Durock Medium Tactile vs. Gateron Oil King (V2)
An in-depth look at the Durock Medium Tactile and the Gateron Oil King (V2) switches—which one is the best fit for you?
Overview
When it comes to mechanical keyboard switches, two popular options that have gained a significant following are the Durock Medium Tactile and the Gateron Oil King. The Durock Medium Tactile is highly regarded for its unique flavor of tactility, offering a pronounced yet balanced feedback that is pleasing to the fingers. Additionally, it is known for its jelly-like sound signature, adding an extra touch of enjoyment to the typing experience. On the other hand, the Gateron Oil King stands out for its smoothness and indulgent feel. Users often describe it as buttery smooth, akin to snapping a dark chocolate bar. With a low-pitched and creamy sound profile, it adds a touch of luxury to each keystroke. However, let's dive in a bit deeper beyond these generalities so you can best decide on the perfect switch for your needs.
By the numbers
Technical specifications
Actuation force
N/A
Actuation force
55g
Bottom-out force
65g
Bottom-out force
65g
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
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Nylon
Bottom housing material
Proprietary INK blend
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Mount type
PCB (5-pin)
Spring
Gold-plated spring
Spring
Color coated
Housing materials
The housing materials of the Durock Medium Tactile and the Gateron Oil King differ significantly in terms of their composition and resulting sound profiles. The Medium Tactile utilizes a polycarbonate top housing, which creates a sharper and higher-pitched sound. This is attributed to polycarbonate's stiffness, allowing for a clear and resonant sound experience. On the other hand, the Oil King features a nylon top housing, which produces a deeper and fuller sound. Nylon's softer nature absorbs more sound, resulting in a rounder and slightly duller sound profile. Both materials have their unique qualities, with polycarbonate lending itself well to switches with RGB lighting and nylon providing a classic typing experience.
Additionally, the bottom housings of the Medium Tactile and the Oil King also showcase material variations. The Medium Tactile incorporates a nylon bottom housing, similar to its top housing. This creates a deeper and fuller sound, thanks to nylon's sound-absorbing properties. Conversely, the Oil King features Gateron's proprietary INK blend bottom housing, known for its pointed and relatively high-pitched sound. This blend produces a satisfying thin and clacky sound, adding to the overall typing experience. The choice of bottom housing material significantly impacts the bottom-out sound and feel of the switch, offering different auditory and tactile feedback.
In summary, while both the Durock Medium Tactile and the Gateron Oil King employ different housing materials for their top and bottom, they each bring their own unique sound profiles to the switches. The polycarbonate top housing of the Medium Tactile results in a sharper and more resonant sound, while the nylon top housing of the Oil King produces a deeper and fuller sound. Similarly, the nylon bottom housing of the Medium Tactile contributes to its overall sound profile, while the INK blend bottom housing of the Oil King adds a clacky and high-pitched sound. Despite their differences, both switches offer distinct auditory experiences for keyboard enthusiasts.
Weight
When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Medium Tactile tactile switch and the Gateron Oil King linear switch, there are some similarities and differences to consider. In terms of actuation force, the Durock Medium Tactile's force is unavailable, whereas the Gateron Oil King requires a force of 55 grams to trigger a keystroke. Both switches have a bottom out force of 65 grams, indicating a medium-heavy feel.
Weight becomes an important factor when considering these switches. Those who prefer a lighter feel may lean towards the Gateron Oil King, as its actuation force is lighter, allowing for longer typing periods, which is desirable for work or extended gaming sessions. On the other hand, individuals seeking a more substantial typing experience may find the Durock Medium Tactile more suitable, as it is likely to require a stronger push due to its unavailable actuation force.
In terms of bottom out force, both switches have an equal force of 65 grams, providing a consistent medium-heavy feel when fully pressed. This makes them comparable in terms of bottoming out, ensuring a similar typing experience in that regard. Ultimately, the choice between these switches comes down to personal preference regarding actuation force and the desired typing experience - lighter with the Gateron Oil King or stronger with the Durock Medium Tactile.
Travel distance
The Durock Medium Tactile tactile switch and the Gateron Oil King linear switch both have a travel distance of 4 mm. This means that when you press down on a key equipped with either of these switches, you will feel the key travel a distance of 4 mm from the top to the bottom. Therefore, you can expect similar results in terms of the travel distance when using both switches. The travel distance of both switches being equal ensures that the typing experience and feedback provided by both switches will be consistent.
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 Gateron Oil King (V2) comes in at $6.50 per 10 switches.
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 described as having a jelly-like sound signature. While the exact details of the sound are not provided, it is likely that the Medium Tactile switch produces a unique sound that is reminiscent of a jelly-like texture. On the other hand, the Gateron Oil King linear switch is described as having a low-pitched and bassy sound profile. This means that the Oil King switch produces a deeper and richer tone during key presses, with a lower frequency range resembling the depth and richness associated with bass tones. Overall, the sound of a switch is also influenced by factors such as the keyboard board and keycaps used, but based on the provided descriptions, the Durock Medium Tactile and Gateron Oil King switches offer different sound experiences.
When it comes to feel, the Durock Medium Tactile switch is described as an accented, stepped, mild, and polished switch. An accented switch means that it provides a prominent amount of tactility without being overwhelming or subtle. The stepped feeling refers to the two-stage tactile feedback, where there is some pre-travel and/or post-travel before and after the tactile bump. The mild characteristic of the Medium Tactile switch indicates a gentle typing experience that falls in a safe, middle-ground zone. Finally, the switch is described as polished, meaning it has a smooth and refined finish that results in a sleek typing experience with reduced friction and smooth key travel.
In contrast, the Gateron Oil King linear switch is described as creamy, silky, buttery, and polished. The creamy characteristic indicates a smooth and buttery typing experience, likely due to factory lubrication or specific materials. A silky switch refers to an exceptionally smooth typing experience with minimized resistance, enhancing the overall smoothness of the typing feel. Butter switches provide a seamless, effortless, and uniform typing sensation. Lastly, like the Medium Tactile, the Oil King switch is also described as polished, indicating a smooth and refined finish for reduced friction and smooth key travel.
In conclusion, the Durock Medium Tactile switch and Gateron Oil King linear switch offer different subjective qualities in terms of sound and feel. The Medium Tactile provides a jelly-like sound signature, while the Oil King has a low-pitched and bassy sound profile. In terms of feel, the Medium Tactile offers an accented, stepped, mild, and polished experience, while the Oil King provides a creamy, silky, buttery, and polished typing sensation. Both switches have their unique qualities, and the choice between them would depend on individual preferences for sound and feel. However, if you are seeking a smooth and polished typing experience, both switches offer similar characteristics in that regard.
Conclusion
In closing, 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 a great choice. With a bottom out force of 65 grams, it provides a medium-heavy typing experience. On the other hand, if you prefer a smooth and buttery linear switch with a sound profile reminiscent of a dark chocolate bar snapping, the Gateron Oil King is the way to go. With the same bottom out force of 65 grams, it offers a low-pitched and bassy sound. Ultimately, the decision between the Durock Medium Tactile and Gateron Oil King depends on whether you prioritize tactile feedback or a sleek linear experience. Both switches have their unique qualities that cater to specific preferences, so choose based on your desired typing experience.
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