Durock Light Tactile vs. Durock Mamba
An in-depth look at the Durock Light Tactile and the Durock Mamba switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing the perfect mechanical keyboard switch, two options stand out in their respective categories: the Durock Light Tactile and the Durock Mamba. The Light Tactile switch is renowned for its gentle tactility, offering a refreshing departure from the more pronounced tactile switches commonly found in the market. Typing on these switches provides an exquisite tactility accompanied by a soft, jelly-like sound. On the other hand, the Mamba switch pays tribute to the late Kobe Bryant and excels in the linear switch category. Its smooth gliding typing sensation and rich, creamy auditory experience make it a popular choice. Both switches fall under the categories of 'Neutral' and 'Mild', but the Mamba switch also boasts a 'Thocky' characteristic. However, let's delve deeper beyond these generalities to help you make the best decision on which switch suits your preferences.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
52g
Actuation force
N/A
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
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
Ly
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated spring
Spring
Extended long spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Durock Light Tactile and the Durock Mamba exhibit notable differences in their composition and resulting sound profiles. The Light Tactile utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, which offers a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. This is primarily due to the stiffness of polycarbonate, resulting in a clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the translucent nature of polycarbonate makes it ideal for integration with RGB lighting. In contrast, the Mamba features a Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend top housing, which provides a pleasant, bright sound profile without being overly sharp. This unique blend offers a distinctive auditory experience that sets it apart from the Light Tactile.
Moving on to the bottom housings, the Light Tactile employs a nylon material known for eliciting a deeper and fuller sound profile. Due to its softer nature, nylon absorbs more sound compared to harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. On the other hand, the Mamba utilizes a POM bottom housing, contributing to an incredibly pleasing and distinct sound. The sound profile produced by the POM housing is deeper and relatively more muted in comparison to nylon.
While the top and bottom housings of the Durock Light Tactile and the Durock Mamba differ, it is important to note that the qualities of each housing material still impact the switch in various ways. When pressing down on a switch, the bottom housing plays a significant role in the bottom-out sound and feel. The nylon bottom housing of the Light Tactile creates a deeper and fuller sound upon activation, while the POM bottom housing of the Mamba provides a relatively muted experience. Conversely, the top housing influences the sound when the key is released. The polycarbonate top housing of the Light Tactile delivers a clear and resonant sound upon key release, while the Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend top housing of the Mamba offers a pleasant, brighter sound. Despite their differences, both the Light Tactile and the Mamba provide unique sound profiles through the combination of their top and bottom housing materials.
Weight
When comparing the Durock Light Tactile tactile switch and the Durock Mamba linear switch, their actuation and bottom out forces reveal some similarities and differences. The actuation force of the Light Tactile is 52 grams, providing a medium-heavy resistance, while the actuation force of the Mamba is unknown. Nonetheless, both switches offer a medium bottom out force of 60 grams for a consistent typing experience.
Considering weight, some individuals prefer lighter switches as it allows for longer periods of typing without strain, making it suitable for work or extended gaming sessions. On the other hand, there are those who seek a more substantial typing experience and prefer a stronger push feel.
In this regard, the Light Tactile switch with its actuation force and bottom out force is the heavier option. Although the actuation force of the Mamba switch remains unknown, its bottom out force of 60 grams suggests a similar weight to the Light Tactile. Consequently, both switches offer comparable results when it comes to actuation and bottom out forces, ensuring a satisfying typing experience for individuals with different preferences.
Travel distance
The Durock Light Tactile tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, which is considered a more traditional length. On the other hand, the Durock Mamba linear switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.5 mm. This makes the Mamba the shorter option compared to the Light Tactile. Gamers who prioritize quick response times often prefer shorter travel distances, as it allows for faster key presses. Those who enjoy a deeper and more substantial feel when pressing a key may lean towards the Light Tactile with its longer travel distance. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on personal preference, with the Light Tactile offering a bit more depth and the Mamba providing a slightly quicker response.
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 Durock Mamba has an MSRP of $6.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Mamba for $5.17.
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
The Durock Light Tactile switch is renowned for its gentle tactility, providing a pleasant contrast to the more pronounced tactile switches available in the market. When typing on these switches, users can expect an angelic tactility accompanied by a jelly-like sound signature. On the other hand, the Durock Mamba switch pays tribute to Kobe Bryant and offers a smooth and gliding typing sensation. Additionally, these linear switches provide a rich and creamy auditory experience when pressed.
Regarding sound, both the Light Tactile and the Mamba switches share a neutral sound profile. This means that they have a moderate actuation force requirement, making them suitable for various purposes, whether you are a beginner or an advanced user, and whether you plan to use them at home or work. It's important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by other factors, such as the keyboard board and keycaps chosen.
In terms of feel, both switches provide a mild typing experience. This means that they offer a more gentle keystroke compared to switches with more pronounced characteristics. The qualities of both switches fall into a safe, middle-ground zone that most users will find approachable. Additionally, both switches feature a polished finish, resulting in a sleek typing experience. This could be due to the materials used in their construction or factory lubrication, leading to reduced friction and smooth key travel.
Overall, both the Durock Light Tactile and the Durock Mamba switches provide desirable qualities for keyboard enthusiasts. While the Light Tactile switch offers a gentle tactility and a jelly-like sound signature, the Mamba switch delivers a smooth and gliding typing experience accompanied by a rich and creamy auditory experience. If you are looking for a switch with a similar sound and feel, either of these options would provide satisfactory results. As always, take into consideration other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps to further shape your overall typing experience.
Conclusion
To conclude, if you're looking for a switch with a gentle and smooth typing experience, the Durock Light Tactile switch would be a great choice for you. Its angelic tactility and jelly-like sound signature provide a welcome contrast to sharper tactile switches. Additionally, the Light Tactile switch has a bottom out force of 67 grams, which gives it a medium-heavy feel. On the other hand, if you prefer a linear switch, the Durock Mamba would be a fantastic option. Known for its gliding typing sensation and rich, creamy auditory experience, the Mamba switch offers a medium bottom out force of 60 grams. Both switches have a neutral sound profile, making them suitable for most purposes. Furthermore, they both have a mild and polished feel, ensuring a comfortable typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the Durock Light Tactile and Durock Mamba switches comes down to personal preference and whether you prefer a tactile or linear switch.
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