Durock Ice King Tactile vs. HMX Sunset Gleam
An in-depth look at the Durock Ice King Tactile and the HMX Sunset Gleam switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboards, the choice of switch can significantly impact your typing experience, with the Durock Ice King Tactile and HMX Sunset Gleam representing two distinct philosophies in switch design. The Ice King Tactile switches are celebrated for their exquisite tactile feedback, offering a creamy smoothness paired with a pronounced tactile bump that elevates typing to an art form. This creates a refined experience characterized by a silky frictionless feel and meticulously polished actuation, making it an ideal choice for those who enjoy a more interactive typing sensation. In contrast, the HMX Sunset Gleam, a linear switch, emphasizes smoothness without tactile feedback, delivering a subtle top-out and a satisfying clack upon key release, thanks to its premium materials and excellent factory lubrication. This makes it perfect for gamers and typists who prefer a quieter, uninterrupted keystroke. Both switches cater to differing preferences, with one focusing on tactile engagement and the other on seamless operation. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
58g
Actuation force
42g
Bottom-out force
68g
Bottom-out force
48g
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
Ly
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 Durock Ice King Tactile and HMX Sunset Gleam switches showcase a compelling contrast in their top housing materials, significantly influencing the auditory experience they offer. The Ice King Tactile features a nylon top housing, known for its softer properties that result in a deeper and fuller sound profile. This softness absorbs sound effectively, creating a rounder, more muted auditory experience when typing. In contrast, the Sunset Gleam’s polycarbonate top housing brings a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile to the forefront. The stiffer nature of polycarbonate enhances the resonance and clarity of each keystroke, making it ideal for users seeking a more vibrant and dynamic auditory feedback. Thus, while both switches provide unique sound experiences, the Ice King tends towards a more subdued tone, while the Sunset Gleam favors brightness and definition.
When considering the bottom housings, both switches share a commonality, utilizing nylon as the material for their respective bottom portions. This similarity results in a deeper, fuller sound profile, as nylon is excellent at absorbing sound and mitigating excess noise. The bottom housing's characteristics significantly impact the typing experience, particularly when bottoming out, as it plays a key role in the switch's feel and sound at the moment the key is pressed down. Since both switches employ nylon for the bottom housing, users can expect a consistent performance in terms of sound absorption and tactile feedback, providing a stable foundation that complements the different auditory profiles established by the top housings.
In summary, the Ice King Tactile and Sunset Gleam switches offer a blend of contrasting and complementary materials that significantly influence their performance. The differentiation in top materials—nylon versus polycarbonate—creates a distinct sound profile depending on the switch, while the shared nylon bottom housing ensures a consistent response in terms of sound and feel when typing. Users can benefit from the diversified auditory experiences without sacrificing the tactile consistency provided by the nylon bottom. Therefore, while selecting between the two, individuals can choose based on their preference for either subdued warmth or crisp clarity, while still enjoying a familiar and reliable tactile experience.
Weight
When comparing the Durock Ice King Tactile switch to the HMX Sunset Gleam linear switch, there is a notable difference in both actuation and bottom out forces. The Ice King Tactile has a medium-heavy actuation force of 58 grams and a bottom out force of 68 grams, making it suitable for users who prefer a more substantial typing experience. In contrast, the Sunset Gleam features a lighter actuation force of 42 grams and a bottom out force of 48 grams, appealing to users who favor a lighter touch for longer typing sessions or gaming marathons. The differences in force mean that the Ice King Tactile requires more pressure to actuate and bottom out than the Sunset Gleam, which could lead to fatigue during prolonged use. Consequently, those who enjoy a heavier switch experience may gravitate towards the Ice King, while those seeking a lighter, more effortless typing experience would likely prefer the Sunset Gleam.
Travel distance
The Durock Ice King Tactile switch and the HMX Sunset Gleam linear switch both feature a travel distance of 3.5 mm, making their actuation distances identical. This means that users of both switches will experience the same keypress depth when pressing down on the keys, resulting in a similar feel and feedback during typing or gaming. Since their travel distances are the same, both switches can deliver comparable performance in terms of keystroke actuation, allowing for comfortable and reliable use across various applications.
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 HMX Sunset Gleam has an MSRP of $3.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Sunset Gleam for $2.99.
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 considering the sound profile of the Durock Ice King Tactile switch, it is characterized by its subdued auditory feedback, producing a dampened sound that is less pronounced than many other switches. This makes it suitable for environments where noise might be a concern while still delivering a satisfying auditory experience during typing. In contrast, the HMX Sunset Gleam, being a linear switch, typically features a more pronounced clack at the top-out, enhancing the overall typing satisfaction. However, it’s essential to note that sound can vary significantly based on the keyboard build and keycap selection, meaning users can achieve tailored acoustic experiences with both switches depending on their setup.
In terms of feel, the Ice King Tactile truly shines with a combination of silky smoothness, frictionless movement, and a stepped tactile response. This mixture allows for an exceptionally refined typing experience where the tactile bump is gently felt, creating a more nuanced interaction with each keystroke. The polished finish further amplifies the smoothness, ensuring that each press feels fluid and responsive. On the other hand, the characteristics of the HMX Sunset Gleam switch remain undefined in this context, leaving a gap in comparison regarding its tactile feedback and overall typing dynamics.
In summary, the Durock Ice King Tactile switch showcases a refined sound profile and an exceptionally smooth and tactile feel, making it a compelling choice for those who appreciate both subtleties in auditory feedback and tactile engagement. While the Sunset Gleam's specific tactile and sound qualities are not detailed, its linear design suggests a different typing experience, focusing more on smoothness and sound than tactile feedback. Depending on personal preference, users may find distinct satisfactions from either switch – the Ice King for those who prefer a tactile experience with softer acoustics, and the Sunset Gleam for those who lean towards cleaner linear action without the need for tactile cues.
Conclusion
To sum up, your choice between the Durock Ice King Tactile and the HMX Sunset Gleam linear switch ultimately hinges on your personal typing preferences and desired experience. If you crave a tactile typing experience that elevates each keystroke to a delightful interaction, the Ice King Tactile is your go-to option. Its medium-heavy actuation force of 68 grams, combined with a silky and frictionless feel, provides an engaging tactile bump that enhances both typing and gaming, all while maintaining a subdued sound profile that won’t disrupt your workspace. On the other hand, if you prefer a smoother, lighter experience with rapid key presses, the Sunset Gleam linear switch is an excellent choice. With a lighter bottom-out force of 48 grams, this switch features a satisfying clack due to its carefully engineered materials, ensuring an effortless typing experience that suits fast-paced gaming and casual typing alike. Ultimately, consider what aspects matter most to you in a switch—whether it’s the tactile feedback and sound of the Ice King or the seamless smoothness and lighter touch of the Sunset Gleam—so you can choose the one that aligns with your individual needs.
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