Akko V3 Lavender Purple Pro vs. Durock Medium Tactile
An in-depth look at the Akko V3 Lavender Purple Pro and the Durock Medium Tactile switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Akko V3 Lavender Purple Pro and the Durock Medium Tactile mechanical keyboard switches, both fall under the tactile switch category, offering a satisfying typing experience. The V3 Lavender Purple Pro is praised for its higher-pitched sound profile and a tactile bump, providing a bouncy and snappy feel for users. On the other hand, the Durock Medium Tactile stands out for its pronounced yet balanced tactility and jelly-like sound signature, giving it a unique appeal. While both switches are accentuated and polished, the V3 Lavender Purple Pro leans towards being more snappy, while the Durock Medium Tactile is described as having a stepped tactility. 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
55g
Bottom-out force
65g
Pre-travel
1.90 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
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
20mm
Spring
Gold-plated spring
Housing materials
The Akko V3 Lavender Purple Pro and the Durock Medium Tactile both utilize polycarbonate for their top housing, resulting in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is due to polycarbonate's stiffness, which leads to a clearer and more resonant sound. Additionally, the translucent nature of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches that plan to use RGB lighting. However, the V3 Lavender Purple Pro features a nylon bottom housing, which creates a deeper and fuller sound profile compared to the Medium Tactile's polycarbonate bottom housing. Nylon's softer nature allows it to absorb more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound.
When looking at the housing materials of these switches, it is clear that the top housing plays a significant role in the sound profile when pressing down on a key, while the bottom housing impacts the sound when the key is released. The V3 Lavender Purple Pro's combination of polycarbonate top housing and nylon bottom housing creates a unique blend of sharp, crisp sound upon pressing a key and a deep, full sound upon release. In contrast, the Durock Medium Tactile maintains a consistent sound profile throughout the keystroke due to its polycarbonate top and bottom housing combination. While both switches offer a unique sound experience, their housing materials contribute to varying levels of sharpness and depth in sound.
Weight
The Akko V3 Lavender Purple Pro tactile switch has a lighter actuation force of 45 grams compared to the Durock Medium Tactile switch, which has an unknown actuation force. However, the bottom out force of the Akko V3 is 55 grams, making it lighter than the Durock's 65-gram bottom out force. This means that the Akko V3 provides a softer and easier typing experience for those who prefer a lighter touch, while the Durock Medium Tactile switch offers a more substantial and firmer typing feel. Both switches offer a tactile bump for feedback during typing but cater to different preferences when it comes to actuation and bottom out forces. Ultimately, choosing between the two switches will depend on whether you prefer a lighter or heavier typing experience.
Travel distance
The Akko V3 Lavender Purple Pro tactile switch has a travel distance of 3.8 mm, while the Durock Medium Tactile tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm. The V3 Lavender Purple Pro has a slightly shorter travel distance compared to the Medium Tactile. The difference may be minimal, but for those who prefer a quicker response time, the V3 Lavender Purple Pro may be the better option. On the other hand, those who enjoy a deeper press when typing may find the Durock Medium Tactile more to their liking due to its slightly longer travel distance. Ultimately, both switches offer a similar travel distance experience, allowing users to achieve similar results regardless of which option they choose.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Akko V3 Lavender Purple Pro has an MSRP of $3.11 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the V3 Lavender Purple Pro for $2.20.
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.
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 Akko V3 Lavender Purple Pro is known for its higher-pitched sound profile, offering a unique auditory experience for typists. On the other hand, the Durock Medium Tactile switch is praised for its jelly-like sound signature, providing a distinct sound that some find quite satisfying. Ultimately, the sound produced by a switch is influenced by various factors, including the keyboard and keycaps used in conjunction with it.
Moving on to feel, the V3 Lavender Purple Pro switch is described as having an accented, bouncy, snappy, and polished feel. These qualities translate into a switch that offers a balance of tactility and smoothness, providing typists with a responsive and enjoyable typing experience. Conversely, the Durock Medium Tactile switch is characterized by its accented, stepped, mild, and polished feel. This translates into a switch that offers a gentle yet tactile typing experience, appealing to those who prefer a more subtle feedback while typing.
Considering all the available information, it is clear that both the Akko V3 Lavender Purple Pro and the Durock Medium Tactile switches have their own unique characteristics that cater to different preferences. While the V3 Lavender Purple Pro offers a higher-pitched sound profile and a bouncy, snappy feel, the Durock Medium Tactile switch provides a jelly-like sound signature and a stepped, mild feel. Ultimately, the decision between these two switches will depend on individual typing preferences and the overall keyboard setup. However, both switches offer a satisfying tactile experience that is sure to please mechanical keyboard enthusiasts.
Conclusion
Ultimately, when deciding between the Akko V3 Lavender Purple Pro tactile switch and the Durock Medium Tactile tactile switch, you should consider your preference in bottom out force, sound profile, and feel. If you prefer a lighter bottom out force and a higher-pitched sound profile with a satisfying tactile bump, the V3 Lavender Purple Pro may be the ideal choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a slightly heavier bottom out force and a pronounced yet balanced tactility with a jelly-like sound signature, the Durock Medium Tactile could be the switch for you. Consider what factors are most important to you in a mechanical keyboard switch and choose accordingly.
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