Durock Light Tactile vs. Outemu Red
An in-depth look at the Durock Light Tactile and the Outemu Red switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Durock Light Tactile and the Outemu Red mechanical keyboard switches, it becomes evident that they offer distinct typing experiences. The Light Tactile switch from Durock stands out for its gentle tactility, providing a smooth and soft feel while typing. In contrast, the Outemu Red switch lacks a specific defining feature but is known for its linear feel without any tactile bump. The Light Tactile switch is categorized as 'Neutral', 'Mild', and 'Polished', whereas the Red switch has no categorization. Depending on your preference, you may be drawn to the Light Tactile switch for its unique tactile experience or the Outemu Red for its straightforward linear feel. 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
52g
Actuation force
46g
Bottom-out force
67g
Bottom-out force
62g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.10 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 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
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
Both the Durock Light Tactile and the Outemu Red feature polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile due to the material's stiffness. The use of polycarbonate in the top housing also allows for better translucency, making it ideal for switches designed to work with RGB lighting. However, the Light Tactile and the Red differ in their bottom housing material, with the Light Tactile using nylon while the Red also utilizes polycarbonate. Nylon, being a softer plastic, results in a deeper and fuller sound profile compared to the stiffer polycarbonate material.
While the polycarbonate top housing of both the Durock Light Tactile and the Outemu Red provides similar sound profiles, the nylon bottom housing of the Light Tactile creates a different typing experience compared to the Red. The softer nature of nylon absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound compared to the stiffer polycarbonate material used in the Red's bottom housing. This difference in bottom housing material contributes to the overall typing feel and sound of each switch, showing how varying housing materials can impact the user experience.
Overall, the choice between the Durock Light Tactile and the Outemu Red housing materials depends on the desired typing experience and sound profile. The combination of polycarbonate top housing and nylon bottom housing in the Light Tactile provides a mix of sharpness and depth in sound, while the Red's use of polycarbonate for both top and bottom housing creates a consistent, crisp sound profile. Both switches offer unique qualities based on their housing materials, allowing users to tailor their keyboard setup to match their preferences in both sound and feel.
Weight
In comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Light Tactile tactile switch and the Outemu Red linear switch, it is evident that the Light Tactile has a slightly heavier actuation force of 52 grams compared to the Red's 46 grams. However, when it comes to bottom out force, the Light Tactile requires 67 grams, while the Red requires 62 grams. This implies that the Light Tactile is both heavier in actuation and bottom out force, making it more suitable for individuals who prefer a more substantial typing experience. On the other hand, the Outemu Red switch offers a lighter typing experience, making it ideal for those who prefer to type for extended periods without experiencing fatigue. Both switches fall under the medium force category, offering a balance between ease of use and a tactile typing experience. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will depend on individual preferences regarding typing force and tactile feedback.
Travel distance
Both the Durock Light Tactile tactile switch and the Outemu Red linear switch have a travel distance of 4mm, making them equal in this aspect. This means that when typing on a keyboard with either of these switches, you can expect a consistent feel in terms of the distance the switch travels from the top to the bottom. Additionally, this similarity in travel distance ensures that whether you choose the Durock Light Tactile or the Outemu Red switch, you will likely experience similar typing feedback and performance.
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 Outemu Red comes in at $3.10 per 10 switches.
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 neutral typing experience with a moderate sound profile. This makes it suitable for a wide range of users, whether beginners or advanced, and for various environments such as home or work settings. On the other hand, information on the sound profile of the Outemu Red linear switch is not available. Keep in mind that the overall sound of a switch can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard housing and keycaps being used.
In terms of feel, the Durock Light Tactile switch provides a mild and polished typing experience. The mild tactility of the switch offers a gentler typing feel compared to switches with more distinct tactile feedback, making it approachable for most users. Additionally, the polished finish of the switch results in a smooth and refined keypress, reducing friction and ensuring a sleek typing experience. Unfortunately, there is no available information on the feel of the Outemu Red linear switch.
Overall, the Durock Light Tactile switch stands out for its gentle tactility, neutral sound profile, mild feel, and polished finish, making it a versatile choice for a wide range of users and typing preferences. While information on the Outemu Red linear switch is lacking, it can be assumed that it may provide a different typing experience compared to the Durock Light Tactile based on its linear nature. Ultimately, considering your personal preferences in terms of sound, feel, and tactile feedback will help you determine which switch is the best fit for your mechanical keyboard setup.
Conclusion
To sum up, when deciding between the Durock Light Tactile tactile switch and the Outemu Red linear switch, it ultimately comes down to personal preference and typing style. If you prefer a gentle and jelly-like tactility along with a medium-heavy bottom out force, then the Durock Light Tactile switch is the way to go. On the other hand, if you prefer a smooth and linear typing experience with a medium bottom out force, the Outemu Red switch may be more suitable for you. Consider your typing preferences, whether you prefer a tactile bump or a linear feel, as well as the sound profile and key feel when making your decision. Ultimately, both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different preferences, so choose the one that best suits your typing needs.
Mentioned in this article
