Durock Light Tactile vs. Gateron Luciola
An in-depth look at the Durock Light Tactile and the Gateron Luciola switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options that provide unique experiences are the Durock Light Tactile and the Gateron Luciola. The Light Tactile switch from Durock stands out for its gentle tactility, offering a welcome contrast to the sharper tactile switches commonly found in the market. Typing on these switches provides an angelic tactility and a soft, jelly-like sound signature. On the other hand, the Gateron Luciola switches are known for their vibrant glow-in-the-dark feature, which makes them visually appealing. These switches provide a medium heft, ensuring a smooth and bouncy typing feel. Additionally, they produce a distinct hollow sound profile comparable to the shaking of a can of spray paint. While these general descriptions give a glimpse into the unique qualities of each switch, let's dive deeper into their characteristics to help you make an informed decision about the best switch for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
52g
Actuation force
55g
Bottom-out force
67g
Bottom-out force
60g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.60 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
Proprietary INK blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated spring
Spring
22mm double-staged long spring; black-plated
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Durock Light Tactile and the Gateron Luciola differ in terms of their composition and resulting sound profiles. The Light Tactile utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper and crisper sound. The stiffer nature of polycarbonate leads to a more resonant sound, making it ideal for those seeking a clear and high-pitched sound experience. In contrast, the Luciola employs Gateron's proprietary INK blend for its top housing. This unique blend delivers a pointed and relatively high-pitched sound, striking a balance between sharpness and satisfaction.
Moving to the bottom housing, the Light Tactile incorporates a nylon material, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile. The softer nature of nylon allows it to absorb more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder tone. On the other hand, the Luciola features Gateron's INK blend for its bottom housing. This blend offers a satisfying and thinner sound, which is often described as being clacky.
While the top and bottom housings of the two switches differ, their overall impact on the sound experience is similar. Pressing down on either switch will primarily channel the qualities of the respective bottom housing, thus influencing the bottom-out sound and feel. Conversely, when releasing a key, the sound will be influenced by the top housing. However, despite these differences, both switches aim to provide users with an enjoyable and distinctive sound profile suited to their preferences.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Light Tactile tactile switch and the Gateron Luciola linear switch, it is evident that there are some notable differences. The Light Tactile switch has a lighter actuation force of 52 grams, while the actuation force of the Luciola switch is slightly heavier at 55 grams. However, when it comes to the bottom out force, the Light Tactile switch has a heavier force of 67 grams compared to the Luciola switch's 60 grams, making the Light Tactile switch a bit heavier overall.
Considering the weight of the switches, it becomes apparent that those who prefer a lighter typing experience might lean towards the Luciola switch due to its lower actuation force, allowing for longer periods of comfortable typing. This makes it suitable for workplaces or extended gaming sessions. On the other hand, individuals seeking a more substantial typing feel may opt for the Light Tactile switch with its heavier actuation and bottom out forces, providing a stronger push and a more satisfying typing experience.
Despite their differences, both switches offer a medium actuation force, which means that users can expect similar results in terms of triggering keystrokes. However, it is essential to note that the Light Tactile switch would provide a slightly more tactile feedback due to its tactile design, whereas the Luciola switch, being a linear switch, would offer a smoother keystroke without any tactile bump.
Ultimately, the decision between these switches depends on personal preference and typing style. Whether one prefers a lighter feel for extended usage or a heavier push for a more substantial typing experience, both the Durock Light Tactile and Gateron Luciola switches provide viable options with their respective actuation and bottom out forces.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distance of the Durock Light Tactile tactile switch and the Gateron Luciola linear switch, we can see that the Light Tactile has a travel distance of 4 mm while the Luciola has a travel distance of 3.6 mm. The Light Tactile has a slightly longer travel distance, making it the more traditional option between the two. On the other hand, the Luciola offers a slightly shorter travel distance, which is favored by gamers looking for faster response times. If you prefer a keyboard with a more responsive feel, the Luciola would be a suitable choice. However, if you enjoy a deeper and more substantial key press, the Light Tactile's longer travel distance may be more preferable. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will depend on personal preference and the desired typing experience.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Durock Light 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 Light Tactile for $4.25.
The Gateron Luciola has an MSRP of $7.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Luciola for $6.50.
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 Light Tactile switch offers a gentle and jelly-like sound profile. It is not overly sharp or loud, providing a pleasant typing experience. On the other hand, the Gateron Luciola switch is described as having a variety of sound profiles. It can be clacky, producing a sharp and snappy sound, chirpy with a slight squeak to it, marbly with a resonant and high-pitched tone, or high-pitched for a sharp and crisp sound. The choice of sound will depend on personal preference and can be further influenced by the keyboard board and keycaps used. Overall, if you prefer a neutral and gentle sound, the Light Tactile switch is the way to go. However, if you want more options and variety in sound, the Luciola switch can provide different acoustic experiences.
Moving on to feel, the Durock Light Tactile switch offers a mild and approachable typing experience. It is considered gentle and falls in a safe middle-ground zone in terms of feel. Additionally, it is described as polished, meaning it has a smooth and refined finish that results in reduced friction and smooth key travel. This enhances the typing sensation and provides a sleek experience. On the other hand, the Gateron Luciola switch is characterized as snappy, making it super responsive. This responsiveness is achieved through longer or dual-staged springs, which adds liveliness to the typing experience. The Luciola switch is also described as buttery, indicating a smooth and fluid keystroke, resulting in a seamless and effortless typing sensation. Similar to the Light Tactile switch, the Luciola switch is also referred to as polished, indicating a sleek typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel.
Taking all the available information into account, the Durock Light Tactile and Gateron Luciola switches offer different subjective qualities in sound and feel. The Light Tactile switch provides a gentle and jelly-like sound, along with a mild and polished feel. On the other hand, the Luciola switch offers various sound profiles, including clacky, chirpy, marbly, and high-pitched, allowing for more sound options. In terms of feel, the Luciola switch is snappy and buttery, providing a lively and smooth typing experience, while also having the polished characteristic for reduced friction and smooth key travel. If you are looking for a switch with a specific sound profile and a snappy and buttery feel, the Luciola switch would be a suitable choice. However, if you prefer a gentler sound and a mild and polished feel, the Light Tactile switch would be more aligned with your preferences.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a gentle and smooth typing experience with a medium-heavy bottom out force, the Durock Light Tactile tactile switch would be an excellent choice for you. With its angelic tactility and jelly-like sound signature, it offers a unique and pleasant typing experience. Additionally, the Light Tactile switch is described as having a neutral sound profile, making it suitable for various environments and user preferences.
On the other hand, if you prefer a visually captivating switch that glows in the dark and offers a medium bottom out force, the Gateron Luciola linear switch would be a great option. Its smooth and bouncy typing feel, coupled with the hollow "can of spray paint being shaken" sound profile, provides a distinct and enjoyable typing experience.
Ultimately, the decision between these two switches depends on your personal preferences for tactility, sound, and visual appeal. The Light Tactile is more geared towards a gentle and neutral typing experience, while the Luciola offers a visually striking switch with a unique sound profile. Consider your typing style and environment to choose the switch that best suits your needs.
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