Durock Koala vs. HMX Vintage Citrus
An in-depth look at the Durock Koala and the HMX Vintage Citrus switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to selecting the perfect mechanical keyboard switch, preferences largely depend on the type of experience a user is seeking. The Durock Koala, a tactile switch, strikes a perfect balance for those who enjoy a keystroke that delivers a satisfying punch without overwhelming sound or resistance. Its stepped tactility offers a distinct bump during activation, enhancing feedback while providing just the right amount of resonance. This makes it an excellent choice for both typists and casual gamers who appreciate a subtle yet responsive feel. On the other hand, the HMX Vintage Citrus is designed with gamers in mind, featuring a remarkably low actuation force of just 1mm. This switch excels in rapid-fire scenarios, providing a smooth and clacky sound profile that can enhance the gaming experience. Its linear action allows for a seamless keystroke, making it a perfect fit for those who prioritize speed over tactile feedback. While both switches cater to different user preferences—tactility for the Koala and speed for the Vintage Citrus—they each offer unique advantages. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the right switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
N/A
Actuation force
48g
Bottom-out force
67g
Bottom-out force
53g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.00 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
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated spring
Spring
22mm single-staged spring
Housing materials
The housing materials used in the Durock Koala and HMX Vintage Citrus switches demonstrate a notable contrast in their construction and the acoustic properties they impart to the switches. The Koala features a polycarbonate top housing, which is known for producing a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. This is primarily due to polycarbonate's stiffer composition, which enhances resonance and clarity, making it particularly effective for RGB setups given its translucency. In contrast, the Vintage Citrus uses nylon for its top housing, which, while being a traditional material, is softer and thus absorbs more sound. As a result, switches with nylon tops typically yield a deeper, fuller sound profile, providing a significant difference in the auditory experience when typing.
While the top housings diverge in material choice, both the Koala and Vintage Citrus share a commonality in their bottom housings—both utilize nylon. This creates a uniformity in the sound signature for both switches at the bottom-out moments, resulting in a deeper and rounder sound profile. Nylon's softer composition ensures that the impact at the bottom of the keystroke is dampened, creating a smooth and pleasant feedback. This aspect highlights a key design philosophy: by employing nylon for the bottom housing in both switches, users can expect consistency in the tactile response and acoustic character when bottoming out.
Ultimately, the differences in top housing materials imply that the experience of typing on each switch will be multifaceted. The polycarbonate top of the Koala will contribute clear and resonant sounds during key releases, whereas the nylon top of the Vintage Citrus will reinforce a more muted and subdued auditory experience. When combined with the shared nylon bottom housing, users of both switches will surely appreciate a fulfilling typing experience. While the Koala leans towards a bolder sound with its stiffer top, the Vintage Citrus offers a warmer, deeper sound profile—a testament to how housing materials can play a transformative role in the overall performance of mechanical switches.
Weight
When comparing the Durock Koala tactile switch and the HMX Vintage Citrus linear switch, significant differences emerge in both actuation and bottom-out forces. The Koala's actuation force is unspecified, making it difficult to determine its responsiveness compared to the Vintage Citrus, which has a light actuation force of 48 grams. The bottom-out force also showcases a disparity, with the Koala requiring a heavier 67 grams to fully press down, while the Vintage Citrus only demands 53 grams. This indicates that the Koala provides a more substantial push experience, catering to users who prefer a heavier switch for typing or gaming. Consequently, the Koala is the heavier option overall, while the Vintage Citrus is the lighter choice, making it better suited for extended typing sessions or prolonged use.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Durock Koala tactile switch and the HMX Vintage Citrus linear switch, there is a notable difference between them. The Koala features a travel distance of 4 mm, which aligns with the more traditional and deeper feel that many users appreciate for its tactile feedback. In contrast, the Vintage Citrus has a shallower travel distance of 3 mm, catering to those who prefer quicker response times, especially favored by gamers. This shorter distance may feel more abrupt to some users, while others find it enhances their efficiency in fast-paced contexts. Therefore, for a more responsive experience, the Vintage Citrus is the better choice due to its shorter travel distance, while the Koala offers a more pronounced depth for those who value a heavier feel.
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 HMX Vintage Citrus has an MSRP of $3.49 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Vintage Citrus for $2.79.
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 switches produce a low-pitched and neutral profile, characterized by a mellow and bass-heavy tone that delivers a pleasant auditory experience without being overly loud. This makes them versatile, suitable for both work and gaming environments without disturbing others nearby. In contrast, the HMX Vintage Citrus switches are known for their bright and clacky sound, tailored specifically for gamers who enjoy the audible feedback that comes from rapid key presses. The sound profile of the Vintage Citrus adds excitement to the gaming experience but could potentially be more intrusive in quieter settings.
In terms of feel, the Durock Koala switches are polished and accented, providing a smooth and refined typing experience while still offering a stepped tactility that feels satisfying without being overwhelming. They require a stiff amount of force, contributing to a more deliberate and controlled feel during typing and gaming sessions. The tactile bump stands out just enough to enhance feedback without dominating the entire keystroke. Meanwhile, the specifics of the feel for the Vintage Citrus switches are not detailed, but their design suggests a smooth and efficient actuation optimized for speed, providing rapid responsiveness for gamers, although the exact nature of their tactile feedback remains unknown.
In summary, the Durock Koala tactile switches offer a balanced sound and feel that suits a variety of users, blending mild tactility with a mellow auditory signature. On the other hand, the HMX Vintage Citrus switches provide vibrant auditory feedback and a potentially smooth feel focused on fast-paced gaming, catering to a specific audience. Each switch has its unique strengths: the Koala excels in versatility and refinement, while the Vintage Citrus is designed for rapid-fire input, making them excellent options depending on the user's preference for tactile engagement and sound characteristics.
Conclusion
To sum up, choosing between the Durock Koala tactile switch and the HMX Vintage Citrus linear switch depends largely on your typing style and intended use. If you appreciate a tactile feedback that strikes a balance between pronounced and subtle, the Koala is an excellent choice. Its medium-heavy bottom-out force of 67 grams combined with a stepped tactility allows for a satisfying and controlled keystroke that can enhance your typing experience, making it suitable for both gaming and productivity tasks. Its low-pitched sound profile provides a mellow tone that won’t disturb those around you, making it ideal for office environments or shared spaces. On the other hand, if you prioritize speed and rapid-fire inputs, particularly in gaming scenarios, the Vintage Citrus is likely the better option. Its light actuation force of 53 grams and low actuation point of just 1mm allow for quick key presses, while its clacky sound adds a fun, energetic feel to your setup. This switch is specifically designed for fast-paced environments, perfect for those who thrive on quick reflexes and dynamic gameplay. Ultimately, consider what you value more in your keyboard experience: the tactile feedback of the Koala or the swift responsiveness of the Vintage Citrus, as each switch caters to different preferences and use cases.
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