Durock Ice King Tactile vs. Jerrzi Violet
An in-depth look at the Durock Ice King Tactile and the Jerrzi Violet switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between two exceptional tactile mechanical keyboard switches, the Durock Ice King Tactile and the Jerrzi Violet both offer unique features that cater to different preferences in typing experience. The Ice King Tactile is celebrated for its creamy smoothness paired with a pronounced tactile bump, providing a satisfying and refined typing feel with categories such as 'Silky', 'Frictionless', and 'Subdued'. On the other hand, the Jerrzi Violet stands out for its gentle and smooth actuation, complemented by a poppy tactility and a neutral sound signature, offering a well-balanced typing experience with categories like 'Stepped' and 'Neutral'. While both switches excel in their own right, it ultimately comes down to personal preference in terms of typing feel and sound. 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
N/A
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.70 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
PCB (5-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 Jerrzi Violet, it is evident that they both utilize nylon for their bottom housing. This classic switch housing material contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile, as nylon is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound. This results in a duller and rounder sound, making typing on switches with nylon bottom housing a pleasant experience for those who prefer a quieter typing sound. Despite their similarities in bottom housing material, the Ice King Tactile stands out with its nylon top housing, which further enhances the typing experience by eliciting a deeper and fuller sound while Jerrzi Violet features a polycarbonate top housing for a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile.
On the other hand, the key difference between the Durock Ice King Tactile and the Jerrzi Violet lies in their top housing materials. The Ice King Tactile's nylon top housing contributes to a deeper and fuller sound profile, creating a dulled and rounder sound that is favored by many users. In contrast, the Jerrzi Violet features a polycarbonate top housing that creates a sharper, higher-pitched sound profile, leading to a more clear and resonant sound experience. While both switches use nylon for their bottom housing, the choice of top housing material significantly impacts the sound profile and overall typing experience of each switch.
In summary, while the Durock Ice King Tactile and the Jerrzi Violet both use nylon for their bottom housing, they differ in their choice of top housing material. The Ice King Tactile's nylon top housing provides a deeper and fuller sound profile, while the Jerrzi Violet's polycarbonate top housing creates a sharper and crisper sound. Despite these differences, both switches offer a unique typing experience that is influenced by the combination of their top and bottom housing materials. Whether you prefer a deeper, fuller sound or a sharper, crisper sound, both switches deliver high-quality performance that caters to individual preferences.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Ice King Tactile switch and the Jerrzi Violet tactile switch, it is evident that the Ice King Tactile switch has a higher actuation force of 58 grams compared to the Violet's 45 grams, making the Ice King Tactile switch the heavier option. Both switches do not have a specified bottom out force, but the Ice King Tactile switch is known to have a bottom out force of 68 grams, which indicates a medium-heavy feel. The Violet switch does not have a specified bottom out force, giving potential users less information to work with when choosing between the two options. Depending on personal preference, some users may prefer the lighter actuation force of the Violet switch for longer typing sessions or gaming, while others may opt for the heavier actuation force of the Ice King Tactile switch for a more substantial typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual typing preferences and desired typing experience.
Travel distance
The Durock Ice King Tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Jerrzi Violet tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.7 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, which are favored by gamers for faster response times. The slight difference in travel distance between the two switches may not be noticeable to the average user. However, if you prefer a slightly deeper key press, the Jerrzi Violet switch may be the preferable choice with its slightly longer travel distance. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will come down to personal preference and the specific feel that you are looking for in a tactile switch.
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 Jerrzi Violet has an MSRP of $2.79 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Violet for $2.30.
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 experience, producing a dampened sound when pressed. This creates a more subtle sound signature compared to most switches, contributing to a quieter typing environment. On the other hand, the Jerrzi Violet tactile switch provides a neutral sound profile, with a moderate actuation force requirement and sound level. Both switches aim to provide a pleasant typing experience, but the Ice King Tactile leans towards a quieter operation.
In terms of feel, the Ice King Tactile switch is described as silky, frictionless, stepped, and polished, offering an exceptionally smooth and refined typing experience. The switch minimizes resistance and provides a fluid key travel, enhancing overall typing comfort. On the other hand, the Jerrzi Violet switch is described as stepped, offering a two-stage tactile feel with some pre-travel and/or post-travel sensations. While specific details on the feel of the Violet switch are limited, it seems to provide a mild tactile feedback compared to the Ice King Tactile.
Considering the available information, the Durock Ice King Tactile switch excels in providing a creamy smoothness, a pronounced tactile bump, and a subdued sound profile for an artful typing experience. On the other hand, the Jerrzi Violet tactile switch offers a smooth actuation, pleasing tactility, and a neutral sound signature for a balanced typing feel. Ultimately, both switches cater to different preferences, with the Ice King Tactile focusing on a unique and refined tactile experience, while the Jerrzi Violet aims for a gentle and enjoyable typing feel. Depending on your preference for sound and feel, either switch can offer a satisfying typing experience.
Conclusion
In closing, when choosing between the Durock Ice King Tactile and the Jerrzi Violet tactile switches, it ultimately comes down to personal preference and typing style. If you prefer a medium-heavy bottom out force and a unique tactile experience that blends smoothness with a pronounced bump, then the Ice King Tactile would be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a gentler tactile switch with a smooth actuation and neutral sound signature, the Violet would be more suitable. Consider your preferences for bottom out force, tactile feel, and sound profile when making your decision between these two switches. Ultimately, both switches offer a high-quality typing experience, so you can't go wrong with either choice.
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