Durock Mamba vs. TTC Venus
An in-depth look at the Durock Mamba and the TTC Venus switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When comparing the Durock Mamba and TTC Venus mechanical keyboard switches, it is clear that both offer unique experiences for users looking for linear switches. The Mamba is celebrated for its gliding typing sensation and rich auditory experience, making it a great choice for those who prefer a neutral, mild, thocky, and polished typing feel. On the other hand, the Venus stands out with its innovative internal design, offering a seamless glide and a unique "Q-texture" that provides a matte sensation reminiscent of biting into a chewy mochi. This switch is characterized by its buttery, gummy, frictionless, low-pitched, mild, muted, neutral, polished, subdued, and thocky attributes. Each switch has its own strengths and appeal, 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
N/A
Actuation force
45g
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
52g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.80 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.80 mm
Factory lubed
Yes
Factory lubed
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
Ly
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend
Top housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Polycarbonate
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Extended long spring
Spring
Lengthened 20.5mm spring
Housing materials
Both the Durock Mamba and TTC Venus keyboards feature unique housing materials that contribute to their distinct sound profiles. The Mamba's Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend top housing offers a bright and pleasant sound that is not too sharp, while the Venus's POM top housing produces a deeper and more muted sound. In terms of bottom housing, the Mamba's POM bottom housing provides a similar deep and muted sound profile as its top housing, whereas the Venus's polycarbonate bottom housing creates a sharper and crisper sound due to its stiffness.
While the Mamba and Venus keyboards have different top and bottom housing materials, they each offer a unique sound experience based on the qualities of their respective materials. The Mamba's Polymer nylon and UHMWPE blend top housing creates a brighter sound profile, while the POM bottom housing maintains a deep and muted tone. Conversely, the Venus's POM top housing produces a deeper and more subdued sound, while the polycarbonate bottom housing enhances the sharpness and clarity of the overall sound profile.
Ultimately, the choice between the Durock Mamba and TTC Venus keyboards comes down to personal preference in sound profile. The Mamba's blend of Polymer nylon and UHMWPE offers a pleasant and brighter sound experience, while the Venus's POM and polycarbonate combination provides a deeper, more muted sound with a sharper edge. Regardless of which keyboard you choose, both options offer unique housing materials that contribute to a satisfying typing experience, ensuring that you will achieve similar results in sound profile with either the Mamba or Venus keyboard.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Mamba linear switch and the TTC Venus linear switch, it is evident that the Mamba has a bottom out force of 60 grams, whereas the Venus has a bottom out force of 52 grams, making the Mamba the heavier of the two. The actuation force of the Mamba is not specified, while the Venus has an actuation force of 45 grams, making it lighter than the Mamba in this aspect as well. For those who prefer a lighter typing experience for extended periods of time, the Venus may be the preferable choice, while those looking for a more substantial typing feel may lean towards the Mamba. Both switches offer a medium actuation force level, providing a balance between the need for a light and crisp keystroke and a more tactile typing experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will depend on personal preference and typing style.
Travel distance
The Durock Mamba linear switch has a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the TTC Venus linear switch has a travel distance of 3.8 mm. Both switches fall within the range of shorter travel distances, which are currently popular among users looking for quicker response times. Gamers, in particular, may prefer the shorter travel distance of the Mamba for faster reactions. However, some users may find the shorter travel distance to feel too abrupt. In contrast, the Venus switch offers a slightly longer travel distance, providing a bit more depth to each keystroke. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches will come down to personal preference in terms of desired responsiveness and feel.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
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.
The TTC Venus has an MSRP of $7.99 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Venus for $5.09.
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 Mamba linear switch offers a neutral profile, providing a moderate actuation force requirement and sound level suitable for various typing environments. On the other hand, the TTC Venus linear switch presents a low-pitched and muted sound signature, offering a more bass-heavy and quieter typing experience. Both switches share a thocky profile, producing a deep and satisfying sound when pressed. Depending on your preference for sound, the Mamba may be more versatile while the Venus provides a unique and subdued auditory experience.
When it comes to feel, the Durock Mamba switch is described as mild and polished, offering a gentle typing experience with a smooth and refined finish. This provides a sleek and approachable typing sensation for most users. On the other hand, the TTC Venus linear switch boasts a buttery and frictionless feel, providing a seamless and effortless typing experience with minimal resistance. Additionally, the Venus switch also incorporates a gummy sensation when bottoming out, adding a unique touch to the typing experience. Both switches share a mild and polished feel, ensuring a comfortable and smooth keystroke experience.
In conclusion, the Durock Mamba linear switch and the TTC Venus linear switch offer distinct qualities in terms of sound and feel. While the Mamba provides a neutral and polished sound profile with a mild and refined typing experience, the Venus offers a low-pitched and muted sound signature with a buttery and frictionless feel. Ultimately, choosing between the two switches will depend on personal preferences for sound and typing sensation. However, both switches promise a high-quality mechanical keyboard experience, delivering efficient and enjoyable typing performances.
Conclusion
Bringing it all together, when considering whether to choose the Durock Mamba linear switch or the TTC Venus linear switch, it ultimately comes down to personal preference and typing style. If you prefer a switch with a medium bottom out force and a thocky sound profile, along with a mild and polished typing feel, the Durock Mamba may be the perfect choice for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a switch with a slightly lighter bottom out force and a low-pitched, muted sound profile, along with a buttery and frictionless typing feel, the TTC Venus could be the ideal option. Both switches offer unique characteristics that cater to different typing preferences, so it is important to consider what qualities are most important to you when making your decision. Ultimately, whether you choose the Durock Mamba or the TTC Venus, you can be sure that you are getting a high-quality linear switch that will enhance your typing experience.
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