Durock Light Tactile vs. KTT Wine Red
An in-depth look at the Durock Light Tactile and the KTT Wine Red switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, the Durock Light Tactile and the KTT Wine Red offer distinct options for different preferences. The Light Tactile switch from Durock stands out with its gentle tactility, providing a refreshing contrast to the sharper tactile switches commonly found on the market. Typing on these switches offers a heavenly tactile feedback, accompanied by a unique jelly-like sound signature. On the other hand, the KTT Wine Red switches offer a pillowy light typing experience with a deep and rich sound profile. These switches are categorized as bassy and low-pitched, ensuring a satisfying audio experience while typing. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities to help you decide on the best switch for your specific needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
52g
Actuation force
44g
Bottom-out force
67g
Bottom-out force
55g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Total travel
4.00 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
No
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
Plate (3-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated spring
Spring
Progressive spring
Housing materials
The Durock Light Tactile and the KTT Wine Red both utilize polycarbonate as their top housing material. This choice results in a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile for both switches. Additionally, polycarbonate's stiffer nature contributes to a clear and resonant sound profile. Aesthetically, the translucent nature of polycarbonate makes it ideal for switches that incorporate RGB lighting. Therefore, both the Light Tactile and the Wine Red offer similar sound characteristics and visual appeal due to their shared polycarbonate top housings.
However, when it comes to the bottom housing material, the Light Tactile differs from the Wine Red. The Light Tactile opts for a nylon bottom housing, which offers a different typing experience compared to the Wine Red's polycarbonate bottom housing. Nylon, being a softer plastic, absorbs more sound, resulting in a deeper and fuller sound profile. This creates a duller and rounder sound when typing on switches with nylon bottom housing. In contrast, the Wine Red's polycarbonate bottom housing aligns with the sound profile of its top housing, providing a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound experience.
The distinction in bottom housing materials also influences the feel of pressing down and letting go of the keys. With the Light Tactile, the qualities of the nylon bottom housing will be more noticeable when pressing down, affecting the bottom-out sound and feel. Conversely, the top housing, dominated by polycarbonate, will have a stronger impact on the sound produced when releasing a key. In the case of the Wine Red, where both top and bottom housings consist of polycarbonate, the sound and feel throughout the keystroke will be more consistent, with the top housing influencing the sound upon key release.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Light Tactile tactile switch and the KTT Wine Red linear switch, there are noticeable differences to consider. The Durock Light Tactile has an actuation force of 52 grams, while the KTT Wine Red comes in slightly lighter at 44 grams. Both switches provide a satisfactory typing experience as they fall within the medium range. However, when it comes to bottoming out, the Durock Light Tactile requires a heavier force of 67 grams compared to the Wine Red's 55 grams, making it slightly more substantial in terms of feedback.
For those who prefer a lighter overall feel, the KTT Wine Red would be the ideal choice. Its lighter actuation force allows for longer typing periods, making it well-suited for tasks or gaming sessions that require extended use. On the other hand, individuals seeking a more robust keystroke experience may lean towards the Durock Light Tactile. Despite being heavier, it provides a more satisfying push with its higher bottom out force. Choosing between the two ultimately depends on personal preferences and the desired typing experience. However, it is worth noting that both switches offer satisfactory results and can cater to a variety of typing styles and needs.
Travel distance
The Durock Light Tactile and KTT Wine Red switches both have a travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key that uses either of these switches, you will experience the same distance of travel. Therefore, in terms of travel distance, both switches will provide similar results in terms of the distance you feel when pressing down on a key.
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 Wine Red comes in at $2.71 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
In terms of sound, the Durock Light Tactile switch offers a neutral sound profile. This means that it provides a moderate level of sound during key presses, making it suitable for various purposes and user levels. On the other hand, the KTT Wine Red switch is described as bassy and low-pitched. This means that it produces a deeper and richer sound profile, resembling the depth and richness associated with bass tones. The Wine Red switch offers a more pronounced sound compared to the Light Tactile switch.
When it comes to feel, the Light Tactile switch provides a mild and gentle typing experience. It falls in the safe, middle-ground zone of mechanical keyboard switches, offering a more approachable feel for most users. Additionally, the Light Tactile switch is described as polished, indicating a smooth and refined finish that results in a sleek typing experience. This is achieved through the use of specific materials and/or factory lubing, which reduces friction and ensures smooth key travel.
Unfortunately, information about the specific feel of the KTT Wine Red switch is unavailable. However, based on the description of a linear switch, we can infer that it will offer a smoother typing experience without the tactile bump present in the Light Tactile switch. The absence of a tactile feedback in linear switches provides a different typing sensation compared to tactile switches.
In conclusion, the Light Tactile switch from Durock offers a gentle tactility and produces a jelly-like sound signature. It provides a mild and polished typing experience, making it suitable for most users. On the other hand, the KTT Wine Red switch offers a pillowy light feel and a satisfyingly deep and rich sound profile. While the specific feel of the Wine Red switch is unknown, we can anticipate a smooth typing experience without the tactile feedback offered by the Light Tactile switch. By considering the differences in sound and feel, users can choose the switch that aligns with their preferences and typing style.
Conclusion
In closing, if you're looking for a keyboard switch with a more gentle and angelic tactility, paired with a jelly-like sound signature, the Durock Light Tactile may be the perfect choice for you. With a bottom out force of 67 grams, it provides a medium-heavy feel that many find satisfying. It is also described as having a mild and polished feel, making it approachable to most users. On the other hand, if you prefer a pillowy light type feel and a deep, rich sound profile, the KTT Wine Red may be more to your liking. With a bottom out force of 55 grams, it offers a medium-light feel that some users prefer. It is characterized by its bassy and low-pitched sound, adding an extra layer of satisfaction to your typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the Durock Light Tactile and the KTT Wine Red will come down to your personal preferences in terms of tactility and sound. Both switches have their unique qualities that can enhance your typing experience.
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