeper feel may prefer the Dareu Sky V4. Ultimately, both switches offer a similar experience in terms of travel distance and key feel.
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 Dareu Sky V4 has an MSRP of $7.78 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Sky V4 for $4.76.
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 Tactile switch offers a subdued sound, providing a dampened and subtle sound signature when pressed. On the other hand, the Dareu Sky V4 switch is known for its thocky sound, producing a deep, rich, and satisfying sound similar to a deep "thud" or soft "knock" when the key is pressed and released. Both switches have their unique sound profiles that cater to different preferences, with the Ice King Tactile offering a quieter typing experience compared to the Sky V4.
When it comes to feel, the Ice King Tactile switch is described as silky and frictionless, offering an exceptionally smooth and effortless typing experience with minimal resistance. Additionally, it's noted to have a polished finish, resulting in a sleek typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel. On the other hand, the Dareu Sky V4 switch is characterized as bouncy, providing a spring-like or elastic feedback sensation that gives keys a lively feel and rebound when pressed. The Ice King Tactile switch offers a more refined and smooth typing experience, while the Sky V4 switch gives a more dynamic and responsive feel to typists.
In conclusion, the Durock Ice King Tactile switch boasts a creamy smoothness and pronounced tactile bump that elevates tactile typing to an art form, providing a uniquely satisfying tactile experience with remarkable finesse. On the other hand, the Dareu Sky V4 switch stands out for its innovative use of POK material in the top housing, offering a deeper sound signature that complements its smooth linear action for a rich and satisfying typing experience. While both switches have their own strengths and qualities, it ultimately comes down to personal preference in sound and feel when choosing between the Ice King Tactile and Sky V4 switches for your mechanical keyboard setup.
Conclusion
To sum up, when choosing between the Durock Ice King Tactile and the Dareu Sky V4 switches, consider the type of typing experience you prefer. If you're looking for a tactile switch with a medium-heavy bottom out force and a creamy smoothness with a pronounced bump, the Ice King Tactile is the way to go. On the other hand, if you prefer a linear switch with a medium-light bottom out force, deeper sound signature, and a smooth linear action, the Sky V4 might be more suitable for you. Ultimately, the decision should come down to your personal preferences in terms of typing feel, sound, and actuation force.
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