Gateron Jupiter Red vs. Durock Medium Tactile
An in-depth look at the Gateron Jupiter Red and the Durock Medium Tactile switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, the Gateron Jupiter Red linear switch and the Durock Medium Tactile switch offer unique typing experiences to suit different preferences. The Jupiter Red is praised for its smooth and consistent keystrokes due to its single-stage spring and medium-heavy actuation. On the other hand, the Durock Medium Tactile switch stands out for its pronounced yet balanced tactility and jelly-like sound signature. While the Jupiter Red provides a seamless typing experience, the Durock Medium Tactile offers a more tactile feedback. 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
45g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
65g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Spring steel
Spring
Gold-plated spring
Housing materials
The Gateron Jupiter Red and the Durock Medium Tactile both feature polycarbonate top housings, which contribute to a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. The stiffness of polycarbonate plastic leads to a more clear and resonant sound when typing on these switches. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate is especially beneficial for switches that utilize RGB lighting, as it allows the lighting to shine through brightly. With both switches incorporating polycarbonate in their top housings, users can expect similar sound profiles and aesthetics from both options.
In contrast, the Jupiter Red and the Medium Tactile differ in their choice of bottom housing material, with the Jupiter Red featuring a nylon bottom housing while the Medium Tactile also opts for nylon. Nylon is known for creating a deeper and fuller sound profile when typing, as it is a softer plastic that absorbs more sound than harder plastics. As a result, the bottom housings of these switches play a significant role in the bottom-out sound and feel when pressed. Despite the difference in bottom housing material, both switches will likely offer a similar typing experience due to the shared use of nylon for this component.
Ultimately, the choice between the Gateron Jupiter Red and the Durock Medium Tactile may come down to personal preference in terms of sound profile and feel. While both switches feature polycarbonate top housings for a sharp and crisp sound, the differences in their nylon bottom housings may result in slightly varying typing experiences. Whether you prioritize a deeper sound profile with the Jupiter Red’s nylon bottom housing or a rounder sound with the Medium Tactile’s nylon bottom housing, both switches are likely to provide a satisfying typing experience based on the qualities each housing material brings to the table.
Weight
The actuation force of the Gateron Jupiter Red linear switch is 45 grams, while the Durock Medium Tactile tactile switch's actuation force is not provided. However, the bottom out force of the Jupiter Red is 60 grams, whereas the Medium Tactile requires 65 grams to bottom out. This makes the Jupiter Red a lighter option in terms of both actuation and bottom out force. Those who prefer a lighter typing experience may find the Jupiter Red more suitable for longer typing sessions or gaming. On the other hand, the Durock Medium Tactile switch offers a slightly heavier bottom out force, providing a more substantial and tactile typing experience for those who enjoy a stronger push feel. In terms of actuation force, both switches may yield similar results if the actuation forces are relatively close, though the difference in bottom out force may still be noticeable. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference for typing feel and force required.
Travel distance
The Gateron Jupiter Red linear switch and the Durock Medium Tactile tactile switch both have a travel distance of 4 mm, making them equal in this aspect. This means that users will experience a similar keypress feel in terms of travel distance when using either of these switches. The 4 mm travel distance allows for a comfortable typing experience without requiring excessive force to actuate the keys. Both switches offer a smooth and consistent keypress feel, with the linear switch providing a straight downward motion and the tactile switch offering a slight bump to indicate actuation. Overall, the travel distance of these switches contributes to their overall performance and typing experience, whether it be for gaming or typing.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Durock Medium Tactile has an MSRP of $5.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Medium Tactile for $4.25.
The Gateron Jupiter Red comes in at $2.80 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
In terms of sound, the Gateron Jupiter Red linear switch is known for its neutral sound profile, making it suitable for a wide range of users and environments. On the other hand, the Durock Medium Tactile tactile switch has a jelly-like sound signature, which adds a unique auditory experience to typing. Both switches will provide a satisfying sound, albeit with different characteristics, depending on other factors like the keyboard and keycaps used.
Moving on to feel, the Gateron Jupiter Red switch offers a polished, creamy, silky, and mild typing experience, ensuring smooth key travel and reduced friction. In contrast, the Durock Medium Tactile switch provides an accented, stepped, mild, and polished feel, striking a balance between tactility and smoothness. While each switch offers its own set of tactile qualities, both are designed to enhance the overall typing experience in their own way.
Considering all available information, the Gateron Jupiter Red linear switch and the Durock Medium Tactile tactile switch offer distinct yet equally appealing qualities in terms of sound and feel. Whether you prefer a medium-heavy actuation with a neutral sound profile or a balanced tactility with a jelly-like sound signature, both switches are crafted to provide a seamless and consistent typing experience. Ultimately, choosing between the two will depend on personal preference and the specific typing feel desired, but rest assured that regardless of the choice made, you'll get a satisfying typing experience with either switch.
Conclusion
To sum up, when choosing between the Gateron Jupiter Red linear switch and the Durock Medium Tactile tactile switch, you should consider your preferences for typing experience. If you prefer a smooth and consistent keystroke with a medium actuation force, then the Jupiter Red may be the better option for you. On the other hand, if you enjoy a pronounced yet balanced tactility with a slightly heavier bottom out force, the Durock Medium Tactile could be more appealing. Ultimately, the decision should be based on what type of typing feel and sound profile you prefer in a mechanical keyboard switch.
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