Durock Light Tactile vs. KTT Pine
An in-depth look at the Durock Light Tactile and the KTT Pine switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, the Durock Light Tactile and the KTT Pine offer unique experiences for users. The Light Tactile switch is renowned for its gentle tactility, providing a welcome contrast to the sharp tactile switches commonly found in the market. Typing on these switches offers an angelic tactility and a jelly-like sound signature. On the other hand, the KTT Pine Linear Switches boast a translucent, forest green appearance and are designed to offer a medium-heavy, buttery smooth typing experience. With a polished, factory-lubed finish, these switches minimize friction for seamless key travel. While these general descriptions highlight the key attributes of each switch, it is important to dive deeper into their specific characteristics to determine which one best suits your preferences and needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
52g
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
67g
Bottom-out force
58g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.90 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
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated spring
Spring
15.5mm gold-plated spring
Housing materials
The Durock Light Tactile and the KTT Pine differ in their housing materials. The Light Tactile features a polycarbonate top housing, while the Pine also incorporates polycarbonate in its top housing. This means that both switches will produce a similar sound profile, characterized by sharpness, higher pitch, and crispness. The use of polycarbonate in the top housing also allows for the switches to have a translucent appearance, making them ideal for use with RGB lighting. However, when it comes to the bottom housing, the Light Tactile utilizes a nylon material, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile. The Pine, on the other hand, utilizes a polycarbonate bottom housing, which contributes to a clearer and more resonant sound. The difference in bottom housing materials leads to a variation in the sound and feel when pressing down on the switches.
When it comes to the sound profile, both the Light Tactile and the Pine benefit from the use of polycarbonate in their top housings, creating a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate makes it suitable for switches intended for use with RGB lighting. However, the difference lies in the bottom housing material. The Light Tactile's nylon bottom housing absorbs more sound due to its softer nature, resulting in a duller and rounder sound when compared to the Pine's polycarbonate bottom housing. This distinction affects the overall sound experience when pressing down on the switches.
The differentiation between the top and bottom housings is crucial for understanding the impact each material has on the sound profile of the switches. When pressing down on the Light Tactile, the qualities of the nylon bottom housing will be more prominent, influencing the bottom-out sound and feel. Conversely, the impact of the top housing will be more noticeable when releasing a key. In the case of the Pine, the polycarbonate bottom housing will contribute to the overall sound and feel during actuation, while the qualities of the top housing will be more apparent when releasing the key. Understanding these distinctions allows for a more comprehensive assessment of the housing materials' effects on the switches' performance.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Light Tactile tactile switch and the KTT Pine linear switch, there are notable similarities and differences. The Light Tactile switch has an actuation force of 52 grams and a bottom out force of 67 grams, making it medium-heavy. On the other hand, the Pine switch has a slightly lighter actuation force of 45 grams and a bottom out force of 58 grams, which falls into the medium category.
In terms of weight, the Pine switch could be considered lighter compared to the Light Tactile switch. This lighter actuation force of the Pine switch may appeal to users who prefer a smoother and more effortless typing experience, especially for extended periods of typing. This characteristic is particularly useful for those who bring their keyboards to work or engage in long gaming sessions.
However, the Light Tactile switch offers a more substantial feel due to its higher actuation and bottom out forces. This heavier force requirement may appeal to individuals who prefer a stronger push and a more tangible feedback while typing. This could result in a more pronounced typing experience for users seeking a switch that requires a bit more effort to activate.
Overall, while the Light Tactile switch is slightly heavier than the Pine switch, both options provide a satisfactory typing experience. Whether one prefers a lighter or heavier actuation force depends on personal preference and the desired typing sensation. Regardless of choice, both switches offer reliable actuation and bottom out forces that enable users to achieve accurate and responsive keystrokes.
Travel distance
The travel distance of a switch is an important factor to consider when it comes to typing or gaming experience. In this case, both the Durock Light Tactile and KTT Pine switches have the same travel distance of 4 mm. This means that pressing down on a key with either of these switches will result in a similar feeling as the distance each switch travels from the top to the bottom is identical. So, whether you opt for the Durock Light Tactile or the KTT Pine, you can expect to get a consistent and satisfying typing experience with the same travel distance.
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 KTT Pine has an MSRP of $4.60 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Pine for $4.15.
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 neutral profile, meaning it has a moderate sound that suits most purposes and environments. On the other hand, the KTT Pine linear switch provides a bassy sound with a lower frequency range, giving it a deeper and richer tone. It is also described as low-pitched, contributing to a more bass-heavy and mellow sound compared to higher-pitched switches. However, it's important to note that the sound of a switch is influenced by other factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
In terms of feel, the Durock Light Tactile switch offers a mild typing experience that is gentle compared to switches with more pronounced characteristics. It falls within a safe, middle-ground zone that will be approachable to most users. Additionally, this switch is polished, resulting in a smooth and refined finish. The included factory lubing further reduces friction, ensuring smooth key travel. On the other hand, the KTT Pine linear switch is described as buttery, providing a smooth and fluid keystroke experience. It offers a seamless, effortless, and uniform typing sensation. It is also referred to as creamy, indicating a smooth and buttery feel similar to gliding your fingers across the keys with ease.
Considering the available information, the Durock Light Tactile and KTT Pine switches offer unique qualities in both sound and feel. The Light Tactile switch stands out with its angelic tactility and jelly-like sound signature, providing a gentle and refined typing experience. On the other hand, the KTT Pine switch offers a medium-heavy feel, buttery smoothness, and a bassy sound profile, resulting in an effortless and rich typing experience. Although they have distinct characteristics, both switches excel in their respective areas, allowing users to enjoy their preferred typing experience. Whether choosing the Light Tactile or Pine switch, a satisfactory outcome can be achieved in terms of sound and feel.
Conclusion
To wrap up, if you are looking for a switch with a gentle tactile feel and a jelly-like sound signature, the Durock Light Tactile switch would be an excellent choice. With its medium-heavy bottom out force of 67 grams, it provides a moderate actuation force requirement suitable for both beginners and advanced users. Additionally, the Light Tactile switch offers a mild and polished typing experience, thanks to its smooth and refined finish. On the other hand, if you prefer a smooth and buttery typing experience with a lower pitch and bassy sound profile, the KTT Pine linear switch would be the ideal option. With a medium bottom out force of 58 grams, the Pine switch provides effortless and uniform key travel due to its buttery and creamy characteristics. Ultimately, the choice between these two switches would depend on your preferences for tactility, sound, and feel.
Mentioned in this article
