Durock Mamba vs. HMX Vintage Citrus
An in-depth look at the Durock Mamba and the HMX Vintage Citrus switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, enthusiasts often find themselves torn between options that cater to different preferences and performance needs. The Durock Mamba, with its smooth gliding typing sensation, offers users a rich and creamy auditory experience, making it an excellent choice for typists who value both comfort and sound in their keystrokes. Its neutral and thocky characteristics enhance the overall typing experience, ideal for extended sessions at the keyboard. On the other hand, the HMX Vintage Citrus is designed specifically for gamers, featuring an incredibly low actuation force of just 1mm, which allows for rapid-fire inputs essential in fast-paced gaming scenarios. This switch’s bright and clacky sound profile, combined with a silky smooth push feel, caters to those who thrive on speed and responsiveness. Both switches offer unique advantages, appealing to different user bases within the mechanical keyboard community. 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
48g
Bottom-out force
60g
Bottom-out force
53g
Pre-travel
2.00 mm
Pre-travel
1.00 mm
Total travel
3.50 mm
Total travel
3.00 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
Nylon
Bottom housing material
POM
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Extended long spring
Spring
22mm single-staged spring
Housing materials
The Durock Mamba and the HMX Vintage Citrus switches exemplify a fascinating divergence in housing materials, specifically at the top. The Mamba utilizes a unique polymer blend of nylon and UHMWPE (Ultra-High-Molecular-Weight Polyethylene) for its top housing. This material is noted for providing a bright sound profile that, while not overly sharp, leans towards a vivid tonal quality. Conversely, the Vintage Citrus features a traditional nylon top housing, celebrated for its capability to deliver a deeper, fuller sound. This is attributed to nylon's softer nature, which absorbs sound more effectively than harder plastics, yielding a more muted sound. Consequently, when comparing the two, one can expect that while both will provide high-quality auditory experiences, the Mamba's blend will offer a brighter accent to its output, contrasting the Vintage Citrus's classic rounded tones.
Examining the bottom housing materials reveals further distinctions and similarities. The Mamba employs a POM (Polyoxymethylene) bottom housing, which is praised for its ability to create a deeper and more muted sound profile. On the other hand, the Vintage Citrus also adopts nylon for its bottom housing. Much like the top housing, the nylon absorbs sound effectively, resulting in a full-bodied sound that tends towards a rich and rounded tonal experience. Here, both switches share that quality of creating fuller sounds through the use of their respective bottom housings, despite their materials differing—POM may enhance depth while nylon's softness contributes to volume absorption. This interaction indicates that while the Mamba tends towards a lively sound character, both switches provide a pleasing auditory experience through skilled manipulation of their housing materials.
Ultimately, the performance of these switches is a blend of the unique contributions of each housing material, which affects both sound and feel during use. With the Mamba's distinct polymer blend on the top and POM on the bottom, users will experience a sound that balances brightness and depth. Meanwhile, the Vintage Citrus maintains a classic approach with all nylon housing, ensuring a consistent and full sound profile. While the top housings differentiate the switches, the nylon bottom housing of the Vintage Citrus aligns with the Mamba's intention to provide a rounded auditory experience. Thus, whether one opts for the unique blend of the Mamba or the traditional reliability of the Vintage Citrus, both switches promise satisfying tactile and acoustic encounters by effectively utilizing their respective materials.
Weight
When comparing the Durock Mamba linear switch and the HMX Vintage Citrus linear switch, notable differences in actuation and bottom out forces emerge. The Mamba lacks a specified actuation force, but it has a bottom out force of 60 grams, which is classified as medium. In contrast, the Vintage Citrus switch boasts an actuation force of 48 grams, making it the lighter option, while its bottom out force is 53 grams, slightly less than that of the Mamba. This means that for users who prefer a lighter touch to type for extended periods without fatigue, the Vintage Citrus may be more suitable. On the other hand, the Mamba's heavier bottom out force suggests a more substantial tactile experience, appealing to those who favor a firmer resistance. Ultimately, while the Vintage Citrus offers a lighter actuation and bottom out force, the Mamba provides a heftier feel, allowing typists to choose based on their preferences for typing experience.
Travel distance
When comparing the travel distances of the Durock Mamba linear switch and the HMX Vintage Citrus linear switch, the Mamba features a travel distance of 3.5 mm, while the Vintage Citrus has a slightly shorter distance of 3 mm. This makes the Mamba the longer option, offering a more substantial press that may appeal to users who prefer a more pronounced feedback when typing or gaming. On the other hand, the Vintage Citrus, with its shorter 3 mm travel distance, caters to those who prioritize rapid response times, making it potentially more suitable for gamers looking for quick key presses. Ultimately, your choice between these two switches will depend on your preference for either the fuller depth of the Mamba or the snappier feel of the Vintage Citrus.
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 HMX Vintage Citrus has an MSRP of $3.49 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Vintage Citrus for $2.79.
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 the sound profile of the Durock Mamba linear switches, users can expect a rich and creamy auditory experience that exudes a deep and satisfying thocky sound when keys are pressed. This characteristic sound makes every keystroke feel substantial and enjoyable, contributing to a sensory typing environment that many enthusiasts appreciate. In contrast, although the specifics of the HMX Vintage Citrus linear switch sound profile are not detailed, it is noted that they produce a bright and clacky sound. Given that sound is influenced by various factors such as the keyboard and keycap material, users might find these two switches produce quite different acoustic experiences, making the Mamba more suited for those who prefer a thocky tone, while the Vintage Citrus may appeal to gamers looking for a sharper, more exciting sound.
Regarding the feel, the Mamba switches offer a mild and polished typing experience. Users will appreciate the gentle engagement of each keypress, complemented by an exceptionally smooth travel due to either quality materials or factory lubrication. This combination allows for a comfortable typing experience that balances feedback with ease of use. The specifics of the feel of the Vintage Citrus switch are not provided, but its design focuses on rapid fire input with a low actuation force. Depending on the construction of the Vintage Citrus, it could provide a different tactile experience, perhaps more suited for fast-paced gaming rather than a comfortable typing rhythm.
In conclusion, while both the Durock Mamba and HMX Vintage Citrus switches serve distinct audiences—with the Mamba focusing on a pleasant auditory experience and tactile comfort and the Vintage Citrus aimed at gamers seeking speed—their differences in sound and feel cater to different preferences. Users will likely find the Mamba appealing for extended typing sessions due to its rich sound and polished feel, while the Vintage Citrus will stand out for those who prioritize rapid response times in gaming with its low actuation force. Ultimately, your choice between these switches depends on your use case, whether it's for typing or gaming, and personal sound and feel preferences.
Conclusion
To conclude, when deciding between the Durock Mamba linear switch and the HMX Vintage Citrus linear switch, you'll want to consider your primary use case and personal preferences. If you’re looking for a versatile switch that excels in both typing and general usage, the Mamba would be your go-to option. Its moderate bottom-out force of 60 grams offers a satisfying tactile experience combined with a rich auditory feedback reminiscent of deep thocks, making it pleasant for extended typing sessions as well as casual gaming. On the other hand, if your gaming style leans towards rapid-fire actions and you need a switch that can respond quickly with minimal effort, the Vintage Citrus is designed specifically for that purpose. With its lighter 53 grams of bottom-out force and an impressive 1mm actuation distance, this switch offers a bright, clacky sound profile that enhances your gaming experience and makes each keypress feel incredibly responsive. Ultimately, your choice should reflect how you plan to use your keyboard—whether for smooth typing or high-speed gaming—to ensure you find the switch that best suits your needs.
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