Durock Koala vs. Aflion Shadow (Ink) Double Spring
An in-depth look at the Durock Koala and the Aflion Shadow (Ink) Double Spring switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Durock Koala and the Aflion Shadow (Ink) Double Spring mechanical keyboard switches, one can see that they both offer tactile feedback with their own unique characteristics. The Koalas are a great choice for those who enjoy a noticeable bump in their keystrokes without it being too overwhelming, providing a balanced level of tactility and a bit of resonance without being overly loud. On the other hand, the Shadow (Ink) Double Spring switches offer a higher level of tactility with a long, two-staged spring design that produces deep, resonating thocks while typing. The Koalas are described as polished, low-pitched, and stiff, while the Shadow switches are labeled as clacky, high-pitched, and bouncy. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches comes down to 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
N/A
Actuation force
55g
Bottom-out force
67g
Bottom-out force
63g
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
No
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
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated spring
Spring
20mm dual-stage spring
Housing materials
In comparing the housing materials of the Durock Koala and the Aflion Shadow (Ink) Double Spring, it is clear that both switches utilize polycarbonate for the top housing. This choice results in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. The translucency of polycarbonate also makes it ideal for switches intended for use with RGB lighting. However, when it comes to the bottom housing, the Koala uses nylon while the Shadow (Ink) Double Spring utilizes polycarbonate. The nylon bottom housing of the Koala provides a deeper and fuller sound profile, thanks to its softer composition that absorbs more sound than polycarbonate.
Despite the differences in bottom housing materials between the Durock Koala and the Aflion Shadow (Ink) Double Spring, both switches offer distinct sound profiles due to their unique compositions. The split in qualities between the top and bottom housings allows for a multifaceted typing experience. The nylon bottom housing of the Koala creates a duller and rounder sound upon bottoming out, providing a more cushioned feel. On the other hand, the polycarbonate bottom housing of the Shadow (Ink) Double Spring contributes to a clearer and more resonant sound profile, offering a sharper bottom-out sound.
While the Durock Koala and the Aflion Shadow (Ink) Double Spring share polycarbonate as their top housing material, their distinct bottom housing materials lend them unique characteristics. The Koala's nylon bottom housing offers a deeper and fuller sound, creating a more subdued typing experience. In contrast, the polycarbonate bottom housing of the Shadow (Ink) Double Spring results in a sharper and crisper sound profile, providing a more pronounced typing feedback. Ultimately, both switches offer a variety of sound profiles based on the combination of their housing materials.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Koala tactile switch and the Aflion Shadow (Ink) Double Spring tactile switch, there are noticeable differences. The Koala switch has a bottom out force of 67 grams, making it slightly heavier than the Shadow (Ink) Double Spring switch, which has a bottom out force of 63 grams. However, the actuation force of the Shadow (Ink) Double Spring switch is 55 grams, while the actuation force of the Koala switch is not specified. In terms of weight, the Shadow (Ink) Double Spring switch is lighter than the Koala switch, which may appeal to users looking for a lighter typing experience for extended periods. Those who prefer a stronger push feel may lean towards the Koala switch for a more substantial typing experience. Overall, while the differences in force between the two switches may lead to slightly varied typing experiences, both can provide satisfactory results depending on individual preferences.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the Durock Koala tactile switch and the Aflion Shadow (Ink) Double Spring tactile switch is the same at 4 mm. This means that both switches offer a similar tactile feedback and typing experience in terms of travel distance. When pressing down on either switch, users can expect to feel the same amount of key travel, resulting in consistent typing feel and performance. Overall, both switches provide a standard travel distance that allows for comfortable and accurate typing.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Durock Koala has an MSRP of $5.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Koala for $4.21.
The Aflion Shadow (Ink) Double Spring has an MSRP of $4.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Shadow (Ink) Double Spring for $3.57.
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 Koala switch is best described as low-pitched and neutral, providing a bass-heavy and mellow tone that is suitable for most users. On the other hand, the Aflion Shadow (Ink) Double Spring switch is known for its clacky and high-pitched sound, offering a sharp and snappy noise when pressed. Depending on personal preference and the setup of your keyboard and keycaps, you can expect different auditory experiences from these switches.
In terms of feel, the Durock Koala switch is polished, accented, and stepped, providing a smooth typing experience with a moderate amount of tactility that is not overwhelming. Additionally, the switch is described as stiff, requiring more force to actuate and bottom-out. Conversely, the Aflion Shadow (Ink) Double Spring switch is sharp, accented, snappy, bouncy, and stepped, offering a strong and crisp tactile bump with a lively and elastic feedback sensation. Both switches provide a unique tactile feel that caters to different typing preferences.
In conclusion, the Durock Koala and Aflion Shadow (Ink) Double Spring switches offer contrasting subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Koala switch emphasizes a more neutral and polished experience with a pronounced but not excessive tactility, the Shadow switch provides a clacky and sharp sound along with a lively and bouncy feel. Depending on whether you prefer a mellow tone with moderate tactility or a more intense and responsive typing experience, you can choose between these two switches to achieve your desired results. Ultimately, both switches offer distinct characteristics that can enhance your typing experience based on your personal preferences.
Conclusion
In conclusion, when considering whether to choose the Durock Koala tactile switch or the Aflion Shadow (Ink) Double Spring tactile switch, you'll want to take into account your preferences and typing style. If you prefer a medium-heavy bottom out force and a tactile switch with a pronounced bump that doesn't span the entire keystroke, then the Koala may be the better choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a medium bottom out force and a tactile switch with a long, two-staged spring that provides a medium-high level of tactility, then the Shadow (Ink) Double Spring may be the more suitable option. Additionally, if you prefer a low-pitched and neutral sound profile, the Koala is ideal, while if you prefer a clacky and high-pitched sound profile, the Shadow (Ink) Double Spring is the way to go. When it comes to feel, if you prefer a polished, accented, and stepped switch, the Koala is a great choice, while if you prefer a sharp, accented, snappy, bouncy, and stepped switch, the Shadow (Ink) Double Spring is a good fit for you. Ultimately, your decision should be based on what features are most important to you in a mechanical keyboard switch.
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