Durock Light Tactile vs. Everglide Sunset Yellow
An in-depth look at the Durock Light Tactile and the Everglide Sunset Yellow switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, two popular options that stand out are the Durock Light Tactile and the Everglide Sunset Yellow. The Light Tactile switch is highly regarded 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, accompanied by a jelly-like sound signature. On the other hand, the Sunset Yellow switches, with their Creamsicle-colored appearance, offer a captivating sound profile reminiscent of mahjong tiles colliding. The rich and decadent sound adds a touch of indulgence to the typing experience. With their medium-weight and unique POM stem, these switches are suitable for a wide range of users. The combination of a short travel distance and a long-pole stem ensures a highly responsive typing experience. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so that you can make the best switch choice for your specific needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
52g
Actuation force
43g
Bottom-out force
67g
Bottom-out force
51g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
3.20 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
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated spring
Spring
Single-staged lengthened 20mm spring
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Durock Light Tactile and the Everglide Sunset Yellow switches differ in terms of their composition and resulting sound profiles. The Light Tactile features a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound. This is due to polycarbonate's stiffness, resulting in a more clear and resonant sound. In contrast, the Sunset Yellow has a POM top housing, which produces a deeper and more muted sound profile. This difference in sound can give users distinct auditory experiences depending on their preference.
When it comes to the bottom housings, the Light Tactile utilizes a nylon material. Typing on switches with nylon housings generates a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon's softness allows it to absorb more sound, leading to a duller and rounder sound overall. On the other hand, the Sunset Yellow switches also have a POM bottom housing, resulting in a similar deep and muted sound profile as the top housing. This consistency in sound between the top and bottom housings of the Sunset Yellow can provide a cohesive auditory experience for users.
It should be noted that the combination of different housing materials in a switch plays a role in its overall sound and feel. When pressing down on the Light Tactile, the qualities of the nylon bottom housing will be more pronounced, influencing the bottom-out sound and feel. Conversely, the impact on sound when releasing a key will be more influenced by the polycarbonate top housing. In the case of the Sunset Yellow, both the top and bottom housing materials contribute to the overall sound and feel of the switch, resulting in a more consistent experience throughout the keystroke process.
In conclusion, while the Light Tactile and Sunset Yellow switches differ in their housing materials, they both offer unique sound profiles. The Light Tactile's polycarbonate top housing delivers a sharper and crisper sound, while the Sunset Yellow's POM top housing produces a deeper and more muted sound. The nylon bottom housing of the Light Tactile adds to its deeper and fuller sound, whereas the POM bottom housing of the Sunset Yellow maintains its consistent deep and muted sound profile. Whether seeking a more distinct or consistent auditory experience, both switches offer options to suit users' preferences.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Light Tactile tactile switch and the Everglide Sunset Yellow linear switch, there are noticeable differences. The Light Tactile has a slightly heavier actuation force of 52 grams compared to the Sunset Yellow's 43 grams, making it more resistant to accidental triggering. Similarly, the Light Tactile also has a heavier bottom out force of 67 grams, providing a more substantial typing experience. On the other hand, the Sunset Yellow boasts a lighter actuation force of 43 grams, making it easier to trigger keystrokes. Additionally, the Sunset Yellow has a lower bottom out force of 51 grams, which may be more comfortable for extended typing sessions. Overall, those who prefer a lighter typing experience may opt for the Sunset Yellow, while those seeking a more substantial and resistant feel may lean towards the Light Tactile. Both switches offer their own unique advantages, ensuring users can achieve their desired typing experience.
Travel distance
The Durock Light Tactile tactile switch has a travel distance of 4 mm, which is the more traditional option. On the other hand, the Everglide Sunset Yellow linear switch has a slightly shorter travel distance of 3.2 mm. Gamers may lean towards the Sunset Yellow switch due to its shorter travel distance, as it allows for faster response times, which can be beneficial in gaming. However, some individuals may find the shorter travel distance to be too abrupt and may prefer the 4 mm travel distance offered by the Light Tactile switch for a more substantial key press. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches boils down to personal preference and whether one values a shorter or longer 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 Everglide Sunset Yellow comes in at $3.09 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 neutral sound profile that is suitable for most intents and purposes. Its jelly-like sound signature provides an angelic tactility and is a welcome contrast to sharper tactile switches. On the other hand, the Everglide Sunset Yellow switch has a captivating sound profile reminiscent of mahjong tiles colliding. It offers a rich, bassy, and decadent sound that makes typing an indulgent experience. The combination of a POM stem and a proprietary factory lube method contribute to a distinct gliding feel. It's important to note that the sound of a switch is also influenced by factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps chosen.
In terms of feel, the Durock Light Tactile switch provides a mild and polished typing experience. Its gentle tactility offers a more approachable typing experience, and the switch has a smooth and refined finish, resulting in reduced friction and smooth key travel. Similarly, the Everglide Sunset Yellow switch offers a creamy and frictionless typing experience. The switch is smooth and buttery, with lubricant applied at the factory, allowing for effortless gliding across the keys. It also has a polished finish that ensures reduced friction and smooth key travel.
Overall, the Durock Light Tactile switch is best known for its gentle tactility and jelly-like sound signature, providing an angelic and polished typing experience. On the other hand, the Everglide Sunset Yellow switch offers a captivating sound profile resembling mahjong tiles colliding, along with a creamy and frictionless typing experience. Both switches have polished finishes for reduced friction and smooth key travel. While they differ in their specifics, both switches provide enjoyable and satisfying typing experiences, ensuring that users will get similar results in terms of sound and feel.
Conclusion
To sum up, when considering which switch to choose, there are a few factors to consider. The Durock Light Tactile switch is perfect if you prefer a more gentle tactile experience and a neutral sound profile. It has a medium-heavy bottom out force of 67 grams, providing a satisfying typing experience without being too heavy. The Everglide Sunset Yellow switch, on the other hand, offers a medium-light bottom out force of 51 grams, making it suitable for a wide range of users. It stands out with its rich and bassy sound profile, resembling the depth and richness associated with bass tones. Additionally, the Sunset Yellow switch provides a creamy and frictionless typing experience, making it feel like effortlessly gliding your fingers across the keys. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on your personal preference for tactility, sound, and feel. Whether you prefer the gentle tactility and neutral sound of the Light Tactile switch or the indulgent typing experience and bassy sound of the Sunset Yellow switch, both options offer unique qualities that can enhance your keyboarding experience.
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