Durock Medium Tactile vs. Outemu Red Panda

Overview

When it comes to choosing a mechanical keyboard switch, two options that often come up are the Durock Medium Tactile and the Outemu Red Panda, both of which fall under the tactile switch category. The Durock Medium Tactile is highly regarded for its unique flavor of tactile feedback, providing a pronounced yet balanced tactility. Additionally, it offers a jelly-like sound signature that adds a satisfying auditory experience to your typing. On the other hand, the Outemu Red Panda offers a different typing experience with a light to medium level of tactility. It produces a bassier, raindrop-like sound when bottoming out, accompanied by a clackier, higher-pitched sound during top-out. While these are some general pointers about the switches, let's delve deeper into their characteristics to help you make an informed decision on the best switch for your needs.

By the numbers

Durock Medium Tactile Tactile

Outemu Red Panda Tactile

$5.50

$4.25 per 10

$3.40 per 10

Learn moreLearn more

Housing materials

The Durock Medium Tactile and the Outemu Red Panda both feature polycarbonate top housings. This material contributes to a sharper, higher-pitched, and crisper sound profile in both switches. The translucency of polycarbonate is particularly beneficial for those who plan to use RGB lighting, as it allows the light to shine through effectively. Aesthetically, both switches offer a similar appearance with their clear housing. This means that users can expect similar results in terms of sound and lighting effects when using either the Durock Medium Tactile or the Outemu Red Panda.

Moving on to the bottom housing, both switches utilize a nylon material. Nylon is a classic switch housing material known for creating a deeper and fuller sound profile. Its relatively softer plastic absorbs more sound than harder plastics, resulting in a duller and rounder sound. Therefore, when typing on either the Durock Medium Tactile or the Outemu Red Panda, users can expect a similar experience in terms of the switch's bottom-out sound and feel. The nylon bottom housing plays a significant role in contributing to the overall typing experience of both switches.

It is important to note that while the top and bottom housings have different materials in both switches, each housing material brings unique qualities to the switch. When pressing down on a key, the bottom housing influences the bottom-out sound and feel, while the top housing impacts the sound when releasing the key. Therefore, while the Durock Medium Tactile and the Outemu Red Panda share similar features in terms of their housing materials, the way these materials affect the typing experience may vary slightly.

Weight

When comparing the actuation force and bottom out force of the Durock Medium Tactile and Outemu Red Panda tactile switches, we can see some similarities and differences. Starting with the actuation force, the Durock Medium Tactile's force is unavailable in grams, while the Red Panda requires 50 grams of force. Although we don't have specific numbers for the Durock, we can assume that both switches have a similar actuation force as both fall under the category of medium switches. Moving on to the bottom out force, the Durock requires 65 grams, which is considered medium-heavy. On the other hand, the Red Panda requires 60 grams, which is slightly lighter. This means that the Durock provides a slightly heavier typing experience when fully pressed down compared to the Red Panda. For those who prefer a lighter typing feel, the Red Panda would be a suitable choice. However, for those who enjoy a more substantial push feel, the Durock Medium Tactile would be the better option. Overall, both switches offer tactile feedback at a medium actuation force, with the Durock being slightly heavier for a more pronounced typing experience.

Travel distance

When comparing the travel distance of the Durock Medium Tactile tactile switch and the Outemu Red Panda tactile switch, it is evident that they have different distances. The Medium Tactile has a travel distance of 4 mm, while the Red Panda has a travel distance of 3.3 mm. The Medium Tactile offers a more traditional travel distance, which can provide a satisfying depth when typing. On the other hand, the Red Panda's shorter travel distance may be preferred by gamers seeking quicker response times. Ultimately, the choice between the two switches depends on individual preferences.

Price comparison

Typing experience

In terms of sound, the Durock Medium Tactile switch has a jelly-like sound signature, which suggests a softer, squishy sound when the keys are pressed and released. On the other hand, the Red Panda switch is described as having a bassier, raindrop-like bottom-out sound and a clackier, higher-pitched top-out sound. This indicates that the Red Panda switch produces a deeper, more satisfying sound when pressed and released.

Moving on to feel, the Durock Medium Tactile switch is considered accented, which means it provides a prominent amount of tactility without being overwhelming or subtle. Additionally, it is described as mild, offering a gentle typing experience that most people will find approachable. The switch is also polished, which means it has a smooth and refined finish, resulting in reduced friction and smooth key travel.

Similarly, the Red Panda switch is also described as mild, providing a gentle typing experience that is not overly pronounced. However, the specific tactile characteristics and any additional descriptors for the Red Panda switch are unknown.

In conclusion, the Durock Medium Tactile switch offers a pronounced yet balanced tactility with a jelly-like sound signature. Its feel can be described as accented, stepped, mild, and polished. The Red Panda switch, although lacking specific information about its feel, also provides a mild typing experience. If you are looking for a switch with similar qualities to the Durock Medium Tactile, you may get comparable results with the Red Panda switch in terms of sound and overall feel. However, it is important to consider other factors such as the choice of keyboard board and keycaps, as these can also affect the sound and feel of the switches.

Conclusion

In closing, the choice between the Durock Medium Tactile and the Outemu Red Panda switches ultimately comes down to personal preference. If you prefer a slightly heavier bottom out force of 65 grams and enjoy a pronounced yet balanced tactility, along with a jelly-like sound signature, then the Durock Medium Tactile is the switch for you. On the other hand, if you prefer a lighter bottom out force of 60 grams and appreciate a light-medium amount of tactility, accompanied by a bassier, raindrop-like bottom-out sound and a clackier, higher-pitched top-out sound, then the Outemu Red Panda is the switch to consider. Both switches offer a mild typing experience that is approachable to most and provide a smooth and refined finish. Ultimately, the decision will depend on your specific preferences for force, tactility, and sound.

Mentioned in this article

Durock Medium Tactile Tactile

$5.50

$4.25 per 10

Learn more

Outemu Red Panda Tactile

$3.40 per 10

Learn more