Durock Medium Tactile vs. Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade)
An in-depth look at the Durock Medium Tactile and the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to choosing the perfect mechanical keyboard switch, two options that stand out are the Durock Medium Tactile and the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade). Both switches offer a tactile feel, providing a satisfying typing experience. The Durock Medium Tactile is best known for its pronounced yet balanced tactility, offering a jelly-like sound signature. It falls into the categories of 'Accented', 'Stepped', 'Mild', and 'Polished', which enhances its unique typing experience. On the other hand, the Moyu Black (Dark Jade) stands out with its sharp tactile feel. It features a rare blend of PBT top and bottom housing, creating a premium typing experience. It is categorized as 'Accented', 'Resonant', and 'Sharp', offering a distinctive and impactful typing experience. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond generalities so you can best decide on the ideal switch for you.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
N/A
Actuation force
50g
Bottom-out force
65g
Bottom-out force
67g
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
Yes
Stem construction
Standard
Stem construction
Standard
Stem material
POM
Stem material
POM
Top housing material
Polycarbonate
Top housing material
PBT
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
PBT
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated spring
Spring
Gold-plated
Housing materials
The Durock Medium Tactile and the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) have different materials used in their top housings. The Medium Tactile features a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper and crisper sound profile. The polycarbonate's stiffer nature contributes to a more clear and resonant sound. Additionally, the translucent quality of polycarbonate allows for enhanced RGB lighting effects. On the other hand, the Moyu Black (Dark Jade) utilizes a PBT top housing. PBT is relatively unseen in switch housings and offers a neutral sound profile. It neither provides an exceptionally crisp nor dull sound, making it a versatile option.
As for the bottom housings, the Medium Tactile employs a nylon material. This classic switch housing material is known to elicit a deeper and fuller sound profile. Nylon's softer nature absorbs more sound, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. In contrast, the Moyu Black (Dark Jade) utilizes a PBT bottom housing. Similar to its top housing, PBT in the bottom housing provides a neutral sound profile. It neither enhances crispness nor dullness, contributing to an overall balanced sound experience.
Considering the impact of these housing materials on typing experience, the bottom housing has a more significant influence on the bottom-out sound and feel of the switch. Therefore, when using a switch with different top and bottom housings, the qualities of the bottom housing material will be more prevalent. Conversely, the top housing will affect the sound when releasing a key. In terms of similarities, both switches offer a neutral sound profile in their bottom housings, ensuring that neither switch provides an overly crisp nor dull typing experience.
Weight
When comparing the actuation and bottom out forces of the Durock Medium Tactile and Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) tactile switches, there are some noticeable differences. The actuation force of the Durock Medium Tactile is unavailable, while the Moyu Black requires 50 grams of force to trigger a keystroke. However, both switches have a similar bottom out force, with the Durock Medium Tactile requiring 65 grams and the Moyu Black needing 67 grams.
In terms of weight, some individuals may prefer a lighter switch for extended typing or gaming sessions, as it allows for longer periods of comfortable use. In this case, the Moyu Black provides a lighter actuation force compared to the Durock Medium Tactile, potentially creating a more ideal option for those seeking a lighter typing experience.
On the other hand, there are individuals who prefer a heavier switch for a more substantial typing feel. For these individuals, the Durock Medium Tactile may be a better choice with its medium-heavy bottom out force, providing a stronger push and a more satisfying typing experience.
Overall, while the actuation forces may differ between the Durock Medium Tactile and the Moyu Black (Dark Jade), both switches offer a similar bottom out force. Choosing the lighter or heavier option ultimately depends on personal preferences and the desired typing experience.
Travel distance
The travel distance of the Durock Medium Tactile tactile switch and the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) tactile switch is the same, with both switches having a travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key equipped with either switch, you will experience the same distance the switch travels from the top to the bottom. Therefore, whether you choose the Durock Medium Tactile or the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) switch, you can expect similar results in terms of the travel distance.
Price comparison
Which switch is more bang for your buck?
The Durock Medium 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 Medium Tactile for $4.25.
The Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) has an MSRP of $12.00 per 10 switches. At Milktooth, we are able to pass on savings to our customers and offer the Moyu Black (Dark Jade) for $7.59.
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 Medium Tactile switch is best known for its jelly-like sound signature. While the specific sound characteristics are not mentioned, it can be inferred that this switch produces a softer and more muted sound during typing. On the other hand, the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) switch is described as resonant, offering a higher-pitched sound profile and an immersive auditory experience. The sound produced by these switches is clean, sharp, and resonant. It is important to note that the sound of a switch can also be influenced by factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used.
Moving on to feel, both the Durock Medium Tactile and the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) switches are described as accented. This means that they provide a prominent amount of tactility without being overwhelming or subtle. Additionally, both switches have a smooth and refined finish, resulting in a sleek typing experience. The Durock Medium Tactile switch is also described as mild, offering a more gentle typing experience compared to switches with more pronounced characteristics. The Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) switch, on the other hand, is described as sharp, indicating a high feedback intensity and a strong and crisp tactile bump.
In conclusion, the Durock Medium Tactile and the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) switches have some similarities in terms of their feel, as they are both accented switches with a smooth and refined finish. However, the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) switch stands out with its sharper tactile feel and distinct upstroke bump, creating a hypertactile sensation. The sound qualities of the switches differ, with the Durock Medium Tactile having a more jelly-like sound signature, while the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) offers a resonant and high-pitched sound profile. Overall, both switches provide unique and premium typing experiences, with the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) switch offering a more impactful and intense feel.
Conclusion
To sum up, if you're looking for a tactile switch with a pronounced yet balanced tactility and a jelly-like sound signature, the Durock Medium Tactile is the way to go. With a medium-heavy bottom out force of 65 grams, this switch offers a satisfying typing experience without being overwhelming. On the other hand, if you prefer a sharp and distinct tactile feel, along with a unique PBT housing for a premium typing experience, the Everglide Moyu Black (Dark Jade) is the switch for you. With a slightly higher bottom out force of 67 grams, these switches provide a hypertactile sensation, especially with their stronger upstroke bump. Additionally, the Moyu Blacks offer a resonant sound profile that is clean and sharp. Ultimately, the choice between these switches comes down to personal preference in terms of tactility, sound, and typing experience.
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