Everglide Lightning Silver V3 vs. Durock Mamba
An in-depth look at the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 and the Durock Mamba switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing between mechanical keyboard switches, the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 and Durock Mamba both offer unique features for different preferences. The Lightning Silver V3 is known for its clacky and high-pitched sound signature, providing a silky typing experience with an added touch of RGB illumination through its light diffuser. On the other hand, the Durock Mamba pays tribute to Kobe Bryant with a smooth linear typing experience that is described as gliding and rich in sound. While the Lightning Silver V3 leans towards a more vibrant and distinct typing experience, the Durock Mamba offers a neutral and polished 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
48g
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
60g
Pre-travel
1.50 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.40 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
Ly
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Bottom housing material
POM
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Lengthened gold-plated spring
Spring
Extended long spring
Housing materials
The Everglide Lightning Silver V3 utilizes polycarbonate for both its top and bottom housing, resulting in a switch with a sharp, higher-pitched, and crisp sound profile. The use of polycarbonate, a stiffer plastic, contributes to a clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the translucency of polycarbonate is ideal for RGB lighting effects. In contrast, the Durock Mamba features a unique blend of Polymer nylon and UHMWPE for its top housing, providing a pleasant sound profile that is bright but not overly sharp. The Mamba's POM bottom housing, on the other hand, produces a deeper and more muted sound, creating a different typing experience compared to the Lightning Silver V3.
While the Lightning Silver V3 and the Durock Mamba both offer distinct sound profiles based on their housing materials, they share similarities in how the top and bottom housings influence the overall typing experience. For switches with different housing materials for the top and bottom, the qualities of each material are distributed accordingly. When pressing down on the switch, the bottom housing's impact on the bottom-out sound and feel is more noticeable. Conversely, the top housing plays a crucial role in the sound produced when releasing a key. This allocation of qualities between the top and bottom housings contributes to the overall typing feel and sound of each switch.
Overall, the choice between the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 and the Durock Mamba will depend on personal preferences for sound profiles and typing experiences. The polycarbonate housing of the Lightning Silver V3 offers a sharper and crisper sound, ideal for those who prefer a more defined typing experience. In contrast, the Mamba's unique blend of Polymer nylon and UHMWPE for the top housing and POM for the bottom housing provides a pleasant and bright sound with a deeper tone. Ultimately, both switches offer high-quality housing materials that contribute to their individual sound profiles and typing characteristics.
Weight
When comparing the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 linear switch to the Durock Mamba linear switch, we can see some differences in actuation force and bottom out force. The Lightning Silver V3 has an actuation force of 48 grams, while the Mamba's actuation force is unknown. However, both switches share the same bottom out force of 60 grams, making them similar in that aspect. In terms of weight, the Lightning Silver V3 is lighter with its lower actuation force, making it ideal for those who prefer a lighter typing experience. On the other hand, the Mamba's actuation force remains a mystery, but its shared bottom out force suggests it may provide a similar typing experience in terms of force required. Ultimately, the decision between the two switches will depend on whether one prefers a lighter actuation force or is indifferent to the actuation force but seeks a medium bottom out force for a more substantial typing experience.
Travel distance
In comparing the travel distance of the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 linear switch and the Durock Mamba linear switch, we see that the Lightning Silver V3 has a travel distance of 3.4 mm, while the Mamba has a travel distance of 3.5 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, which are favored by gamers for their faster response times. However, the Mamba has a slightly longer travel distance, which may provide a slightly more substantial feel when pressing down on a key compared to the Lightning Silver V3. Ultimately, the choice between the two will depend on personal preference for either a slightly shorter or slightly longer travel distance.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Everglide Lightning Silver V3 has an MSRP of $5.55 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Lightning Silver V3 for $4.10.
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
In terms of sound, the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 switch offers a unique combination of a clacky and high-pitched sound profile, providing a sharp and crisp auditory experience that can be described as bright and percussive. On the other hand, the Durock Mamba switch is known for its neutral and thocky sound, offering a more moderate and satisfying auditory sensation with a deep "thud" or soft "knock" when the key is pressed and released. While the Lightning Silver V3 emphasizes a lively and vibrant sound, the Mamba focuses on a rich and creamy audio feedback.
When it comes to feel, the Lightning Silver V3 switch is praised for its silky smooth typing experience, minimizing resistance and enhancing the overall smoothness of key presses. In contrast, the Durock Mamba switch offers a mild and polished typing feel, providing a gentle and refined typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel. Both switches aim to offer a comfortable typing experience, with the Lightning Silver V3 focusing on seamless typing and the Mamba emphasizing a polished and approachable feel.
Considering the subjective qualities of sound and feel, the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 switch and the Durock Mamba switch offer distinct typing experiences for users. While the Lightning Silver V3 provides a clacky and high-pitched sound with a silky typing feel, the Mamba offers a neutral and thocky sound with a mild and polished typing sensation. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on individual preference for sound and feel. Regardless of the selection, both switches promise a satisfying typing experience that caters to different auditory and tactile preferences.
Conclusion
In closing, when considering whether to choose the Everglide Lightning Silver V3 linear switch or the Durock Mamba linear switch, it ultimately comes down to your preference for sound and feel. If you enjoy a clacky and high-pitched sound with a silky smooth typing experience, then the Lightning Silver V3 may be the right choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a more neutral or thocky sound profile with a mild and polished feel, then the Durock Mamba could be the better option. Both switches have the same bottom out force of 60 grams, so the decision ultimately lies in the nuances of the sound and feel that you prefer in your typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the Lightning Silver V3 and the Mamba will come down to your personal preference and how each switch aligns with your typing style and preferences.
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