Durock Lupine vs. Jwick Taro
An in-depth look at the Durock Lupine and the Jwick Taro switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
If you're in the market for a mechanical keyboard switch, two options that stand out are the Durock Lupine, a linear switch, and the Jwick Taro, a tactile switch. The Lupine is highly regarded for its smooth typing experience, thanks to its two-stage long springs. When pressing down, users can enjoy a consistent weight distribution, with a more powerful upward movement on the rebound. The sound profile of the Lupine is classic and clacky. On the other hand, the Taro switch offers a comfortable and cozy typing experience. It provides a snappy medium-level of tactility, accompanied by acute and crisp clacks. Both switches fall under the 'Neutral' category, but the Lupine is described as 'Mild', 'High-pitched', and 'Polished', while the Taro is categorized as 'Buttery' and 'Stepped'. These general descriptions provide a good starting point for selecting a switch, but let's dive deeper into the details to help you make the best decision for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
N/A
Actuation force
N/A
Bottom-out force
62g
Bottom-out force
67g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Total travel
3.70 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
No
Stem construction
Partial box
Stem construction
Partial box
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
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Two-stage long spring
Spring
Stainless steel
Housing materials
When comparing the housing materials of the Durock Lupine and the Jwick Taro, we find that they both utilize polycarbonate for their top housing. This material choice creates a similar effect in both switches. The polycarbonate top housing leads to a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile. Additionally, polycarbonate's translucency makes it ideal for switches that utilize RGB lighting. Therefore, users can expect to get similar results in terms of sound and aesthetics from both the Lupine and Taro switches when it comes to the polycarbonate top housing.
Moving on to the bottom housing, both the Lupine and Taro switches employ nylon. Nylon is a classic switch housing material known for eliciting a deeper and fuller sound profile. This is because nylon is a relatively softer plastic that absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. Therefore, users can expect to experience a similar typing experience in terms of sound when using either the Lupine or Taro switches, as both utilize nylon for their bottom housing.
While both switches have different materials for their top and bottom housings, it's important to note that these materials play distinct roles in the overall sound and feel of the switches. When pressing down on the switch, the qualities of the bottom housing will be felt, influencing the bottom-out sound and feel. On the other hand, the top housing will have a greater impact on the sound produced when releasing a key. This indicates that although the housing materials may differ, the overall typing experience between the Lupine and Taro switches should still have some similarities due to the distribution of qualities between the top and bottom housings.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Lupine linear switch and the Jwick Taro tactile switch, there are some similarities and differences to note. Unfortunately, the specific actuation forces for both switches are unknown. However, both switches have a medium level of bottom out force, with the Lupine having a bottom out force of 62 grams and the Taro having a bottom out force of 67 grams, making it slightly heavier.
Weight is an important factor to consider when selecting a switch, as it can greatly impact the typing experience. For those who prefer a lighter switch, such as individuals who type for longer periods or engage in extended gaming sessions, the Lupine may be a suitable choice due to its medium bottom out force. This lighter option allows for easier keystrokes and can contribute to increased typing speed and reduced fatigue over time.
On the other hand, some users prefer a stronger push feel for a more substantial typing experience. For these individuals, the Taro may be a better fit as it has a slightly heavier bottom out force of 67 grams. This heavier force provides a more satisfying tactile feedback upon keystrokes and can enhance the feeling of precision and control.
In summary, while the specific actuation forces of the Lupine and Taro switches are unknown, it is clear that the Lupine is lighter with a medium bottom out force of 62 grams, while the Taro is slightly heavier with a medium-heavy bottom out force of 67 grams. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference and the desired typing experience, whether one prefers a lighter or heavier force.
Travel distance
The travel distance of a linear switch, such as the Durock Lupine, and a tactile switch, like the Jwick Taro, plays a significant role in providing a unique typing experience. Both the Durock Lupine and the Jwick Taro have an identical travel distance of 3.7 mm, ensuring that users will achieve similar results when pressing down on the keys. The 3.7 mm travel distance offers a comfortable amount of movement, allowing for precise and responsive keystrokes. Therefore, whether using the Durock Lupine or the Jwick Taro, users can expect a consistent and satisfying typing experience with the same travel distance.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Durock Lupine has an MSRP of $5.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Lupine for $4.25.
The Jwick Taro has an MSRP of $5.50 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Taro for $4.25.
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 Lupine linear switch offers a classic clacky sound profile. This means that when typing, you can expect to hear a sharp and crisp sound as each key is pressed. On the other hand, the Jwick Taro tactile switch has a moderate sound profile. This means that the sound produced when using these switches is not too loud or too quiet, but rather falls somewhere in the middle. Both switches have a neutral sound profile, making them suitable for most intents and purposes. However, it's important to note that the sound of a switch also depends on other factors such as the type of keyboard and keycaps used.
In terms of feel, the Durock Lupine linear switch provides a typing experience with a consistent weight distribution. This means that when pressing down on the keys, you'll feel a balanced weight and on the rebound, you'll experience a more powerful upward movement. The Lupine switch is also described as having a polished finish, resulting in a sleek and smooth typing experience. On the other hand, the Jwick Taro tactile switch offers a snappy and medium level of tactility. This means that when using these switches, you'll feel a gentle tactile feedback without it being too pronounced. The Taro switch is also described as being buttery, which implies a smooth and fluid keystroke experience. Additionally, the Taro switch is a stepped tactile switch, meaning it has two stages of tactility with some pre-travel and/or post-travel.
In conclusion, the Durock Lupine linear switch and the Jwick Taro tactile switch offer different subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Lupine switch provides a classic clacky sound profile and a consistent weight distribution, while the Taro switch offers a moderate sound profile, a medium level of tactility, and a smooth keystroke experience. Both switches have a neutral actuation force requirement, making them suitable for most users. If you're looking for a linear switch with a classic sound and consistent feel, the Lupine would be a good choice. If you prefer a tactile switch with a moderate sound and a smoother keystroke, the Taro would be a great option. Remember that the overall sound and feel of the switches can also be influenced by other factors such as the keyboard and keycaps used.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you are looking for a linear switch with a medium bottom out force and a classic clacky sound profile, the Durock Lupine would be a great choice. These switches have a comfortable two-stage long spring that provides a consistent weight distribution when typing and a more powerful upward rebound. In terms of sound, the Lupine has a neutral sound profile with a high-pitched tone. On the other hand, if you prefer a tactile switch with a medium-heavy bottom out force, the Jwick Taro would be a suitable option. These switches offer a cozy typing experience with a snappy level of tactility and sharp clacks. The sound profile of the Taro is also neutral. Ultimately, the decision between the Durock Lupine and the Jwick Taro depends on your preference for linear or tactile switches, as well as your desired bottom out force and sound profile.
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